Tenterhooks

"Ok class, we will join numbers to create an alphabet." Dean showed his chalk to the class and added tiny stars to the black canvas.

"Teacher," a student called, "They look like stars."Others immediately nodded."Yes, it also looks like rice spread on a black plate.""It looks like sprinkles on a cake."Dean chuckled, "Wow, you guys have beautiful, creative minds." He looked back and randomly wrote numbers joining two dots. "1," he glanced at the class and pointed at the first dot. "We joined," writing 1 next to the dot and 2 to another dot. "We got number 1 by joining 1 and 2."The class of students nodded while some swung their legs, some rested their chin on their tiny fists, and some ate chocolate."Neil, I saw you," Dean said without turning around as he scattered dots on the blackboard.The said boy stopped chewing candy and drank water. "I didn't eat candy, teacher."Dean smiles, looking at the tiny human. "When did I say you were eating in my class and on that a tasty strawberry candy?""It was pineapple, teacher."The class erupts with laughter.Dean gave a playful glare while the boy giggled along with his friends.Dean turns around and joins dots, creating 'R.'."See, this way you create letters, and the same way you can do with the stars at night."The kids nodded with wide mouths while mouthing."R, O, M, A, N."Dean wrote the letters."Teacher, that's my Papa's name," Ayan says with an excited voice. "My papa, Romano Carter."Dean widens his eyes with realization. He fisted the chalk with his gaze stuck on the alphabet.How?He couldn't decipher how his unconscious mind found those letters in the abyss of words."Teacher, my name too!"A boy's voice flinched Dean back to the world. He gave a timid nod without turning back.⋇⋆✦⋆⋇Roman walks into the marketing studio."Liam, you didn't give—"Roman paused on his steps with a file in his hand. His eyes focused on a banner held by 5 people.The image captures Dean in profile, his expression soft and tender, with a hint of vulnerability in his gaze. A delicate crown of lavender flowers adorns his head, the gentle purple hues contrasting beautifully with his features.To the right of the image, there's an elegant display of the scent collection, featuring the company logo prominently alongside the website, inviting viewers to explore further.He was unaware that he was standing in front of a tall poster that demanded attention due to its eye-catching artwork and brilliant colors. As a wave of wonder and excitement passed over him, he felt his breath seize in his throat.Mesmerizing.He heard a throat clearing next to him.Liam stood next to him with arms crossed. "I don't know about our perfumes being popular." He looks at Dean's image. "But I do know that Dean will become a supermodel for sure."At times, it seems we gravitate towards the things we long for or sorely miss. Our gaze narrows, blurring the edges of our surroundings, fixating on that one cherished desire that brings us joy.If only our minds could mirror this selective vision, filtering out the unwanted distractions, fears, and nagging thoughts, revealing only the sources of our happiness. Perhaps if such a harmony existed between our vision and our thoughts, life would unfold in an entirely different, more fulfilling way.Roman hummed at Liam's words.Like a star that glows brighter than all the others in the solar system, Dean exudes an indisputable charm. His brightness has the power to brighten the lives of everybody around him, giving even the most heartless people hope and warmth.Even though he battles pessimism and gloomy ideas, he has a fascinating light that serves to chase away those negative thoughts. This inner light gives him the strength to overcome obstacles, persevere through hardship, and go forward with fortitude and resolve.Every action he performs demonstrates his strength as he turns his suffering into strength and motivates others in the process."I heard Dean is planning to go on a blind date."Something dreadful brims in Roman's head, which is so strong that it stops his heart from beating."What?"Liam couldn't hold back his grin and laughed out loud."Man, your face,"Roman clears his throat and shoves the file into Liam's hand."You didn't clear the bills yet. I didn't receive vouchers nor a statement of the expenditure."Liam grins with a mischievous smile. "I was so busy admiring a face that I forgot the reason I was here."Roman shook his head and rolled his eyes.When Liam sees Roman standing in front of him, a picture of easy ease with a humorous gleam in his eyes, the smile on his face vanishes in an instant.As if it were the most normal thing in the world, Roman rolls his eyes and thrusts a stack of folders into Liam's hands with an evident air of nonchalance.It causes Liam to stop and think back to the last time he saw Roman thus at ease. He experiences a wave of nostalgia that recalls their lighthearted conversation.Too much time has passed since they had those fun times together, particularly when he used to make fun of Roman's wife. Those jests had always brought out the best