Chapter 50: Feelings- Reciprocated and unreciprocated .
"Ash…" Tyson gave a look to her girlfriend from his leaning position on the couch. Ashlene looked at him as she briefly paused from her work. She raised an eyebrow.
"What is it?" she asked,
"You told you are ready for this marriage. Are you sure that you want this?" Tyson asked. Ashlene was stunned. She was almost about to give a silent pause but she said, "Why are you asking this? I do want to marry you," Ashlene said discreetly with honesty.
"Alright. I just wanted to confirm your decision," Tyson shook his shoulders.
"I see," Ashlene walked towards him and got seated in front of him after lazily dragging a small chair.
"Look Tys, I love you. I really do. I just want to forget our past, the painful past. It's there inside me but I've buried it, at least I'm trying to do so. I can't keep on thinking and thinking and get stuck. I want to move on, with you." Ashlene said holding his hand unfeigned, smiling sincerely. Tyson smiled half-heartily,
"Is there something that is wrong?" Ashlene asked, a bit worried,
"Nope," Tyson sighed and hugged her brashly. "I've waited for this but somehow I just wish if Grandpa was with us," Tyson said. Ashlene patted him on the back, "It's okay. I'm anyway gonna shift him from that lousy hospital to some place better," Ashlene said. Tyson pulled away, "Where?"
"To my Hospital," Ashlene said firmly.
"Oh, okay," Tyson looked away in the space and pondered over something.
"Tyson?" Ashlene said. Tyson broke from the chain of his thoughts, "Are you tired of me?" Ashlene asked,
Tyson chuckled laughingly, "Silly girl! This apartment has been shaking, from the weight of my heart that was breaking. But it's perfect now," He winked, "Don't judge me. I was always resolute to you, honestly."
She nodded, "All these time, you might have thought that I've moved on but you should have known that I waited and I'm still waiting." She smiled in charming softness. Their expressions were calm, contended and some sort of mature cuteness was radiating.
"Me too. I'm always waiting for you," The blue haired blader winked, leaning towards her without refrain and placing a soft kiss on her cheek. Ashlene's playful smile turned into an unexpected blush rather, to which Tyson naughtily progressed to place a rosy hickey.
Ashlene's simpering face was beating beet. The mark was intricate which he implanted on her jaw and she had to ignore the pain and stare at him incredulously. What made his calm and lazy self a little wilder and higher was HER, and she tried to be patient at his antics.
Tyson cupped her cheeks lovingly and gently caressed the bare mark on her jaw with his thumb. She giggled on the bare tickle and they chortled with faces close and staring into each other.
The less proximity was the hindrance as both of them were seated on two separate couches.
She pinched him badly on his ear and pouted, "Now what shall I say to Ellie? It's so visible on my cheek, Ty."
"Tell her the truth," he laughed.
"She'll punch you, baby." Ashlene smirked.
"When you didn't punch me, how can she?" Tyson said cheerily, snuggling and rubbing his nose against her playfully,
"Dear beloved Doctor, you're going to give fever to your soon to be husband," Tyson mumbled amusingly.
Ashlene gracefully laughed and managed not to slip from her seat and held on his shoulder blades, "Mr Granger, when I first saw you, you were the one who gave me fever, so you deserves one from my side too, duh?" She countered him, amused, pulling away from their affectionate rubbing noses.
"Aha, " Tyson beamed proudly, "Love at first sight it was, right?" He looked at her with hilarity, "How much fever you had? Obviously how could you've resisted my handsomeness?" He leered,
Ashlene scowled at him, "I WON'T say," she purred sarcastically.
"For me, teen love was stupid," Ashlene rolled her eyes, "That is, until you," she jabbed her index finger on his sternum line, "YOU, thundered in my life there with your charming wounds in my University,"
Tyson blinked horrifically for a second but then cracked, "I thundered on your heart, Ash," he laughed and under his uncontrolled nerves, he fell on her, almost slithering on her. Slipped, both thumped on the floor with whining ouches.
She rubbed her back and groaned. He adjusted to sit properly,
Sighing, she closed her eyes, "I think we should go down, Ellie may sneak at us,"
"She does," Tyson said knowingly, "She thinks and she's curious as young,"
"Bad for you," Ashlene smirked smugly.
Tyson raised an eyebrow, "What if she gets busy?" He asked. He was not close to her as he was few moments back.
"Aunt Hils will get busy, she's gonna go, and Ellie will sneak more on us, so," Ashlene mocked very happily, "So you won't get a chance to be around me and give merciless, shameless hickeys!"
"Don't say that again, I may end up locking here," he rolled his eyes,
"What?" She asked frowning innocently.
