Chapter 3: Mutual understanding.
1149 Words
Ryan had to cover his ears as Mia went on screaming.
She was so loud!
"A..are you human?" She asked. Her nose was so red.
Ryan stared at her in silence and pure amusement. There was someone like him, maybe not exactly like him, but they were the same in a way.
" Of course. It's probably a ghost. Even Grannie can't see me. Wait, can I see ghosts, too?" She wondered.
Ryan pulled her by her arm, and she jerked forward towards him. She looked up at him with her eyes wide open.
First, in shock
Second….he's human.
Mia moved back. But no one can see her when she stops time...
"Ho... how did you do that?" Mia asked.
"I was about to ask you the same thing. This is my first time seeing... anything like this, " Ryan said, placing his hands in his pocket. How could someone retain such a straight face when he is surprised?
" Aren't you scared?" Mia asked, trying to act tough.
"Why should I?" he asked with a frown. Is there something he was getting wrong?
Mia pointed to the scene behind her.
"I just did that,"
" I can see that, "Ryan replied.
' It seemed like he is not easily intimidated, uh?' Mia thought.
" I should return then," Mia said, smiling and making a turn to leave.
"Stop."
Mia bit her lips. She should have listened to Grannie.
Yeah, right! She would either be in a hospital bed right now or, worse, still dead.
Mia faced Ryan with a nervous smile and asked.
" Me?"
Ryan angled his head.
"How old are you?" He asked.
"Who's asking?"
" You act like a toddler," Ryan said simply.
" What?!"
Ryan almost flinched as visible sparks of electricity radiated from her body for two seconds.
" You heard me right, Kiddo,"
" I'm not a kid! I'm 22 years old!" The light flashed again.
She was pissed.
"And I am older. Do you know how much trouble you're in right now?" Ryan asked.
Mia sniffed. She was expecting that; blackmail.
"What did I do wrong?" She asked in her defence.
"Do you know how many people will come knocking at your door once they find out you can do this?"
" And who's going to tell them? You?" Mia asked.
"Gladly,"
"They won't believe you." She looked a bit pained.
"Nobody will. Everyone thinks I'm crazy, " Mia said.
Ryan studied her as she exhaled in frustration.
" I believe you," Ryan said.
Mia glanced at him with a glint of hope.
"You do?" She asked.
" I just saw what you did. I don't have a choice but to believe you, " Ryan offered.
" Of course!" Mia said, smiling brightly.
Ryan's heart felt warmth as she smiled at him, and her blue eyes twinkled in excitement.
"I should introduce myself. Hello, My name is Mia. Nice to meet you Mister…" she offered a handshake.
" Ryan," he found himself blurting out without thinking.
Mia takes his hand and soon releases it. Ryan felt disappointed as his palm felt cold again. Her's were warm..and soft.
"So we have a mutual understanding then?" She asked.
Ryan nodded.
Mia clapped in realization.
"I almost forgot. '' Mia snapped her fingers, and everything started moving again, back to normal. The truck crashed into a tree trunk, and nobody got hurt in the end.
Mia faced Ryan smiling.
"I should return to Grannie. See you around. " she waved and hurried towards Grannie.
Ryan watched her leave to join her grandmother on the other side of the road. The old lady scolded her and soon glanced at Ryan with a smile.
'Have we met before?' He wondered. Ryan bowed his head in respect, and the old lady nodded.
That was strange…
Ryan returns to his car and hurries home; Tim must have been anticipating his arrival. He glanced at his wristwatch and was even more stunned; no time was wasted.
Ryan watches them leave and soon heads for Tim's.
******
"I almost sent an entire army in search of you." Tim exaggerates as Ryan walks into the house.
"You didn't even know I was coming," Ryan said, with a shrug.
"Of course I did. After getting the news about Robin's outburst at the party. I knew you would come here, " Tim said as he pats Ryan on the back.
" I wonder why you decided to stay in that crazy house in the first place," Tim asked.
"That is because Ryan is a more patient man than you are," Grace said, walking down the stairs. Ryan hugged her.
"I missed your pasta, " Ryan said, releasing her.
"Ryan's special pasta coming up!" Grace announced, smiling as she pulled his chin playfully.
"Your grandmother doesn't treat me well. I have lost count of how many times I pleaded with her to make me that special pasta, " Tim complained to Ryan.
"That will only happen when you stop calling your son names," Grace snapped.
Grace was Tim's second wife after he first died. She was a very open-minded woman and believed everyone had reasons for their actions.
She was also one of the reasons why Ryan couldn't kill his father... yet
"He deserves it, Grace, and you know it,"
"I know nothing," Grace said.
"I should go take a shower," Ryan said, hoping to give the duo enough space to argue.
*****
Ryan switched off the lights as soon as he stepped into his room. It was an old habit of his that he was yet to get over. He felt more comfortable this way. At least he wouldn't feel like the entire world had their eyes on him. He had a lovely dinner, courtesy of Grace, and soon sinks into his bed, eyes drooping in sleep. He recalled Mia's face smiling at him.
And her face when he told her he believed her….
Did she have a hard time accepting the fact that nobody would believe her?
It didn't take that long for him to accept the truth. He believed it was for the best.
That way, he wouldn't be so disappointed or discouraged
Ryan wanted to slap himself as he recalled a mistake he made; he was most likely not to see her again. The only thing he knew about her was her name and the fact that her grandmother sold jewellery on the bridge.it was also possible that her grandma only came out to sell once in a while.
Although he never admits it, this had been a silent prayer of his; that he would find someone like him. Maybe a bit different but similar in a way.
Now that he found someone….
'Are you out of your mind, Ryan? You have a lot of problems on your own. " Ryan sank into his bed, staring out the glass wall...
- Writer