reactions, stirring Roman's feigned annoyance and laughter in equal measure.Noticing the silence from Liam, Roman quickly adds, "It's his life; he can do as he wishes." He doesn't know why it hurts to accept the truth. "He is young and kind; anybody will be more than lucky to be his better half of a soul."With his hands firmly stuffed in his pockets, Roman looked away. He felt as though the weight of unsaid words was bearing down on him with every stride. However, something compelled him to pause midway. Slowly, he turned his head, his gaze falling upon Dena's face.His features were dimmed by a look of despair that painted his eyes with a mixture of defeat and grief, an expression he had grown all too familiar with.The sight tugged at his heart, but instead of reaching out, he found himself unable to bridge the growing distance between them.He lowered his gaze, the ground seeming to invite his attention as he resumed his retreat, moving away with soft, deliberate steps that echoed the silence of the moment."Don't you wish to be his better half here?"⋇⋆✦⋆⋇Just beyond the parking lot's length, in a remote spot far from Roman's busy footsteps, a devoted gardener painstakingly cared for the colorful plants surrounding him.He watered the plants tenderly, his hands moving with a gentleness that expressed his passion for his profession, the sun filtering through the leaves and dappling the vibrant flowers.After a brief period of observing the calm surroundings, he turned his attention to the two security officers standing at the entrance gate. They were talking in low tones, looking around, and it was hard for him to go unnoticed.Determined to carry out his plan, the gardener filled a sturdy plastic bucket with fresh water, the splashes creating ripples that danced along the surface.With a calculated flick of his wrist, he aimed toward a tall tree, the branches forming a generous canopy above. However, his intention was not the tree itself, but rather the sleek bike parked just beneath its protective shade.He threw the bucket's contents at the bike in one quick motion, causing the water to spill out in an arc and land on the bike while also splattering on the pavement underneath.The guards were immediately alerted by the abrupt splash and turned to face the noise, their postures stiffening as they tried to determine the cause of the disturbance. The gardener held his breath, acutely aware that they could now clearly see him."Hey, what are you doing?"The gardener quickly threw the bucket aside and lowered his head as though feeling guilty."I'm so sorry. I didn't mean to—""What were you thinking, huh?!" A guard spoke, looking at the drenched bike and recognizing it."It's Roman sir's bike." Another guard alerts the first guard, who looks at the gardener with anger."Go, quickly bring a clean cloth and clean all the mess."The gardener flinched and nodded."We should inform Roman sir about this."The gardener widens his eyes. "N-no, please don't. I will lose this job then. I am new here. I didn't know how this happened. Please forgive me. I won't repeat it." He looks at the bike. "I will clean this quickly. Please don't report to the sir."The guards exchanged glances."Alright, please clean it fast."The gardener quickly took a clear cloth kept in his bag, which had tools for gardening."Please don't worry, sir. I'll do it."The guards stood a few paces away, their eyes fixed on the gardener as he meticulously wiped down the bike with a cloth, the sun glinting off its glossy frame.The gardener, a middle-aged man with weathered hands and a focus that belied his casual demeanor, settled onto the ground beside the bike.He lifted his other hand to grasp the handles, angling his body slightly to obscure any view of his face from the guards.As he rubbed the cloth vigorously along the bike's surface, the black paint shimmered and reflected the sunlight, creating a stark contrast against the muted colors of the surrounding landscape.This moment of concentration masked his true intentions; with the guards momentarily distracted, he subtly reached into his pocket, retrieving a small blade.In one fluid motion, he expertly maneuvered the sharp edge between his fingers, its glint momentarily catching the light.With careful precision, he worked on the bike's brakes, slicing through the delicate wiring that connected them, rendering them useless without raising any suspicion.Each calculated movement hid the sabotage well, ensuring neither the guards nor any onlookers would suspect the quiet gardener had just executed a treacherous act.