Chapter-6, The words that were never heard.

The car slowed before the Hughes residence, the soft hum of the engine fading into stillness. For a moment, the warmth inside the car lingered. Lily's laughter, Charlie's low voice, the closeness between them existed. It felt like something that didn't belong to everyone in that space. 

Charlie stepped out first and walked around to open the passenger door. Lily smiled politely as she stepped out, brushing her hair lightly behind her ears. 

"Thank you," she said softly. He glanced at her calmly like ever. 

"You don’t have to thank me everytime." 

She titled her head, a small smile forming on her lips. 

"I still will." He didn't replied, but there was a faint softness in his expression.

Elara stepped out from the back seat on her own, closing the door quietly behind her. No one noticed. 

They walked inside together- or at least, it appeared that way from a distance. But Elara could sense the space between them clearly. It had always been there, but it had just grown wider over time. 

Inside, the house was filled with a gentle warmth. The faint aroma of tea lingered in the air as Mr. Hughes looked up from the living room. 

"You are back," she said, her eyes immediately settling on Lily. "How was your school, darling?" Lily sighed softly, slipping off her shoes. "Tiring.... but better now." Her mother smiled fondly. "Go. Sit. I'll bring something for you." 

Only then she noticed Charlie. "Oh! Charlie, you came with her again." 

"Yes, Auntie," he replied politely. 

"You should stay for a while," Mr. Hughes added, glancing up from his seat. "It's been a long time since we had proper company." Charlie nodded. "If it's not a problem." 

"Ofcourse not." 

Elara stood near the doorway, her presence quiet, almost invisible against the background of warmth that was never meant for her. No one asked about her day. No one noticed she was there. 

Lily settled onto the sofa, and Charlie took the seat beside her, not too close, but close enough to feel natural. Elara hesitated for a brief second before sitting on the armchair nearby, opening her book as if she had something to focus on. 

But the words blurred. 

They always did when he was around. 

"You said there was something you didn't understand?" Charlie asked, his voice calm. 

Lily nodded, lifting her notebook. "This part.... it doesn't make sense." 

He leaned slightly toward her, his shoulder almost brushing hers as he looked at the page. "It's simple. You just have to--" 

But Lily wasn't looking at the page, she was looking at him. 

"You explain things better than my teacher," she said softly. 

Charlie paused for a fraction of a second, then continued. "That's because you don't pay attention in class." 

"I do," she protested. 

"You don’t." 

"I do." 

A faint trace of amusement touched his expression. "You are not even looking at the page right now." 

Lily laughed quietly, her voice light and easy. 

Elara's fingers tightened slightly around the edge of her book. 

After a moment, she spoke. 

".....I think the second method might be easier." 

Her voice was soft, careful- almost hesitant as it slipped into the space between them. 

For a brief second, it existed there. 

Then it disappeared. 

Charlie continued explaining, and Lily simply nodded. 

The conversation moved forward, as if Elara had never spoken at all. 

Her words lingered only with her. 

A few minutes later, Lily frowned slightly. "I still don't get this part." 

Charlie immediately adjusted the notebook. "Here--- look again." 

He explained again patiently. 

And this time, Lily followed. 

"Oh.... now I understand," she said, her face lighting up. 

Elara lowered her gaze. 

That was exactly what she had tried to say. 

Mrs. Hughes returned with tea and snacks, placing them carefully on the table. "Charlie, you must be tired, have something." 

"Thank you." 

She turned to Lily. "Eat first before studying too much." 

Lily picked up a small piece and held it toward him. "Try this." 

"I am fine." 

"Just one." 

He hesitated, then leaned slightly forward and took it. 

"See?" Lily smiled. "Not that hard." 

Their interaction was effortlessly familiar. It was like something that had happened too many times to count. 

Elara turned a page in her book. She hadn't read a single line. How can she concentrate? 

The room filled with conversations of them, soft laughter, teasing each other and comfort. 

At that point, Elara closed her book. The sound of book was soft, almost barely noticeable. She stood up slowly and no one stopped her. No one asked when she was going. 

She walked toward the stairs, her steps light against the floor. Behind her, Lily laughed again- a soft and bright sound that seemed to fill the entire house. 

Almost halfway up, Elara paused and glanced at them. Not because she expected someone to call her back, but because something inside her needed a moment to settle. 

She had spoken. 

She had tried, she had been sitting right there. 

And yet.... 

It was as if she had never been there at all. 

When she reach upstairs, she closed her door gently. The quietness of her room wrapped around her instantly. She placed the book on her desk and sat down slowly, her hands resting in her lap. 

Downstairs, faint voices continued--- Charlie's calm voice and Lily's soft laughter. 

The voices were warm and close. 

Elara stared at the empty spaces in front of her, her chest tight in a way that didn't demand tears. 

This kind of pain was quieter and heavier. 

Because this time.... 

She hadn't been interrupted nor pushed away. 

She hadn't even been ignored on purpose. 

She had simply- 

Not been heard. 

She felt not needed. 

And slowly but painfully, Elara understood that something she could never unlearn. 

She wasn't losing Charlie. She had already lost him.

And now.... 

She was just watching it happening again and again before her.