Beautiful

Part 16

   Soon Cecily woke up and sensed the silence around her.

Cecily: "Torin? Are you there?"

Torin: "Yes Cecily. I'm right here. Did you sleep well? How are you feeling now?"

Cecily: "Ya. I had a nice sleep and I feel better now. What time it is? For how long was I asleep?"

Torin: "It's almost 8 now" Hearing that Cecily shot up from her seat and her eyes widened in shock.

Cecily: "Oh my God. How could I sleep for that long? I didn't inform uncle either. What about mom and dad?" She kept on blabbering, lost in her world. Torin went near her and cupped her shoulders and made her face him.

Torin: "Relax Cecily. I've informed everyone. Please stop panicking. Remember, you need to be cool for this treatment to work. So please take a deep breath and relax yourself" Cecily followed his words and within minutes she was relaxed. Composing herself, she smiled looking at him which brought a big smile on his face too.

Torin: "Now, let's get you home. Shall we?" Cecily nodded and they started towards Cecily's home. On reaching there they insisted him to have dinner and he couldn't refuse them. Finishing dinner, he headed to his home. When he rang the doorbell, it was Hope who opened the door with a very angry face. On seeing her, Torin glanced at his parents who shrugged their shoulders. Giving another glare, Hope marched inside and sat on the sofa. Torin followed her after closing the door.

Torin: "Now why is my Buttercup angry? Did I do anything wrong?" For an answer he got another glare.

Hope: "You are late today and you didn't bring me my icecream" She complained and pouted cutely melting everyone's heart. Torin realised his mistake. It was an unsaid agreement between them that whenever Torin was late he would bring icecream for Hope to compensate his time for her as every day after he reached home he would play with Hope till they sleep. And now he forgot it. He looked at his parents who were controlling their laughter seeing his condition. He sighed and kneeled in front of her.

Torin: "I'm extremely sorry buttercup, I forgot our deal. How about I take you out for an icecream after dinner? Will I be forgiven?"

   Hope's face literally lit up hearing him yet she maintained an angry face. The trio were trying hard not to laugh seeing her cute expressions.

Hope: "Okay. This time I'm letting you go. But not next time" She warned and Torin nodded obediently. And as per his words, Torin took her out for an icecream and then they called it a day.

   

    Days rolled gradually and soon it was two months since Cecily started her eye exercises as per Torin. Today was the start of third month and Torin wanted to take Cecily for a test but he was scared to death to ask her this. For whole day it was the only thing running inside his brain and he had no idea what to do. Now Cecily was in his cabin for their routine and he was just a statue. Cecily greeted him like usual and frowned when she didn't hear a reply.

Cecily: "Torin, are you alright?" That brought him out of his trance.

Torin: "Yes. I'm fine. Cecily, can I ask you something?"

Cecily: "Sure" She said with a bright smile. Torin took a deep breath before opening his mouth.

Torin: "It has been two months since we started your exercises. Are you.... Are you rea.... Ready for a.. a test?" The smile vanished from Cecily's face and she stood up.

Cecily: "I'm sorry" Mumbling that Cecily dashed out of there. Torin was stunned seeing her reaction and before he could react Cecily was out of his sight. Torin realised his mistake and rushed out behind her. When he came out, he saw Cecily boarding a taxi and he quickly followed her. He sighed when he saw the taxi moving towards her house. He saw her getting out and running into her home. He sighed and placed his forehead on the steering and closed his eyes. He opened his eyes after sometime when he heard a tap. He sat straight seeing Ariel and James. He opened the door and got down.

James: "I need to speak to you. Shall we go somewhere?"

Torin: "Sure uncle. Please get in" Both of them sat inside. Torin headed towards a café near their neighbourhood. Placing their orders, they settled in a corner booth.

James: "I can see and understand that you are interested in our daughter. We would like you to know that we are okay with this but only if you assure that you wouldn't hurt her" Torin guessed the reason behind this task.

Ariel: "What is the problem between you two? Everything was fine till morning. What happened now?" Torin then recited what happened and bowed his head. Meanwhile, their order arrived.

James: "I expected this much sooner" Torin looked up not understanding his talk.

Torin: "I really didn't mean to hurt her uncle" But he was cut off.

James: "I'm not talking about your fight. I'm talking about your efforts. Once we sensed your attraction for her we guessed we would face this day. I thought it would be earlier but you waited. And I appreciate your way of approach. Instead of directly jumping to test, you tried to build her confidence. I really liked it"

Torin: "Yes uncle. I wanted her to make that decision. I thought if she does exercise, her confidence will increase. But I failed miserably and hurt her as well" He ended sadly. The parents smiled looking at him.

Ariel: "No my son. You tried well and did your part. Now leave it to her. It is her who has to overcome her fear if she wants to fly. We can only teach her and encourage her but she is the one who needs to do the flight. You have done your job. Now, it is her turn. Don't contact her for two days, everything will be back on track soon" Torin was horrified hearing her.

Torin: "2 days?" Ariel and James laughed seeing him.

James: "Yes lover boy. Your sweetheart needs a push and you not talking to her will help that since she also loves you" Torin's head shot up hearing him.

Torin: "Love?" He asked shocked and excited.

Ariel: "Why don't you love Cecily?" He nodded no frantically.

Torin: "No. I love her. But her? I don't think Cecily loves me"

James: "She does my son. She loves you. She hasn't recognised it yet. That's why you shouldn't contact her for two days. She'll realise her love and gain confidence for test. Two birds in one stone" He looked puzzled.

Ariel: "You'll understand when it happens. Now go home and relax. She will be fine. And don't forget, no contacts for two days. Ok?" Torin nodded and the trio left after completing their drinks.

    Here Cecily was lying in her bed and crying her heart out. She had no idea why she did what she did. She knows that Torin was only saying for her good. But her fears beat her and she ran away like a coward. She sat up and dialled his number but he didn't pick up. Even after several tries, he didn't pick up and that hurt her more. She once again burst out crying. Ariel and James entered the home to Cecily's crying. Their hearts hurt listening her cries but they knew that it was only for her own good. After half an hour, they headed to her room to show her the path for her happiness which she is avoiding deliberately.

Till next time...