After touring the inside of the large house, Lamech bid farewell to the couple, saying he would take Azora to the parks near the institution. He had read that the couple had built a park so that the patients could go for walks and not just be confined inside the house.
“No problem. If you two get hungry later, just go back and I’ll set the table for you two.”
He smiled at Hana and thanked her. He guided Azora out of the house. She still didn’t trust the couple. Azora was still on alert whenever Eman and Hana were around. He couldn’t blame her. It was the first time she had met them, so he understood. She probably just needed some time to trust them.
“There’s a park around the area?” Azora asked, raising an eyebrow while looking at the tall trees lining the path.
Because of the thick foliage and large branches, they didn’t need an umbrella to tour the parks near the house.
He nodded to her question. “They built it for the patients.”
Azora didn’t ask any more questions and amused herself with the butterflies playing over the rows of flowers behind the trees. Lamech looked down at their intertwined hands and couldn’t help but smile. It seemed Azora had gotten used to holding his hand.
They quietly walked hand in hand towards the park. The gentle breeze caressed their skin and passed between them. It also danced with the strands of Azora’s hair. She smiled as she watched the flowers swaying by the roadside.
“Your smile is enchanting,” he couldn’t help but comment.
Azora turned to him, her forehead creased, and her smile vanished. He knew it. He shouldn’t have said anything earlier. Now, Azora’s smile was gone.
Azora pursed her lips and returned her gaze to the flowers by the side. She quietly stepped forward and looked around.
There weren’t many patients outside at that time. It seemed some of them were still asleep, and those who were awake didn’t come out under the scorching sun. They had encountered some patients inside the house, but they were few compared to the number of rooms inside. Almost all of the second floor was occupied by rooms.
Soon, they saw a seesaw in the distance. Next to the seesaw was a pair of swings. Lamech was surprised when Azora ran ahead while holding his hand, causing him to run as well. He laughed softly. He had never dated a woman much younger than him, so all of this was new to him.
Azora let go of his hand when they reached the seesaw. She sat on one side, causing the opposite side to rise. After a while, she pouted when she noticed he was just standing by the side.
“Ride that one,” Azora said, pointing to the opposite seesaw.
He smiled awkwardly. He had never played on a seesaw before because he was busy studying when he was young, and he spent his time working after several years of schooling.
“Adam,” Azora called, her voice bored and irritated.
He had no choice but to reach for the raised part of the seesaw, which was only a few spans above his head. He stifled a laugh and lowered it all the way to the ground.
He heard Azora gasp. When he looked at her, she was up in the air. She looked at him in surprise. He shrugged and raised the part he was holding again, lowering Azora’s side. He didn’t lower it all the way to the ground so Azora’s feet wouldn’t touch the ground completely.
He stepped on the seesaw every time he lowered his part to raise Azora’s side higher. He heard Azora giggling while she was up on the seesaw.
She looked down at him. She placed her face on the seesaw handle and stared at him, so he firmly stepped on his side. Azora wasn’t holding the handle, and she might fall if he suddenly raised his side.
“Are you enjoying this?” he asked.
“Somehow…” she smiled while looking at him.
He smiled. “I don’t have to sit here, right? Or else, you’ll not have the chance to go down from the top.”
“Mmm…”
Azora didn’t respond and continued to stare at him. Lamech blushed and looked away. His ears grew warm because of her intense gaze.
“What’s wrong?” he asked while looking at the flowers by the seesaw.
“I just realized that you’re handsome.”
Lamech raised an eyebrow and looked up at Azora. Her smile was softer now, unlike earlier when it was teasing.
“And you’re beautiful,” he said.
He saw Azora roll her eyes and pout. “You’re ruining the mood,” she said.
Lamech frowned at her. “How did I ruin the mood?”
But instead of answering his question, Azora ordered him to lower her. But because his curiosity got the better of him, he didn’t follow her. “How?” he repeated.
Azora squinted at him. “You’re telling a lie.”
“Telling a lie?” he asked incredulously. “When did I lie to you?”
“Just now.”
“Just now?”
“Yes!” She rolled her eyes in annoyance. “Just now!” she shouted.
Lamech was even more confused and thought about what he had said earlier. While he was thinking, Azora again asked him to lower her from the seesaw. He slowly raised his side so Azora’s side could descend. When her feet touched the ground, she quickly got off the seesaw.
“Are you accusing me of lying when I told you you’re beautiful?” he asked carefully.
He frowned as he looked at Azora, who couldn’t meet his gaze. She hummed. “Y-Yes.” She crossed her arms and quickly turned away from him.
Azora started walking towards the swing while Lamech followed her. “I mean it,” he said. “You’re beautiful,” he added.
Azora sat on the swing and tried to make it move. Lamech quickly stood behind her and pushed the swing gently.
He heard Azora sigh. “I’m not beautiful. I’m just a nobody, not worthy of attention.”
Lamech frowned even more. This wasn’t the Azora he had met before. When he first saw her, he could see the confidence in her eyes. She didn’t self-pity. She had high self-esteem and respected her abilities.
He stopped the swing. Without warning, he hugged Azora from behind. “Even if you don’t believe it, I know I’m telling the truth. Stop degrading yourself,” he whispered.