~Listening to her~

(Part 2/5)

His phone buzzed but he ignored. Within few more minutes, he reached his house, parked his bike. The door was locked.
"Huh?" Tyson frowned. 'Where would be Grandpa...' Tyson knocked but then took out his keys and unlocked the door.
The lights were shut and it was twilight. Sunset pink-blue beams landed in the living room as he peeped in. He switched on the lights and walked upstairs to his room.

Thumping his bag on the floor, he dropped the phone on his bed. It notified once again loudly. He ignored and got fresh and changed into comfortable loose clothes. He took his phone and checked.
'T man, I won't be back for a week. I think I found my wife, eee!'
Tyson shuddered at the joke but shook his head. 'Is Grandpa going on a date?' Tyson was horrified. He shrugged and dismissed. He brought the food upstairs and ate it.

He flatly lied down on the futon, staring at the ceiling, legs and hands splayed over the mattress. There was drop dead silence in the house with no person except him.

He couldn't even sleep. He browsed his phone simply, no hope from Hilary to ever text him.
'She seems pretty shy. Too shy and too bad for us,' Tyson chuckled but tossed his phone.
It magically buzzed. He stretched his hand and took it quickly.

'How far do you like me?' Hilary's name showed up before the text.

'Oh so she finally texted me!'

Tyson was amused, 'How far do you want me to like you?' he texted back right then.

Hilary was currently in a hostel room, Salima as her roommate. Their room was dim, and the girls just had a heavy dinner and were lying down simply on bed. Salima was drowning into a sleep, Hilary was... well she was texting him.

She grinned at his reply but was still sort of shy. She was bold enough but she couldn't help being felt like dominated under his masculine scrutiny, and those killing words to to which she could only text or gesture in reply. She still felt her heart shaking dramatically.

'How far can you take it?' She texted.

Tyson smirked, "She IS daring!"
'Very far, beyond the very end. ;)' he texted.

Hilary smirked too but she felt excited and the new feelings were so delightful. Nascent love was so pure to experience.
'I like your attitude, Tyson. Its appreciated,' she texted.

'Can I call you? You can text me,' He offered, because he absolutely wanted her to hear his stunning voice just so she would be impressed of how indeed impressive he was.

'Ok,' she replied.

He dialed and plugged his earplugs into his ears.
"Hey," he deeply whispered. Hilary got up from her lying position and smiled brightly,

'Hey, Tyson.' she texted,

"What were you doing, Hilary?" He asked, keeping her chatting page open.

'I'm lying on bed. What about you,' she texted,

"I'm talking to you, beautiful." He chuckled slyly. She kept a hand on her chest and smiled nervously.

'The compliment though. Thanks,:)'

"So... what are you doing up?" He asked,

'Well... I am studying medicine but it's sort of secluded treatment I get there. Of course, studying itself was so difficult for me. Never mind. I stay in hostel.' She quickly typed, answering his unasked questions,

He read her text, "That's great Hilary. You're great. Becoming a Doc is really bold and courageous of you." Tyson said cheerily, quite happy for her.

'Thanks!' She smiled,

"From which university you are, Hils?" He asked.

Hilary smirked, realizing that she got a new nick name for her. Tyson was oblivious.

'Springfield, near MainLanes,' she texted.

"Hey, that's nice! I like that university." He expressed.

Hilary smiled. She previously thought he was a proud, confident and sly guy in his good looks that he flaunted off. Her thoughts trailed about him as they kept on chatting for minutes, hours, past 12 in midnight, knowing each other more, joking, cracking, crossing 2k of chats by the time they felt exhausted.

Even though Tyson wanted to continue still talking, despite his arm and back shoulder ached up by holding the phone, Hilary was far more drained off. She has been texting since then and now her eyes strained from staring at the screen and fingers felt numb.

"Talk to you tomorrow, Hils." Tyson winked,

'We are having holidays. I'm free tomorrow.' She texted him, hinting him.

Tyson rightfully understood her implications.
"I'm free too. How would be beach in evening?" He asked gently.

'Okay,' she texted.

"Good night, Hils." He said in a sweet murmur.

Hilary smiled, 'Good night, Tys.' She closed her phone.

He got a new nickname as well. 'Tys, huh?' He smirked and thumped his body on the bed once again, dozing off for a new tomorrow to arrive soon.

