Chapter 15
“Trust me, I love listening to long stories and I love to believe that I am the best listener anyone can ever ask for. So, I'm all ears.” Scott said with anticipation and so much confidence in his listening abilities.
Veronica smiled faintly but one could see sadness written all over her face.
“Why? You don't want to tell me? You feel I'm not a worthy listener?” Scott asked her, sadly. “If you do not want to tell me, it's fine. I'm sorry for asking.” He said further and turned his face away from her.
“Oh no, that is not it. It's not that I feel you're not a worthy listener.” She didn't agree with what he said, and tried to hold on to his hands but he still didn't look her way.
“Then it's what?” He asked, turning back to look at her.
“It's just too painful.” She breathed shakily after pausing for a while to process her words and as Scott stared at her, he noticed the tears which he knew she was trying hard to fight back.
Scott held her hands, as he tried to comfort her, “you should cry if you feel like crying. Crying is not a sign of weakness”
“Also, I hear it's less painful when you're able to let it all out and sometimes cry as much as you want.” He added, as he turned to look at her tear-filled eyes.
“What difference will it make? After crying, what happens? Crying doesn't change anything, it doesn't provide a solution.” She replied, amidst sobs.
“Well, keeping the pain and sadness in doesn't provide a solution either.” He replied calmly and she sighed.
“I don't know what you've been through or how you ended up here in this forest but I just hope that you'll be able to overcome whatever ordeals life throws at you. It's okay if you don't want to talk about it, I understand and I won't force you to say anything but my parents always say that a problem shared is half solved.” He continued.
“Just the courage mustered to talk about it alone, is a sign that there is all headway already. Plus, you never can tell, I might be able to help you.”
Young Scott spoke with so much wisdom, way above his age that Veronica had to wipe her tears and stare at him for a moment as she doubted how old he was.
“How old are you once again?” She suddenly asked him.
He frowned as he said to her, “I thought I told you earlier?
“Yes, you told me. I just want to confirm if-” She answered but before she could finish speaking, he interrupted her with his reaction.
He gasped as he widened his eyes like one who was in utter shock, “Don't tell me you've forgotten already! I can't believe this. It's barely an hour and you've forgotten my age? Which of the other things I told you have you forgotten?” Veronica could hear the disappointment in his voice as he spoke.
“Hey, calm down, calm down. I didn't forget anything.” She said as she tried to calm him down but he didn't believe that she didn't forget all that he had told her.
“Liar! You're lying to me. I don't like it when I'm being lied to.” He complained, turning away from her.
“Oh no, Scott, I'm not lying.” She insisted.
“If you're not lying, how old am I?” He asked, to test if she truly knew it.
“Ten, Scott! TEN WHOLE YEARS!” She said dramatically, mimicking the way he had told her earlier and immediately he heard her, a little smile formed on his lips, but he tried to hide it.
“Oh, so you're happy now, huh?” She asked jokingly.
“Well, yeah.” He answered with a smile.
“So you thought I would just forget what you just said to me not long ago?” She asked him. “Come on, I'm not daft.” She added.
“Well, If I'm being honest, I thought you forgot and I was disappointed because I felt I meant nothing to you.” Scott replied.
“Wait, what? Why will you even think like that?” She asked, shocked.
“Well, if we look at it critically, we actually met not long ago.” He replied, shrugging.
“But that doesn't mean anything. That we just met doesn't change the fact that you are a good person and I'm sure you'll be an amazing leader when you grow older.”
“I know we just met, but just so you know, you've been an amazing person in these past few hours that we've been here together than some of the people that I've known all my life.” She said as she stared at him.
“Really?” He ecstatically asked her.
“Yes,” She answered. “And just a little advice from someone who has been through a lot in her little time of being here, don't stop being you and don't let anyone change you from being that good person you are. You're going to be a great leader someday.”
Scott nodded as she advised him but deep down, he was confused. Soon enough, there was a moment of silence between them as he tried to understand why she was saying all she was saying. He couldn't help but wonder if something really terrible had happened to her prior to that moment or if something was going to happen to her soon.
Veronica, on the other hand, didn't know why she was saying all that she said to Scott. They weren't words she planned to say at all and so, she came to a conclusion that the moon goddess had to be responsible.
“Moon goddess, what are you up to this time?” She asked the moon goddess in her heart, and patiently listened as if waiting for the moon goddess to respond.
“Do you feel better now?” Scott's raised voice snapped her out of her thoughts, ending the silence.
“What?” She turned to him, “What did you say?” She asked him.
“I asked if you feel better now?” He reiterated.
“Uhmmm, yes, I guess.” She replied with a look of uncertainty, unsure if she was truly feeling better.
“Why were you so lost in thoughts? I had been talking to you but you seemed to be far away, which was why I had to raise my voice.” He said with genuine concern in his voice.
“I’m sorry, I just had something on my mind.” She apologized and smiled, faintly, making Scott sigh.
“I won't ask you about it. Just like earlier, I said I won't force you to talk about what you don't want to say.” He said to her and smiled slightly.
Although he wasn't too happy that he didn't know her story or how to make her feel better, he faked a smile so that she wouldn't feel pressured.
Veronica immediately knew that the smile was fake and she knew why. So, after thinking for a while, she said, “You know what?”
“What? He asked.
“Let me tell you a little bit about my life.” She said.
Scott didn't know whether to jump for joy or remain in one spot because of what he heard her just say.
“Really? You'll tell me?” He asked, excitedly.
“Don't be too excited, I promise you, I've not had the sweetest experience, so I don't think it is something I'll be excited about, if I were you.” She said, plainly.
“Oh, I'm sorry. I was just happy that you have finally found me worthy to speak to, especially since it's about something so important to you.” He explained his happiness.
“It's fine. I understand what you -” She had not finished speaking when Scott's stomach began to make growling sounds.
Hearing this, they both paused for a while and suddenly burst into laughter.
“What was that?” She asked, trying to tease him.
“I have no idea.” He responded with a straight face which made Veronica laugh more.
“You're hungry, Scott. Come on, let's get you fed.” She urged him as she got up and waited for him to do the same but he didn't get up.
“Come on.” She said again. “Why aren't you getting up?” She asked him, surprised as to why he refused to get up.
“We can go when you're done telling me the story of your life.” He replied.
“Come on, we can always continue when you're fed.” She replied.
“Do you promise?” He asked her.
“Of course.” She answered, and held out her hand, which Scott took and off they went to find him some edible fruits to munch on.
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