14 It's a shame

Throughout the journey from the treehouse to the city centre, and the entire trip in his 4WD as well as the walk towards the carriage, it was all done in utter silence. Perhaps the silence was comfortable for him, but it was a helluva awkward one for me. I ran so many dialogues and scenarios in my head, trying to break the ice, but my tongue just won't cooperate!

However, I know one thing must be done from the beginning. I'm the one at fault. I'm the one who needs to fix it. That's right! Fix-It Felix needs to work overtime today.

With a few hiccups of umms and ahhs, I finally gathered my courage. Or actually, my tongue finally unrolls itself.

"Umm Wystan," I said. My eyes were trying oh so desperately to lock his in place. He looked at me with an unreadable gaze as his golden fringe covered slightly his emerald green eyes. It made me want to fall on my knees and begged for his dazzling smile to appear on his handsome face!

"I'm truly sorry. I mean it. I admit I've crossed the line when I shouldn't. For that, I'm really sorry."

"It's fine."

Ughh... Those two bloody words again!!!

"No, it's not fine! I made a mistake, and I've upset you!"

"I'm not upset."

"If you're not upset, then why do you speak like that?"

"What do you mean? I've always talked like this."

I don't get it! From his manner of speech to his intonation, he was clearly upset! Why deny it when it's all written on his face with a neon-coloured highlighter? What is it about men not wanting to admit feeling negative?? Does that make them less masculine?? Does that make them even more desirable??

Here he is, the one who was upset by my silly remarks and here I am, the one getting all huffy and puffy for his pretence.

"Look, Wystan. There's no point in me prolonging the argument about you being upset. Regardless, I'm very sorry IF I offended you. I would appreciate it if you would be honest to me from now onwards about your feelings since we both have agreed to be honest."

I knew this would be a challenging marriage for me when there wasn't any response from Wystan. Even so, I need to stop attacking him about it. Because for all I know, he probably had a hard time expressing his emotions.

As much as he denied it, the atmosphere in the carriage wasn't as tense as it was initially. It felt like a curtain had lifted off some of the negative energy floating in the air as his alluring smile began to brighten up the carriage.

Finally, I felt at ease. Finally, I could look forward to finding the needle in the haystack, and every moment of it, I'm loving it! I scanned the shops as I raised my hands to wave at the people. If only I have another pair of eyes at the back so I could see the other side of the roads too!!

We were almost done with our Parade, but I have yet to find the shops I've been looking forward to. Oh where, oh where is that shop?! Without realising, I pouted knowing I have failed in searching for it. It must have been the other side then...

"What's with the sudden change in your mood?" asked Wystan while staring out of the window.

"Nothing." My tone contradicted my answer as I must have sounded like I've lost something valuable.

"Feel free to say anything," he encouraged.

"I... Umm... Are we... Umm... Where are we... Are we going back to the treehouse?"

"Treehouse?" He tilted his head so swiftly that his crown fell off his head.

"You know... your home?"

A peal of laughter filled the carriage. It was a side I have never seen him in as Wystan wiped away the laughter tears from his amazing eyes and continuously hit his thigh. He looked like he hasn't been having a decent laugh ever in his life, so I thought I ought to let him be in his natural zone.

It took a while for him to compose himself.

"That was a good one! No one has ever put it that way. At least to my face. Phew!"

I can't help feeling proud of myself as a smile curved on my face. I felt proud because it was me that made him have a hearty laugh. And here I thought, he was such a cold man who would never laugh in my presence.

"Anyway, to answer your question, yes. Yes, we are. Is there somewhere you would want to head to?"

Now's my chance, right? I should be honest with myself. I mean, we are still here after all. Might as well explore the city, no?

"If we don't have anything scheduled, could we... perhaps... have a look-see around the place?"

Wystan's eyes widened, filled with astonishment. "You mean here?"

"Yeah..."

"In this attire?"

I looked down at our matching clothing. "Why not?"

I thought we looked decent enough for a stroll and maybe, window shopping a little. Or buy something if possible.

His lips parted for a moment, only to have it close again. He opened the carriage door and hopped out. As he turned to face me, a smile appeared on his face, and his hand stretched out to assist and ease my movement out of the vehicle.

Oh my dear husband if only you aren't a liar, I can see myself falling for your random romantic and kind gesture. You've got the looks. You've got the charms. It's a shame that I don't see us being more than friends.

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