Baptism Of Fire

THE NIGHT OF UNRAVELLING

SOMEONE'S POINT OF VIEW

The night expands like a black angel's wings. I looked up at the blanket of stars that seems to stretch to infinity. The occasional barking of faraway dogs broke the silence.

My gaze turned to the necklace dangling on my neck. As I close my eyes brimming with tears, memories of the woman who saved me from the pits of despair came back.

•••••

The cold wind brushes against my face while I walk through the busy street of Costa Avenue.

I've been walking for almost half an hour now- without any direction and destination. I just want to keep on walking until my feet get tired.

"This is better than staying on that fucking house," the subconscious part of my mind said.

I decided to pass by the open store. I ordered a black coffee and sat down on the chair outside. I close my eyes and inhale the aroma of the coffee. It alleviates the anger surging inside me.

My forehead creased when someone sat on the chair in front of me. I was about to lash out but I immediately stop when I noticed the woman's blood-shot eyes. I observed her for a couple of minutes.

The woman sitting across me sighed and raised her head. To my surprise, it's one of my classmate- Astreia.

I cleared my throat. "A-Are you alright?"

I wanted to punch myself for asking the obvious. Of course she's not!

She smiled lightly. "I'm not okay for now, but I will be fine soon. By the way, I'm sorry for disturbing your silence. It's just that, this is the only available seat."

I roamed my eyes around- and she's right. Silence hover between the two of us.

I and Astreia were never friends. We are just casual with each other despite being classmates since pre-school. How would we be close to each other anyway? Our personalities are the exact opposite of each other. The latter is the inconspicuous and silent lady who prefers to be a wall flower while I'm a boisterous man who loves the attention and spotlight.

"Y-You're crying earlier,"I said, trying to sound nonchalant. "If you don't mind me asking, what's your problem?"

The woman smiled bitterly. "How about you?" she asked instead, obviously trying to avoid his questions.

My brows snapped together. "What do you mean? I-I'm fine."

She shakes her head. "Your eyes tell otherwise."

I was stunned for a moment. Is that even possible? That someone can read emotions through your eyes?

I shrugged my shoulders. "Our family is in the verge of falling apart. My parents are always fighting, shouting and throwing painful words to each other- and it's honestly irritating. I'm too fed up with all their bullshits so I decided to leave the house and unwind for quite a while."

We are not close and yet I said those words without any reluctance- as if we have been friends since ages.

"I honestly don't know what words to say in order to comfort you" she said while staring over the horizon. "We're not that close, but if you want to tell me more, I'm here to listen.

"I can't give you bunch of advices..." she chuckled. "but I promise to lend my ears."

My heart leaps a bit. I stared at the person in front of me- the woman I did not expect to be with me when I'm dealing with my predicament.