Solace

chapter three

Miya heard a soft melody filling every corner of the house as she made her way down the stairs, her hand gliding over the rails of the stairs.

The house was looking brighter and remarkably warmer due to the blazing heath in the furnace. Miya thought this could easily make a Christmas themed interior.

She stopped at the base of the stairs to pay more attention to the melody that was being played on the piano. She recognized the sweet, sad song, Nine crimes.

Miya felt a smile itch on her face. Something about hearing the man playing a romance song was strangely fascinating. It made him seem more human.

Caught in a joyful spree of the moment, she slowly walked to the man and touched his shoulder. The man's fingers froze on the keys for a short while before he continued playing.

Miya didn't know why she dared to do that. It instinctively happened, just felt like that was what she was supposed to do. Her audacity even surprised her.

Miya whispered, "I love that song"

The man cleared his throat before answering, " Then please be my guest".

Just like that, the atmosphere seemed to change. Miya felt a warmth swell in her heart. The room seemed to become warmer than it had been.

The man continued to play the heart ranting melody, pouring his soul with it. The song speaking for the heart what the mouth couldn't.

When the song ended, Miya was feeling the urge to engulf the man in a warm hug but she resisted it. Instead, she just squeezed his shoulder comfortingly.

A small appreciative smile formed on the man's lips. A silence followed after that. The warm atmosphere seemed to linger even after the song died.

After a while, the man rose from his cushioned stool and adjusted the expensive looking classic wrist watch. He looked at Miya still standing beside him with her fingers fiddling on the belt of her night gown.

Miya noticed how the man's height towered a few inches above hers. Her line of sight automatically aligned with the man's collar.

"Come sit by the fire and let me fetch you warm water", the man said looking down to meet Miya's eyes.

The man offered his hand. Miya was taken aback but accepted. She hooked her hand to the man's forearm. The man softly smiled at her before he started walking.

Miya followed the man to the white fir rug before the healthy burning furnace. The man gracefully held Miya's palm to support her while she set on the soft fluffy rug.

He then walked to the stairs on the right side and disappeared to the west wing. Miya's mind was left thinking of the man. She couldn't comprehend the familiarity she felt towards this man she just met.

He has strange ways that could scare anyone else but to her they felt like guarantee of security. She wasn't feeling the slightest of intimidation.

After a few minutes Miya heard footsteps patter down the stairs. She looked and saw the man walking towards her with a tray in his hand.

The man slowly knelt beside her and gently placed the tray on the soft rug. He then set opposite side to Miya, the tray between them.

Miya's heart surged with unexplainable joy as she saw what was in the tray.

Two tea cups in their saucers, two teaspoons, a small basin of sugar and a teapot with steam trailing from the nozzle.

There was another plate, covered with a clean white dish towel. The man pulled away the covering, revealing warm baked cookies. The heavenly aroma of cinnamon, butter and milk filled the room.

The man poured two cups of tea with the elegance of serving the queen. He served the cookies in the two saucers then passed her one.

Miya was blinking back tears by now, thinking how often she had misjudged the man before. She felt guilty of it but was contemplating whether to apologize or just leave it like that.

"Thank you", Miya said as the man passed her the small basin of sugar.

"Don't mention, Miss Sizetz", the man replied.

"For everything", she added.

The man looked at her and smiled, "you are most certainly welcome"

The glow from the fire seemed to be making the man's eyes glaze. Miya looked at the dark orbs, in contrast with the fire, 'like light through the darkness' , she thought.

Silence loomed over them except the clanking of the teaspoon as Miya stirred her tea. Miya was hesitant on saying out something.

"Ask away", the man suddenly broke the silence.

Miya was startled a bit. How did the man know that she wanted to say something, she was now thinking, was she that too obvious.

She cleared her throat, still reluctant but more curious.

"Umm, if you don't mind me asking?", Miya said in a shaky voice.

The man nodded.

"Do you live alone?", she asked hesitantly.

The man took a sip from his cup before he answered, "yes".

Miya nodded. She was still curious but she didn't want to ask more questions. It would seem like an interrogation of privacy.

"It used to be a complete family, before fate laid us asunder", he added.

"Do you want to sell the house now, is it the request you sent to the housing headquarters", Miya asked curiously.

"I'm afraid l can't do that. The housing headquarters wants me to relocate and build me another one somewhere"

"Oh, l assume it's because of urbanization"

The man nodded.

"This house, l can't let anyone have it. It's the only memory still standing. If they destroy it, l will be left with nothing", the man answered sombrely.

"I'm sorry", Miya found herself touching the man's arm comfortingly.

It surprised her how she was instinctively touching the man without thinking too much about it.

Suddenly her phone vibrated. She picked it up and saw a text from her best friend and workmate, Charlene.

Charlene: hey, you are needed for an emergency meeting. Come back ASAP.

She frowned as she finished reading the message. She looked at the man apologetically.

"I'm sorry, l have to go, it's..."

"It's been a pleasure having you Miss Sizetz, l understand", the man interjected.

Miya stood up and picked her phone. The man followed. He led her to the door and saw her to the car.

"Thank you again", Miya said before she stepped into her car.

The man smiled at her.

"Come visit again, you will always be welcome", he said.

This time Miya smiled then closed the door. She drove off, a smile still sticking on her face.

"Hopefully l get the chance to visit again", she said to herself.