The Sound of Her Voice

Chapter 5

SKYLAR LEWIS MARSHAL

The hour went by… and I was majorly talking with Lisa along with her cousin Todd who joined us after some time.

We talked as we work.

Of course, introductions, getting to know each other and some feathery touched on my 'unruly' life that brought me in Verona.

And I found 'the cousins' fun to be with in that span of time.

I could also tell the way Sarah steals glimpses of me that she's happy I've made friends.

Mind you that it was not only Sarah who was stealing glances at someone during that time— there was me too.

'Hehehe'

There's this girl, a lady who stood out among the crowd— well in my eyes, that is.

But I've suddenly turned coward to make a move; a conversation at the least when I'm suppose to be an expert on that.

And I've never really had a chance too 'cause it's either she's talking with someone or preoccupied.

So I contented myself to just steal glances at her whenever I can.

And there was not 'love at first sight' on that— since my heart didn't flutter or jump out of my chest at the sight of her or that so called butterflies as what everyone describes when falling in love.

Hence, 'love at first sight' is discarded.

'Hahaha'

What are those even mean?

'Tsk'

And yeah— you got it.

I don't know how that feels— those butterflies 'cause I've not fallen in love—yet.

I might be fucking around but that's all pure flesh— lust.

And when I least expect it, she stood across the table opposite me, grabbing some plates and— not even noticing my presence.

'Seriously?'

Since when did I became unattractive?

By then, I was reluctant to even make a sound to get her attention or was it that I swallowed my tongue at that moment—so I just waited for her to somehow make an eye contact with me.

And she did while holding the plates firmly in her hands.

She was surprised at first then smiled at me with those perfectly aligned teeth and her lips—

Her lips were in perfect symmetry along a cupid bow.

'Damn'

"Welcome to Verona."

And there I lost it— I mean my heart.

'god'

Her voice was enchanting—

…like a finely tuned guitar, a sweet cello, a prelude of a flute, a vibrant sound of a violin strings and a symphony of crickets and that hollow wind in a cave.

'god'

And there was that feeling of tingling in my belly too.

What was that?

Was that what they call 'butterflies' all along?

Also, my breathing suddenly became shaky and I suffered to make sense of her welcoming words as I was lost for a moment in her alluring voice.

And before I could say a word to her, someone called out her name.

"Nikki..."

She gave me another smile before turning her back on me swiftly that her hair flipped naturally allowing the wind to sweep off her scent towards me that triggers romantic excitement— intoxicating.

I was floating...

'Nikki'

From then on, I think she's the only one I see among the crowd but sadly, of all the uncountable stolen glances I made, not once did our eyes meet.

Did I not pass her taste?

Or just that she's not into women?

Or… I'm just really not attractive for her not to give me a glance?

I felt disheartened really.

[************]

So the program proceeded smoothly, the parlor games, the laughing, eating, drinking which engulfed everyone until the hour cometh for some live performance of a musical band by the evening.

The musical instruments were mostly stringed and were set up on carpets laid on the ground while spectators were gathered around them either on a pulled up chair or just butts on the ground. Others also laid down on their brought up picnic blankets.

Me— I'm on my butt on the ground with Todd… and I'm not complaining.

It was a really cool evening.

The mood was calming even the air was breezy— chillin'.

"What the…" I trailed my voice as I spotted Lisa adjusting the mic stand.

"She's a percussionist." Todd whispered.

Then Lisa waved at me with a drum stick in her hand.

She was seated around a cajon drum set with cymbals.

'Wow'

She reminded me of Mona Tavakoli even her naturally curly hair.

'Just wow'

By then, as our evening started with their music echoing around—

Something hit me emotionally and— I lost myself at it as they're finishing up their second song.

Something broke inside me and I can't define it.

Tears begun to form around my eyes threatening to fall as a feeling that I have long been yearned for engulfed me— not just the mere me but the whole me: right through my soul.

And it saddened me— or otherwise.

I don't know.

But I don't hate it.

It was a feeling I can't define yet.

And I think my walls were shattering and starting to fall.

But then again, I don't hate it.

'Oh Verona'