The Silent Melody
The Soundless World
Rain poured endlessly from the dark evening sky, drumming against rooftops, roads, and shattered puddles that reflected the city lights like broken glass. Students rushed past the school gates with umbrellas above their heads, laughter and conversations blending into noises Flora could never hear.
Flora stood quietly beneath the entrance roof, hugging her worn school bag tightly against her chest.
Flora
I forgot my umbrella again...I need to get home before she gets mad. Seems like its gonna be a heavy downpour
Her fingers curled slightly around the straps as she looked up at the grey sky. The rain looked cold tonight. Heavy.
With a small breath, Flora slowly lifted her bag over her head and stepped into the rain.
Cold droplets immediately soaked her uniform skirt and dark long hair. Water slid down her pale cheeks as she walked carefully along the sidewalk, avoiding puddles whenever she could.
Most students passed by without looking at her.
Some glanced briefly before walking away.
Like always.
Flora lowered her eyes and walked faster.
The rain blurred her vision slightly. Her shoes splashed against the wet road as she hurried across the empty street.
Then—
Her foot slipped.
Everything happened too quickly.
Her balance disappeared beneath her as her body tilted forward. Her eyes widened slightly, dark strands of hair falling over her face as she instinctively braced herself for the harsh impact
But it never came.
A strong hand suddenly caught her waist.
Flora froze.
The rain stopped touching her.
Her eyes slowly lifted.
A transparent umbrella hovered above them.
And beneath it…
A boy.
Sharp hazel eyes stared at her in surprise, slightly widened as if he himself hadn’t expected to catch someone out of nowhere. Raindrops clung to his soft chocolate-brown hair, dampening the edges messily. His black school bag rested over one shoulder while his hand remained firmly around her waist, steadying her.
Flora
I cannot hear his words but I can understand he isn't harsh to me...
He looks genuinly kind.
Flora
His kindness felt strange to me...though I cannot really understand why my heart is beating fast
Slowly, Flora nodded.
Only then did the boy seem to relax. A bright grin spread across his face so suddenly that it caught her off guard.
Warm.
So warm.
Elwin
"Go home safe and...be careful clumsy doll"
She is cute
His grin widened playfully.
Flora blinked.
A faint pink dusted her cheeks almost instantly.
Flora
I cannot see any mocker in his eyes. No irritation nor pity. Just....kindness and somehow, it frightened me more than cruelty ever did.
The boy gently released her waist before placing the umbrella into her hands without hesitation.
Flora
*Flora's eyes widened* Then what about him?
Before she could react, he had already stepped back into the heavy rain as though getting soaked didn’t matter at all.
His uniform darkened instantly beneath the downpour.
Still grinning, he lifted one hand lazily and turned away.
Flora
Who is he? I dont even know his name and neither do he. Why did he helped me
Flora stood frozen beneath the umbrella, staring at his retreating figure.
Flora
I really dont understand the reason but...I wanted him stop him. Ask his name and thank properly...
Flora
But no voice came out from my throat....it never did
Then suddenly—
Something red slipped from his slightly open bag.
A scarf.
The wind carried it away instantly.
Her body moved before she could think.
She reached out instinctively.
Flora
Wait! I screamed in my mind though he could never hear
The scarf flew across the road before catching against the branch of a nearby tree. The fabric snagged harshly before falling onto the wet pavement below.
Torn.
Flora quickly picked it up, her fingers carefully brushing against the soaked red fabric.
She looked up immediately.
But the boy was already gone.
Only rain remained.
Flora
He had already gone...
For a long moment, Flora simply stood there holding the torn scarf against her chest beneath the transparent umbrella.
And though she didn’t understand why…
Her heart wouldn’t stop beating fast.
The Unwanted Evening
The heavy downpour showed no signs of stopping.
Rain hammered against rooftops and windows as Elwin pedaled through the wet streets, his clothes completely soaked by the time he reached home.
Elwin
Man! Iam really soaked. A heavy downpour in hot summer season
A small bakery stood attached to the house, its warm lights glowing against the dark evening. The sweet scent of freshly baked bread drifted through the air as he pushed open the front door.
