En is fixing the sheets in her bedroom while Alina just stands in the corner staring at her. The night sky still releases its anger from time to time. En noticed Alina gets startled every time she hears the rage of thunder. She grabbed her headphone, connects it to her tablet and started playing the music. She heads towards Alina, who's covering her ears on the corner of the room, feeling apprehensive. En grabbed both her hands, gently moved it away from her ears and replaced them with her headphones. The frightened woman started to calm down as she hears nothing but music. En grabbed her phone and started typing a message.
"That should help you get through the night."
En sends the text message to Alina.
The woman smiled back at her mouthing the words "Thank you!"
The weather became calmer as the night deepens. Posy is sleeping soundly hugging her stuffed dinosaur and bunny. However, En is still wide awake. She craves a cigarette, her yearning is intensified by the restless sleep that continues to elude her. She grabbed her phone to type another message.
"Are you still awake?"
She sent the message to the woman who currently lays down on her bed.
"Not yet. Your playlist averts me from sleeping."
En remembered the playlist she chose were songs from her favorite rock bands. She felt dumb realizing that those music were a bit discordant to the ear.
"I chose to play the loudest music so you wont hear an ish of thunder."
En replied in her defense.
"Can I use the porch there for a few minutes? I don't want to blow some smoke inside Posy's room. I'll change the music as well so you can sleep."
En sent another message.
"Okay"
En stepped outside the porch and takes the pack of cigarette out of her pocket. She placed the cigarette between her lips and lights it up. She released a deep sigh of relief as she blows the smoke out of her mouth. She stared into the abyss as the thick dark cloud slowly moved away. The stars and the moon are now sharing to light up the open sky.
She closed her eyes as the cold breeze touches her skin. The chirping out the crickets made her feel a sense of tranquility.
"It feels so peaceful living here."
The woman behind her spoke.
En opened her eyes and turned her head around.
"Sorry, is my presence here keeping you awake?"
She asked the woman who gazes at the sky.
"Not at all. I'm just not feeling sleepy yet."
Alina answered as she walked outside the porch.
"How do you calm yourself back home when there's a thunderstorm then?"
En curiously asked.
"My parents made the entire place soundproof."
Alina shared.
"Well that sounds convenient. I should probably make Posy's room insulated as well."
En commented.
"Posy has a lot of help around here. She'd be able to manage it since you guys are around to comfort her."
Alina responded.
"And you? Your parents aren't around to help?"
En asked strangely.
"No, I stay at my own place. They visit me at times though."
Alina expressed her words with sadness.
"Well, that's so brave of you. I'm impressed!"
En cheered to lighten up the woman's mood.
"Isn't smoking bad for your health?"
Alina asked to change the topic, her gaze fixed on the cigarette stick resting between En's inviting lips.
"I know it does," En explained, taking one last sip before extinguishing the cigarette in her hand. "But it calms my nerves when I feel tired, distressed, or, in this case, can't sleep."
"But there are other ways to alleviate those feelings without damaging your lungs. I know the people that cares about you don't want to see you compromising your health every time you light that cigarette."
Alina spoke in a worried voice.
"Hmm... People that cares about me eh? That's nice to hear."
En jokingly responded.
"Yes. They might not say it to your face but they care. Especially Posy. And I care too."
Alina uttered the last sentence in a soft voice.
En turned sideways to face Alina after hearing what she said. She stayed silent as she gazed at the beautiful lady beneath the moonlight. She gazed intently at her face, her eyes tracing the graceful curves of her lips and the captivating depth of her eyes. Her lips, slightly parted, held an inviting softness, while her eyes, shimmering with a mix of mystery and warmth, seemed to draw her into their depths.
"Well if the people who cares about me wants me to quit smoking, they should find another way to keep my lips busy then."
En uttered to break the silence, her eyes still fixed on the woman beside her.
YOU ARE READING
Bus 732
RomansaEn thought that moving into the new, unfamiliar place would be her biggest struggle - but she was wrong. . .
