NOVEL WEB Chapter 48: Growing Bond
Adam couldn't hide his surprise after hearing Ani's inner thoughts. Her mind's voice in his mind echoed with warmth and sincerity, urging him to hold onto her hand.
Just then, the train arrived, filling the platform with the familiar rumble and clamor of a station in motion.
Ani's cheeks were flushed with an intense shade of red, and she seemed almost too embarrassed to meet Adam's gaze.
Adam perspective -
I could feel my heart pounding, a thrill rising as I took in the sight of Ani's rosy cheeks. I tightened my grip on her hand, refusing to let go. I knew, somehow, that releasing her hand would break this fragile, perfect moment we shared.
Ani glanced shyly in my direction, her eyes flickering with a mix of embarrassment and excitement. With a soft smile, I leaned closer and whispered, "Come on, let's board the train."
We walked together, still hand in hand, our footsteps in perfect sync. Her hand felt delicate, yet I could sense a quiet strength beneath her soft fingers.
We settled onto a seat, my hand still intertwined with hers. Around us, the world felt muted as if we were existing in a bubble of shared silence, where no words were needed.
I knew that thanks to Sona's power, I could hear Ani's thoughts, and I relished every passing second of listening to her heart speak.
Across from us, a teenager glanced over at Ani, admiration apparent in his gaze.
He seemed baffled, casting a fleeting look at me with a hint of disdain, as if wondering why someone as radiant as Ani would sit beside someone like me.
Annoyed by the intruding thoughts, I silently commanded Sona, "Enough of others' thoughts. I only want to hear Ani's."
Sona, still perched on my shoulder, acknowledged with a subtle thumbs-up, muting the surrounding noise and leaving only Ani's heart's whispers for me to hear.
---
In the quiet, Ani's thoughts surfaced again, soft and hopeful: I wish this moment would last forever. I wish we didn't have to go to school, and we could just stay here, holding hands like this.
Hearing her thoughts made my heart race, a surge of emotion I hadn't felt in a long time. I looked at her, and she turned, meeting my gaze.
Her deep blue eyes seemed to shimmer with unsaid words, and for a moment, time stood still.
"Ani," I said softly, drawing her attention entirely to me. "Do you know what I'm thinking right now?"
She blinked, taken aback, yet she couldn't look away. A faint blush colored her cheeks, but her eyes never left mine.
"I'm thinking," I continued, lifting her hand gently in mine, "I want this moment to last forever too. I want us to stay like this, together."
Ani's face flushed a deeper shade of red, but she didn't pull her gaze from mine. Instead, her lips curved into a shy smile, and I could see a flicker of surprise and happiness glimmer in her expression.
---
An announcement crackled through the speakers, breaking the enchantment of our little world.
Our final destination was approaching. We exchanged a look, each of us silently accepting that our shared moment was coming to an end, even as we both wished it wouldn't.
As we rose, Ani tried to pull her hand free, perhaps out of habit or propriety, but I held firm. "I'm not letting go that easily," I said with a hint of determination in my voice.
Her eyes widened in shock, but I noticed the spark of happiness hidden in them.
She looked down, tightening her grip on my hand as we walked toward the train doors together.
Her inner thoughts echoed in my mind, resonating with an intensity that made my own heart skip a beat. I don't want to let go either. Hearing her quiet admission, even if it was just a thought, made me feel like I was floating.
As we stepped onto the platform, Ani turned to me with a reluctant smile, raising our intertwined hands slightly. "Well," she whispered, "I guess you'll have to let go now."
I released her hand, but not without a playful smile. "For now," I murmured, "but I'll hold it again."
She blushed again, a faint smile tugging at her lips. "I'll be waiting," she replied softly before she hurried ahead toward the school entrance, a few steps ahead of me.
Watching her retreating form, I couldn't help but feel a pang of longing, even in those few seconds.
Ani slipped into her classroom, gracefully moving to her usual front-row seat by the window.
She was tall with a presence that carried both grace and quiet strength, her long, white hair a striking contrast against the muted colors of the classroom.
Her blue eyes, always perceptive, seemed to sparkle today with an inner excitement. As she settled down, her gaze repeatedly flicked towards the door, a subtle anticipation reflecting in her posture.
Not long after, Adam entered, the sliding door to the classroom parting with a faint sound that caught her attention.
Dressed in his usual school uniform attire, As Adam stepped inside, his gaze immediately found Ani's, and this time, she didn't shy away.
Their eyes met in a quiet, powerful exchange, and she held his gaze, conveying emotions through the silence—a conversation with no words, just glances that spoke volumes.
I felt a surge of warmth seeing her eyes holding mine without hesitation.
Ani was strong, fierce, and resilient—a person who faced challenges head-on.
Yet, beneath that exterior, there was a tenderness, a quiet vulnerability that she rarely showed anyone. In this moment, she wasn't hiding it. She was letting me in.
Slowly, I made my way toward her, my footsteps deliberately slow, savoring the path that brought me closer to her.
As I neared her seat, I let my hand brush against hers, a gentle, fleeting touch that only she would notice.
Her eyes widened slightly, shock flashing in their blue depths, yet she didn't pull away.
Instead, she took a steadying breath, and I could see a small smile curve at the corner of her lips, a glimmer of amusement and something deeper.
Is he crazy? her thoughts echoed, clear and vibrant in my mind. He touched my hand in front of everyone! But… She glanced down, a faint blush coloring her cheeks. It felt… nice.
Hearing her thoughts made me smile, a private, amused grin that I tried to hide as I continued to my seat.
I could feel my heart pounding, a thrill I hadn't expected from such a small gesture. Her reaction lingered in my mind, filling me with a sense of satisfaction that I couldn't quite explain.
As I settled in my seat at the back of the classroom, an idea formed in my mind.
I turned to Sona, the tiny, sentient being perched on my shoulder, her soft white glow a constant presence.
Sona, a creation of my own making, had a unique ability to relay thoughts, allowing me to hear the minds around me.
"Sona," I murmured, my voice low, barely a whisper, "can you help me with something?"
Her glowing eyes lifted to meet mine, curiosity dancing in their depths. "Yes, Lord Adam?" she replied telepathically, her tone respectful yet playful.
"I want to know what the others in this class are thinking" I explained, a smirk playing on my lips. "Just a quick glimpse into their thoughts, especially if they're reacting to Ani or me."
Sona tilted her head, her eyes gleaming with mischief. "As you wish, Lord Adam."
The soft white glow around her intensified, her eyes shimmering with a radiant light that spread subtly throughout the room, invisible to anyone else.
One by one, faint whispers began filtering into my mind, snippets of the other students' thoughts.