Chapter 8 New Emotions

“I am not here to judge you. I see you as a light of hope beaming for me that whatever trauma I had in my childhood, I will get through all of them just like I am not afraid to see you bleeding. It makes me hold my grip on sanity knowing someone needs me or my help so I have to stay conscious and not faint despite the color of red seeping out of your wound. Whatever you do or whatever kind of person you are, I am not concerned at the moment. The victory over this fear that had been in my life ever since I could remember is the only thing that matters to me right now. So forgive me if I am behaving weirdly in your eyes. I know this too shall pass, but as of now, I wanna enjoy it.”

I did not know why Skye was being so laid-back in front of me. But I could also feel the pure honesty of her words.

Before I could even respond, she was talking again.

“You might feel as if I am treating you like a newly found pet. I want to take care of you. I want you to get better as soon as possible. Like an eagle that injured its wings, I want to see you fly high and healthy again,” she continued. “But believe me, I am only after your welfare. I promise you that.”

“Thank you. I don’t want to be so much of a burden to you. So, please proceed with your usual engagements. I will ask for your help when I need a hand,” I gently said. I did not want to offend her. 

“Do you need to inform your family about what happened to you? Your wife, fiancee, or girlfriend might not like the idea of you spending this whole time with me,” Skye cautiously asked. Unlike her relaxed and easy-going character earlier as she made known to me her honest thoughts, the mention of asking about my family made her appear timid. 

“I don’t have any of those that you have cited,” I answered with my eyes not avoiding hers.

“Family. I mean… Parents?” She asked again. 

“Deceased. Both of them,” I answered with unconcealed sadness. 

It’s been a tragedy during my early teenage days but the memory of their death always saddens me.

“I’m sorry to hear that,” Skye uttered with equal sadness. However, what she said next and the way she delivered her words surprised me. She was cheery!

“If that is the case, we have so many things in common then!” Skye exclaimed. 

Her attempt to change the mood succeeded. But not from gloomy to chirpy.

It made my face sport a deep frown. I could tell she knew I was asking without words. 

“Well, I am an orphan, too. Before dad took me in and raised me as his daughter. I am not happy I lost my birth parents too early in life but I am beyond grateful I found a person who loves me like I am his own flesh and blood. He loves me without limits or conditions. And I don’t know if you would agree with me, but you and dad Ted have some similarities I cannot point out what and which clearly, but I can sense it. I can feel it.”

“Wait. I am overwhelmed by everything you are saying. Are you always this bubbly and blabbermouthed?” I asked.

I wanted to scold her for being so open about everything with me. But her reply calmed me down a little. 

“No actually. It’s just that I feel so comfortable with you,” Skye shrugged her shoulders as she justified her behavior towards me.

We finished our breakfast with the leisure of time as she kept chatting while I did not have the heart to tell her to stop. But it did not end there. The whole day, she was next to me if not around or nearby. It wasn’t unbearable. But as the day ends, I wished she would feel tired and give herself a break. 

“If you have anywhere else to be, please, don’t let me bother you.”

I reminded her with a kind smile. 

But Skye said she canceled all her outdoor schedule today since her dad was out of town. 

I inwardly groaned at the thought that she would be in the house all day. But what could I do? It was her home, not mine. 

Evening came.

“At last, nightfall has come. It won’t be long before we bid each other goodnight. I will have a peaceful rest. My ears would get a break from her endless chattering and I will get the chance to think.”

These were the words in my thoughts. I was looking forward to that moment.

Alas, Skye doesn’t seem to have the same thoughts as I did. After dinner, we sat in the living room. We watched her favorite shows, but she would still try to explain things bout the show knowing I had no idea what they were about.

It was only seven in the evening. We had our dinner around six. But Skye was far from resigning for the day. I had to think of a way to make her stop blabbering without hurting her feelings in any way. 

“Hey, Skye! Does Ted have some hard drinks I can have a shot or two?” I asked with expressed embarrassment. I was not embarrassed, but I wanted Skye to think I was. 

“Marco!!?” Skye reacted with great disbelief. “You are under medications at the moment, I don’t think alcohol is among your prescriptions,” she chuckled. 

“Yeah, I know,” I weakly murmured with a sigh. “But it has been a part of my daily routine to have a drink by the end of the day to relieve my tiredness away and I haven’t been able to do so in a few days,” I made my voice sound even more sorrowful with my face abashed.

“I am very sorry to disappoint you, but I cannot let you have that drink you are asking for,” Skye stated with so much regret in her eyes. 

She looked like a mom trying to negotiate calmly against her son’s unacceptable demands. 

“You can ask me anything aside from that and see if we can come up with an agreeable point,” she added. 

“Bingo!” I thought.

 I have anticipated every possible response Skye might have to my request. So, her rebuff was not surprising to me. But her way of consoling me was a promising victory.

Or so I thought!

I had a silly idea in mind, but I still asked her if she meant her words about me asking for something else as an option. 

“Are you sure?” 

“Let us hear your request first. I am not going to say yes or no, unless I have a clear understanding of it, Mister!” Skye answered.

I bit my lower lip inwardly. I was actually thinking about asking her to drink instead of me if she was not going to have that booze I had asked for her permission. I told her my thoughts.

“You won’t let me have a shot or two, right?” I asked Skye. 

“Yup! And that is final. Sorry, big boy!” she replied with a grin. 

“Can I at least have a smell of it?” I looked at her with puppy eyes, pretentiously. 

“Nope!” 

“Come on! Let me just have a sniff of its scent,” I playfully begged. 

I was enjoying seeing her resolute mien. It was fascinating and entertaining. Skye was introducing a lot of new emotions and sensations to my frigid world. And I am not proud to say she wasn’t the first to do so because there had been many from the opposite genders of mine who approached me with such styles to flirt with me, but Skye was the first one to receive my tolerance. 

And I wasn’t just letting her do it. Because I was immensely taking pleasure and delight in our silly exchange of conversation. 

“Fine!” Skye gave up. She must have melted with how I pretended to be sad. “But you are not drinking. Not even a drop, Marco! Do we understand each other?” 

“Yes, yes! I promise.” 

I laughed but the pain made me frown just seconds after. 

“Oh, god damn it!” I groaned as I watched Skye walk away from the living room to get the drinks I had asked for so desperately. 

“Here you go. Just sniff on it,” Skye chuckled as the word seemed to register in her mind. “I’m sorry,” she burst into laughter soon after. 

“Stop teasing me!” I pouted. But Skye must have found it even more amusing. Her giggles turned even more boisterous. 

“Skye! If you don’t quit it, I will guzzle it down, I am telling you,” I warned her. 

Her laughter was entertaining but it was provocative at the same time. I was so tempted to do as I said. And I won't be surprised if Skye thinks I was serious with my words. I, myself, could not tell if I was still playing around or if I sincerely meant what I just said. But before my brain could even process my thoughts, I was surprised when Skye grabbed the glass of vodka and took a swig of it!