still and quiet and warm.. the kind of touch that asks nothing and says everything.. that does not announce itself or linger too long but simply.. exists for one small moment.. and then is gone..
It lasted only a second.. Then he took it away and the conversation continued like nothing had shifted..
Denita opened her eyes and looked ahead and said nothing.. because there was nothing to say.. because some things do not need words and this was one of them.. this small changed gesture that carried the whole weight of everything that was different now..
He had raised his hand like before.. and then remembered.. and been gentle instead.. That was all.. That was everything..
They had been promoted to different sections.. which was the kind of thing that sounds small until it isn't.. until you realise that a different section means a different classroom, different periods, different corridors at different times.. means you have to find each other now instead of simply turning around.. Denita found she noticed the absence more than she expected to..
It was during afternoon practice that it happened.. everyone was making their way back, the day winding down, the kind of tired that comes from the body and not the mind.. Denita had been caught up with a teacher and by the time she was free the others had already left.. Except Avet.. He was just standing there.. not making a show of it.. just waiting.. in that particular way of his that never announced itself.. She walked up and they fell into step together and then, completely casually, he put his hand around her shoulder as they walked and said.. the yoga teacher wants us to perform on yoga day.. you should come along with me.. Denita looked at him.. then looked ahead.. I don't know.. she said.. He said nothing.. just kept walking.. hand still there.. waiting.. She hesitated a little longer than necessary.. then.. okay.. she said.. fine.. He nodded like he had not doubted it for a second..The next day she went along.. slipping into the practice session so naturally that the yoga teacher did not even notice one extra person had joined.. During a break when everyone was resting and talking, someone noticed her spectacles and it became a game.. hold up fingers, how many, can you see from here.. she took her spectacles off and played along, squinting dramatically,
everyone laughing.. Avet was part of it too.. joining in, holding up fingers, laughing when she got it wrong from a distance..
But a little later when the game had died down.. Denita quietly took her spectacles off again and pressed her hand gently over her eyes.. From across the group, Avet noticed.. He caught her eye and raised his brows slightly.. the silent question.. what happened.. She shook her head a little.. nothing.. just some eye pain.. When another girl turned to her and said cheerfully.. okay now count my fingers.. Avet looked over and said, quietly but clearly.. stop.. don't ask her anymore.. The girl blinked.. okay.. she said.. and turned away.. Denita said nothing.. just sat with her hand over her eyes and the warmth of that small protection settling somewhere in her chest..
While Avet and Mian went for their athletics practice, Denita had joined the basketball sessions running alongside.. the games teacher gathered everyone for partner exercises.. These require a partner.. the teacher said.. find someone.. Everyone paired off quickly and Denita stood for a moment looking around.. Avet noticed before she had to say anything.. She will be with me.. he said simply..
The exercise was this.. one person stands, the other places their feet gently over the partner's feet, and the one below has to rise up and clap the standing partner's hands.. Avet stood and placed his feet over hers.. carefully, evenly.. okay.. now up.. Denita steadied herself and began to rise.. and then she was up.. and her hands met his in a clap and they were suddenly very close.. face to face, hands just touched, the small space between them holding something neither of them named.. Again.. Avet said quietly.. you can do more.. She looked at him.. then went back down.. and came back up.. and clapped his hands again.. He was smiling.. just
slightly.. the encouraging kind.. the kind that says I knew you could..
The next day Denita was standing at the window.. the kind of standing that is not really looking at anything outside but is instead somewhere entirely different.. thinking about several things at once and none of them clearly.. the way your mind drifts in the last slow hours of a school day when the light changes and everything feels a little softer than it did in the morning..
She did not hear him come up behind her..
And then hands came over her eyes.. gentle, firm, certain.. the way they covered her was unhurried.. like there was no question about whether this was allowed.. like it was simply a thing that was happening, naturally, easily, the way things happen between two people who have crossed some invisible line without either of them marking the exact moment..
She reached up instinctively and touched them..
And knew immediately..