104 What to Watch (2/2)

I looked up from my melancholy, searching around the room for a source of comfort. Whenever I'm faced with such painful and tormenting melancholy, I discover myself seeking the companionship of someone else. The only person in the room with me at the moment is Muria, so I looked over in her direction.

She was focused on the movie that was being played. Her eyes seemed to be glued to the television monitor as the movie played before her. It interested me how she could still be so absorbed by the film despite the fact that she's seen it in the past, but... I'm really not in the mood to seek an answer to that question. Rather, I felt the overwhelming oppression of loneliness.

Before learning of Luna's fate, I was never bothered by this loneliness. I was never afraid of the dark. But now... whenever I'm alone or in the darkness, my mind couldn't help but wander to that sealed off corner where I stored the information about Luna's inevitable end. When that does happen, my mind would then be plagued by melancholy as the agonizing sensation of that sadness swell up inside me like cancer and devour me whole until I am nothing but a walking vessel filled with sadness.

Someone... is someone there...

I wanted to cry out but I could not. I brought my feet up on the chair so that I could hug my knees closer to my body.

It's so cold... It's so cold here...

I desperately tried to retain whatever warmth I had, but it was as if there was a hole in me and the warmth would just spill out at an uncontrollable speed. I desperately missed Loriana's presence, knowing that if it was her, she would definitely notice my pain and come by to comfort me. If only she was here, then I wouldn't have to suffer like this.

”Are you alright?” a soothing voice said to me.

I looked up and saw the one person that I had never expected to show me such sympathy. On Muria's face was a worried countenance as she gazed in my direction and away from the television screen. As I basked in her gaze, I felt a mysterious calming effect that probably stemmed from the fact that she actually noticed my suffering.

”Y-yeah,” I responded, trying my best to return to my original state. ”Just kinda cold.”

”You need the temperature set higher?” she asked.

”No,” I shook my head. ”I'm fine now.”

She continued to observe me for a few more seconds, and in those few seconds, I felt a soothing warmth that seemed to stemmed from my chest and spread throughout my body. I felt as if her gaze had a cleansing effect on me, curing me of my cancer and restoring me to who I was before. Even when she redirected her gaze to the television screen, that warmth lingered about in my body, eliciting a relaxed smile on my face.

Then, I too directed my attention to the television screen. It was a pretty good movie to be honest, with a decent plot and everything. However, the visuals were just too childish for my liking. However, it seemed to have please Muria since she still kept her eyes glued onto the television screen. In addition, whenever a particularly cute character were to show up, her face would light up in one of the most adorable ways possible as a smile appeared on her face. When that character would disappear from the screen, her face would then return to its serious state. Actually, it was almost more entertaining to watch her than the movie itself.

About an hour into the movie, there came a soft beep by the door as it was unlocked. Then, the door slowly opened, revealing Irina who was still dressed in her own outfit. It would appear that she had changed out of her school uniform for a more fashionable jacket and skirt before leaving to have fun with the other girls.

”Muria,” she said as she entered. She hasn't noticed me yet. ”You're still not asle— What?!” She exclaimed as her eyes met mine. ”W-why's Alevian here?!”

On her face was a look of surprise as she stared at me with wide eyes and a gaping mouth. Then, she took a few more steps into the hotel room and looked over at Muria in search of an answer.

”Now,” Muria smiled coldly as she looked over at me. ”Why is he here?”

She had directed the responsibility of the situation over to me, which I guess is reasonable. However, that still doesn't mean it's a good feeling to take the responsibility and answer that question. To be honest, I still don't know what's the right answer.

Calm down, I thought as the silence in the room continued. Both their eyes were focused on me, so I must come up with a good answer. Just follow your heart...

”I...” I started speaking. ”I got a bit lonely.” I said, smiling awkwardly.