Hilary couldn't stop thinking of him. A stupid, yet cute and infatuated shy smile was sticking on her face, as she hugged her pillow and closed her eyes.
'Indeed, he has caught my heart and he touches it just as he likes without even knowing it...' her heart told her. She gave an instinctive nod and sighed blissfully.

'Now, I'll meet him everyday... I hope so.' She wished. Of course, she had the idea that he liked her, that's the reason he took her phone number, gave her compliments in gesture and kissed her, most importantly!

She was turning 23 soon, and it added to her thoughts that whenever she closed her eyes and thought about him, a part of her heart could think of his bold, sassy words, yet he was so true for what he felt. A tiny part of her heart rose her carnal desires towards him.
She clutched her pillow and shook her head, 'No dirty thoughts!' She gulped and relaxed. 'There is something about him addictive had me needing more. Ain't nobody make feel so real, just like you do.'

The next day, she woke up late around nine, helped Salima in making their breakfast. The duo had a good understanding as they stayed together even when Hilary couldn't talk actually. Quickly finishing her breakfast, she got dressed in dark orange shirt, leaving few top buttons opens just like yesterday and wearing blue jeans. Wearing her sneakers, she took her bag, precious phone and earpods and left.

There was still time for evening and beach...and there was still time for Tyson. She rode on her bike towards her University Library which would remain unclosed even in holidays.
The library was large and empty and no one could be seen. She showed her card and took a peaceful spot to study.

Tyson was busy since morning. He had to prepare his own breakfast since Ryu was not there. He got fresh, dressed up properly, vacuumed the house, cleaned the lawn, and finally took his bike to drive to Max's house where their models were kept. They had to sort out things today. It didn't take much of time. Kai and Enrique were already there. Since Kai divided the work and assortment, things went easy. Tyson just brought one model to his home back, which he kept in his old closet.

He had to wash his clothes and white coat. He completed that. He was tired by now. It was around 3 p.m now. He shut the lights hastily and drifted into a sleep. He had in his mind that he have to go to beach in evening. And much to his heart's craving, without even the alarm, he woke up at five.

'Enough with work and sleep. Lunch will be outside!' He got dressed up and took his phone and wallet, and locked the house.
He texted, 'I'm up for beach. Can you reach?'
He started the bike, anyway knowing that Hilary WILL come.

Hilary was leaving the library by five, and she was about to re-invite him but he already had texted her. Now, that excited her confidence. She happily strode down the library and reached for the prominent beach-side. It was early winters in Tokyo, the sky was beautifully grey and teal blue mixed colors with clouds slightly hovered.

The beach was thus empty, no people around, the chairs were empty and the few left umbrellas were lonely. It was around five in evening. The breeze was chilly and the air was dry, slightly humid. She parked her bike, staring at the seafoam rolling along the tides of sea and groveling towards the shore.
She sauntered softly, smiling lightly at the nature's beauty. She removed her shoes keeping aside at a safe dry spot. Rolling up the hem of her jeans at a safer height, she walked towards the sea, breathing ardently the fragrance of waves, and feeling the coldness flirt with her skin. It was a sensational experience with nature's beauty.

She stopped when she could feel the chilly waves groveling on her feet, rising upto her ankles and receding back in the rhythm. She shivered with a giggle at the cold. Gulping, she kept a hand on her mouth. 'I forgot, I can't speak.' She sighed. The dark colored waves kissed her feet. She breathed loudly in delight.

The next moment, Tyson was standing beside her, surprising her. He simply walked up without shoes, pants folded like hers and took a spot right beside her, equally mesmerized at the waves of ocean enchanting them. She smiled looking at him. Raising her brows playfully, she said him that he arrived so quickly.

"I just came now," he said. She said her words just through her gestures, especially because it was difficult of what she was saying with just her facial expressions, slight moments by hands and all. Plus, it's been just two days since they've met.

"I am impressive," Tyson said calmly, answering her. She softly giggled and calmly stared him back, turning to him. He turned to face her back. Her rhythmic smiles between her calm expressions said lots of confessions to him. Both of them knew she always can't just open up her phone to text him, and honestly Tyson enjoyed learning to listen her like this. Just without the words texted,or words said. He spend his mind's gears to learn what those impish smiles, soft smiles, and silent face said him all the time.
'All of that pretty face, no words...it said so much in our silence. I was still listening to her heart. Beautiful, right Dragoon?'

Her face became covered with hilarity and she took a step back carefully. Tyson frowned slightly.
She giggled and took another two steps back, still able to face him. Opening her arms, she gestured him to catch her. As soon as he got her implication, he started running up with delighted laughter.
"Hey!"

