Temptation

19

"Something-"

"No than--"

"Funny. Something funny. Let's do something funny," Vernon said.

Why do I have to act so dumb every single time?

"Oh yeah, sure. What do you wanna do?" I asked.

He shrugged and lay his hands flat on his sides. Without realizing, I watched him slowly fall asleep.

2 days later...

Next evening

"Do you wanna go to the roof top?" Vernon's expression brightened.

"Okay sure," I said since I liked the idea.

He held my hand in his and headed for the back stairs.

Was that necessary?

The staircase was pretty narrow and dark.

"Hasn't anyone recently visited the roof top?" I asked as I looked at the rusted railings and steps.

"Recently? Tch. Not even in years"

Wonder why.

We reached the top. Vernon opened the huge metal gate of the roof.

As soon we got outside, a light breeze blew past us.

We exchanged looks. He smiled at me. I did too.

We locked our hands and moved forward to the back edge. The scenery was beautiful. It was almost dusk. The sun has just hid itself beneath the horizon. The warm shades of orange and red remained, bringing about a purple shade to disperse at the corners of the star-filled midnight blue sky. The flocks of birds, together, flapped their wings to shift places. The tiny lights of skyscrapers shone like stars, immersing themselves with the stars in the sky.

"Do you like it?" Vernon's voice was soft, deep and low.

I nodded. He wrapped his arms around my neck, standing behind me.

"Mom and dad used to stand right here, just like us," Vernon whispered. I tilted my head to look back at him. Those eyes sparkled, reflecting the night city view before us. There was so much wonder in those eyes. They held a mixture of emotions.

"When did that happen to you mom?" I asked, turning half way to face him.

He moved to the edge and leaned on his arms, looking up at the sky.

"8 years back," Vernon said.

I couldn't speak.

"It happened the day after my birthday. It was 31st December. I couldn't stay up late to watch the New Year fireworks because I was tired, so I was asleep. Mom and dad stood here to watch the fireworks. Right at 00:00, after the first firework, mom left her body in dad's arms. That was the last time they saw fireworks together. In fact, it was the last time dad saw fireworks. He used to love them, but now he can't stand them anymore because it reminds him of those painful memories. That was a moment of dad's truest happiness and melancholy. This is why no one ever came to this roof top after the incident. This remains the most dejected regret of my life, falling asleep that night. At least I could've experienced her beauty, her warmth, her love and affection for me," Vernon's eyes filled with tears as he narrated. He rubbed his palms on his knees, still leaning at the edge.

I held his hands to comfort him. He stared at our hands, with different thoughts. I rubbed his fingers gently, with my thumb. I always sucked at comforting someone with sweet, warm words.

"I'm sorry, I don't know how to console y--"

"You don't have to," he cut me off as he looked at me with soft eyes, with an expressionless face, "I'm just glad I have you here."

I couldn't find any words. I wasn't aware of the feeling inside of me. It was somewhat different what I've always felt. Didn't know whether I was feeling happy, or sad, or even nothing. This is annoying. The feeling of nothingness.

"Stay with me"