Rey was visibly confused with the flower situation. Not only there were four roses missing but the shop sent four roses a short while later but those were all black. "Maybe we could file a complaint with the shop owner," Charles suggested.
Everyone nodded and the twelve rose topic closed off for the time being. Dinner outside was a good suggestion on Claire's part. Rey could see Shyra loosened up on her emotions and her afternoon gloom was gone as well. Their table was loud and lively with stories of their past.
While the clinking of the cutlery and glasses mixed with the vivacious chatter distracted Shyra, it was almost completely silent for Rey as he had long zoned out in his daydreams of the new found the love of his life. Nobody could say for sure whether it was the alcohol or his idyllic, rather ticklishly lascivious reverie, that made his face coloured in gushing red, his eyes rather peacefully resting on her and his wine drenched lips pried open as if there were some words that died in his throat.
As he rested on his chair, slumping his shoulder, gazing at Shyra, Charlie caught a glance of this moment. Nothing was to be said, no childish teases this time. He was seeing someone fall in love so helplessly, so desperately - there was something so captivatingly handsome about the man whose heart was sinking - Charlie could only glance at both of them and smile as he moved to look back at Irene, his love, and remember how foolishly in love he himself was.
Ages later, Rajiv had seen his friends such smiling with such giddiness, laughing in such carefree manner, something in his mind had started to feel lighter. As Claire rested her head on his shoulders, Rajiv had a damning revelation - he was getting caught in the softer life with his new found family - bonds made of the threads of need, desperation and shared traumatic life with a mix of caffeinated rather troublesome minds, highly precious nevertheless; was becoming thicker than bonds made of the blood - Rajiv wouldn't mind if they spent the rest of their lives like this. But, even the loveliest of nights end, for better or for worse, the dawn would come, always, without fail.
After dinner, Rey returned with the party and stayed back at Shyra's place. It was the last day of the weekend. Everything was so dreamingly relaxing yet a sudden tiredness had caught them both. Shyra lazily excused herself on the sofa in homely cozy knitted gown and had picked up a book to read.
"What are you reading?" Rey asked gently as he sat himself down gently beside her.
"You can surely see the cover, can't you?" Shyra replied stiffly while her sharp gaze scrutinized him beneath the glasses.
"Uhm, well...eh, yes. Dostoyevsky I see." He felt slightly embarrassed by the fact that he actually didn't even look at the cover and obviously wasn't interested in the book in any way.
"I am tired today," Shyra stated establishing that she clearly wasn't going to welcome any advances.
"I understand." He felt a little more embarrassed that she felt the need of stating the obvious.
"You don't have to have your guards up you know. Ehm, I would never do anything you don't consent to. I just wanted to relax with you a little." He uttered finally.
Without looking at her or waiting for her response, he continued, "That being said, can I read the book to you?"
"Sure." Her reply was rather soft this time. "Here you go."
She handed him the book as he picked up a fluffy cushion to place on his lap and gestured her, "Here, put you feet up her."
As stiff as she can be sometimes, she didn't mind putting her feet on the cushion on his lap.
Rey was reading the book in a gentle dramatic manner almost reciting every line as he massaged her feet softly. Shyra's breathing evened as she slowly slumped herself to the back of the couch. Rey waited a little longer so that she can fall asleep completely without disturbance.
He put down the book and quietly removed himself off of the couch and went inside to bring a blanket. Tucking her in softly, he kissed her forehead lightly and proceeded to tuck himself on the carpet, right by the sofa with a blanker and the cushion that was placed beneath her feet moments ago.
There was something so comfortingly captivating about using things laced with her smell. He didn't want to leave her sleeping on the couch and wasn't comfortable to carry her to the bed. Although, he would very much love to tuck her in his arms, he still didn't have her prior permission. It would still be crossing boundaries even with the best intentions in mind. Besides, who would want to disturb the woman sleeping like a garden fairy on her light green embroidered sofa, wearing a white knitted gown with yellow flowers in her light pink floral blankets while the smell of jasmine filled the air.
It was warm enough on the carpet for him. It would have been warm enough without the carpet. It was warm enough as long as he was with her. It was cozy enough as long as he was with her. It was luxurious enough as long as he was with her.
The last night with her was falling and he was falling apart little by little looking at her face softly lit by the light from the fireplace. Tomorrow, he would have to go back to his place. The night would end whether he wanted or not. The dawn will break and break them apart. He would have to accept it whether he wanted it or not.
His life was now hanging by a thread that rested in the hands of the sleeping garden fairy who loved to remain blissfully unaware of the grip she had on his heart, his life, his throat. Rey would gladly accept any fate she wished for him, but for now, he could love her for the rest of this night, rest of this life.