How does it feel to let go of the tethered roots you've been etching to burn down for eons? How does it feel to finally breathe in the pure air of perpetual and internal freedom? How does it feel to smile wholeheartedly without a second thought of melancholy or sorrow?

Bliss. Eternal bliss.

"Morning..." The husky morning voice tickled my ears pleasurably. A very heartwarming sensation coiling its way into my bosom. I faced him, propping my chin on his firm chest. My eyes instantly fastened on his placid demeanor. Eyes closed, as he rested his head against his hand. His chest heaved up and down in an enchanting cadence that matched mine. The dimness of the room blended in seamlessly with the ambiance.

"Morning." I replied back, nuzzling my chin against his flesh. The thin fabric on our body merely served to intervene in the erotas intimacy of our flesh. His grip around my waist intensified. Ripples of warmth and intense heat shot through me in a jiffy. My desires, slowly but steadily taking an enormous toll on me.

Instead, I let my mind drift the other way, far away from it.

For now. Just now.

"We've got a college to go to, remember?" I said, smiling at him.

The weekends were over. University, assignments, and the same old life awaited. Apart from that, my mind was preoccupied with zillions of other things. One being—Senior Aria.

"Senior Aria... do you think, well, like, she knows about all this?" I spoke my thoughts. He stirred a little, his hands ever so delicately clutching mine. Fingers lacing together with such fervor and delicacy that oozed rawness and affection.

He gazed into my eyes. And oh, good gracious, the fondness they held had me going insane with yearning. "I don't think so. But I'll make sure she never speaks to you the way she did. "

Dang, is it just me or does this really sound hot?

"I've yet to meet everyone. I guess the avoiding everyone phase is over. " It was true. It had been two days since the incident. Since I opened up. Since we both shared bits and pieces of each other. Since that not-so-okay-ish night.

Regardless, it took us quite some time to deal with it. Both of us helping each other.

I couldn't believe I'd finally opened up to him. Years of mental anguish had finally worn off. I felt light and free. A phenomenal sensation, if you ask me.

However, I knew there was way more to know about him. Aylwin Eldred was still a riddle to me. There were still strewn around fragments of him that I had yet to gather. His tales might be more merciless than mine, and this very longing to know the extent of his wounds and bruises had me on the verge of losing it.

The building of curiosity in me was taller than the Burj Khalifa per se. I was waiting. Waiting for the moment. For better opportunities. But overall, the iridescent magic of time.

When the time comes, I'd be more than willing to peel off all of his layers. See where the orphic routes would take me. What else had him chain himself down beneath his exterior.

Nonetheless, for now, I needed assurance.

"Hey, E!" I was back in my dorm, and the very first thing I did was call Ethel. Of course, I had to inform him that I had finally confessed everything. I was brave enough to do so, and now all that remained was absolute peace and serenity.

"You sound happy." He murmured wearily.

"Wow, you really sound disappointed." I replied sarcastically, rolling my eyes even though he couldn't see it.

"Geez, no... alright. I'm just busy with my new case. Anyway, what's up?"

"I told him, E! I told him everything. " A genuine smile adorned my lips as the words gushed forth.

For a good few seconds, it was dead silent. He exclaimed, "You—? Oh, my God, Soph, how did it go?"

I sighed, contentedly. Reliving the memories. His gestures. The way he handled me. The way he let me express myself. I was ecstatic. I rejoiced at it. "Better than I thought. I feel good. Happy. Living. Ecstatic. I don't have to run, hide, or do anything. It's over now. It's out for the finest and brightest."

Perhaps I didn't have the proper words or way of explaining. How does it honestly feel to finally be able to let go of a life-long trauma? To be able to let it all out and think it's a new-born of yours? Like a weight lifted off your chest and restored with eternal peace? Hollowness getting filled up by glee and merriment?

"Jesus, it is amazing, Soph. About time you had the guts. " His tone softened as he chuckled.

"E!"

Then he exhaled, the atmosphere morphing into a more nostalgic one. "On a serious note, I'm extremely happy. Mom and dad would go wild with joy. " Just like that, we spent another few minutes chatting and making new memories.