⋇⋆✦⋆⋇Roman quickly zips his bag and keeps all the papers aside along with the pens in the pen holder. He glanced at the clock and swung the bag over his shoulder."Ethan, I'm going. Finish the calculation and file all the documents together. I need to close all the finance expenditure by this week."Ethan nodded, "Of course, sir. I'll finish it. Don't worry."Roman gave a warm smile with a nod.He paused on his steps when Liam approached him while waving an envelope at him.Liam stops in front of him. "These are the photos you clicked on the trip."Roman blinks, trying to remember. "Oh, Ayan's photos?" He smiled, taking the envelope and carefully keeping it inside his bag."Thank you," Roman said, swinging the bag on his right shoulder.Liam nodded and patted his shoulder."Sometimes, it's good to wear the belt on both shoulders. The weight gets distributed and doesn't hurt for holding everything on one side.""I don't understand," Roman whispered and glanced at the clock.Liam pulls a chair from an empty desk; probably the person went somewhere else."Look, Roman. I'm going to be very honest with you."Roman nodded."I," Liam licks his lips and sighs. "I can see the admiration you have for Dean."The words poured cold water on Roman's head. Each drop sent shivers down his spine. His gaze widens with shock as though caught red-handed.Roman was unable to say anything. Sometimes, minds get too shocked or take time to register words that it freezes the tongue from uttering anything.Liam further added, "It's okay with people being not okay."Liam gives an assuring smile. "Choose what makes you happy."Roman shook his head. "Wa-wait a minute. What did you assume about me and mostly about my thoughts of Dean?"Liam was taken aback by the question. "I-I think I had a thought about it."Roman frowns, "Why were you thinking about me?"Liam was at a loss for words. "I'm just worried about you."The silence from Roman forced him to elaborate. "I just wish to see you being happy again. You are just living."Roman looked away, his expression a mix of surprise and vulnerability. "I didn't realize you cared that much," he admitted softly, his voice barely above a whisper. "It's just hard to see the light when everything feels so dark."With a heavy heart for his friend, Liam moved closer. "I assure you that there is a way through this, even though I know it's difficult. You don't have to deal with it by yourself.Roman nodded carefully, as though considering what Liam had said, and his eyes glowed with hope. "Maybe... maybe I just need to trust that someone will be there to help me find it," he said, his voice becoming somewhat more calm.Liam smiles, "Perhaps that person is Dean for you."Roman's expression shifted, a mix of uncertainty and possibility crossing his features. "Dean has always been there for me," he admitted, "but I've never really let him in on how much I've been struggling."Liam nodded thoughtfully, understanding the weight of Roman's admission. He tactfully offered, "It sounds like opening up to him could be the first step towards finding what you need," in an attempt to persuade his friend to accept the help that was staring him in the face.Roman let out a sigh, feeling both relieved and nervous at the same time. "Yeah, I suppose you're right," he said, his voice almost audible above a whisper, "but it's unsettling to consider being that exposed."His companion remarked, "Vulnerability can be daunting," and nodded sympathetically. "But sometimes, the strongest connections are forged in those moments of honesty."Roman pondered this for a while as the significance of his friend's remarks began to sink in. He answered softly, "Maybe you're right," as a glimmer of resolve ignited inside him. "I just need to take that leap and trust that it will lead to something good."With a mixture of exhilaration and trepidation, he inhaled deeply. "After all," he said, a faint smile beginning to appear on his face, "what could go wrong if I opened up? I've already experienced every stage of life. It's time to fight now that I've found, lost, and sought."He straightened his shoulders and moved forward with new determination, prepared to take on any obstacles that might come up. "This time," he believed, "I'm not just surviving; I'm truly living.""Gosh! I'm seriously late. Ayan will be waiting for me." Roman quickly ran towards his bike. His hands work on the helmet strap as he flicks the bike stand from the ground.A guard noticed him. He ran towards him as Roman ignited the engine."Sir, today when your bike was parked—"Roman cuts him. "I'm sorry for cutting you. But I'm getting late. My son is waiting for me."The guards nodded. "Okay, sir. I'll tell you tomorrow. Have a nice day."Roman smiled, "You too."The deep growl of the motorcycle sliced through the quiet of the empty parking lot, reverberating off the concrete walls. Roman flicked his wrist precisely to adjust the shift lever, and the gears clicked into place with ease.The bike roared forward as he revved the throttle, and he felt a rush of adrenaline as he rode out of the compound. The headlights illuminated the twisting road ahead, and the cool evening air blew across his face, bringing with it the scent of asphalt and freedom.Roman's black shirt fluttered in the light wind as he made his way through the busy streets in the cool evening air.He was acutely aware of the time, his heart racing with the urgency of reaching the school gate before Ayan managed to slip away. Each fleeting glance at his watch only intensified his sense of urgency, pushing him to accelerate further on his bike.As