"Locking door there," he looked at the open door, "And YOU there," he looked at the bed's side. Ashlene visibly squirmed and gulped, chuckling nervously.
She was trying to be quiet, a little shameful at her boyfriend's romantic sass. She stared and blinked fazed at her lap for a second. Tyson triumphantly smiled. He crawled and leaned towards her and mumbled in her ears in a whisper, "And by the way Ellie WILL get busy at one point soon," his hot breath tickled her and she slipped away but he caught her closer and held her arm and whispered, "I pray Ell to get busy with a cute sibling soon, sounds good, right?"
"Whaoo!" Ashlene flinched away from his grasp and punched him on head badly.
"What!" He asked grumpily,
"Hickey's revenge!" She got up quickly before taking a very quick pinch on his cheek and escaping.
"Ouch!" He squealed,
"And by the way, I'm not a snacc" she commented at his thoughts, "And there is ENOUGH time before Ellie gets a sibling!" She shot at him daringly. Tyson's pride injured, he gave a snigger.
"I'm going to get a sibling?" A loud optimistically charming voice rang. The couple looked at their daughter staring at them with shining wide eyes.
Tyson cracked hilariously and he looked at Ashlene's utterly embarrassed and befuddled face as she gawked at Ellie.
"What's it dad?" She asked, Tyson continued his mirthful laughter.
"Once," Ashlene stuttered lowly but Ellie and Tyson heard her, "Once God said that girls get a sibling when," Ashlene said, unable to form a good believable tale,
"When moms are embarrassed like this in front of dads!" Tyson interrupted with another tornado of ecstatic laughter.
Ashlene glared at him while Ellie chuckled nervously, not able to understand, "Means?" She asked,
"Ah dad means, you'll get a sibling once you become a strong blader and obey momma more," Ashlene smiled at Ellie and the little blue head seemed convinced,
"I'll try to be good, mom," Ellie said determined and marched down to complete her homework.
Ashlene glared with narrow eyes to Tyson from her standing position who was half lying on the floor, caught between the couches.
"Baby, don't look at me like that," he said scaredly. Ashlene grabbed the nearby pillow and flung at him badly and stomped away. Tyson laughed again.
Ellie silently ate her dinner watching a new cartoon on her dad's phone because Ashlene would never allow her daughter to touch her precious phone but Tyson's heart was finer. She quickly finished it and went to her room. Tyson gave a look and Ellie nodded, meaning that she'd return it sooner.
Hilary wasn't sure if she prepared the dinner finer in her hurry, occupied and maelstrom mind. She herself was silent and fretted, but was sipping her soup.
"The soup's perfect," Tyson commented quietly,
"Wow," Ashlene glanced at Tyson mirthfully. He was usually the one who picked faults in the girls' cooking from the start.
"Hmm," Hilary mumbled unconsciously,
"You there Hils?" Ashlene asked, her mirthfulness fading,
"Yeah." Hilary finished her soup and down bowed her head down with pondering demeanor, "Guys," She finally spoke,
They had her attention and they looked at her, "I've something to say," She looked at Tyson hopefully and then at Ashlene expectantly. Tyson nodded anxiously.
"Is Nyhan's mom strict?" Hilary asked abruptly. Tyson was quiet and he thought for few seconds, "As far as I remember, he told me once that his mom refused him to work for an offer I had him from my company; so might be she's not so lenient." Tyson said carefully,
"But you know what Tyson…" Hilary chuckled bitterly, "Ryan's mom passed out three years back,"
Tyson's spoon dropped and he blinked confusedly.
"Then?" Ashlene raised an eyebrow,
"Nyhan lied to you. He doesn't need any job." Hilary said.
"How can you tell?" Tyson interrogated,
"I know. He himself told me when we first met that his mom passed away three years back."
"Why did he lie to me?" Tyson said to himself, befuddled.
"He is… He's a surgeon." Hilary mentioned. Tyson cursed Nyhan and wondered how Hilary must be feeling about it. "Is there something else he lied?" Tyson asked eventually infuriated.
"No," Hilary said.
"Bloody liar. I'm not talking to him!" Tyson slammed his palm on the table while Ashlene stared at him quietly and imperviously. Tyson rose and strode away,
"I met Ryan today." Hilary said looking down. Ashlene frowned deeply inconceivably and blinked a couple of times thinking if it's some joke; but she couldn't deny the truth in Hilary's expression. Tyson's back tensed as he fazed for a second before relaxing.
"How…" That was his only question. He knew that silent discussion was the key to his shooing questions in the mind.
"We were fooled. Ryan didn't die. He was alive on the day we thought he died. He was attempted to be killed but… he was saved," Hilary said in a low voice,
"What are you saying, Hils?" Ashlene shook her face, adjusting her unruly bangs quickly.
