Ava's thoughts lingered on Julien's mysterious past. While fidgeting with her hands, she asked, "How did your father die?" Her voice was soft, gentle.
Julien's expression turned neutral. "I don't know." His tone suggested resignation, as if the pain had dulled with time.
"Maybe he reached his full age," Julien added, his voice devoid of emotion.
Ava's heart went out to him. She sensed the underlying sadness.
"So..." Ava trailed off, unsure how to proceed.
Julien's eyes sparkled with amusement. "Not so soon." He understood Ava's unspoken question about his age.
"I still have 25 more years," Julien said with a grin.
Ava's laughter mingled with Julien's, the tension dissipating.
"Did you think I'd die now?" Julien teased.
Ava playfully rolled her eyes. "Are you crazy? Why did I start thinking like this?"
Their laughter filled the air, and for a moment, it felt like they'd known each other forever.
Ava's expression turned serious. "I don't know why, but I feel like you're my best friend, aside from Hazel."
Julien's eyes warmed. "I've found a good friend too, someone I can share my secrets with."
He gently caressed Ava's head, his touch sending shivers down her spine.
"I couldn't believe you'd come back," Julien said. "I thought you were scared of me, like everyone else."
Ava remained silent, hiding her initial fear.
To change the subject, she asked, "If you're a butterfly, shouldn't you have antennae on your head?"
Julien chuckled. "My antennae aren't visible."
Ava smiled. "That explains why you like flowers."
Julien nodded. "At dawn, the fragrance of flowers fills the air. It's enchanting."
Ava's expression softened, a hint of sadness creeping in.
Julien noticed. "What's wrong?" he asked.
But before Ava could respond, Hazel's call interrupted them.
"Hey, Ava, come soon," Hazel said, his voice urgent.
Ava's gaze met Julien's, a silent understanding passing between them.
"I'm coming right now," Ava replied to Hazel's call.
Julien understood the unspoken cue – their time together had come to an end.
"Now you should head home," Julien said, his voice gentle.
Ava nodded, rising from beside him. "Okay, then I'm leaving."
As she turned to depart, Julien's voice stopped her.
"Will you...come back to meet me?" His tone held a hint of uncertainty.
Ava spun around, her eyes locking onto Julien's.
With a reassuring smile, she extended her right hand. "Give me your phone."
Julien's brow furrowed, but he handed over his phone without question.
Ava's gaze flicked to the black wallpaper. "Strange," she murmured to herself.
She saved her number in Julien's phone and dialed her own phone to ensure the connection.
Handing the phone back to Julien, she said, "This is my number. I'm not sure when we'll meet again, but I promise I'll come back. And we'll talk on the phone."
With that, Ava departed, leaving Julien smiling in her wake.
As she stepped out, Ava took a deep breath, feeling a sense of relief wash over her.
Meanwhile, Julien watched her leave from the window, his thoughts swirling.
"I'll trust you," he whispered to himself. "I'll wait."
Julien's eyes narrowed, observing Ava's gait. "She seems troubled. Waves of weakness emanate from her body. Is she ill?"
His concern deepened, Julien's mind racing with possibilities.
What secrets was Ava hiding?
And what drew him to her with such intensity?
***
As Ava stepped into her home, she found Hazel pacing anxiously.
"Where were you all this time?" Hazel asked, his voice laced with concern. "You had a narrow escape today."
Ava's curiosity piqued, she asked, "What happened? Did you have to go somewhere?" She parked her scooter and approached Hazel.
Hazel's eyes narrowed. "No, I hadn't spoken to you in a while, so I called, but you didn't pick up. I came here to check on you."
Ava sensed Hazel's unease. "Why?" she pressed.
Hazel's expression turned serious. "I was worried about you. Are you in some trouble?"
Ava's thoughts drifted to Julien, but she kept her secret hidden. "It could have been," she muttered under her breath.
Hazel's gaze intensified. "That's why from now on, you'll tell me before leaving somewhere."
Ava nodded reluctantly. "Okay."
"And how long will you be gone, so I can manage things here?" Hazel asked.
Ava hesitated, unsure how much to reveal.
Hazel noticed her reluctance but didn't pry. "She'll tell me when the time comes," he thought to himself.
The silence between them was filled with unspoken questions.
Ava appreciated Hazel's concern but knew she couldn't share her secrets yet.
As they stood there, Ava realized her life was becoming increasingly entwined with Julien's.
Hazel's thoughts echoed in her mind: "She'll tell me when the time comes." She nodded. "Okay, now let's go inside through the back door."
"Why all the secrecy? And why are we using the back door?" Ava asked, curiosity etched on her face.
Hazel's expression turned serious. "If I'd waited at the front gate, everyone would've noticed you weren't with me. I didn't want to draw attention."
Ava's brow furrowed. "What's going on inside?"
Hazel shrugged. "No idea. Maybe a Geeta recitation?"
"But why at our house?" Ava pressed.
Hazel's shoulders rose in a helpless gesture. "How am I supposed to know?"
Together, they entered the house, enveloped by the sweet scent of flowers and perfume.
Ava's eyes began to water, and she started coughing.
Hazel swiftly guided her to her room, fetching her medicine.
After taking it, Ava's breathing eased.
Hazel's concern lingered. "Are you okay? Your allergy's still bothering you."
Ava nodded. "Yes, friend. Flowers suffocate me."
Hazel suggested, "You should get your allergy checked again; it might have worsened."
Ava agreed.
As a headache began to set in, Hazel offered, "You rest; I'll bring something hot."
As soon as Hazel left, Kathy swept into the room.
"Oh, Madam Ji's arrived! There's so much work to do. Come on, come downstairs."
Ava tried to decline, but Kathy wouldn't listen.
Kathy instructed Ava to serve tea and water to the gathering.
The crowd overwhelmed Ava, and the perfume and flowers exacerbated her condition.
"Who's hosting the Gita recitation?" Ava asked Kathy.
Kathy's response was cryptic. "You don't matter. Something good is happening. Stay away, or you'll be in trouble."
Ava's frustration mounted.
Just then, Hazel appeared, noticing Ava's nosebleed.
No one else seemed to care.
Hazel swiftly took charge.
As Ava's condition worsened, Hazel's anxiety grew.
Suddenly, Ava fainted.
Hazel panicked, rushing her out through the back door.
As Hazel rushed Ava out, Kathy's parting words stung: "Yes, take her away. If people find out someone's sick here, they won't come."
Hazel's anger flared, but she prioritized Ava's well-being.