I stepped out of the lecture hall, only to find Senior Aylwin waiting for me in the corridor. "You're waiting, again?"

He faced me. His signature poker face was back on its 24/7 duty. Eyes studying me for a while, as he casually shrugged.

I smiled and said, "You know, you don't have to do that. I'm perfectly fine. "

This was something he'd been doing since the last few days. Like picking me up in the morning, waiting for me in the halls whenever he could, strolling with me around campus, and other heart-warming things. Trust me, it wasn't hidden under veils for everyone on campus, but rather a string of obvious gestures.

Like the dazzling, glassy balls of blueberries, his eyes twinkled and sparkled, oozing ardor. Then, ever so softly, his lips moved. As his next words stroked my heart with phenomenal delicacy, I felt myself falling in an instant. "I know, you're. It's for... my peace."

Somebody tell him to stop saying such things!

"God, you and your terrific, orphic words!" A chuckle full of mirth and reflecting zeal escaped my mouth.

With that, we fell into steps. Walking together. Then, out of nowhere, a faraway thought popped into my head. I spoke gingerly. "By the way, in the meantime, can we visit Lily?"

"Hmm."

"It's not that... it's just I want to meet her..." Half truth. The other half was more disheartening. I inhaled sharply, voicing my intention. "Ben... Ben and Grace have the right to know. T-To know what happened... to their children. Why have they disappeared? I think they'll understand it. I know, they'll..."

He cut me off by pressing his index finger over my lips. "Shh... relax... They'll understand." His voice was far too gentle, like feathers or snowflakes. Stroking my skin, tracing my flesh with their innocence and purity. Afterwards leaving a beautiful, satisfying mark behind.

Standing on campus, amidst stares and gossip, with his fingers still lingering on my lips and his eyes weaving spells of untamed vehemence, for some inexplicable reason seemed much too intimate and tantalizing.

And, to be honest, I could get addicted to it. For sure.

***

"No! Anything but clothes, please!!!"

"C'mon boys, we're celebrating his birthday for the first time. And if you guys are so adamant on keeping such stupid themes, then newsflash—birthday-without-b'day-boy-party. " Mysie said, rolling her eyes at our seniors who were coming up with heaven knew how ridiculous ideas.

So, Senior Aylwin's birthday was around the corner. The approaching weekend precisely. Meaning—we had only two days. And, based on what I gathered from them, Senior never celebrated his birthday.

And this time I was sure as hell going to change that.

On his birthday, he would go MIA from college and no one! Like, literally no one, not even Senior Chase, knew where he'd go or why he did this! Not that they had the guts to ask, anyway.

So, back to the tangled issue at stake. We were brainstorming ideas for his party's theme. It would be his first time celebrating his birthday on campus. With me. Of course, I wanted it to be the best and life-long memorable.

But for that, we needed to actually plan a party. And, in order to plan a party, we needed a theme. And for a theme? Considering how the folks in front of me were behaving, I doubt we'd be able to choose one by the end of the night.

Senior Diana clapped her hands, whistling, "Retro Rave Theme? You have to admit that uptight ass always acts like some sort of 80s hunk!"

"Wait-what?" The words tumbled out of my mouth. They brow-wiggled while looking at me. A very sly smirk curled their lips.

"Ooh, defensive... I see..." She smirked.

"C'mon, he's not that moody!" I replied with a carefree smile.

"Mate, accept it; he's more moody than a preggo." As soon as she said that, I couldn't help but let out a series of giggles. Well, she wasn't actually wrong.

"That's rarely, though." I smiled, cheekily glaring at her.

"Alright, if you're done being Aylwin's mama, can we choose now?"

God, please!!

I gave her a "really" look and nodded nevertheless. Ivy chimed in, "Then, a meme party?"

"Nah, too bland."

"Pajama party?"

"Yup, and add make-up and Barbie stuff. Perfect girl-y night. Jake, bring us wigs. " Senior Drew sarcastically said, in a "duh" tone.