Water dripped from his hair onto the floor.
Granny Chloe (ML's grandma)
"Elwin!"
His grandmother appeared almost immediately, a towel in hand.
Granny Chloe (ML's grandma)
"Look at you! You're drenched!"
Granny Chloe (ML's grandma)
"Its not Fine!" *She smacked the back of his head lightly with the towel*
Granny Chloe (ML's grandma)
"How many times have I told you to carry an umbrella?"
Elwin
*He rubbed his head dramatically* "It wasn't that bad"
Granny Chloe (ML's grandma)
*She raised an eyebrow* "You look like you swam home!"
Defeated, Elwin peeled off his wet jacket and dropped onto the couch beside the heater.
His gaze drifted toward the bakery.
Elwin
"Why isn't the shop closed yet?"
Without answering, his grandmother picked up a neatly packed dessert box and slipped it into a delivery bag.
Granny Chloe (ML's grandma)
"We have one last order"
Elwin
*He groans* "At this weather?"
Granny Chloe (ML's grandma)
"It's an important customer" *She handed him the bag*
Granny Chloe (ML's grandma)
"Now hurry before the dessert gets cold"
Elwin
*With a dramatic sigh, Elwin stood up* "Fine,fine."
A few minutes later, he was back outside, raincoat zipped up and delivery bag secured behind him.
The rain continued to pour as he rode into the darkness.
---
It was already late when Flora stepped through the front door.
Her uniform was damp, and strands of wet black hair clung to her cheeks.
Carefully, she placed the transparent umbrella beside the stand.
Flora
I don't know why but for some reason... I couldn't stop thinking about him...
The thought vanished the moment she entered the living room.
Her aunt stood waiting.
Arms crossed.
Expression cold.
Flora immediately lowered her gaze.
Ella (FL's Aunt/Caretaker)
"Oh my! What the hell took you so long"
Flora
*Flora trembled under her gaze and tried to explain by signing* I cannot hear a single word from her but I can hear the anger,disappointment and blame from her. I pointed at the umbrella to look clear "I was late because it started raining and-"
Ella's hands slammed at Flora's cheek
Ella (FL's Aunt/Caretaker)
"Don't you dare use those stupid hand gestures infront of me you deaf burden! Are you thinking to make me look like a damn idot!"
Flora froze.
Her aunt grabbed her wrist.
The grip was tight.
Painful.
Before Flora could react, she was dragged down the hallway.
Fear twisted inside her chest.
The storage room door opened.
Darkness waited beyond it.
Ella (FL's Aunt/Caretaker)
"Go rot in this room and don't expect dinner!"
The door slammed shut.
A second later, the lock clicked.
Silence.
Complete silence.
Flora slowly sank to the floor.
The room smelled of dust and old boxes.
Moonlight barely reached through a small window near the ceiling.
Tears slipped quietly down her cheeks.
Flora
Why my world is always filled with darkness....I really dont want to live anymore
Flora
Its not the first time it has happaned to me but...it always hurts me...
She pulled her knees to her chest and lowered her head.
Then—
The doorbell rang.
Ella (FL's Aunt/Caretaker)
"what now?..." *She muttered to herself and walked to the entrance*
Opening the door, she found a boy standing beneath the rain.
Bright hazel eyes.
Chocolate-brown hair peeking from beneath a raincoat.
A warm smile.
In one hand, he carried a delivery package.
Elwin
"Sorry for being late," he said politely. "You must be Ms. Ella?"
Ella (FL's Aunt/Caretaker)
"Yes."
Elwin
*He lifted the package slightly* "Iam Elwin Kitt. Iam here with your dessert delivery"
Inside the storage room, Flora caught the faint scent of pastries drifting through the house.
Curious, she stood and approached the tiny window.
Peeking through the narrow opening, she froze.
Her eyes widened.
Flora
It is....the boy from earlier...
For a moment, Flora simply stared.
Her heart began beating faster.
And for the first time since the darkness swallowed her once again...
A small spark of light appeared.
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