CHAPTER TEN: MEMORIES

After Tryton saved Miko, time abruptly resumed its natural flow, the mother's scream resumed, until she realized her son was on the other side of the street. Without being curious about how he got there, she ran to Miko and stretched her arms to grab her son.

In a blur of movement, Miko's mother swooped in and embraced her child, tears streaming down her face. She had witnessed the most scary scenario and was overcome with overwhelming gratitude. But as she glanced around at the crowd that carried on without a clue, her eyes searching for who must have saved Miko, she couldn't seem to suspect anyone because before time flowed again, Tryton had already returned to Lydia and Riona's side, so she had no clue of who saved her son.

Riona and Lydia saw what had happened, but couldn't understand how Miko was alright, but regardless they were grateful something fatal was prevented. 

Tryton on the other hand did not realize what he had done, because he just saved a child from dying, he interrupted the process, by intervening in the life of a mortal. But he hadn't realized it yet.

While the three of them walked back home, they spotted a small ice cream stand, Riona couldn't just ignore an ice cream in the hot weather. Unable to resist the temptation, they eagerly approached the stand. The cheerful vendor asked them what flavors they desired. Lydia chose chocolate, Tryton pointed at the strawberry because he did not know a thing about ice creams or the human food, and Riona couldn't help but choose her favorite mint chocolate chip.

With their ice creams carefully placed in waffle cones, they moved towards a nearby park bench to enjoy their frozen delights. As they were having their ice cream, Riona's gaze briefly shifted to Tryton. Something about the way he licked his ice cream, his well-carved lips taking it in like it was his first time, which it was actually but no one knew that but him, Tryton couldn't get enough of its taste.

At that moment, it was as though a switch had been flipped, and Riona's mind was transported back to the previous night. The memories played like a film reel hazy yet undeniable, she remembered holding Tryton's cheek and kissing him. Riona couldn't remember every detail but the kiss played clearly in her mind.

Riona's cheeks flushed with embarrassment, she couldn't believe it. She knew she could not handle being drunk but not to this extent. She couldn't resist the urge, she had to share her memories with Lydia, who was enjoying the chocolate taste of her ice cream. Whispering into her friend's ear, Riona said,

" I think I kissed Tryton last night"

" What!!" Lydia shouted,

" Keep it down, he might hear us" Riona pleaded,

" How did you come to know this?" Lydia's sparked with interest as she asked,

" Although blurry, I saw a little memory of last night" Riona explained,

" What will I do now?, if only I wasn't that drunk" Riona continued, she was feeling so embarrassed and ashamed.

" First of all, calm yourself down. He hasn't said anything about it, maybe it didn't happen" Lydia said,

" You think? Well, I am gonna ask him and if it did happen I will apologize to him" Riona insisted,

Lydia smiled and nodded. She found Riona's situation very interesting. On the other hand, Tryton kept licking his ice cream without minding what the ladies were talking about,

" This is really good," he thought to himself.

At that moment Lydia's sharp intuition kicked in, and she realized that Riona needed a moment alone with Tryton to address her curiosity. With a little bit of mischievousness in her eyes, she playfully jumped up from the bench.

"Oh, look at the time! I just remembered I left something important at home," Lydia exclaimed with a funny smile.

"I'll leave you two to catch up. Don't worry about me, I'll manage just fine. See you later guys" she said waving at them.

Riona watched Lydia's theatrical exit with confusion. 

"What's gotten into her?" she wondered aloud, turning her attention back to Tryton, who was watching the kids play at the park.

" She is a mischievous one, isn't she? Haha," Riona said, trying to spark a conversation with Tryton.

" Yeah! She is nice" Tryton responded with his eyes still focused on the park.

"Uhmm! So Tryton," Riona began hesitantly, her voice barely above a whisper,

 "About last night…" 

Tryton's eyes widened, but he kept it cool,

"What happened last night?" he replied, with his deep godly voice.

" Did anything happen between us last night? My memory is kinda fuzzy" she asked,

Tryton, who did not want to look vulnerable and less of a god, because it was not meant to happen, denied it.

" What do you mean? I just took you home on Lydia's request" he responded,

"Oh! Really?" she said with some sense of relief.

" I'm sorry that it came out of a bloom, I was just not sure of what I remembered," she added.

Tryton nodded to her apology letting her know that it was okay. While they sat at the park, a ball came flying at Riona but Tryton intercepted the ball, not allowing it to hit Riona.

A little boy came running to where Tryton sat,

" Sorry mister," he said,

Tryton looked at him and smiled,

" Is this yours?, little one" handing over the ball to him,

" Yes! Thank you!" he said collecting the ball from his hand,

" Hey! Mister, Is she your girlfriend?" pointing to Riona, he added.

Triton traced the direction of his finger to Riona, Riona was surprised at the sudden question, but Tryton smiled and answered,

" No! Little one, why do you think so?"

"Well, she is very pretty" the boy replied,

Riona smiled and blushed for a bit,

" Aren't you just so sweet?" she said holding his cheeks,

Tryton saw the way, she held his cheek and his heart fluttered remembering last night's occurrence. Tryton bent down on one knee,

" What's your name? little one," he asked smiling,

 " It's Kyle " he responded,

" Nice to meet you Kyle, but in the future don't talk to strangers it's not safe you know?" Tryton said,

Kyle nodded in agreement,

" Promise?" he added,

" Promise!" Kyle said smiling,

" Come on Kyle" his sister called out to him,

"Bye mister, I have to go" he said while running back,

Tryton smiled and waved at him, and slowly his smile disappeared.