Chapter 22 Meeting The Monster(2)
What did he mean by I will believe in them? and he sounds like he knew me before and like I am a person he is relying on but was disappointed by.
Hot tears streamed past my cheek without realizing it. I touched my face and scoffed when I saw the tears.
Why am I feeling terrible by my own words and for this young boy who turned out to be the monster. It feels like my words are dagger and they cut my heart into pieces but he should be the one feeling pain from my words. Why am I feeling guilty?
The boy was still crying with his head down. I looked at him closely, his skin was covered in different scars and he was so scrawny that I could see his bone.
His black tangle hair was scattered over his face that it reminds of a swamp. and The up and down shorts on his body are turned in several places and soaked with water.
I moved closer to him and picked up his food. Making sure to clear the sand on it, I took his hand and placed the rice ball on his palm. He looks up at me surprisedly and I smile warmly at him.
“Eat. You need to eat to have strength”
“You aren’t afraid of me” he mumbled, his red eyes resting on my face. His eyes void of unknown pain
He was right. I wasn’t afraid of him, I should be but I just can’t bring myself to hate or dread him like others. rather I feel guilty knowing it was my father who imprisoned him here. I tried to convince myself that my drive to be compassionate is the one surfacing but I couldn’t trick myself though. I feel connected to him, I have no absolute explanation to why I have been kind to him instead of hating him.
“Did you want me to be afraid of you?” I whispered.
Our gaze locked and I was once trapped by the mesmerizing colour. The pain beneath the eyes and the history written within it.
“Did you want to?” He asked.
A dry chuckled escape from his perfect lip.
“No. I don’t want to but if you want me to, I will gladly join them in hating you” I rolled my eyes because of his cocky demeanor.
It was annoying that he kept replying to my question with another question. I could clearly see it in his eyes that he doesn’t want to be hated by me but seeing him using some cold demeanor with me is kind of irritating.
“Why have you come in today?” he asked, looking at his food. I glanced at his food and sighed deeply.
“I need an answer on…”
“On” he asked, raising his eyebrow. I took a second to admire his face before looking away.
Even though he looked malnourished, I still couldn’t deny how devastable handsome he is. His perfectly pointed nose and pale lip. I imagine how handsome he would be if he was not in this position. I guessed so many ladies would faint once they set their eyes on the incredibly attractive boy.
My blood boiled in anger at the thought of another lady gagging on him and I gritted my teeth, my hand clenching and unclenching at the same time.
I took a deep breath to quench my anger and sat next to him. That’s when I noticed the water dripping on him. It was a single drop but his cloth is soaked which means that it must have been dripping on him for a long time non-stop.
“Why did you come in today?” he questioned. Hearing his voice. I snapped out of my thoughts and stared at him without saying any words. Instead I found my hand going to his face. I cleaned his tears with my thumbs and smiles. Though I wonder why he keeps asking me the same question.
“Thank you for everything” he said, his voice dark and huskily but melodic that my heart skipped a beat. Heaven what is happening to me?. Why did I find myself getting relaxed with him at each passing second?.
“For the food and this warmth right now” he added. That’s when I realized his head was resting on my shoulder.
“You are so kind. You show compassion for a person like me, that everyone dreads. For a monster….”
“You aren’t a monster. You are just another special being that’s different from us”
He removed his head from my shoulder and looked up at me. His emotionless eyes filled with gratitude and admiration. And again tears found their way down his cheek, I cleaned his tears and pinched his nose before bringing his head back to my shoulder.
“How long have you been locked up here?” I questioned and he released a sigh.
“Since I was three years old.” He said and it was my turn to look at him.
Three years?. That’s a long time and looking at him now, if I should guess his age he must be up to sixteen or more than that.
“That must be hard.” I said and he looked at me waiting for me to elaborate.
“Enduring all that since you were young” I added and sighed sadly.
He smiles. A smile that shows his sad emotion. “You are right. There are many times I wished for death instead of this suffering”
All this was caused by my father. Your suffering and pain were all caused by my father, so how could I possibly let go of this guilt I am feeling. I deserve it.
Don’t I?.
I sniveled and cleaned my running nose.
“Are you crying? Because of me”
The boy said and tried to take his hand to my face but his hand refused to come out. I looked at his hand and noticed a bulge forming on his wrist. Just above the bulge is a tattoo. I squinted my eyes and locked my gaze with the tattoo. It was a snake tattoo displaying his tongue. A black huge python.
“I have had it since birth,” he said and I nodded.
“It’s beautiful” were the words that came out of my mouth and his lips curled into a smile. It was the most beautiful smile I have ever seen, bringing his dull eyes back to life. I would certainly pay any amount to see those smiles every day.
I unhook my bracelet and put his hand on my lap. I lock the bracelet on his hand exactly where the bulge was.
He stared at me in surprise and was about to say something when I beat him to it, by not allowing him to say a word. I am sure he wants to ask why I gave him the bracelet but I don’t even know the reason as well, I just feel the bracelet would cover the bulge.
“Eat your food”Original from NôvelDrama.Org.
Without another words he started eating and I stared at him as he ate. The rice ball lacks the nutrients it requires as I couldn’t see the appropriate ingredients in it. I didn’t expect them to add meat or vegetables to it but the sesame oil and sesame seeds that are required is lacking in it. It was just plain cold rice.
I took in a deep breath and closed my eyes.
“You are beautiful”
My eyes snapped open at the compliment. I feel butterflies dancing in my tummy and happiness leaps at me. I smile appreciatively at him.
He had finished eating and was just staring at me.
“You are a maid but your beauty will surely surpass all those noble lady out there”
That’s when the realization hit me. He must think I am a maid not knowing I am the daughter of the man who imprisoned him here.
Will he hate me if he found out my identity?
Inside the prison. The young lad was grimacing in pain when suddenly a figure appeared from the darkness and a man surfaced bowing before the lad. He looked up at the man, his eyes filled with unshed tears.
“Noh bum tae,” He called weakly.
“Yes Master” The man bow courteously. Pity and anger show on his face. The pity for his master and the anger toward himself for not being able to do anything to help his master.
“When is she coming” he asked and Noh bum tae eyes beam.”The person you talk about. When is she coming?” he asked in his weak voice lay with excruciating pain.
“She is here master and soon she will show herself to you” came the reply from Noh bum tae.
He nodded his head and closed his eyes trying to endure the pain that blossomed his entire body system while the man looked at him closely, he inhaled deeply and stared away from his direction.
……