UNEDITED
Although he remained quiet after that, I could see the heartache in his eyes, the grief that laid within. I would've never thought that such a grim reason was behind his decision all those years ago.
Before I knew what I was doing, I had reached out to him and had gingerly wrapped my hands around him.
To my uttur surprise, he leaned in to my touch. It had been a few seconds when I felt something wet hit my shoulders. My own eyes welled up with tears.
How long had he endured all this pain, all by himself?
I imagined the fourteen year old Alan, desperately wiping his tears after he heard of his brother's accident. Of him staring at his brother, staying by his side for all these years, just to loose him again. Of the little Alan holding onto the fleeting hope that his brother would open his eyes one day and be alright again.
Just for his hopes to be crushed.
Alan Leuwenhook had endured so much pain, that I wished I could take it all away for him to smile once again.
We held onto each other on the piano bench, neither of us considering anything else as we simply held on.
"I have a secret too," I whispered once he had calmed down.
When he didn't reply, I continued.
"I- I have lupus."
He pulled away, staring at me with a mixture of shock and concern.
"Lupus?" He repeated.
"Yeah. Basically its a disease where the cells that are supposed to protect my body attack it instead. Its not curable, but it's not really life threatening."
"How long?" He asked, his brows furrowed.
"Its been about 5 years. I'm used to it now, and its not like I'm going to die."
"I never thought you would have something like that."
"Yeah. But its fine, I'm fine."
"Really?"
"Really."
"I know we haven't known each other for that long, but..."
"But?"
"Let me know when you're not fine."
"Roger, teacher." I grinned, baffled at the thought that he was actually concerned.
He smirked, shaking his head. "I'm serious."
"I know. And teacher?"
"What? And stop calling me that."
"Geez, you have too many nickname restrictions."
He raised a brow questioningly.
Here goes nothing.
"I heard that there's a piano rehearsal at an auditorium nearby. Fantaisie is also going to be performed," I told him frantically, my heart beating rapidly in my chest.
Gosh, calm down.
Its not like I'm asking him out.
Was I?
A few moments of awkward silence went by before he spoke.
"Are you as-"
"It could help me play better you know. You could give me pointers too and all that."
"Oh," he said, muttering something incoherent under his breath. "When is it?"
"Uh... this weekend. 10 am. Are you free?"
YOU ARE READING
A Thousand Lies
Romance"What were you going to do? Jump after me?" "You jump, i jump" "What's this, titanic?" ********* When Livia Walter got into the school of her dreams, little did she know that she was going to meet her celebrity crush, Alan Leuwenhook; the music pro...
