Chapter 9: Aurora Borealis
1135 Words
EVE
I couldn't help but laugh.
After a week of being cranky, pessimistic, and sad, today I felt alive again and it was all because of Darren.
“Are you happy?” he asked.
I immediately put on my dull face again. I'd lost it earlier because he was so annoying.
Hey, is it normal that I can't ski? Besides, if my legs are shaking, it's not because I'm scared, it's because I'm not good at it.
Suddenly a snow hit my thick jacket which made me fall backwards because I was not focused.
My body was immersed in the snow. Instead of getting up, I enjoyed lying here.
Until Darren came and pulled me up. He looks worried.
“Are you okay? I'm sorry I didn't mean to hurt you.”
Look, his worried face is the same as when he saw me about to jump off the balcony. If it were Ethan, he would probably be happy to let me jump.
Argh, why am I comparing the two of them?
“Eve.”
I flinched at Darren's call.
“I'm fine. You're overreacting.”
I stood up and patted my snow-covered shirt.
Suddenly Darren helped clear the snow off my shirt, which made me pause.
I looked at his serious face. It was still vivid in my memory of his face in the past when he helped me clean up my school clothes because I fell down, and that expression was the same.
“That's done, let's go back to the hostel. You must be freezing already.”
Without me being able to prevent it, he already took my hand.
I could feel the warmth that instantly spread throughout my body as he held me. He also turned his head several times to make sure I wasn't left behind.
It turns out that when we arrived at the hostel, Darren took me to the restaurant inside. He opens the door, pulls out a chair and also orders for me.
He even remembered my favorite drink, a matcha latte.
“One matcha latte and one caramel macchiato. One portion of garlic bread, two spaghetti bolognese, and-”
“Enough,” I said quickly.
He could have ordered the entire menu if I hadn't stopped him.
“That's all, thank you.”
Darren warmed my hand by grasping it. My hand sinks between his large ones.
“Why?”
“Why did you say everything? You want to order the whole menu?”
Darren just chuckled. “If you want, I can order the whole menu.”
I rolled my eyes lazily. “Well, I know you're rich, you have a lot of money.”
He flicked my nose.
“You can use my money to buy whatever you want. If you don't use it, what's the point? That money will also go to waste. So don't refuse anything I want to buy for you.”
“Of course, I'll spend all your money,” I said in annoyance.
He actually enjoyed my frustrations.
Darren's love language was acts of service and giving gifts, so he was very happy to do and give things for others.
I used to worry about people taking advantage of his kindness. But now he's more mature, so he won't be stupid anymore, right?
We didn't discuss anything after that. But strangely despite our silence, it didn't feel awkward at all.
I felt .... comfortable. I no longer felt any worries when Darren was here.
Once in a while I glance at him who is busy with his phone. He must have a lot of work and is so busy, but he's willing to make time to keep me company here.
This man should have found a woman who could be his wife if he hadn't waited for me.
Sometimes I wonder if love can make people blind. Just like I was once blinded by my love for Ethan.
I thought Ethan really loved me and I thought that he was hiding me because he wanted to keep me safe.
But it turns out that after being with Darren, I know that the way to protect is not only by hiding, but also by showing to the world that I am a part of his life.
Darren said I didn't have to hide anymore, I had to go out in public with him.
But I refused, for now I wanted peace after the storm. When I'm ready, I'll come out to the public with a better version of myself.
“The aura is out!”
Someone's shout from out there made Darren pull my hand suddenly. He took me running out of the restaurant.
And when we were outside, I finally got to see the aurora borealis for the first time in my life.
The light from the north in the sky that was so hard to find, I could finally see with my own eyes. Its arrival can only be predicted, but there's no certainty as to when it will appear.
I wanted to thank whoever was shouting earlier, he made it possible for us to witness this beautiful moment.
I felt the grip on my hand tighten and then I heard a polaroid camera snap from beside me.
It turns out that Darren managed to capture the aurora borealis in the sky that quickly disappeared.
He gave me a photo of it. This photo is so expensive that people from all over the world come to this place to hunt the aurora.
I accepted the photo and was still amazed. One of my dreams had come true and Darren had made it happen.
“It's wonderful like you,” he said.
He also wiped a tear from the corner of my eye. Then, he hugged me from behind, resting his head on my shoulder.
I couldn't help it, I liked this position. I feel warmth and comfort at the same time. I admit I do need a hug.
“Do you like it?” he whispered in my ear.
I nodded. “Thank you for still remembering one of the things I wanted to do.”
Suddenly he turned me around so I was facing him.
“I always remember everything about you, Eve. I've got it all recorded in my brain.”
Our eyes meet, neither of us blinking. And this is when I can feel my heart racing like it did when I first saw him.
Darren brought his face closer, his eyes locked on my lips and moments later, he landed his lips on mine. He kissed me softly.
This moment doesn't last long as we hear a camera snap. Not from the polaroid camera Darren was holding, but from the paparazzi peeping behind the building.
I knew there would be a scene after this.
- Writer
