The Velvet touch

Lost

Veronica grew impatient. It was already 9 pm and her son was nowhere near home. The clock tick-tocked fast. She was annoyed and worried. 'Where is Leon?' she thought. The maid brought tea for all the humans waiting patiently in the living room. She went on serving them one by one. 'This is the third time we are sipping our cups', pinched the woman in dark green velvet gown. She was Mrs. Jejura Ozden, wife of Colonel Ozden and mother of Elaina Ozden. Veronica tried to smile nervously but couldn't say a word aloud. She was indeed ashamed at Leon's irresponsibility. Moreover, his phone was switched off. Elaina and her parents have been waiting from 6 pm. The tea cups were all in their hands and the pastries were untouched. Though there have been different types of pastries every time, no one felt the urge to have them for the third time. Mrs. Jejura was stirring her tea slowly and had stern looks. Elaina did not take a cup and was breathing heavily. Veronica was impatient than ever. Colonel Ozden was only calm. He peacefully took the first sip from his cup for the third time. It was light lemon tea with few aromatic herbs. Enough to relax someone. 

After around 10 minutes, they all heard a whoosh sound of a car driving into the lawn. Veronica stood up and hurried towards the door. Jejura's looks went harder and Elaina tried to fix her hair. Soon after sometime, Veronica came back to the living room followed by Leon, for whom the guests were waiting for. Elaina was mesmerized seeing Leon. He looked handsome than ever with messy hair flopped on his forehead, a thin mustache perfectly fitted over his blossom lips, tired yet loving eyes creating sensation all over the place. Elaina stood up and tried to hold Leon's hands. At that moment, Jejura walked to Leon and stood in front of him.

'Hello Leonidas. How was your day? I believe there were loads of works that you couldn't finish before now', Jejura's voice had mockery and this irritated Leon like nothing else. Elaina came near her mother and pressed her hands. 'Mummy, please,' Elaina tried to stop her mother from creating further chaos. 'Well yes, I had too many works to complete today and I have completed all my IMPORTANT works,' Leon answered showing full irritation to the lady's awkward mockery. Jejura felt insulted and was going to tell something hurtful but Colonel Ozden stopped them. 'Leonidas, come here and sit. Let's have some chitchat shall we?' he was trying to cheer the situation up. Leon obeyed and walked passed the three women to sit on the couch. 'Elaina, sweetie come sit near Leon, come come,' Veronica took her by the hands and made her sit on the sofa next to the couch. Leon smiled at Elaina and she melted. He gave her his hand and as she held it, he pressed her hand softly. Through this he was trying to apologize to Elaina for keeping her waiting. Keeping her waiting for him. Keeping her waiting for nothing. NOTHING. 

Veronica also made Jejura sit who was angry and was disliking every bit of the night. Veronica sat near her and popped up the conversation they all had been waiting for. 'Ahem, well as we all know, my husband Vasili and Colonel Ozden had been friends for more than 20 years. They had the strongest of the bonds any people could have and after Vasili left us all, we could realize his absence bitterly. I cannot express how happy i am to have you here, Colonel Ozden. You remind us all about Vasili and the friendship you both possessed', Veronica went emotional.  Colonel nodded his head in appreciation and smiled. Leon tried to think of his father who left them two years back. 'Today is very special,' Veronica continued. 'I cannot express in words how happy I am to turn this friendship of Vasili and Colonel Ozden into a family relationship by bringing Elaina in this house as the wife of our only son Leon,' Veronica's eyes shone with tears of joy and cheeks went red with endearment and happiness. Hearing this announcement, Colonel clapped gleefully, Jejura had to accompany despite her discontentment and Elaina went pink with extreme joy. Suddenly, Leon stood up from the couch. They all looked at him, the smiles slowly fading. 'I cannot agree with you on this proposal, mom. I mean I'm sorry I actually am but if i agree to what has just been announced, honestly it would just disappoint Elaina and you all, including me and nothing else. The reason you want us to get married will never be real and it would keep us both in a state of hopelessness and extreme unhappiness. I love Elaina but not as a wife or a life partner. I don't want Elaina to suffer only because of me. If i say yes to this marriage, trust me, nothing would humiliate Papa more. I'm sorry if i've hurt you all but i can't marry Elaina and afford to hurt her for a lifetime', with an explanation so heavy but real, Leon left the living room and went towards his room.  Veronica was stunned, Jejura disgusted than ever, Colonel too shocked to speak and Elaina's eyes went dark with droplets of tears of shattered dreams. 

From the window of his room, Leon saw her mother walking towards the Ozden's car with them trying to make them understand a lot many things that couldn't be heard from that distance. He saw the three shocked people entering into their car attempting to drive back home. Leon let go of the curtain to cover the window panes and laid on the bed with a bump. He stared at the ceiling and tried to think of every possible explanations to soothe himself down. He had nothing else to do, he had to refuse them because he had already lost to his mind, to himself, to Hilal.