Chapter 60: New beginning

Chapter 60: New beginning
Kiyan

The outside air was warm and smelled fresh, almost like rain clouds gathering in the sky. It was so silent that I could hear the sound of crickets, and the night sky was so bright, filled with the luminous glow of stars in the sky. Then, on the clear water of the pond, reflected the view above. It was mesmerising and so peaceful. I liked this place. It brought me some sort of mental tranquillity away from the hustle and bustle of Iris. For once I felt as though I could think clearly. My thoughts were no longer a heated, heady haze. But it also had the unfortunate consequence of filling me with regret and embarrassment for the way I’d treated everyone. Although I didn’t regret leaving, I regretted how hateful I’d become, especially towards Ophelia and Theo. And although Ophelia had forgiven me, Theo seemed far away from nearing some semblance of reconciliation with me.

“I wouldn’t stand so close to that pond. It has a habit of luring you in.” A familiar voice said behind me.

I turned around and was met with almost luminous silver eyes which shone brightly against the darkness of the night.

“If I fell in, would you pull me out from the other side?” I asked almost jokingly but immediately took a few steps away from the pond.

“I might leave you to rot in there for a few centuries before I negotiate with the Fates.” Surprisingly, his response wasn’t a grumpy murmur, and I took it as a slightly good sign. “It’s beautiful out here at night, isn’t it?”

I nodded, but my eyes never left his face. It was beautiful out here at night, and the stars in the night sky could not compare to the beauty of Theo. He radiated it, right from the inside out.

Eventually he noticed my fixated eyes and glanced at me, his eyes searching mine.

“I’m so sorry for what I did. I shouldn’t have left you alone that morning. I should have stayed and reassured you. But I was just so—”

“Scared?”

I nodded and sighed deeply.

“All I knew is that hatred I’d manufactured. But with you… I became confused. The line between love and hatred was always blurred. And I wanted to hate you so badly. But I just couldn’t.”

I gazed up at him, slightly afraid that he’d stare down at me unconvinced or disgusted. But to my surprise there was a soft smile dancing across his lips.

“What?” I asked, slightly nervous that instead he thought it was funny. And then, the unexpected happened. He reached out towards me and took my hand in his.

“That’s the most honest you’ve ever been with me…” he said. My heart was beating erratically in my chest and my hand suddenly felt clammy and yet cold at the same time. I wondered if he’d noticed.

“S-so you forgive me?” I asked, trying to talk about something to forget my nervousness.

Theo chuckled and shook his head before saying, “I’m not that easy. Make it up to me and I might think about forgiving you.”

His tone was teasing and flirty, a clear indication that the tension before had dissipated, leaving behind nothing but a sense of thrill and excitement. It felt as though something new, and exciting was just beginning, and I hadn’t felt this alive in a while.

“Well, how do you suggest I make it up to you?” I questioned, moving closer towards him. I could feel the air between the both of us igniting, becoming more and more impassioned.

It was Theo’s turn to be nervous and so when my lips were just inches away from his, he shook his head and awkwardly scratched at the back of his neck.

“I know how this goes. You’re trouble when you flirt like that,” he said, biting his lip. I could almost see him imagining all of the dirty things I could do as they flashed across his ethereal eyes. And I’d do them if he gave me the chance. But I could sense his hesitancy. He’d forgiven me, but it was clear that we were just at the beginning of everything. And I supposed that rushing would only amount to confusion and regrets.

“I think it’s best that you and I take things slow, especially after everything that’s gone on between us. I don’t want to fuck this up if you’re going to be the person I spend the rest of eternity with. I want to get to know you slowly and thoroughly. That’s what I want. Are you okay with that?” he asked softly.

It seemed he’d been reading my thoughts too. And so, I gave a soft chuckle and nodded.

“Now,” he began with a smile dancing on his soft lips, “if you’ll excuse me, I’d like to retire for the night. Goodnight Kiyan, I’ll see you in the morning.” He turned around and began to walk away, towards the entrance of the house.

“Goodnight Theo!” I yelled out after him. But he didn’t look back at me. Instead, he continued to walk away. And so, I repeated myself, this time, even louder.

Theo stopped in his tracks and turned around, a slightly annoyed and slightly amused look on his face.

“Goodnight, Kiyan!” He yelled back.

I was about to yell once more when we both heard the sound of one of the windows opening and a rather infuriated, “Would you two shut the fuck up? People are trying to sleep!”

It was Melissa who looked less than impressed with us.

I apologised to her, slightly embarrassed and bashful. She shook her head and then retreated. Once she had, Theo and I both looked at each other, eyes wide and surprised. And then, we both softly chuckled. It felt good to have him on my side. It felt like a new beginning.