"Ryan was still alive but they declared him dead and Nyhan was behind this all," Hilary sniffled silently. Tyson veered and looked at her- stunned and immensely bewilderment.
"Nyhan took him to the car and while my Ryan was still alive, he threw him from that cliff-"
"What!" Tyson's head snaked forward,
"Tala and others found him while they were in Florida in that valley area and they took him. Two weeks back, Kai met Tala and he found out what happened,"
"You mean Ryan is still alive!" Tyson's eyes filled almost,
"Yes, Tyson. Ryan is alive. He's well cared and protected." Hilary smiled tenderly,
"Now I get why Kai wanted to speak to you," Ashlene said nodding to herself with persistent tensed brows,
"B-But… Are you sure that Tala saved Ryan and... Nyhan was the one who did this?" Tyson asked, trying with efforts to clear his jammed mind,
"Yes, Ryan agrees with this," Hilary said firmly,
"I want to meet him." Tyson demanded.
"Uncle! Please give me your phone. I've to watch that cartoon!" Ellie pleaded as she asked,
"Ell, You're disturbing Uncle Kai. Take my phone," Hilary said, scolding her as she sighed and gave Ellie her phone. "Now go, sit on that bench under that tree and watch silently," Hilary smiled. Ellie nodded and kissed Hilary briefly as the brunette bend down and Ellie's toes took her to her aunt's cheeks, then she went rushing to the bench in the garden.
"I'm sorry, Kai," Hilary said nervously,
"It's fine. I was almost about to give her. Ellie's sweet girl. Tyson is a lucky dad, indeed," Kai smiled heartily, but briefly.
"Yeah, he indeed is. A lucky dad and a lucky boyfriend too," Hilary smiled back thinking everything,
There was brief comfortable silence as they walked in the garden filled with morning light and rays of starting sunshine. The breeze was still freshly radiating. Hilary looked at the other side of a small bridge and she caught a brief glimpse of Ryan and Tyson seated and having comfortable conversation.
"They've met after a long time, they need their time," Kai said, understanding that Tyson's curiosities and meeting Ryan were valid. Kai had known Ryan since a week already and ever since then he had been arduous to call and speak to Hilary.
"Yeah. I hope he goes smooth." Hilary smiled, she was sure Tyson was very inquisitive to meet the guy they thought was dead. Plus he was secretly happy for Hilary too, as she would get back her one true love. Hilary herself felt so grateful to life at this moment, like a crying child was soothed.
"What are your plans now?" She asked him,
"Hmm?" He mumbled instinctively,
"I mean anything you've planned for near future…?" Hilary shrugged, as they strolled in the serene air.
"Well, everything is fine now. Ryan's back, you're okay. Tyson's fine, Ashlene returned. Ellie joined if I may add." Kai said calmly, forgetting to add that he still has to talk to Tyson and sort out things of past. He still didn't get the opportunity even now because Tyson was with Ryan at the moment.
"What about you?" Hilary asked wisely,
"I am working at my company quarters that Voltaire kindly left for me," Kai said with slight sarcasm as they walked on the bridge; listening the shallow billows of river underneath. It was serene and calm, undisturbed.
"I mean…umm, are you sure you're fine?" Hilary said nervously, beating around the bush. She didn't like that Kai was alone at this point of life, having no idea if he had Rose these days to company him. Neither she had made peace with what he did to her years back; not like she wanted him back but she still had some sort of despise for his attitude towards her and Tyson through the years in his different ways. Still trying to be friendly and concerned, she asked to him maturely. After all, Kai cared for Ryan. And that greatly subsided most of her despise for him. "Are you fine?" She repeated,
"Yep, you should get back with Ryan soon as he gets better," Kai said quickly, meaning she should continue with her feelings she has for Ryan. Hilary's expression were slightly frustrated,
"I would be happy if you would move on and stay happy. I am trying too that Ryan improves quickly." Kai explained trying his best to let remain his voice neutral,
"Will it be nostalgic if I say you sorry?" Hilary asked abruptly stopping in her tracks, closing her lids squeezed shut. The irony was; she knew she shouldn't be sorry to him, no. And he should be sorry to her rather. But still there was some sort of harshness she had given him enough since quite time. It was the response of her past anger from him. She was on the verge of fighting between trying to make peace with him for his mistakes or despising him.
Kai's mouth agape remained paused as she said sorry. He stared her in silent cutting affliction.
