Flinch: Forbidden Prophecy

Eight: Unjust Desire Towards a Stranger

As exact as her thoughts in her dream, Ashera woke up in a reality, where her parents are nowhere to be seen. Hence, will abide the coming of them, no more. “Are you alright?” Ashera blinked her eyes a couple of times to adjust her vision from the light inside the train. She wandered her sight around her, and came to her senses that she’s still on the train. However, the moon has already overtaken the sun, outside. Giving a scenery to be allured with. The snowflakes glittered by the moonlight, the mountains emitted a marvellous sight — so different from the daylight’s view as shadows casted under the canopy of the mountains’s size — and the trees danced with the wind, alfresco. It was then, that she realized, she actually had her head laid against Reeve’s shoulder. Slowly, her face began to turn red as it heated up in embarrassment. Her stomach was filled with butterflies constellating in it. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to doze off.”

In an abrupt manner, Ashera withdrew her head and accidentally bumped it on the train’s window, beside her. It hurts. So bad, that she almost felt it cracking beneath her skin. “Ashera, what on earth. Are you alright? Watch yourself, will you?” Reeve pulled her closer to him as he inspected her head for any injury. He caressed it with his soft hand, hoping it will assuage the pain she’s feeling. Luckily, there was no blood or tear on the area of her head that hit the window. However, it sure did swell. “I am fine, Reeve. Just feeling a little pain, but don’t worry it won’t last long.” She gave him a smile, as though it was not enough to ease the worry on his face. ‘What’s up with the look. Is he normally this concerned with strangers?’ She wondered. “Better apply a cold compress on it, or it will be swollen like crazy.”

It’s crazy how he exaggerated his words, but then Ashera liked it. “You’re exaggerating. Right, when are we going to reach the station?” Pretty sure, she has been asleep for a couple of hours. Since, it was nowhere to be candlelights before she came to the land of the nod. “Any minute from now, we will reach the station. After that, we’ll have to take a cab to reach our destinations. Fortunately, I had my car parked just by the station. Worry not then, for you’ll at least be comfortable for another hour of travel.” Somehow, it put Ashera at ease. Knowing, that she has someone familiar of the place, with her. At least, she will not have to cradle for information of what, when, where, why, and how about the Wilyard.

Ashera settled by the passenger’s seat as Reeve positioned behind his wheel. “Well, that was quite exhausting. Mingling, passing, and sliding through the crowd of people sure was draining. Are you ready for yet another round?” Ashera turned to Reeve to meet his teasing gaze. “I am not sure I quite understand that, Reeve. You are being a tease, are you not?” Indeed, their way out of the train sure was not a piece of cake, for people scattered like crazy at the station as soon as they arrived. However, Ashera shivered by the sound of Reeve’s laughter in response to her words. It tickled her. His voice sounded like a harmonious music to her ears. Soothing the chills it registered to her system. She can not fathom how implausible it is for her to resist herself from having such feeling towards the man she just met, hours ago.

“Oh, pardon me for laughing. There’s no reason to be uncomfortable, okay. Are you ready to go?” Silence followed. Reeve anticipated for an answer, but none followed. Curiosity flooded his mind. And so, Reeve turned to check on Ashera beside him. ‘What on earth.’ Reeve thought. She’s having trouble fixing her seatbelt. Despite the clueless motions of Ashera, Reeve still find it adorable. “Here, let me help you.”

Ashera froze in her seat as Reeve nonchalantly brushed his fingers against her, when he took the seatbelt from her. While, he’s fixing her seatbelt for her, Ashera couldn’t stop her heart from beating so loud. So loud that she could it hear it pounding like a drummed percussion instrument. The thought of Reeve hearing her silly heart beating so loud just by the mere touch of him, made her anxious. Her breath became heavier. “Are you alright?” Ashera did not know what to respond. She presumed, the devil ate her tongue. And, for a moment, she wished that the ground would eat her up. She’s going insane. In fact, she’s gone mad.

Reeve finished fixing Ashera’s seatbelt and so she looked at him, only to meet his intense gaze. He was already staring at her so intensely that she could melt from it. Electricity flowed through her body like lightning speed, when she locked gaze with him. Their faces were so close to each other. So close that their lips were an inch away from each other. Ashera gulped her solidifying saliva as her breath became uneasy. She wanted him to kiss her. She wanted him to claim him. However, she mustered all her might to knock the desire she felt towards Reeve, off her system. She would not allow herself to be carried away by the charm that the guy before her, is giving off. It would only bring shame to her nature. Shame that she could not muster to have a control of herself for a mere yet silly temptation. She’s got her pride. She should melt before no man, at least not now. It is not just right. Simply, unjust.

Hence, Ashera cleared her throat to pull herself back to reality. It was then, that Reeve blinked several times and cleared his throat as well, inching back to his seat. “Apologies. That was simply unjust.” Ashera giggled in accord to his words. “Yeah.” She looked at him by the rear view mirror, and she sure did see him, blushed. It was endearing to see. She again felt her cheeks burning. Yes, without a doubt her face became tomato red. “It’s hot here, don’t you think?” Reeve gave her a questioning look. After then, they end up bursting in laughter. They were laugh out loud that it made them forget what just happened between them two. “That was hilarious, for real. Alright, off we go.” He started the engine of his car, and drove off.

“Right, you can take a nap for a while. I will wake you up when we get there.” Ashera thought of considering Reeve’s words. However, the thought of having unwanted dreams again contradicted her considerations, and rather chose to stay awake for the whole ride. “It’s alright. I’d like to stay awake for the rest of the ride. It’s my first time here, anyway. So, I would like to take this chance to have a look around on our way.” She gave Reeve a gentle pat on the shoulder and Reeve heed it with a smile. “Suit yourself, then.”