Overruled

Chapter 8 - Lost in Translation

Jade

In a bittersweet moment of uncertainty and disbelief, I wonder if blissful thoughts of me cross your mind or am I just a fictional imagery created for your delight.

"A-Althea?"

"Hi, Jade."

"W-What... W-Why...?" Jade eased out from her covers and struggled to switch on her table lamp.

Althea made no response. Seconds of her silence bothered her.

"Althea, are you alright?"

"Sorry to wake you up, Jade. I know it's late but..."

Still drowsy, Jade darted a squinting gaze at her clock, "It's two in the morning, Althea. Technically, you're quite early." A soft chuckle escaped Jade's throat.

There must be something wrong, Jade pondered. A call made at this ungodly hour is worrisome. Or Althea just misses me and just wanted to talk. Nah, I think my former theory is more believable than the latter, which is a bit farfetched.

"Althea, are you okay?"

"I am now." Althea answered with a grim expression. "I... I just wanted to listen to the sound of your voice."

Every pause Althea made between her lines worried Jade even more. But when she heard the yearning in Althea's voice, a sudden outburst of glee emerged from her listless state.

Really? At two in the morning? She wants to say things like these at two in the morning?

"You... You wanted to hear the sound of my voice?" Jade swallowed hard and asked, "Althea, are you in a cramped space again?"

Althea let out an indulgent giggle.

Finally, a delightful sound.

Jade just wanted to go straight to wherever Althea was. From the moment she looked into those dark, piercing eyes, Jade knew Althea was a story of black and white. Broken.

Jade wanted to be the one to fix her. Or mend her. Or something close to putting Althea back together. Althea has managed to seize every thread in her body without even trying.

"No, Jade. I am not trapped in a cramped space again," Althea cleared her voice from snorting a soft laughter and continued, "But I think I'm starting to love cramped spaces now... because they remind me of you. I still hate elevators, though."

It took a while for Jade to respond. She wanted to take it all in, her heart skipping a joyful beat.

"Oh! Good." She felt blood rushing to her cheeks. "Of course. Why would you be trapped in a cramped space at this hour, right?" Jade reacted, finding composure. I am blushing and I am not even at her presence. Damn, Althea.

"Sorry, that was the first thing that came in mind. I thought you're having another panic attack." She joked, trying to lighten up the conversation. But she was concerned. Something in Althea's voice hinted a different kind of panic – the silent panic that only the soul can experience.

"You know, it's kinda adorable," Althea let out another soft giggle.

"What is?"

"The way you stutter."

Jade, you have to calm yourself, she begged. Breathe.

"Umm... I guess, I'll take that as a compliment."

"You should," Althea agreed. "Jade?"

"Hmm?"

"Thank you."