"Hey Barbie Diana, wanna go out for a party?" Senior Ash suddenly asked Senior Diana.

Golly, no! Not again! There goes the theme planning!

Senior Diana sprang from her seat. Her face was flushed with rage. "You did not just say what I think you did!?" She said with gritted teeth.

"Oh love, I definitely did." Senior Ash spoke up, arrogantly.

"Oh really? Thought you were way too busy ogling at Ben 10's ass to actually care about barbies. "

"That was before I met ya. Now, I've got a view to ogle. " Smirking, he gave her a complete up-down glance.

"You! Unholy-dipshit-harassing-moron!"

"Thinking I'm a moron gives people something to feel smug about. Why should I disillusion them?"

"Me pretending to listen should be enough for you, Ash L'Engle." We couldn't refrain from laughing while witnessing their argument.

"I'd love to insult you, but I'm afraid I won't do as well as nature did."

"Ouch!" That's when our beloved seniors started to hoot, making weird "touché" noises.

"Look who's saying? Who's himself contaminating the gene pool with his worthless seed! Noice!"

It was now the girls who cheered for Senior Diana. "Shoot!"

"Aw love, I've been called worse things by 'better' people."

"Glad to know, you do realize that people just tolerate you."

"You know what? You'd be in good shape... If you ran as much as your mouth. "

God, they were being ludicrous, and no one took the great initiative to break their cold war. Rather, we sipped on our coffee, enjoyed snacks, and watched "NYU's daily soap opera."

Yup, we were the real bestfriends.

"You did not say that. I've got a feeling we're on the verge of hugging and coming up with cute nicknames for each other. " Senior Diana's heavy sarcasm was smooth as butter.

"Definitely not with you, Diana Mead."

"Oh c'mon, lower your standards a little. Cuz I just did." Holy smokes! We laughed so hard at that one.

"You..."

"Alright guys, shut the fuck down! What are you two? 5?" Finally, Senior Chase interrupted while we were still savoring the last few clips.

"He started."

"She made me."

"You-"

"You-"

"SHUT THE FUCK DOWN!" They both quieted down.

"You both know what!? You always do us a favor when you both shut the hell up!" That wasn't a lie, either.

For them to survive in a room without squabbling and murdering each other was like teaching a goldfish to play the clarinet.

"Ignoring them, guys. Any ideas? Let's ask the lady head herself. " Mysie said, as all eyes turned to me.

I smiled as I thought about my plans. Something that'd suit him. Like his style. A roughness of extreme delicacy. Simplicity sailing side by side with elegance. Perhaps lardy-dardy. Confined yet calm. Intense and blazing, and yet still placid and quiet.

Grinning at them, I spoke up, "Alright. I guess I've got something on my mind. Just up-to his liking. "

"Do you think it's gonna work?"

"It'll."

Standing in front of Lily's door, my mind couldn't register anything other than my intentions. What I was there to do and what I intended to do in the following few minutes.

"What will I say? How? I dunno! Should I return!? Yeah, let's return. " My nerves were jittery. Sweaty hands and a feeling of imminent disaster. It was hard. Difficult. But crucial. Very, very crucial. I had to do.

He cupped my face, our eyes clashing vigorously. He lightly caressed my cheeks as I felt myself calming ever so slowly. "Fresher. Listen... it'll be alright. Okay?"

Our noses almost touched as the fluttery feeling on my cheekbones persisted. His words compelled me to fulfill my goal. I nodded as he continued, "I'm here with you."

And that mattered. He was right there with me. As if those words weren't soothing enough, he dropped another mega-potion of ambrosia, "If you falter, then..." The ferocity of the gaze intensified zillion fold as sheer fervor gushed out, "I'll pick up the pace."

'If you falter, then... I'll pick up the pace.' Those words were sufficient for me. An assurance that made my heart skip a beat.

"Just take it slow. Relax. It'll be alright. " He nodded at me. His lips brushed my temple ever so softly. They lingered there for a few brief seconds until the warmth faded.

With renewed zeal and courage, I rang the doorbell. And within no time, Grace welcomed us in.

Alright, let's get this over with.