'Couldn't find the words to say one single thing
Oh, I never knew someone could make me fall like that'

Hilary kept running, her sweet soft laughter radiating in the air, serenading his ears,
"Hils!" He chased her, but she darted quicker. Tyson revved up and chuckled with a smirk on his face. Hilary giggled victoriously, sprinting far.

'Now I can't picture my life
Without you by my side
Can't let you go
I'll never let you go'

With one more big step, he finally caught her and grasped her waist with his beefy possessive arms. Crashing softly against her back, he stopped her. She was still smiling with parted lips, breathing heavily.

Tyson stared with interest at her barely half visible face as he still held his arms round her navel, as if scared like she would go. Her jasmine-scented brunette hair were tied by in a low pony, brushing his nose and cheeks as they fluttered happily. He leaned his chin and placed on her shoulder with an innocent face.

'Now I can't picture my life
Without you by my side
Can't let you go
I'll never let you go'

"Someday when I die, and I close both my eyes, you should know that I'm coming back to haunt you," Tyson simply declared in his own chic of impressive tone. She lowered her eyes from the sea on his bounding arms, and smiled peacefully. She gave a nod of approval gently. The breeze was hitting them harder, as if a storm would come. The romance was just blossoming.

She freed herself from his hold and faced him. Lifting her toes from down and raising her fingers, she cupped his both cheeks lovingly and gave him a peck quickly and left him. She examined his reaction, which was like a jolt of delight. He smirked,

"Does that say something?" He asked. She nodded a no. She gestured with moving her hands flamboyantly, trying to explain him. He thought for few seconds.
"You want to ask something?" He tried,
She nodded slowly.

He took out his phone, meaning that she could text him. Hilary didn't took out her phone or budge, she calmly just looked at him, lovingly in her undisturbed expressions. 'He was ready to bear me... Am I not irritating enough not able to speak up for myself? Still... he behaves like I'm so precious...Why?'
She shook her head side to side. She wanted to ask him why he liked her, but not through messages. She wanted him to understand her with her gestures.
She pointed a finger to him, moved her last three fingers interrogatively and with few more movements, she tried to ask her question. He was slightly puzzled but he tried to surmise and understand.

Conjecturing, he spoke, "Why I like you...? Is that it?" She nodded excitedly; happy that he understood her. He laughed softly. Seeing her excited just because he guessed what she was trying to say was so sweet.

"I just like you for your beautiful silence that still says so many things," he said cheerfully. Hilary smiled happily, showing him a thumbs up. She beckoned him to follow her and walked away from the shore,

"What's now?" He asked but nonetheless followed her from behind.
She didn't say anything, and walked. She stopped and without turning to him, she pulled out her hairband, flashing her impressive hair. He faced her back, musing curiously. She tied her hair into a firm bun. He stared at her calmly. The next thing slightly shuddered him when he noted that she was unbuttoning her shirt. His lips nervously parted but he still waited, subconsciously excited.

She unbuttoned completely and tossed her shirt away. He relaxed when he saw that a clothing called spaghetti was still clinging on her body. She removed her watch and kept it on the beach chair. She still didn't face him. All his eyes did in those barely lasted seconds was to admire her flaunted arms, and deep neck of silk like skin. She turned to him and looked at the sea, indicating him that they could have some fun.

"Play in water?" Tyson asked, little surprised.
She nodded, adjusting her bra-strap. He thought, "But the weather's not pretty cool for this," he tried to explain. She rolled her eyes and dragged him anyway to the water.
"Hey no!" He panicked but she threw him already on the wet floor that hit him with a reward of cold wave. She crouched down, lowering herself to his position, and dragged him more deeper towards the ocean. Still they were safer,

Tyson obeyed and he laughed in excitement. With an impish smirk, he started splashing water on her boisterously. Hilary defended herself but giggled in joy and splashed back water on him, both of them drenched under the dark teal blue sky laced with grey clouds. The vast and endless ocean send more playful tides towards them and it sends shivers of chill into them. Despite shivering, she splashed water more and more on him. He simply gave up, too enthralled by her moves. He simply took her spurts of foam-mixed water splashed on him.