"No…" Kai said, "Why would you be sorry anyway?" He asked in an accusing tone with a chuckle,
Hilary opened her eyes feebly and looked sideways in thought, "I mean, all through these years, you've probably have felt for me, have waited for me to reciprocate and you've done so much to prove me that you're a strong person," Hilary said looking straightway at his face gently, "But still now, saving Ryan, getting me and him together, I know it's hard for you..." She said simply in a hung-down tone, "But you know, I a-actually don't feel sorry to you. You just left me abruptly Kai... and that's the only reason that ended us." She admitted the truth,
Kai nodded rhythmically in silent sarcasm, "But nothing is changed," Kai said holding her hand, "You still love Ryan, just like you did… My attempts to get Tyson's title finally succeeded but still it's so worthless. I didn't battle Tyson, nor have you liked anything about it." Kai said in a soft-slow tone, "I wish you could forgive me for what I did to you... I was wrong."
"You'd move on. I don't want you to live for me. Live your life, Kai. Don't regret later that you've wasted your time and heart on someone who never belonged with you," Hilary said wisely in guilt, she just forgot to say him that she'll forgive him now. So that led Kai to conclude that she didn't want to talk about forgiving as for now, so she probably didn't forgive him. Probably she still hates me, well.
"I know. I'm trying," Kai sighed slightly- Rose coming in his mind, the only person who was understanding him and helping him these days mentally. His long term feelings for Hilary had died down almost, and he was more focused with Rose because Hilary was past and Rose is reality for him, now. And he have Rose NOW, so he knew from his mistakes that he shouldn't loose her too. Their long term ruined relationship had no room now. Kai knew that Hilary was just trying to make peace for Ryan's sake and probably she still despised him. He sighed. Everyone is not Rose to forgive me like that easy.
Get well soon, Ryan. I am with you. Hilary thought tenderly, a small nostalgic smile taking on her lips. After all these times regretting on her misfortunes of not having someone by her ached her. Someone was there, he ignored, someone else came, he went off forever. She cursed her stars at times. Now that Ryan came back like an angelic merciful blessing in her life back, she was beholden to fate.
"Hey! Aunt Hils! Your battery just died down." Ellie called,
Kai and Hilary turned towards the bench, "Here, give me now," Hilary ordered. Ellie obediently stood up and handed her the phone with nervous smile. Hilary rolled her eyes sternly.
"Here, you want my phone?" Kai asked Ellie kindly with a smile. Hilary sent a warning look to her friend's daughter.
"N-No, its fine," Ellie said stuttering.
"Alright," Kai plugged his phone in the pocket. He might have hated Tyson but that hate was GONE, vanquishing away to be replaced with remorse and contrite. He was becoming gentle somehow, unknown to himself. Grandpa's departure hit him hurt and he didn't even have the courage to talk to Tyson, far was the thought of asking about Grandpa whom he left and wronged Tyson too. He was already a disliked person now in front of everyone- Hilary, Tyson, Grandpa, save Rose. As a uncle, he didn't want Ellie too to get a bad impression of him. He could be kind to her, only if that was possible to spend time with the little girl. He felt guilty towards Ellie too, after all he was the reason Ellie and Ashlene got separated from Tyson for years. At this time, he wondered who suffered more? Was it Tyson? Ashlene? Or Ellie?
The duo sighed as Ellie walked away.
"Where was Ash all this time?" Kai asked thoughtfully.
"With Raul and Julia, somewhere." Hilary answered in disdain.
They briefly paused their walking, suddenly looking at each other. Hilary was the first one to break the stare and resume walking. Everything was still the same, unchanged, unappreciated, unreciprocated, undecided of what's holding for him in near future. Kai suddenly remembered seeing Julia few years back in bey-store and her utterly confused and shocked face seeing him. Kai seemed to have reasoned now of Julia's behavior, Ashlene might have known that Tyson was still with the team. Hilary knew his remorse now, but she couldn't help doing anything either. This empty bond was defined now.
Life moved on so fast, secrets and sins unfolded, life changed so much, Kai almost gave a sardonic brief laughter to himself. Hilary ignored, understanding what he was feeling, not guilty that she was helpless. In the end, what was right seemed to have won, be it was late, felt so cruel and painful, but patience just showed that everything became right in the end. Those who had wronged, were left alone with burden of regrets and guilt they had to fight on their own. Hilary knew life did justice with her now but her question was: When will justice come for Ryan? When will Nyhan will pay for what he did?
A/N: I had edited this chapter multiple times to give proper content in their conversations and emotions. Kai and Tyson will have a confrontation soon. I hope I was able to put Kai's character in place in this chapter. I really had a hard time describing and writing him here with respect to the plot. But I'm hoping that the details were clear and it worked. Did it? :P
So I think the title is justified for the chapter? As with Ty/Ash, feelings were reciprocated, and as for Kai/Hil, no, they were not.
Thanks to everyone for reading and reviewing previously and being patient for the update. Next Chapter's Title: Love- Requited and Unrequited.
Review, see ya all soon.