Duty-Bound: Chapter 14
...xXx...
He was ready to give her a shoulder to cry on, but she didn't even shed a tear. As she stared at the small shrine whilst displaying a face void of any emotions, he could only motionlessly watch and wonder about her true feelings. When he heard her sigh after what seemed like forever, her expression gradually changed from stolid to morose; he knew that the grief she held for her twin sister Aida was overbearing.
"I'm sorry, Aida…"
Even as she sat on the dirt ground, he still didn't move.
"I should have come earlier to save you…"
Confused by her vague statement, he wished to ask for her to explain; however, he knew the timing was bad. Time passed with no sound being heard. When the sun was about to set below the horizon, she startled him by grabbing his hand with hers.
"My…" she murmured.
He gazed at her worriedly. "My?"
"My feet… I can't feel them anymore."
Dumbfounded, he looked at her. After heaving a sigh, he knelt down beside her. Instinctively, she wrapped her arms around his neck as he peeled her off of the ground easily.
When he was about to ask her where she wanted to go, she muttered, "My room, please."
Wordlessly, he complied with her request. Since he had figured out that she didn't want anyone to see her cry, he was planning to leave her alone, to give her some time to grieve properly. Of course, his plan was in vain since she didn't let go of him. Only upon seeing tears roll down her lovely face did he realize that she truly needed him. As he embraced her, he uttered soothing words into her ear while reassuring her that he would stay by her side until she said otherwise.