~Recap~

Azura kept staring at the man for a few more seconds before she began speaking once again. “And why would you want to be a friend of mine? I'm not interesting, funny or anything like that in the first place. Besides, I've never been in any such friendship so maybe it will not work anyway.”

“Hey, no, no. I'm not even looking for all that you mentioned. It's not about being funny or entertaining or anything like that. It's about… You being you. Your silence amongst all, your uniqueness makes me want to know you more.” Theo takes a subtle breath in between his statement before he concludes. “I feel like you're a dark mystery book which hasn't been opened and read by anyone. Because of which they are missing out on something that they haven't even imagined in their lives. And I for sure don't want to miss out this chance to get to know you, Azura.”

______

It would be a big dead lie if Azura wouldn't admit that all those words, every single word spoken by Theo, had almost had her heart hitched unwantedly inside her chest.

Well, of course this was not the first time someone was complimenting her. Cherishing her personality and admiring her presence. Yeah, that was another thing that it was mostly and only her father.

Which is exactly why this is even something so new to her that she herself can't comprehend her own unknown feelings towards this… Or maybe towards Theo, to be precise.

She wasn't sure if it was Theo who was actually weird for taking an interest in her, or if it was her who was weird to be taking interest in this weird situation. Or to be taking interest in just weird Theo. “You seemed to be thinking about me a lot.”

“What? No!” Replies Azura instantly to Theo's comment.

The man chuckles at the latter's sudden reaction as he perks, “Now, why did you react as if I've asked about some of your deepest and darkest secrets?”

The stunned expression on the lady's face changes into a hurdled one as she attempts to tackle the situation. “Me? Oh, of course not. Maybe it's just you who is daydreaming.”

Theo nonchalantly nods and says, “Right. Just like you who was daydreaming a few moments ago. Clearly, about me?

“No. Gosh… I wasn't wrong when I thought you were weird because you are actually weird.” Azura remarks.

“Well, if being a weirdo makes me unique and interesting enough to have a chance with you. And no, I didn't definitely mean that type of chance. Man… Why it's so hard to keep my words on point. Maybe I've to agree with your opinion about me.”

Azura tries her hard to hold onto her laugh and somehow it seems to have worked as well when a subtle chuckle comes out of her mouth instead. This puts a smile of accomplishment on Theo's face as well.

“Although you are odd and probably even creepy at times, I must say, you don't seem like that type of a bad person. You somehow do feel nice.” Compliments the young woman.

Theo almost smiles wide at the reaction he just received from Azura. Like, it was already very unexpected that Azura would even look back at him. Talking to him on top of that. And mostly, even chuckling at his second hand embarrassing jokes. They weren't even jokes in the first place if he'd be honest but having Azura chuckling in glee was just more than enough for him to be blessed.

“So, does this mean that I get the opportunity to be your friend? Or maybe just to be with you, at least?” Theo asks with the best puppy face he could make.

Slightly giggling at the latter's hard act, Azura purrs. “Well I guess, maybe. Or maybe not? I will think about it.” She then turns around, making her golden blonde and long hair swirl through her body before she slides the hood over her head. Theo internally wished if he could have a longer look of Azura's beautiful locks.

“And let me know with the same?” Theo beams from behind as Azura answers him while on her way.

“You will have to wait for a time till eternity.”

“I'm damn sure that it's worth the wait.” Theo says he hears Azura grinning once again before she disappears from the sight completely. He sighs in bliss as he whispers to himself. “Especially if it's you, Azura. I could wait for you till my last breath.”

______

“Dad, I'm home!”

The man hears his daughter's high pitched and somewhat excited noise as she enters inside the house. He was a bit surprised himself at this unknown excitement of his daughter because usually or could say simply never did she come this energetically from a tiring day at college.

Maybe she just didn't have a tiring day today at all and rather an interesting one?

“Whoa, Azura. Looks like you had a great day at uni today?”

Smiling in her own reverie, Azura nonchalantly blurts, “Hmm… Not really, Dad. It was just the usual.”

Frederick raises one of his eyebrows doubtfully. “Oh, really? Because it seems otherwise.”

Azura finally blinks at her father though her smile stays still. “Maybe you're just dreaming again as always. Probably about Mom.”

“Gosh… What do I tell, Azura? She was just with me the other day when I was in the lawn, enjoying the nature and nurture. But today as I was at work back again in godowns, she was being mad that I always work and that too, till late.” Frederick sings as walks towards his daughter along with a ringing satchel in his hands.

“And I guess, she wasn't really wrong because you are literally always at work and yes, that too, till late. You should be careful about yourself as well. Be a little selfish. As you say to me, no?” The daughter points as she gets herself a glass of lukewarm water and takes a seat on the couch, followed by Frederick.

Nodding nonchalantly at Azura's words, Frederick nonchalantly speaks as well, “As I even do for real. I was definitely being selfish which is why I was at work or can say I'm mostly there. It feels so lonely and empty here when I'm just all by myself without you, sweetie.”

Now, Azura's smile downs and she mumbles, “Oh… I'm so sorry, Dad. I should remember that you must feel so alone while I'm gone. I should try to get back as early as I can.”