Eclipsed Echo

CHAPTER TEN

SYHA

"Sure, why not." A grin spreads across Neo's face as he clearly replied to Tai, ignoring what I said. 

I stare at his extended hand. Wait, what? No, I don't want to—ugh, fuck Tai. I swear, I'm going to strangle him later. How could he put me in such a situation?

Having no waysides, I place my hand over his. Neo gives me a smile before taking me to the dance floor. I don't know if he did it on purpose, but we end up in the middle of everyone. How do I tell him without actually telling him that I hate being in the center of attention?

"May I?" he asks, voice low, almost formal.

I nod and he slips his free hand to my lower back. His touch is mild, almost too cautious, like he's asking permission with every movement. A soft smile lingers on my lips. Very gentleman coded.

I place my left hand on his shoulder. As we start swinging, I glance around and spot Tai in a corner, almost immediately, casually leaning against the wall, talking to a person—a girl. And damn, she is so pretty. I squint, trying to catch a glimpse of her face when I notice how annoyed her expression seems.

Tai must be irritating her to death with his endless banter. I almost laugh. So that's what he meant by important stuff, annoying a poor soul.

"You came back?"

Neo's voice pulls me back.

"You know me?" I raise my eyebrows. Strange, I wasn't expecting him to know me. He never really talked to me before. Talking is too far, I thought, he didn't even know that I exist, back then. He was always so focused in school activities.

"Of course, I do. We were in the same high school, remember. We even shared same classroom for one year," He looked disappointed.

"Yeah, I remember you too." I blurt out quickly, not wanting him to think I didn't recognize him. "I just, um, didn't think you'd... you know, remember me. Like, we weren't, uh, close or anything. So I didn't expect you to, like, um, know that I wasn't around for the last few years. I assumed you didn't even know my name. You always used to be so... focused on studies, I just—" I stop myself, realizing I'm rambling. "Sorry, I shouldn't have assumed anything. My bad."

C'mon, Syha. Stop being so awkward.

Neo grins, clearly amused at my shuttering. "Oh, trust me, Syha, I knew your very well. Hard not to notice the quiet one with the most interesting eyes.

I stare at him, trying to figure out if he's being sarcastic or serious?

He leans in closer, his lips nearly brushing my ear. "And about the other thing... this is a small town. You shouldn't be surprised at how much everyone knows about each other."

It's true—this is what I've always loved most about this place. Here, everyone tends to know each other, that's the charisma of this small town. Even, strangers are treated like friends, and that's part of what made it so easy for me to adapt when I first moved here.

"So, when did you come?"

"Here? Um, just a few hours ago."

"And how long are you staying?", He asks before giving me a spin that made my gown swirl.

"Haven't decided, yet." I admit, resting my hand back on his shoulder to regain my balance.

"I haven't brought my return ticket, yet. So, I'll stay here for now."

"Glad to hear that." his smile warm and genuine.

Is it just me or does he really seem happy about my stay?

A soft click from the rooftop door caught our attention, and as it swung open, a figure emerged. Tai may call me a party stopper, but does he know, how my whole world froze the moment this man stepped inside. The music faded, and I forgot about dancing or the presence of anyone else around me. My gaze locked onto him.

I suddenly understood why he had dressed so sharply. He was wearing black, too. Of course he would show up here. My eyes lingered on him as his swept between me and Neo. When I glanced at Neo, I found him staring at Iyan as well.

Anticipation ran down my throat as I felt the tension thickening in the air. It was too dark to make out the details of Iyan's face, but it was clear his perfectly styled hair was all tousled now, his suit slightly rumpled. Where in the world had he been? He started walking closer, more closer, each step heavy with tension. Just when I thought he would stand in front of me, he brushed past us, leaving me staring at his back, a whirlwind of emotions swirling inside me.

I've pictured this moment in my head a thousand times. Our reunion, vivid in my mind. I often wondered how it would feel to run into him again—how would I react, how would he react? In my mind, he was startled and sad, almost brought to tears, unable to lift his head because of how sorry he felt.

But now that we've finally met again, I'm struck by the reality of his complete indifference.

Disappointment. I'm not sure if that's what I'm feeling. But, I don't think it's because he has totally ignored me. I'm disappointed in myself for even expecting a reaction from him.

"Is he giving you a hard time? You've been sighing looking at him." Neo asks.

"What? No, it's nothing," I reply, momentarily forgetting his presence again.

"I'll admit, I felt chills earlier when he looked at me," he said, a playful smirk lingering. "Like he wanted to tear my hands off."

Confusion spreads across my face. "Why would he do that?"

"Well, maybe because I've got my hands on someone he wishes he could dance with instead." Neo replies, glancing at Iyan, who is now sitting in a corner surrounded by unfamiliar faces before returning his gaze to me.

I can't help but be taken aback. I know what he is trying to mean. I'm not that stubborn to not get it and I try to smile to quirk it way. "That's absurd. He has no reason to feel that way."

"Who knows, He certainly looked like he might."

I know Neo's just trying to tease, but—no, Syha, don't jump to conclusions. Don't let your mind wander where it shouldn't. Don't start thinking Iyan cares, because he clearly doesn't.

Still, my eyes betray me and find their way back to him. I can't help it. It's strange and a little surprised to see how time can so easily change someone. How it can turn relations, moments, once so familiar into something distant and foreign. Give time a chance and it can easily make two people from being each others everything to total strangers. My heart starts to ache to see Iyan talking, smiling at someone, behaving just normal. It hurts more than I expected. The sight of his acting so painfully normal, makes me think maybe I was just so easy for him to abandon.

"I'm sorry, but can you excuse me for a second. I need to use the washroom." My voice barely steady. Neo nods, no questions asked, and I take that as my cue.

I leave the rooftop, heading down the stairs. I step inside the room and get change into my jumpsuit. Once I'm done, I exhale deeply and without looking back, I slip out of the house, letting the cool night air wrap around me as I step into the quiet, away from everything.