MY SECOND BUT TRUE LOVE #Wattys2016

CHAPTER TWENTY EIGHT

Amarion

With what felt like a jolt, my back rested on a flat surface. Faint whimpers escaped my lips. The pain grew consistently. I moved my head to the side and witnessed the girl who loved me, laying beside. There was a lovely smile on her face. Her eyelids closed and her cheeks flushed. The astray strands of her hair veiled the side of her face. Even though I was in agony, the urge of tucking them behind her ear rose. I could see her white shirt stained with clinker and the dampness of the water sprinklers made it translucent. Her creamy complexion was inviting. As if the touch of it would dissolve my ache. She seemed to be the remedy for my malady.

Her brave acts and our escape flashed before my eyes. How she saved me from becoming a fuel of the fire and claimed to love me.

(Flashback)

I was seated there in the dark, hopeless. I waited for the inferno to embrace me in it's dazzling arms and incinerate me into irreversible ashes. I watched as the flames enlarged and the twinge in my leg increased. I gave up after several attempts to free myself. As if dole had me ambushed. Perhaps, I was to die and no one can hide from death. The crimson lights added more effect to my assumption of final moments. The clacking sound reminded me of the noise that'd be produced when my body burns. It would take a few moments for me to become one of the cinders. I never imagined such a painful and lonely death. I wished I could see everyone for the last time, at least.

The sirens buzzed continously but no one had come to rescue. Where was the fire brigade? I started feeling drowsy due to the dim lights, loud noise and unbearable ache in my limb. I closed my eyes and rested my head against the wall.  I should have said no to mom. We could have been happily at home. Jade and Lily would be in their rooms safely and I would be playing my guitar wondering about Amour. Apparently, I'd be dying without knowing her answer. Everything felt worse. Why so soon? Thanks to my altruistic obedience.

I kicked the shelf in frustration and that resulted in the collpase of the cabinet beside it. I groaned loudly.

Just then a noise other than crepitation and ringing echoed on the side near the stairs. I shouted for help in case someone was there. But it also could've been the wrecking of the furniture. I sighed and felt dismayed. Lamentation invaded me. My eyelids remained shut when I heard a familiar voice.

"Can I help you?" She asked while calming her breath. I couldn't believe my ears. She repeated the question. I looked up suddenly to make sure there was someone actually there. Her angelic figure radiated under the red gleam. I couldn't figure if it was her or a mirage.

"Amour?" My voice as low as a whisper.

"Amarion" she replied in a shaky tone. Her voice appeased my ears. She knelt down and held my face in her hands. The touch of her skin felt like silk. Comfort crept to me. "Are you okay?" She asked and wiped the moisture from my cheeks using her thumb. She was so worried for me. She gazed at me like I owned something of hers and it was too precious to lose."No" I answered honestly. The corners of her mouth turned down. "We'll get out of here" she said and tried to get me on my feet. I remained still and apprised tediously "No use. My leg is stuck". "I'll do something" she assured me and examined my leg. I stared at her as she thought of freeing me. Her hair were dishevelled and her clothes had traces of combusted residue. What brought her here?  "How did you even get here and how did you find me?" I interrogated with bafflement while grasping her arm. "I came here to shop" she murmured and attempted to push the shelf. Of course, she came for shopping. Almost every girl in the city had. My sisters too. "Lily and Jade" I reminded and my voice came out yearning due to the constant twinge. "I got them out. Now your turn" she informed and continued with her struggle to liberate me. I gazed at her in disbelief.  She did that? Half of my worry faded away. My siblings were safe. "You joined the fire brigade or something?" I giggled. She didn't reply though as she was busy  pushing the heavy shelf. "It is of no use" I whispered. She wouldn't listen. She trailed on with the hard work. She rescued my sisters and she should be saving herself next. I firmly held her arm and pulled her towards me. I caressed her moistened cheeks. She looked lovely even when she was sweating. 

"Go" I hushed, hoping she'd obey.

"What?" She asked as her eyes widened. "You heard me. Leave" I replied calmly. It did rise a pang in my chest to ask her to leave. I requested that unwillingly.  I couldn't let her risk her dear life for me. She gazed into my eyes as if they've turned fathomless. Maybe, I was meant to die and I'm not selfish to drag her along.  "I'm not going without you" she turned damn intractable. How would I explain to her what she was doing? "You have to go or else you'll lose your life too. Please leave" I pleaded emotionally. But none of my words changed her obstinate decision "No" she answered with wrath. What was wrong with her? When did she become so obdurate? "Go" I cried.  "I can't just leave you like that" she reasoned willfully. Why couldn't she? "Why can't you?" I yelled. 

"Because I love you" she shouted unintentionally.

I gazed at her in perplexity. Her expression displayed her incomprehension and wonderment. It took me a few moments to process what she confessed. Love?

"What?" I exclaimed. Her vision was yet locked into mine. I could sense the dreariness being overtaken by amusement.  The frown on my face eased. She placed her hands on my cheeks and beamed. Gratification evident on her countenance. But then the frigid wind from her past striked me.

"What about him?" I questioned with bewilderment. I've seen her endearment for him. She hadn't completely moved on. How could she fall for me? Her inscrutable confrontation left me puzzled.

"He was my past. He never did anything for me yet I fell in love with him while you did sweetly unanticipated things for me. How can I not fall for your singing? For your amazing personality? For your pure heart? For your guileless soul? How can I not fall for you?" She rambled and sparkling tears fell from her eyes. I stared at her in astonishment. All this time, she did impede her feelings. But finally, she unchained her sensations. My heart fluttered as she praised my efforts and my being. "And you're asking me to leave you. Do you think I can endure losing you?" She complained and sniffed. She looked adorable. Her cheeks and nose turned pink and the tears innocently rolled down her reddened face. I smiled ear to ear and my eyes turned tearful. She indeed possessed a beautiful soul.

"I'm sorry and I love you too" I lifted her chin with my thumb and confessed with glee. She peered at me with her alluring brown eyes. I placed my hand on her back and pulled her closer. She kept her legs on my sides. Her velvety fingers traced my neck. A mysterious feeling aroused in my body. I caressed her cheek with adoration. I gazed at her lips and recalled the moment I willed to kiss them. They were like petals of rose, roseate and delicate. She leaned forward as if she just read my mind. I moved my other hand to the back of her head and encouraged her seducing intention. I skimmed my lips on hers, teasing her. But our proximity didn't let me wait. She took my lower lip between hers and I imitated the act with her upper lip. My tounge wandered on her lip causing frisson.

Not even in my wildest dreams did I imagine that we'd be kissing passionately while we were surrounded by deadly inferno. The heat around us felt petty compared to the one produced by our smooch. I indulged deeper in the kiss. Each touch making me more greedy.

It felt like between my lips were the most delicious petals of flowers sprinkled by the sweetest of wines. And like that I lost my first kiss.