A Forbidden Act

Part 3 - Broken

        Sharon was speechless. In front of her, a young man, knelt down had just.. Proposed? Was this really happening? The brunette felt herself redden. Her first thought was "Is this a dream?" and her next thought went to Tarja, no matter how she tried not thinking about her. She didn't know what to say.

"Timo, I..." She started, breathing heavily.

She opened her mouth to say something but closed it again. Timo was looking at her with an expression of hope, and... passion. Somehow she felt he alone hadn't organized this. It wasn't a coincidence that the Turunens had come just a day before. She breathed in.

"I need to think about it."  She said, taking a few steps back, nearly stumbling over a buried root.

Suddenly she couldn't hold his gaze anymore and ran. She didn't know where, she just ran. She didn't feel anything, she couldn't feel her legs, not even the wind blowing against herself. She had only one thought, one name : Tarja. It kept going through her mind, repeating itself until her lips moved with it. Tarja. Tarja. Tarja. She repeated it until the word itself didn't mean anything, only a feeling accompanied it. She didn't know that feeling, had never experienced it before. Once again, it frightened her.

       

When she was finally out of breath she stopped running. She panted, sweat pouring down her forehead. She found a log that seemed dry and weakly sat on it. She clenched her fists, and after a few minutes of interior fighting, she gave in. Gave in to the tears. They rolled down her cheeks, and fell onto her lap. She tried to be quiet, but she couldn't. She sobbed, tasting salted water on her lips. Sharon buried her face in her hands to hide her red and swollen eyes. Her makeup went into her eyes and on her cheeks. She was a sobbing mess. She didn't even know why. Well, a man had just proposed to her unexpectedly, but there was something more... Tarja.

"Shut up!" She yelled at herself, confused and lost in her feelings. "Shut up, just SHUT UP!" Her voice broke. "Shut up..." she whispered, tilting to the side until she was lying on the log, rolled up in a ball.

       

She must have had fallen asleep for when she woke up Tarja was besides her, saying her name.

"Sharon, wake up. Sharon." Her smooth voice called.

It sounded like a song to Sharon's ears. She slowly got up, rubbing her eyes. Her makeup was everywhere but at least her tears had dried and she wasn't so red anymore. Tarja stayed silent, not asking any questions. Sharon couldn't be more glad. The last thing she wanted was to explain everything. It seemed like Tarja just knew how Sharon felt. They looked at eachother and Sharon nodded, getting back up.

"I know. They're waiting for me."

Sharon followed Tarja back to the clearing where everyone was. She couldn't see either Timo or Teuvo. They were most probably talking. About her. Her father stared at her with a sense of... shame. She couldn't bear it and looked away. As if they had all talked, everyone got on their horse, after Sophie had finished tidying up. The return was utterly silent, and the long ride was cancelled. They all thought it was best for everyone. Sharon was glad. She was exhausted after such a surge of emotions.  They rode in silence and arrived at the castle about ten minutes later. Sharon got off her mare, and weakly gave the reins to Sophie, who looked at her, her eyes full of sorrow and pity. Sophie genuinely felt sad for her lady. Sharon smiled at her sadly and walked away as if the whole weight of the world was on her shoulders. She didn't dare look at Tarja although she could feel her gleaming and perfect eyes on her. She bit her cheek to not turn around and walk to her. She walked on, slowly, and reached her chambers, ignoring Sophie's call to come back.