Melt me

Chapter 11

Nazeera

He was there.
The man in the video was there, at the amusement park. I noticed someone's eyes on me miles away. Doing nothing but watching me.
It's only when I went off with Kenji did he start following us. Before he was just a shadow, happy to comply with the unspoken rule that says we do not interact.

Which tells me this man is not important. He's merely a puppet being played by the person who seems wildly interested in me these days.
And a big mistake on the man's part. To think that he could successfully follow me and keep his life.

However, I did spare him. For today, as Kenji was with me. And I'm making sure my fiancé stays far away from this.
It's not because Kenji's weak, he's quite capable of anything. Dangerous when he wants to be. However, Kenji is also the definition of selfless. He has morals that put anyone else to shame, a kindness you wish to see in a lifetime.
The absolute last thing I want is for him to abandon his ethics to come to my aid.
Because this amazing man would definitely do that too.
He's too marvelous for his own good.

Nor do I want to burden Kenji with anything more. He doesn't need to worry about anyone's safety or if our lives are in danger. I won't put that on him.

So I went off to the bathroom alone. I gave my stalker a friendly little smile and wave seeing him in the corner behind me. He rudely didn't reciprocate or even try to kill me. Ran like a coward instead but I now have his face memorized.
I must applaud his idiocy.
Anyways.

Right now, that is all out of my mind.
No man, no puppet masters. Only Kenji as he quietly tries not to fall apart in public. He's clutching onto me like a lifeline, whatever is happening in his head weighing him down. At times like these, I wish so badly to steal his thoughts. Take away his agony and endure it for myself. I don't care that I have my own pain, it hurts more to see him distressed. He's the one person on Earth who shouldn't have had to suffer as much as he did.

Kenji eventually lifts his head and clears his throat. Quickly wipes his eyes, concealing the mountains of emotion behind a veil. I cup the sides of his face and he leans slightly to match my height.

"Are you okay habibi?" My voice can't help but be laced with concern. Kenji nods, blows out a small breath.

"Yeah, it-uh." He stands taller, holds my hands in his. Clears his throat.
"It's stupid. I'm fine. I was just missing my parents."

"Kenji-" I sigh but he shakes his head and gestures to the go kart area some distance away.

"Let's go. You ready to eat my dust?" A new grin brightens his face. Like magic, the man throws on his mask. Beneath his happy-go-lucky face, he can hide whatever plagues him.
I'd argue not to go, but I think Kenji needs a distraction right now.

"I should be asking you that." I kiss his cheek and grab onto his hand.
Still alert, ready.
Feeling someone's eyes on the back of my head.

A pile of leaves blow by us as we walk, preparing themselves for the harsh cold of winter coming ahead. Kenji plucks one and hums,
"Hey, do you prefer winter or spring?"

"Winter." I nod after a moment of reflection. Though the seasons never made much of a difference. They didn't affect my life. The summer sun would shine on the floor where I lay bloodied and exhausted. Wintry gusts would fly by unsuspecting while the demons in my mind were chasing me awake all hours of the night.
I clear my throat.
"Why?"

Kenji drops the leaf and smiles softly.
"Tryna see when we should have our wedding."

"Didn't think you were such an impatient man, Kishimoto." I say with that fuzzy feeling rising up my chest. Getting married to him sounds more like a dream than reality. I really can't believe that it's true.
"We only got engaged like 20 hours ago."