Chapter 1
Halime
&
Louis
It was almost 9 pm but Halime, mostly addressed as Cherry by her beloved, wasn’t sleepy at all. It was snowing outside and she wanted fun. She wanted to play in it. So, as her desire fueled, she picked up her phone and texted him.
C: Louis! You there?
T: Yes, star. What is it?
C: I wanna play out in the snow with you.
T: It’s cold for you. And it’s late.
He always calculated risks and dangers for her.
C: But, I am craving to play outside. The snow is very pretty.
T: Okay! I am coming.
He agreed, imagining her pout and childish voice. Without wasting a second, she got up and rushed to wear her slippers and do her hair and so, she couldn’t read his next messages which were;
T: Wear warm clothes. Put a scarf around your neck. Wear your coat. And don’t forget the cap.
I don’t want you to get sick and then sleep with your head on my chest.
They were like this. Louis was handsome, smart, cold and silent but soft in ways no one could notice. He loved to stay alone and quiet and he was always calm, composed and calculating but this was how he won her. Because he cared in quiet, consoled in silence, took precautions by calculating and handled her and everything by staying calm. No one could tell that the Louis who silenced everyone with one glare and the Louis who was protective, possessive and caring for Halime was the same person. And this made him special for her that he wasn’t like other people. He was somehow different. And he loved her so much that he was afraid he might hurt her but to her, he was her angel.
Halime was chaotic, talkative, stubborn, reckless, innocent, childish, playful, emotional and beautiful in her own way. She was a girl boring for the world which used to make her feel low sometimes but to him, she was extraordinary. She was his star, his light, his source of comfort in darkest moments. Though he loved silence, her loudness was always what he wanted to listen to. Her childish actions used to always bring a smile on his face. Because to him, she wasn’t just a normal girl. She was the girl who stole the heart of a boy like him and never left him. And he made her feel valuable and special.
And they had everything between them that mattered. Loyalty, trust, understanding, care, support, and everything one can’t name.
She went outside, twirling. As her recklessness would say, she didn’t wear a coat and a scarf and a cap. Just boots and a shirt barely keeping her warm and her jeans. She played by herself for half an hour. Louis’s residence was a little far from hers so it was normal for him to take an hour or two to arrive.
All of a sudden, she started shivering a little and then, she sneezed.
“It’s just a little thrill. Nothing else.” She said to herself and kept playing.
But then, she started feeling extra cold. Her shivering increased and her legs ached as cold seeped through her bones. She started walking back towards the house but she skipped a step and fell down landing on the snow, unconscious.
From a little distance, Louis came walking, his hands in his coat pockets and his steps calm and normal. He paused as soon as he saw a figure lying in the snow, unmoving. His eyes scanned the figure from where he was and as the realization hit him of who it was, he ran to her.
“Halime. Halime.”
He called as he reached her and kneeled beside her, cradling her head. His voice was controlled, not panicked but it was laced with worry.
As his hands touched her skin, he realized she was burning up.
“Idiot. Who told you to wear only this in such weather?” He muttered as he scooped her up in his arms and took her inside.
Once he put her in bed, adjusted the blanket around her and brought her fever down, he sat on the chair by her bedside…waiting.
When she opened her eyes, she gave a wide smile seeing him sitting there.
He leaned forward as she woke up.
“Halime, feeling better?” He asked, casually.
“Call me cherry! Not by name.” She mumbled, groggily.
“Seriously? You were burning up when I came and you still care about what I call you?” He gave a low chuckle.
She gave a pout.
“Okay, okay, cherry. Now, why did you go out without warm clothes?” He questioned.
“I—” She tried to make up something.
“You know you are sensitive to cold. Next time, be careful or I will not let you go outside.” His voice was a little playful, commanding and concerned.
He didn’t take the questioning further.
It was still snowing. Louis turned around and looked outside. He always loved the snow.
“The snow is beautiful.” He murmured in a low voice.
“Just like you.” She added, her voice barely above a whisper.
He didn’t look at her. Just smiled and got up.
“Can we sit in the living room and watch the snowfall?” She requested in her most innocent voice.
He turned to her. As much as he needed to deny it, he also wanted it.
“Okay. I will make us hot chocolate.” He agreed after a long pause.
She then got up, made her hair, wore a coat, a muffler and even socks as per his command.
And then they sat together on the sofa in front of the floor-to-ceiling window of the living room with steaming mugs of hot chocolate in their hands.
As she sipped the drink, she murmured, “It’s really warm.”
“Just like you.” He whispered back keeping his gaze out the window.
She turned her head to look at him and smiled. Her usual, bright smile.
And just as the snowfall began to stop, they sipped their warm drinks and he put his arm around her shoulder, he whispered something so low she almost missed it;
“Don’t ever scare me like that again.”
The corner of her lips twitched and she leaned her head on his shoulder. He smiled at the gesture. That rare, beautiful smile.
This was their love. Pure. Cold, not like the cold, harsh surroundings of abandoned alleys but like the soft snow when watching it feels like the only right thing to do as an escape from all the troubles. Warm, not hot like the mid-summer days when you sweat and like the fire of jealousy but cozy like the steaming mug of hot chocolate which feels like the only comfort source when your mind and heart is drowning.
