Dawn Of Twilight

Chapter 11 : Home Is Where You Are (Part 1)

The air was cool, tinged with the faint, sweet scent of night blooming flowers. Dawn and Erevin walked side by side, their pace unhurried, the world quiet and still. Above them, the stars twinkled softly, distant yet warm, as if listening in on the unspoken connection between the two.

Dawn was humming. At first, the sound was light, barely audible over the rustle of leaves. But it grew, her voice carrying a melody so rich and layered that Erevin found himself instinctively listening. It wasn't a tune he recognized, but there was something hauntingly familiar about it, as though it had always been there, hidden in the corners of his memory.

The tune wasn't simple. The notes weaved together like threads of silk, creating a pattern he couldn't quite grasp:

Sa, Ga, Re, Ma... Re, Ga, Dha... Sa, Sa, Pa, Ma, Ga, Re, Sa...
Sa, Ma, Re... Ga, Re, Dha... Sa, Dha, Pa, Ma, Ga, Re, Sa...

Erevin tried to follow along, his mind chasing the intricate shifts in the melody, but it slipped through his grasp like water. It wasn't frustrating, though-far from it. It was enchanting, like hearing his name whispered softly in the breeze.

He felt himself relax, his thoughts quieting as her tune wrapped around him like a cocoon. After everything that happened that day, he felt at peace.

When Dawn finally stopped humming, he blinked as if waking from a dream. They were standing in front of her house. How had they gotten here so quickly?

Dawn turned to him, her eyes warm and inviting, her voice soft yet teasing. "You said you'd come in after the date, remember?"

Erevin hesitated for a moment, his heart skipping at the thought of entering her world. But how could he say no to her?

"My father will be happy to meet you," she added, her smile so gentle and hopeful that it erased any lingering doubts he had.

He nodded, his voice barely above a whisper. "Okay."

The door was locked from the outside. She fished out a small key from her purse, fitting it into the lock with ease. "Looks like my father isn't home yet," she said, her tone casual. Then she glanced at him, her eyes soft. "Will you wait for a bit? He shouldn't be long."

Erevin nodded, swallowing the nervous lump in his throat. "Sure."

Dawn pushed the door open and motioned him inside. The house was cozy, filled with warm, earthy tones and the faint scent of lavender. She led him to the living room, pointing to the plush couch. "Sit here. I'll be back in just a minute."

Erevin sat, his eyes scanning the room. It was homely, with bookshelves lining the walls and family photos decorating the surfaces. He could hear Dawn's light footsteps retreating up the stairs.

He assumed her room was upstairs, picturing her space filled with little touches of her personality-maybe fairy lights, stacks of books, or soft blankets in calming hues. The sound of her footsteps returning pulled him from his musings.

When she appeared at the top of the staircase, his breath hitched.

She had changed into an oversized off-the-shoulder sweater, its neckline casually slipping down one side, revealing a delicate lace strap and the faint curve of her collarbone. The sweater's soft, plush fabric barely skimmed the tops of her thighs, where a pair of fitted black lace-trimmed shorts peeked out.

Her long legs seemed to glow in the soft light of the room, and her bare feet made the faintest whisper against the wooden stairs. Her tousled hair framed her face in loose strands, giving her an ethereal, almost dreamlike appearance.