Chapter 6: Bad things

Chapter 6: Bad things

Jason's hunched figure could be seen from a distance. The wooden beach chair he was lying on looked out of place, it was probably because it was meant for a luxurious beach and not a small pond at the back of the orphanage.

Jason rubbed his temple with his finger in a futile attempt to alleviate the persistent throbbing pain there. Slowly, his hands moved from his temple down his neck, for a moment it felt like the lower his hand went, the persistent the pain was. It felt like the throbbing pain was actually following the direction of his hands.

Suddenly, the comfortable wooden chair felt like it was lined with corrosive and he had to stand up. Pacing felt okay until he became incessantly dizzy and he had to sit back down.

Jason shut his eyes for a minute or two, it was his attempt to practice the relaxing technique his long time ago girlfriend, Tatiana taught him and even that didn't last just like his relationship with Tatiana didn't go beyond three weeks too.

Jason heard footstep behind him.

The footsteps were unsteady and light, like the person was unable to make up their mind about approaching him. Jason didn't need a fortune teller to hint on who the person might be.

He wished she could leave him alone to think for a minute or two. If possible breath in fresh air before he goes back to the man he was.

Naya approached him from behind. She was still wearing the big T-shirt Jason had slipped her into and a black sweat pant. She stood beside him and contemplated what she wanted to say to him. She exhaled loudly before she spoke.

"I have this feeling that you couldn't wait to get out the room when I mentioned I had a husband" Naya smiled nervous at Jason.

Jason sat upright and made just enough room for Naya to sit. When she sat down, he was so uncomfortable he stood and stared keenly at the pond. His expression darkened like he was suddenly reminded of something Jason rather forget.

For the past twenty five minutes, he had sat by the pond, his anger had masked itself and present like a throbbing pain in his temple. In as much as he wanted it to be stress or any other emotion, it was plain old fashion anger. And it was threatening to erupt like a volcano, wreaking havoc on anyone in his part. It was one of the reasons he came to the secluded part of the Orphanage.

He wanted to cool off before he loses his temper and transfer his aggression to anyone he comes in contact with like Nolani.

But no matter how much he tried to contain his temper, he couldn't any longer. It was acidic and he wanted to get it out of his system but he found solace in the fact, he was going to direct the anger at the rightful person.

Even though his eyes were two angry dark points, he was still taken aback when he saw Naya's expression. He wished she could go back to the strong, opinionated ninja that had a thick skin and no words would penetrate. Instead she looked like a little lost bird with a broken wing and it even made Jason angrier.

She was vulnerable and he couldn't exactly say his mind without the fear of sending her into another anxiety attack.

"Naya, I think it would be better if we finished this conversation tomorrow. It's been a long day and you need your rest. Hmmm....so, you should go back inside" Jason made it a point not to look at her.

Naya didn't understand what was going on with him. One moment he was calm, caring and understanding, urging her to talk to him. He held and whispered to her that everything was going to be fine and she actually believed him. But now, he couldn't even look at her. If she didn't know any better, she would say he was disgusted by her.

"Why won't you look at me, Jason? Hmmm….I knew I shouldn't have said anything to you because now, I think you are disgusted by me" the first wayward tear slipped from Naya's eyes and she wiped it with her palm.

"I shouldn't have said anything to you" Naya said again.

Jason was tipped over the edge by her wildly inaccurate accusations. He spat out his rage freely, now.

"God damn it, don't you get it? You should have said something earlier. I would have helped you without be placed in this…position, where I feel sick to the stomach whenever I catch a glimpse of my reflection. I have been running from mirrors ever since I left your room" a frown flickered across his forehead and his eyes were shining with fury.

"I don't understand, why are you running from your reflection?" Naya asked with an astonished expression.

"Why didn't you tell me you were married before I touched you?" Jason couldn't hold back his anger anymore.

Naya looked thunderstruck; she just couldn't accept the fact that Jason was angry with her. Maybe she should have told him about her husband but he had no right to judge her not before hearing the whole story.

Naya stood up from the wooden beach chair and moved closer to Jason, she felt attacked and she wanted to hit him. She opened her mouth to talk but she closed it anyway. If she was going to explain, she needed to word her sentences.

"How could you do this to me?" Jason said and stormed off in anger.

Naya went closer to the pond; she removed her shoes and stepped into the water. The cold pond water sent thrills down her spine and she inhaled air in an attempt to steady her thoughts and stop the tears that were threatening to spill.