The Strings of a Violin

17. Kito

"It's a pleasure to meet you Miss Mariya, please come in, I would think that your arms are starting to hurt," my father spoke first, guiding Mariya into the house with a hand on her shoulder.

"Thank you sir, it's always nice to meet other friendly faces," Mariya beamed with confidence.

"You seem like such a kind young lady, how did you come to meet Kito?" Mother asked with her nose in the air, seriousness clouding the room.

"We went to school together before my parents moved out to the country and from there I moved into the school dorms," she said lying the crutches at her feet.

"I don't want to seek rude, but how did this accident occur?" My mother prodded, trying to get Mariya to crack.

"I was going for a walk when a car blew the stop light and hit me," Mariya said with no hint of the lie showing on her face.

"I'm sorry to hear that my dear," said father finally breaking the tension in the room, "I hope the man was brought to justice for hurting such a young girl. . ."

"Mariya?" I said, catching her attention towards me, "would you like something to drink or eat?"

She thought for a second and nodded her head. "Yes actually, I didn't eat much for breakfast so I'm quite hungry."

"Tea and Mac n' cheese, right?" I asked her.

"Yes," she giggled, "that's correct!"

My father looked at her and smiled. "I wasn't expecting that kind of food from such a proper girl. I was expecting you to go for a salad."

"Well, I'm not very fond of lettuce to say the least sir," she said reaching down to grab her crutches as my mom sat in silence, not knowing what to say.

Steadily standing up she followed me into the kitchen and sat down at the dining room table. As I prepared lunch for her and my family they chatted away talking about anything and everything.

Mariya smiled, my dad smiled, and even my mom smiled. Eventually they came to a conclusion.

"Well Kito, I think it's right to say that Mariya is allowed to stay with us."

"Thank you dad, this means so much to Mariya!"

He chuckled and asked if we had brought Mariya's things with her, which we then explained that they were still at the hospital and that she's allowed to leave in a week.

My dad asked her to stay the night and Mariya agreed with him. Even though there are many rooms in this grand estate, Mariya was set on sharing a room with me.

Mother, who used to help grandma with her seamstress work was able to make Mariya a nightgown out of an old dress she owned but didn't fit anymore.

Then there we were, sitting in the den watching a movie. My right arm around her waist and the other on the top edge of the leather coach. Mariya holding a bucket of popcorn and a cup of water in the holder. She seemed peaceful as we sat and watched Spirited Away for the millionth time in our lives.

Slowly but surely her head eased its way onto my shoulder and stayed there for the rest of the movie. When it did end a small smile appeared on her lips and she closed her eyes tiredly.

Picking her up carefully I carried her to bed, Mariya's hair dangling close to my feet. I was deathly afraid of stepping on it and hurting her, so I went sideways up the stairs to avoid the thought.

Finally making it to my room I put her in my bed and tucked her in to what I would do with myself.

Walking over to my closet I grabbed the plush sleeping bag out of it and laid it onto the ground next to the bed. I took the extra blanket and pillow off of my bed and slipped into the sleeping bag right as a crack of thunder sounded outside the window.

The curtains were drawn so no city lights could be seen from inside, but when the lightning struck somewhere near the whole room lit up like the fireworks on the 4th of July.

Mariya was sound asleep and as long as she didn't wake up, everything would all be okay. Closing my eyes and pulling the blanket and sleeping bag to my chin I drifted off to sleep and stayed that way for at least an hour or two before I heard a stumble and felt a weight on my chest.

Opening my eyes sleepily they met with Mariya's baby blue ones that were full of terror.

"Mariya? Are you okay? What's wrong?" I asked in a hushed voice.

"I heard the-the thunder and I became f-frightened, I was so scared Kito," she said nuzzling her head under my chin, shaking slightly. "I was so scared..." She whispered again as I wrapped my arms around her like a comforting cocoon.

Pulling her to my side I put my blanket over her also and put an arm around her waist as I continuously 'shhhh'ed in her ear to comfort her in hopes that she would fall asleep again.

I couldn't help but think after Mariya fell asleep if I should go to college or not. There's a high school near the University and Mariya and I could always live together in a temporary apartment if she wanted to.

With that thought in mind I fell asleep with a smile on my face, and a beautiful lady that I am glad to call my girlfriend in my arms.

-------- A/N

Hello! I know it's been a long time since I've done an authors note but I would love to know your feedback and what changes I could do to make this story even BETTER!

I've already gotten TONS of SUPPORT from you guys and makes me so happy to see ALL OF YOU GUYS add this to reading lists, voting for it, and even some comments.

Thanks Again!

-Nikki 🔮