The Lie in Her Smile
The Lie in Her Smile
The sitting room was silent, heavy, like the air itself was holding its breath. The atmosphere felt awakened and uncomfortable.
Talia sat hunched, her head bowed, refusing to lift her gaze. Shame clung to her for showing Sophie the cracks in her armor, for nearly losing control, for Sophie catching her screaming helplessly for her like a little child that lost her mother.
Sophie sat opposite her, smiling every minute and turning her head after Talia every moment she tried to turn away.
Then finally Sophie broke the silence. Her voice was soft but teasing, just enough to slip under Talia’s guard.
“Some people say one thing and mean another thing. They act like they are strong but they are more fragile than an egg,” she muttered.
Talia’s head jerked up, eyes narrowing. “And that’s who?”
Sophie tilted her head, lips curling. “I wonder who just screamed at me a few minutes ago, almost taught me a lesson with their iron fist but started panicking and nearly crying the moment I stepped out of the door.”
“No…” Talia shook her head quickly, heat rising to her face as she struggles to find her words . “I wasn’t… panicking. I wasn’t looking for you. I was just… you know… wondering why you left without closing the door.” She said stammering.
“Ohhh, left without closing the door, hm?” Sophie arched a brow and smiled. “Then what’s with the Mira you were screaming outside?”
“Screaming who?” Talia pointed to her chest, trying to act confused. “I wasn’t… screaming… I wa… was singing.” Talia said, frowning her face as she put the lies together.
Sophie blinked at her, then leaned back in her chair with a little laugh. “Ohhhhh… Singing. Right. Now I understand. Yes, that’s it. Just singing.” She gave up, shaking her head knowing Talia would never admit it.
Instead, she pushed a small white nylon bag across the table.
“Here. Medicine. And plaster.”
Talia blinked.
“I saw the traces of blood on the wall you punched and I know you will be wounded,” Sophie continued, her tone turning firm. “There wasn’t any plaster in the house. So I went to get one for you. Mira didn’t leave you.” She said half smiling and half serious.
Talia shot to her feet, her voice rising despite herself. “It’s dangerous outside! What if they found you? What if they…” She cut herself off, panic sharp in her eyes.
Sophie rose too, and without hesitation, pressed her hand gently on Talia’s shoulder, guiding her back into the seat. She knelt in front of her, pulling out the plaster.
“That’s why I wore a scarf to cover my face. I need to learn to protect myself since you won’t go to the outside world and I can’t stay with you in this place,” she said calmly, as she gently took Talia’s wounded hand with both of hers, tender and deliberate, and put the plaster over the wound on her knuckles. “Do you even realize you’re hurt?”
Talia stared, silent.
Sophie pressed the plaster gently over the split knuckles, her gaze lifting to meet hers.
“Don’t just worry about others. Worry about yourself, too.”
Their closeness buzzed like static. For a moment, Sophie felt herself lean in too close, close enough that she could hear the sound of Talia’s heartbeat loudly. Her chest tightened. She pulled back quickly, standing with a nervous laugh.
“There. Done.”
She turned and rushed toward her room and muttered to herself, “Let me leave before the plastering wound would end up with someone getting plastered.”
Talia remained where she was, staring at the patched-up hand. Slowly, the corner of her mouth curled upward. She smirked to herself and headed to her room too.