When Love is a Question Mark
Chapter 146: In the Quiet Moments

Chapter 146: In the Quiet Moments

Timmy glanced at his watch and realized how much time had slipped by. "I didn’t think I’d end up spending the whole evening here," he admitted with a sheepish grin.

Ms. Aquila turned toward him, a thoughtful look on her face. "Funny how time slips away when you’re not watching the clock," she said lightly, standing and brushing off her coat. "But I suppose we should head back before the staff starts wondering where we’ve gone."

Timmy stood, suddenly reluctant to leave. The view of the cliffside, the soft glow of the horizon, and the peaceful quiet between them felt like something he wanted to hold onto a little longer. But he nodded anyway. "Yeah, we should probably head back. I joined a group tour for tonight. The guide and the others must be waiting now."

Ms. Aquila answered, "I joined that one too."

They began the short walk back to the gathering point where the rest of the group would be waiting. The sound of their footsteps crunching on the gravel mingled with the soft rustle of the evening breeze. Timmy stole a glance at Ms. Aquila, noticing how the moonlight caught her profile, giving her an almost ethereal glow. He shook his head, reminding himself to focus. She’s just another tourist. Just another fleeting moment.

But as they reached the clearing, they were met with whispers and uneasy glances from the others. Timmy frowned, catching fragments of conversation.

"...someone called for the guide... said it was urgent..."

"...they left quickly, didn’t say much..."

"...seems serious, though..."

Timmy stepped closer, his eyes scanning the faces of the group. "What happened?" he asked, his voice cutting through the murmurs.

One of the older men in the group, a familiar face from previous trips, stepped forward. "The guide had to leave. Something urgent came up. Didn’t say much, just told us to stick to the schedule and head back to the lodge."

Ms. Aquila raised an eyebrow. "An emergency? That’s unusual." She turned to Timmy, her tone sharp. "Do you think we should wait for more instructions?"

Timmy hesitated, feeling the unease settle in his chest. The guide’s sudden departure left him unsettled, but lingering in the wilderness didn’t feel right either. "We should probably follow their directions," he said, trying to keep his voice steady. "Stick to the plan, head back to the lodge, and wait for more information."

The group began gathering their things, the energy shifted—what was once excitement was now replaced with apprehension. As they started walking toward the lodge, Timmy found himself walking beside Ms. Aquila. The atmosphere was thick, and the tranquility of the earlier moments seemed to have evaporated, leaving only a faint tension hanging in the air.

---

When they finally reached the lodge, the uneasy feeling only deepened. The cozy reception area, usually alive with chatter, was eerily quiet. A lone staff member stood behind the counter, looking frazzled and distracted.

Timmy approached carefully. "Excuse me," he said, trying to keep his voice even. "We heard the guide had to leave. Is everything okay?"

The staff member looked up, her face pinched with worry. "I... I don’t know all the details," she admitted, glancing nervously around. "But there was an urgent call. Something about an accident in the nearby town. They said they’d update us as soon as possible."

"An accident?" Ms. Aquila asked, her voice sharp. "Did they say if anyone was hurt?"

The woman shook her head. "I really don’t know. All I know is the guide left in a hurry. Please, try not to worry. We’ll let you know as soon as we hear anything."

The group started to disperse slowly, their earlier excitement replaced by whispers and worried looks. Timmy lingered in the lobby, his mind racing. An accident? What kind of accident?

Ms. Aquila stayed behind too, arms crossed as she leaned against the wall. "Something about this feels... off," she said, her voice low.

Timmy nodded, his instincts matching hers. "Yeah, I feel the same. Something doesn’t sit right."

They shared a look, a silent understanding passing between them. Whatever was happening, it wasn’t over yet.

---

Later that night, Timmy lay in his room, tossing and turning, unable to sleep. The day had been strange—an unexpected connection with Ms. Aquila, the sudden departure of the guide, and now the mystery of the accident. His thoughts swirled together, tangled in a knot he couldn’t untie. Finally, he decided to get some fresh air, hoping it would help clear his mind.

To his surprise, he found Ms. Aquila sitting on a bench near the lodge entrance, her silhouette outlined by the soft glow of the outdoor lights. She looked up as he approached, a small smile tugging at her lips. "Can’t sleep either?"

Timmy shook his head and took a seat beside her. "Too much on my mind."

They sat together in silence for a moment, the cool night air still around them. Finally, Ms. Aquila spoke, her voice soft but filled with something deeper. "Do you ever feel like you’re in the middle of something bigger than yourself? Like there’s a puzzle you’re supposed to piece together, but you don’t even know where to start?"

Timmy turned toward her, caught off guard by the weight of her words. "I... I think I know what you mean," he said slowly. "Sometimes, life throws things at you, and you’re left trying to figure out why. What it all means."

She nodded, her gaze distant. "That’s how I feel right now. Like there’s something I’m supposed to understand, but the pieces aren’t fitting together."

Timmy didn’t know how to respond. He felt the same way, but the words seemed impossible to find. All he knew was that this night—this strange, unfolding situation—felt like the beginning of something he couldn’t yet understand. And somehow, he had the sense that Ms. Aquila was a part of it.

He leaned back on the bench, letting the cool breeze wash over him. His eyes drifted to the stars above, but his thoughts kept returning to Ms. Aquila, who seemed lost in thought, her hands resting lightly in her lap, her eyes staring off into the distance where the ocean met the sky.

"You seem like you’ve been through something like this before," Timmy said quietly, his voice curious.

Ms. Aquila tilted her head slightly, a faint smile playing at the corners of her lips. "Maybe I have," she said, her voice light, but there was an undercurrent of mystery in it. "Or maybe I’m just good at guessing."