One Breath (OffGun)

9. Fog

Mark POV

This cinnamon taste bring back my memory about that day. Not clear enough. But I sill can see it through the fog, what's goin' on that day.

Flashback

I don't understand what's goin' on with Neil. Lately, he always refuse my help and reject my invitation for lunch or dinner, or just go out. I feel that he try to avoid me as well.
But I never ask since he still doing good for all us.

"Neil, don't forget to come to the show."

"I think I won't come, Phi," he answered while look at his laptop.

"You can just come to corner. They made some spot for who want to know some of our pictures there, before they open for public and announce the winner."

"…"

"Okay, okay. I just say it to you. You can choose to come or no," I give up to make Neil come to that opening party. Then I just pat his head, tap his shoulder before take a sit beside him.

He just keep silent after that. He continue editing some photos.

I don't like his cold treatment. It's been more than a month. And I can't ask anything. I'm afraid he'll get more annoyed, upset, or angry on me. But, I hate this, too. I hate that he keep silent and don't speak anything to me, meanwhile, he's very nice to other members. In front of me.

I don't even know what should I think about this... About him.. And mostly, about me myself.
Why do I think over it?

Finally, I come to the event with rest of members who join the competition.
It's not a big party, and because of that, people just come and go after they saw the pictures there.

I come to the dark room to check some photos there. At first, I went there with all members. But, didn't know how, they left me alone with Fang. Since my point just see the pictures, so I don't mention anything.

Until I see some picture. One beautiful and deep picture. There's something there, which can suck your emotion until the deepest of yours.

I feel Fang curled her fingers on my arm. She lean her head on my shoulder while looking that pictures.

"Mark, do you know who took that picture?" She whisper to my ear.

"Why?" I ask.

"Just curious. Who took that. So beautiful, isn't?". She put her arm to my waist.

I put my arm on her shoulder, and lean my head on hers a bit, while I get concentrate to see that picture deeply.
I feel so weird, somehow, because I can see the objects very clear under dim light.

In few seconds, suddenly I feel that someone staring at me from behind and I feel coldness around me. And I'm really surprise when I see the owner of those eyes.

I wanna speak something to him, but no voice come out from my mouth when I see his eyes.

That's Neil!
He stares at me with his eyes. He doesn't say anything, but I can feel the coldness through his face. And suddenly I feel my heart is ache when I see the pain in his eyes.

I push Fang's arm from me when I see tears falling down to his cheek.
Without saying a word, he leave the room. Without give me a chance to say a word, he disappear just like that.

I don't have idea, that that's the last time I see him, personally.

End of flashback

Now, sitting alone here, again, I still can't find what's goin' on with him...

Why did he looke me with those eyes? Why did his face look so cold and emotionless?

Why did he seed tears? Why did the tears look so heavy? And painfully?

Why did he leave just like that?
Why did he never come to me again?
What did I do to him?
Did I hurt him before?

Shit! Damn you, Neil!
My head suddenly hurt.
I sip coffee again, try to save the warm of caffein to my brain.

I look picture on my cup

Forest......

I put the cup, then I look that.
Then I remember about what that girl said before..

What did Neil hear there?

But, the most importanting thing is, why did he change to me...