MY SECOND BUT TRUE LOVE #Wattys2016

CHAPTER TEN

He left my hand and moved forward. Gradually,  he lowered the handle and slid the cream hued silk curtains. He gave me a permitting look.

There wasn't anything sinister in his hazel eyes. I accepted his offer and followed him. As I stepped fro, the cool breeze stroked my face. The place I was assuming to be a room was a balcony in reality. The blue sky and the cotton clouds were clearly visible.  All of my negative thoughts came to a rest. The audacity turned into beauty. I moved to the fencing wall in order to glance what was beneath. When I peeped below, I saw a large pool. I turned around and witnessed Amarion staring at me. I smiled at him and looked away. A guitar laid on the chair in the corner. I widened my eyes in amazement.

"You have a guitar?" I asked ecstatically.

"Yeah" he answered while scratching his nape.

"You play?" I questioned again excitedly.

"Yes" he replied and stood on his heels.

I rushed to the instrument. He pursued me and sat across from me. He took the large and aesthetic guitar in his hands. It was red and black in colour.

"What would you like to listen? " he catechized shyly.

"Your favorite" I replied cheerfully.

"I've lots" he apprised confusingly.

"Anything that comes to your mind right now" I  suggested.

He laughed nervously and glanced at me. He sighed,  signalling that he had chose the song. His fingers slightly touched the strings and he tapped his feet. Slowly, he moved his fingertips but kept his gaze at the floor. The instrument began producing soft music. At once, I realised which song it was.

"Settle down with me. Cover me up. Cuddle me in" he sang in a heavenly voice.

I listened in surprise because I thought that he'd just play. I didn't know he sang so melodious.

"Lie down with me. And hold me in your arms" he sang and glimpsed at me.

"And your heart's against my chest, your lips pressed to my neck. I'm falling for your eyes, but they don't know me yet. And with a feeling I'll forget, I'm in love now" he continued in a bold yet soothing voice.

I couldn't resist staring at him and listening to him. His voice echoed in my ears. I was overwhelmed by the alluring personality in front of me.

"Kiss me like you wanna be loved. You wanna be loved.You wanna be loved. This feels like falling in love.Falling in love. We're falling in love" he trailed on and the lyrics tingled my psyche.

"Settle down with me. And I'll be your safety.You'll be my lady" he intoned with grace.

I just glanced at him continously. The gleam in his lowered eyes matched his enchanting voice. The blush on his cheeks went along with the crimson hue of the guitar. The frigid wind made me shiver as it blew and gently hit me.

" I was made to keep your body warm. But I'm cold as the wind blows so hold me in your arms"  he chanted deeply. I gulped and looked away.

"Oh no. My heart's against your chest, your lips pressed to my neck. I'm falling for your eyes, but they don't know me yet. And with this feeling I'll forget, I'm in love now. Kiss me like you wanna be loved. You wanna be loved. You wanna be loved. This feels like falling in love. Falling in love. We're falling in love" he continued while glancing at me.

"Falling in love" he whispered to conclude the song.

"Love"

That word flashed all the memories in my mind. I could understand the emotions Amarion sang with. But those were too shallow compared to the profound ocean of feelings in my heart. My chest fluttered as the sensations flowed. I felt oblivious. The pain clustered in my blood. I pursed my lips and trembled in vain. The agony grew defiance. I stared blankly at the floor. I could see the pieces of my shattered heart. I could hear my blood curdling wailing. The emptiness and the desperation attacked. The ensanguined  flesh residing in my chest reminded how bleak it still is. I remained frosted with the ice of past. The warm kisses and the melting hugs, the soft smiles and the affectionate words haunted me now....

"Ame?" Amarion asked with concern. I came out of my vagueness and turned towards him. I didn't realise when I got up from the chair and reached for the fencing wall. "Yeah?" I quivered.

"Are you okay? Is my singing that horrible?" He catechized with distraught.

"No! You sing with perfection. The song and the emotions you sang with reminded me of someone" I confessed.

"I'm sorry" he apologised in a low voice.

"Don't be. I requested you to sing" I half smiled and attempted to ease the tension.

"Thank you by the way" he smiled back.

"You're welcome" I tried pushing all the thoughts at the back of my mind.

"Can I ask something?" He requested in a soft tone.

I bit my lip and sighed. I knew this question was coming but I can't leave him bewildered. Specifically,  after the short disintegration I had in front of him.

I nodded in approval.

"Someone? Have you?" He bumbled while looking at me.

I shifted my vision to the vast view ahead of me. A gentle gust of wind dishevelled the loose strands of my hair. They covered the half of my face, veiling my frown. I was tired of repeating the same story but I had to tell Amarion. From the very first to the last memory flashed before my eyes. I gulped and parted my lips.

"I've fallen in love" I quavered and fought my tears.

"With?" He asked curiously.

"You don't know him"  I apprised in monotone.

"What happened?" He interrogated in a deep voice.

"Destiny parted us" I replied with a sorrowful voice.

"I don't want to be nosy but tell me" he insisted and kept his hand on my shoulder.

My gaze remained locked at the scene forth. I argued with myself if I should acknowledge Amarion with the details. Amarion cares for me. He wants to know about my past. Per contra, I'm not sure what his conclusions might be?

"Don't judge me but he was quite older" I began my stinging story. "I won't ever" he assured me.

"I knew him from two years. We never spoke but his charm always infatuated me. He is my relative, in case you're wondering how I happened to know him. With time I realise my strong liking for him. I then confronted my love for him through texting. I knew he liked me too. Soon, our relationship began. He did make me aware of the consequences. I was acknowledged that I had to move away from him someday but I still loved him passionately. Time flew by and he was introduced to his real companion. His parent's choice. He then realised his priorities and started ignoring me. After weeks of struggle, we broke up unexpectedly" I blurted and stopped when the painful part approached.

Amarion gazed at me and tightened his grip on my shoulder.

"I knew we didn't belong to each other. But what hurts is the way he broke up" tears pooled my eyes but I held them back.

I turned to Amarion, waiting for a response. He was silent.

"I'm really sorry. You're good at hiding your pain. I would've never known" he responded.

"Thanks" I smiled. I was being an eccedentesiast.

Amarion's eyes contained pity and sympathy. I needed to explain my pain because the song he sang highlighted his thoughts. I've to tell him how catastrophic love is.

I glanced his face and thought to myself "It is a devastating agony to witness your love in emerging jeopardy".