If the Sun Has Faded Away (UNDER REWRITING)

Chapter 8: Precaution

"Don't be mad at me, Lucy. Please..."

For the first time in the past fifteen minutes, since our heated exchange, I lifted my eyes—previously fixed stubbornly on the floor—to meet John's gaze.

He stood a few steps ahead of me, and I had deliberately created distance between us, refusing to speak.

"I'm sorry I shouted at you. I'm sorry I hurt you."
John closed the gap I had made, now standing directly in front of me.

"I wish I didn't have to say what I did, but please believe me—this man is ill-intentioned. I saw it, Lucy."

"I... I don't know what to say, John," I stuttered, close to tears. His words shook me to my core, and my mind struggled to comprehend their meaning. A small voice echoed inside my head, adamantly insisting that John must be wrong.

"I've known Krishna Kumar Uncle for three years. He's never misbehaved with me. He's like a father figure to me, John."

John nodded, a knowing look in his eyes. "I know, Lucy... But the way he was staring at you? He doesn't see you as a daughter."

"You're telling me he sees me as... an object of desire?"
John nodded again, his silence heavy.

I wanted to believe him; I knew he wouldn't lie to me. But despite my desire to trust John, my mind resisted his claims.

"I would understand if you refused to believe me, Lucy."
His words startled me, reflecting the very thoughts swirling in my mind as if he could read my feelings.

"You always see the good in people. I value that innocence in you," John continued.

"After all, you've been doing the same with me. If there's any good in me," he added, his voice wavering with emotion.
His words unleashed the tears I had been holding back. They streamed down my cheeks once more.

"There's plenty of goodness in you, John," I managed to smile through my tears as I stepped closer to him.
His eyes widened in surprise at the sight of my tears.

"Damn, I'm making you cry again! I'm such an idiot!"
For the second time that day, he gently wiped my tears away.

"Stop making me cry with your cheesy lines, Lennon," I playfully teased, hoping to lighten the mood.

"Go use them on your girlfriends instead." I flashed him a wide smile.
John looked puzzled for a moment but soon broke into a grin.

"Don't you dare call me cheesy, missus. And just to remind you, I have no girlfriend."

"But you'll make a pretty girl fall for you soon enough, won't you?" I winked at him.
John simply shook his head in denial, but I noticed a fleeting sadness cross his face.

It was clear he was still healing from his breakup with Barbara.

"I'm sorry I got angry at you, John," I whispered.

"No worries," he replied with a gentle smile.

"Look, Lucy... I'm not asking you to believe me. Just... please be careful with Krishna Kumar from now on."

"John... don't you think you're jumping to conclusions?" I asked softly, not wanting to upset him further. But I couldn't agree with his accusations against Krishna Kumar Uncle.
John let out a heavy sigh, clearly struggling with my disbelief. I could see him fighting to maintain his composure.

"I know it's not easy for you to accept this, Lucy. But please believe me when I say I saw things you didn't. I saw the way he looked at you. The excitement in his voice when you talked about that Indian novel. The lust in his compliments about your saree. I noticed how he touched you. You're too innocent to have seen those details. But I saw them all."