Meanwhile, Julien was lost in thought, his mind racing with questions.
"Will Ava really come to meet me again? Is she the first person I want to reconnect with after all these years?"
He couldn't shake off the feeling of excitement and nervousness as he pondered the possibilities. Julien got up and walked to his room, which was situated behind a beautifully crafted door. The room was elegantly lit, with soft, warm tones that created a cozy atmosphere. Inside, there was another room, which seemed to be a private sanctuary. Julien placed his belongings on the plush sofa and then headed to his kitchen, where he began preparing something. As he moved around his house, Julien couldn't help but notice the abundance of flowers that filled every nook and cranny. He breathed in deeply, savoring the sweet fragrance that wafted through the air. The outer room was immaculately designed, but the inner room, which contained his bed, was a stark contrast. It was spacious, yet cluttered, with belongings scattered all over the floor. Clothing lay strewn about, alongside books and other personal items. A large window dominated one wall, with a stunning array of flowers planted outside. Two more doors led out of the room, each one hinting at more secrets and stories. Julien's mind wandered back to Ava, and he wondered what she would think of his home, his sanctuary. Would she see the beauty in the chaos, or would she be overwhelmed by the disarray? He smiled to himself, knowing that he would soon find out.
Julien lay on the bed, his body exhausted from the weight of his own thoughts. His massive black wings, a symbol of his demonic heritage, stretched out beside him, their dark feathers rustling softly in the silence. His chest faced down, his chiseled features buried in the pillow, as if trying to escape the turmoil within. His hair, thick and slightly long, framed his face, and his physique, honed from centuries of existence, seemed chiseled from the shadows themselves. As he lay there, lost in thought, Julien's mind wandered to Ava, the young woman who had captured his attention. He remembered the badam katlis she had given him, the sweet treats a symbol of her kindness. He got up to quench his thirst, and his gaze fell upon the tiffin, now empty except for the small ring Ava had left behind. The ring sparkled in the dim light, a reminder of their connection. Julien sat on the sofa, his eyes fixed on the ring, and his thoughts drifted to Ava.
"Will she really come back?"
he wondered. But then, doubts crept in, and he thought,
"Why would she come back?"
A voice in his mind whispered,
"You are a demon... a scary creature..."
Julien's smile faltered, and sadness washed over him. He knew he was different, a being feared and reviled by humans.
As he sat there, lost in thought, Julien's gaze fell upon the wooden box Ava had used to store his gift. The box, adorned with an intricate bird engraving, seemed to have a life of its own, as if it had gathered itself and flown away. Some people had seen it, but no one paid much attention, dismissing it as a mere trick of the night. Julien's eyes lingered on the box, a symbol of Ava's kindness and his own isolation.
As Ava lay in her room, she couldn't help but think of Julien. She remembered the pistachio rosewater baklava she had given him and wondered,
"Did he enjoy the ones I gave him? Did he trust me enough to share something so personal?"
Ava's thoughts drifted to their previous meeting, and she recalled her compliment to him:
"Your smile is very cute."
She chuckled to herself, thinking,
"You fool, Ava. Speaking your mind is one thing, but to a stranger...?"
Ava's thoughts continued to wander, and she found herself admiring Julien's good looks.
"His smile is so captivating. I've never seen anyone smile like that before. Maybe he's lonely, like me, and that's why he hesitates to smile. Maybe that's why people are intimidated by him."
Ava made up her mind to meet Julien again the next day.At 11:30 PM, Ava called her best friend, Hazel, who was about to drift off to sleep.
"Why are you calling so late, Ava?"
Hazel asked, her voice laced with concern. Ava inquired about Hazel's class schedule, asking if she had any free time in the coming days. Hazel checked her schedule and replied,
"I'm booked tomorrow and the day after, but I have a few hours free the day after that. What's going on, Ava? You're not usually so mysterious."
Ava hesitated, unsure how much to reveal.
"I just need to take care of something important, Hazel. I'll be coming home from college and then heading back."
Hazel sensed Ava's unease and reassured her,
"Okay, Ava. And by the way, the messages you wrote are lovely. I still have them."
Hazel was a kind and innocent soul, Ava's confidante for many years. They shared every secret, every feeling, but Ava had kept Julien to herself... for now.