he approached a nearby intersection, his eyes locked onto the traffic signal, where the countdown numbers seemed to flash dangerously loud under the dimming light. With a heavy sigh, he yanked the handlebars to the right, applying pressure to the brakes.He knew that a light touch should suffice to halt the bike's momentum, but the machine didn't respond as expected. Instead of a swift stop, he felt the speed continuing to carry him forward, the wind rushing past his face, and the world turning into a blur.When Roman realized he needed to move fast, he automatically put his feet down and used his own strength to stop the bike. When he came to a stop inches from the curb, the sound of tires skidding on the pavement echoed in his ears.He took a quick glance at the speedometer, which displayed 40 km/h. As he planned his next action, a rush of relief and exhilaration passed through him.Roman's forehead was wrinkled in concentration as he looked at the tangled jumble of wires near the engine. With a mind of its own, each bright wire appeared to twist and curl, suggesting a dilemma he was unable to fully understand.The traffic light changed to green as he leaned in to have a better look. As fury blended with the stench of exhaust in the air, the impatient honks of the cars behind him became louder, pushing him to continue.Roman sighed deeply, resigned, turned the key in the ignition, and felt the engine rumbling to life once more. He decided to proceed more cautiously this time, easing the throttle open and softly pressing the brakes.The motorcycle responded by progressively decelerating, as if pleased to comply. He checked the time on his phone and felt a knot of urgency form in his chest.With a reluctant shrug, he kicked the speed back up, the wind whipping against his face as the bike surged forward. He could already imagine Ayan's expression when he arrived late: arms crossed, lips pursed in that playful pout.The thought made him smile, but he also knew what would follow—a playful demand for cake, as Ayan always insisted on celebrating even the smallest victories with a sweet treat. With the wind racing past him, Roman pushed the bike to go faster, determined to reach Ayan and avoid any further delays."Gosh, my cute son."As he drove alongside his son, memories of someone special began to flood his mind. This nostalgia seemed to spur him on, pushing him to accelerate and surpass the speed limit, reaching over 80 km/h.A wave of awareness poured over him as he glanced at the speedometer, realizing he was moving too fast for the terrain ahead. The school was only a few blocks away, and he knew exactly when the students would start flooding out of the gates, eager to get home after a long day of classes.With this notion weighing hard on him, he felt a surge of urgency in his chest. He recognized the significance of being vigilant in this crowded neighborhood, particularly during school dismissal hours.His first concern was the safety of the children, so he eased off the gas pedal and drove to a more cautious pace. He tightened his grip on the brake, his knuckles paling as terror washed over him.No matter how hard he pressed, it seemed hopeless this time. Panic coursed through him, causing his heart to race in his chest. With a desperate lunge, he attempted to grasp the brake lever tighter, but it slipped through his fingers like sand.Each second passed terribly as the moment of collision approached. He could feel sweat collecting beneath his shirt, saturating the fabric as his mind raced through a slew of helpless thoughts, fighting the insanity happening in front of him.What should I do now?He tries to keep the bike under his grip.My son, how will he take care of himself? My Ayan.Tears fill Roman's eyes. He quickly blinks them away and heaves a deep breath, fogging inside the helmet."Pl-Please move aside," Roman whispered and held the control in one hand.His hand fidgeted nervously in his pocket, fingertips dancing over the fabric as if looking for something that didn't exist. As he concentrated on managing the bike, the handlebars wobbled beneath him, and he felt a sudden rush of panic.Just as it appeared that he may lose his equilibrium, he automatically leaned into the wavering, changing his weight and correcting the path with a burst of purpose. He quickly regained his balance and walked down the road, his heart beating.Adrenaline rushed through his veins, and for a brief time, he felt as if he were floating above the commotion around him. Ignoring the pounding of his heart, Roman turned down the familiar alley that led to the school, praying that Ayan would be safe and waiting for him at the conclusion of his ride.[Hi, Roman.]"Dean, please keep Ayan safe with you." Dean nodded, his expression serious.[I promise, Roman. We'll stay together until you get here.]Roman shook his head. "You are not understanding."[Roman, I can't hear you. Your voice is breaking. Are you riding your bike while talking? ]"Dean, my bike is not under my control. I beg you, please keep Ayan safe with you."_____________________________