Between sun and storm

chapter 22

Lila gazed at Dante in a daze, but suddenly, all the memories came flooding back like thunder, making her shiver with fear. The blood, dead bodies, and blank eyes—everything she had endured—was the biggest trauma of her life. Unconsciously, she moved toward Ben, which didn't go unnoticed by Dante. His heart stirred, filled with frustration and a hint of anger, though the reason was still unknown to him. There was a pang of depression, knowing the person with whom he had laughed now sought security away from him.

Dante's gaze shifted to Ben, filled with possessiveness. "What's my fault? Why is he looking at me like that?" Ben, clearly offended, moved away from Lila, causing her arm to prickle with goosebumps.

Dante stalked toward Lila, maintaining eye contact, signaling her to stay put and not try anything funny. Lila sat stiffly, looking at Ben for help, but he just shrugged his shoulders and walked out of the room.

Dante stood in Ben's place, realizing they had been at a close distance. She didn't look up at him, which made him feel somewhat sad. The thought surprised him: "Wait a minute, sad? Why would I be sad? I'm not." He defended himself.

He placed his finger on her chin and raised her head. She didn't resist and looked up at him; their eyes met, and relief filled Dante's eyes. Though her face was pale, she seemed fine—alive—and that's all that mattered.

Before he could speak, she abruptly declared, "We're even now." Dante's face contorted in confusion. "What do you mean?" his voice was cold, but a hint of warmth lingered.

"We're even now; no debt on anyone. You can feel relieved," she said, moving her face away from his reach and trying to lay down; her back ached.

"We can never be equal," Dante said with authority, his words final. Startled, she turned to look at him. "What did you say? Why would you say that?"

He took a deep breath, preparing to reason with her. "Because you saved me—a person you had no idea about—giving me place, food, security... and love." He whispered the last word, breaking eye contact with her.

Lila didn't grasp what he said. "Hnn?" Her usual expression when she didn't understand what the other person was saying made Dante curl the corner of his lips.

"On the other hand, it's because of me that you're in this state, suffering from pain, scars, trauma—all because of me." He paused and sighed. "We can never be equal. I'll always be under your debt, which is my responsibility to protect you. But I failed; that bullet was for me, but you suffered."

He looked down at her while she looked up at him; both were silent. The silence around them screamed for them—a feeling of sorry for one, a strange warmth for the other.

"It's not your fault," Lila said, trying to alleviate his guilt. "Even though that bullet was for you, just imagine if you got shot. Logically, I couldn't carry you or shoot; your friends don't know me. If you got shot, I'd eventually join you on our trip to heaven."

Dante smiled at her comment, removing his hand from her head and putting it in his pocket. "Are you hungry?" he questioned. Lila's hunger growled in response. She looked at her stomach and then at Dante, nodding.

"Okay, I'll arrange something for you," Dante said and left the room.

Lila sighed and thought about her injured hand. "How much time will it take to recover and go back home? I'll ask him," she muttered to herself.