'And I'll stay waitin'
To feel your cold on my skin
And I'll stay hopin', prayin'
That you'll be with me 'til the end'

"Hilary...stop," he said quietly. A serene smile was still there on him. He took ragged steps towards her and she wondered what it was. Her smile slightly faded as he intimately got close to her and bounded her back into his arms, and leisurely leaned to place the unseen marks of love on her lips. Unhurried, and steady, he molded his lips against her moist cold tender ones. This time, she reciprocated his gesture, and bound her hands on his nape, and moved her lips fervently against his.

The ripples of water swished towards them, momentarily covering them entirely in a world of water, hitching their breaths.
'Intoxicating your kiss, intoxicating your lips. Nobody does it like this, I find it hard to resist...' His mind was still in serene euphoria rather than being frisky even after being in such a sexy grey sea right in cold.

He pulled back, huffing slightly in breaths, equally like her. Her chest moved fro and back, the wet attire revealing most of what was under that thin spaghetti; revealing her bullet clasped bra vaguely. Tyson's gaze roamed over her with dead huskiness lingering in his eyes. He tried to appease his carnal desires right now. His own linen shirt was heavily drenched entirely, revealing his toned athletic build. After few more confused, desired and raging feelings, he smiled and said, "Hilary, I think I love you." He said, more as a thought than as a confession.

She didn't hesitate, even though her cold face blushed in punch pink. She softly and slowly nodded, and confessed back with a calm smile and nodding acceptably.
"Do you...too?" He asked. She nodded reassuringly again.
Tyson was eager, "I take that as yes?" He asked,
She nodded again.
"I take that as a perfect yes?" He asked loudly with a big grin.
She nodded more quickly and hugged him fiercely. He laughed in delight.

Pulling back, he still held her but he said her, "Nothing mattered to me... even if you can't speak, that didn't affect my love and feelings for you. I've fallen in love with your silence and I've fell for you finally." He confessed in all honesty.

Her eyes watered, and even though they were already drenched from head to toe in the middle of sea romancing, he could spot that redness discreetly in her eyes apart from her rubies. Hilary felt something like guilt and slight fear. Her eyes staring at him lowered and she pondered.

"Hey what's wrong?" Tyson whispered. She shook her head, gesturing him that it was nothing. He attempted to rub her eyes and she closed her eyes, her chin slightly wobbled. 'That's it... I cant speak, and that will be the truth for the rest of our lifetime.'
He tried to listen to her, what she was thinking, if not saying but she continually indicated that it was nothing. Appeasing his worry, she flung away her sad thoughts and smiled brightly for him. He smiled a little and took her away from the sea to the shore on the lonely empty beach.

He picked her shirt and handed her, "Wear it. You'll catch cold," She nodded. She looked at her shirt. She gave a look to him and he blinked for a second and then turned. She removed her wet spaghetti and quickly wore the cold but dry shirt and buttoned up.

"Hmm," she whispered. He turned back. They wore their shoes. She took her watch back and they started making their way to their bikes.

Even though Tyson was entirely soaked, water dripping from him, Hilary was not entirely wet. She cleared water from her hair by unloading the water drops by clasping her hair.
"Done?" He asked. She nodded and tied her hair back.
He walked to her and kept a palm on her cheek, "Call me once you reach the room," he said gently. She smiled and nodded. She climbed on her bike and wore her helmet, grateful to remember that her phone was in her bag and not in her pockets which would have otherwise have been dead in water.
He sedately stared at her, realizing sweet things... 'Having Hilary in life was new, but it felt so right, so good and so deserved.' He smiled. She started up the bike and drove away. He rode on his bike back to the empty home waiting for him.

Hilary quietly walked in building of her hostel which was deadly quiet and dark, since it was late 10 in night. She was wet and the vile cold was shivering her. She opened the torch light and made her way through the elevator to second floor, and walked through the long corridor to reach for her room.

Taking her keys, she unlocked the door. Some creepy presence could be felt around her. Her heart shuddered in fear. She quickly tried to unlock and walked inside the room, shutting it locked quickly.

Her room was dark too, but a fade orange lampshade was making the ambiance visible. Salima was working on her laptop, probably preparing notes for their incoming exams in few more months.

"Hey," Salima greeted.

"Hm," Hilary smiled. She placed her bag on the floor, removed the shoes and got changed quickly before Salima would notice why she was soaked. Hilary got warmed up after a clean bath and got dried.

She listlessly lied on her bed. Salima was getting changed into night wear too. Switching off the bed lamp, Salima dozed off.

'Probably she's tired...' Hilary thought. There were other things Hilary had to worry about and think off and kill her guilt.

"Your mom had called me, she was asking about you?" Salima said,

Hilary pointed a finger to herself, 'Me?'

