Beinteha

02

Love breaks my bones and I laugh
—Charles Bukowski

—'☆

Raphael x Juliette

SHE STANDS beside the car's trunk, watching the work being done by her crush, Eliab.

Folding her arms on her chest, she beholds him do his work. He is busy with the task, his attention is all set on it as he arranges her suitcases one by one. There are two. As he bends a little, moving his neck, his dark locks fall over his forehead to kiss his eyebrows.

She blinks, unable to resist his charms when he stands straight and looks at her, smiling. "Done."

She nods her head. "Thank you," she gestures through her hands, the sleek surface of her Iranian shawl hanging through her arms, catching the attention of the admirers. Her chocolate eyes hold a different kind of warmth.

He smiles, shaking his head. "It's okay. Now, come." He walks about the car, opening the door.

She follows behind, grabbing her seat and fastening the seatbelt. He begins driving while she keeps her eyes focused on the road, not wanting them to keep fluctuating. He may see and realize that she likes him!

"By the way, you could've stayed with us. Mama loves you. She says you're lovely. You're my sister's friend, you could use her room till you're in India."

As told earlier, she came to attend her friend's wedding. Flying from America, she was invited straight to her friend's house where she insisted on her to stay with her.

Now, being her childhood friend, her mother didn't mind keeping her for some more time. Juliette was a lovely girl and Mikayla's family admired her a lot. What was wrong with doing some hospitality? Punjabis are known for it.

But Juliette couldn't accept the favor. It was too much.

She smiles to herself. Mikayla's family is very kind. However, she doesn't answer him.

Eliab, her friend's younger brother, yet around her age, is her secret crush. She likes him and she can't hide it. How can she make her heart understand when he is around?

He also can understand her sign language. However, she doesn't disturb him whilst driving. Why would she? But Raphael takes this risk, always eager to know her views and heart her out.

The rest of the driving is silent. They don't speak to each other. As he reaches the apartment where she decided to stay before Mikayla's family invited her from the bottom of their hearts, they get out of the car.

It is then she takes her chance to answer him, "You are really kind but I'm okay with it. I hope you understand."

"I do." He blinks assuredly, a smile coming on his lips.

She looks at him, unable to say a word afterward. He moves to take out her suitcases while she watches him.

As he brings one out, she reaches to hold the handle when he beats her into it.

"It's okay," he says another time in a soft tone. "You don't worry about anything. I'm your friend's brother!" He chuckles, "You can take my help."

She sighs. He is a kind man. So lovely. How can she not like him? She was so young when she met him through Mikayla, her friend, and she couldn't stop her heart from taking the route to his thoughts.

He takes out another when she beats him into it this time, grabbing the handle. "I can take this one," she insists, winning over him.

He shrugs. "Okay," he says and starts walking ahead.