20 Trial 20: Misapprehension

I stood up and hurried my steps to the door. I opened my bedroom door, revealing Dashiell. I ushered him into my room and offered him a seat on the edge of my bed. There, I asked what brought him into my room. Instead of giving me an answer, he asked me to stretch out my hands to him. I do as he said. He picked something from his pocket which looks like massage oil. He starts massaging my hands and fingers gently which shocks me, "Wait, Dashiell! Why are you doing this?"

"You were crying like a kitten who lost its mother cat last night. I learned that massaging hands like this is good for a pianist."

"But Dashiell, you don't have to do this."

"Hmm... I know, but you might be cursing me secretly because of the training that I put you into. I thought you'd stop doing so if I do this for you, haha."

What he said sort of ticked me off so I forcefully pull my hands away from him.

"Hey! I was just kidding. Don't take it too seriously. Come on, give me your hands."

I refused to do as he said. I look away from him and state, "I admit I cussed at you a lot before, both covertly and overtly, but I certainly am not cursing you because of what happened. Your kind action just surprised me. Besides, I wouldn't want you to feel obligated to do something like this for me. More importantly, there's someone you're in love with, isn't there? I don't want to come in between you two."

"Huh? In love? Where the hell did you get that from?"

"Mr. Thomas and Dr. Al told me about that, so Dashiell, you don't have to deny it. Falling in love is not uncommon after all. That being said, you may go to your special someone and spend some time with her while the night is still young."

Dashiell facepalms and reasons, "Like I said, there's no one special to me as you think. Whatever you heard from Dr. Al and dad must be a misunderstanding."

"Misunderstanding? I heard it from them that there's someone you're in love with, and that's the reason why you disappear right after our training and return at dinner time."

Dashiell ponders for a moment. Afterward, he throws a question, "Did dad tell you who that special someone is?"

I shook my head.

Dashiell sighs, "I think I know what pops told you about. You may be confused now, but I can assure you that there's no one I'm in love with. In short, I have no girlfriend! So stop making such assumptions, just because my dad said there's someone I visit regularly. That being said, give me your hands so I can finish the massage."

I am indeed confused, but since Dashiell cleared that he has no girlfriend, I did as he told me. Again, for a reason I don't know, I feel relieved to know that he has no girlfriend. I felt my heart smile at it.

Dashiell resumes massaging my hands. His touch is gentle and relaxing that I closed my eyes. I don't know how much time had passed then because the next thing that happened is I lost my consciousness.

As Dashiell is getting done with the massage, he notices that Alaine's gotten limp.

"Shit! Did she just fall asleep on me again? Geez! You are such a handful," grumbled Dashiell.

Nonetheless, he tucks Alaine in her bed as he smiles faintly while shaking his head. He left the room soon after that.

Meanwhile, Mr. Thomas is waiting for Dashiell's bedroom door. He corners his approaching son, and asks, "I saw you going to Alaine's room, son. Did you two have a nice talk?"

Dashiell looks like he popped a vein in his head when he sarcastically responds, "Actually, we did, dad. It's all thanks to what you and Dr. Al said to her last night."

Mr. Thomas didn't seem to sense the sarcasm in Dashiell's words, "That's good to hear."

And that was it; Dashiell starts ranting, "Why did you have to tell her that I regularly visit Pillow?"

"But that's the truth, son. There's no harm in telling Alaine about how loving and caring you are to Pillow. Besides, wouldn't it be nice for Alaine to get to know you better?"

"But, dad, it had caused a misapprehension. She thought that I have a girlfriend!"

Mr. Thomas bursts into a fit of laughter. When he recovers, he says, "Wasn't that more thrilling, son?"

Dashiell is frustrated that the blush on his face extends towards his ears. He hisses, "Whatever dad! At least be clear about the things you tell her about me next time. It was damn hard to clear up a misapprehension."

Mr. Thomas waves his hand, "Alright, son. I'll try to do that. But, you know, try to talk to her often. It won't hurt to open up at least a bit about yourself."

Dashiell waves the suggestion off, "Maybe, dad, but I prefer not to do that. It's better to remain a stranger to her. That way, things will be easier."

Mr. Thomas sighs, "Alright, son. If that's what you want, I'll support and respect you; however, if she asks me something about you, I won't hesitate to be as honest as I can."

"I guess, I'm okay with that, but... just don't tell her that... You can tell her everything about me except that thing... You definitely cannot ever tell her that no matter what."

"Don't worry son, I won't tell her that."

"Thanks, dad."

"Good night, son. Tomorrow's another busy day, so sleep well."

"I will, dad. You sleep well too. Good night."

The two males get inside their respective bedrooms.

Inside Dashiell's room, he whispered to himself, "She definitely shouldn't know that fact about me. She doesn't need to get to know anything about me. It's for her good. Damn it! Why am I overthinking? I better hit the sack."

And Dashiell strived to doze off.