Salima nodded, "I just said that you're out at library. So she was convinced." Salima yawned and closed her eyes.

'Why did she call Salima?' Hilary groaned inwardly and checked her phone. There was no message at all of her mom.

Hilary hated why her mother was investigating about her from behind. She has left the town and come here for studies.

'Isn't my life already too bloody miserable? I took the promise, right? So now what!' Hilary's eyes twitched badly and she was angry, 'I'm shutting up. I can't speak. I'm dumb. I'm muted. Everyone thinks I'm such a helpless person. I AM a helpless person. So now what mom wants?'

Hilary seethed and slapped her face against the pillow, closing the eyes shut. The anger was slowly going off, to be replaced with the misery she was in and to the people she had to lie. Her eyelashes drenched in tears, and she sniffled the water of her nose.

She remembered Tyson and their moments of sea.

'And he loves me. Loves truly. Or else why would he confess to a helpless girl who didn't even say his name by her lips.' Hilary's chin wobbled in guilt. She slipped deeper into the blanket. She felt cold indeed. She suddenly remembered that she had to text Tyson. She took her phone and typed,

'I've reached safely. :) Good night.' She smiled as she pressed the send button.

He didn't receive right then but she kept her phone aside and hoped that their new relationship would sail smoothly, with the same pure innocent love like today.

'I'm sorry Tyson. I'm so sorry. I really love you but I hope that you'll forgive me one day...'

She thought sluggishly and hurtfully. There was nothing she could do about it. She had to live a miserable life like she was living. She couldn't remember how her lips moved or worked to say a single word. She just didn't know...

She drifted into a vague sleep, half conscious. Night hours passed slowly...

"Aaahhhh!" A loud pitched terrific scream scratched across the corridors. Hilary and Salima ghastly woke up, hearts jolted up at the ear screeching scream. They gasped and as scared and shocked they were, they looked at each confusedly.

Hilary shakily asked with her movements of what was it.

"I don't know..." Salima stuttered, still scared. They wanted to go out and see if everything was right but they were too frightened and reluctant to step out of their safe room. Salima got up quickly and checked their door if it was properly locked. She fixed the key in the lock so that no one could anyway unlock it from outside.

"Its okay, Hils. Everything will be okay," Salima assured Hilary in her half quavering voice. Hilary half heartily nodded,trying to be calm. The girls closed the windows shut and covered them with curtains and drifted into a cumbersome sleep.

The next morning, the entire hostel was in some serious mayhem and it was reported that an old senile man suffering from mental illness had attacked the girls' floor and broke through into a room and attacked a girl. The girl was nonetheless safe as her room-partner flung a heavy metal pan on the temple of the invader and got him unconscious. The rest of the news was typical. The two occupants had flew to their homes for few days.

Hilary felt uncanny and disturbed after hearing what happened. Salima was also preparing to leave hostel for few days till things would calm out here and they would forget this frightening situation.

'I don't want to stay here too.' Hilary's thoughts trailed. Salima was packing her things and suggested Hilary that she should go to her hometown too. However Hilary didn't want to go her mom. She wanted to stay here but not in this hostel, at least for few days. But she had no option. So mustering up some more courage, she decided begrudgingly to stay here just like many other girls were still there. All she had to do was to return back to her room before evening and lock her room. That's it.

"Good bye, Hils. Take care." Salima hugged Hilary once as she was about to leave. Hilary hugged her back tightly, with the fear that from now on, she would be alone in this empty room. Her face puckered but she just smiled.

"Bye," Hilary waved her and as soon as she receded, she locked the room carefully. The room felt compacted and dead to her. It was so silent that it was becoming painful for her to tolerate.

"Argh! Fuck this life!" Hilary grunted and seethed. Angry tears, filled with rage formed in her eyes and she clutched her hair furiously, on the verge of losing her sanity.

'Why I can't even hear my own voice? Why I can't even say something...' She lied flat on her stomach and buried her head in her pillow, 'Why I can't even say a few words to love to Him? He deserves to hear me... But what I can give him? Nothing!' She sobbed silently, muffling her cries and voice.

'I want to do something for him, just to prove that I care for him. Confessing is a part of love, but I want to do so much for him. I want to prove him I'm capable.'

A/N: The previous chapter was inspired by the song Silent by When you exit, and this chapter was inspired, especially that beach scene was inspired from the song Haunt you by Chloe Mariondo.

Review, that's appreciated.