Hello all! After traveling abroad and starting a new position, I am back! The world is a very different place than it was to me a year ago, but I digress. The stories will go on!
Ch 4: I deign, I deny
It's good the pillow is down-stuffed, because it is taking a lot of punishment.
"Arrgh!" I grunt, renting a fist into the cushion before catapulting it fast and far on to the couch.
"We are not dating!" I scowl in a hollow attempt to refute an ignorant co-worker's claim.
It's true. We just chat, eat ramen and occasionally text. Well, I would be texting if it weren't for Keiji's leering over my shoulder at the office. In addition to sporting flamboyant shirts and ties, spouting blasphemy and flirting, my co-worker also excels at recon. Leads me to wonder what he had been in his last life.
The sound of a face dripping, because in this large apartment, there is no one to sanction my claim- my side of the story.
I don't care. Friends do that, and sometimes when we are so full we take walks in the park. During the walks, he would show me the best places to skip stones by the lake underneath the full moon. He's a great teacher and a natural at it, but I suck. IF I am lucky the rocks will make it to the water, but when he throws them- they leap, vanishing ad infinitum.
My frown turns upside down.
Friends hang out- they do that.
I sigh, plopping down on to the cushy couch.
There was a time after ramen when a stray dog scurried out of the bush. I did not know it was a dog. All I saw was a flash of black before my body decided to jump out of its own skin and bury itself behind Takechiyo-san's arm.
Stop.
Friends do that- they protect each other.
I start to swing my legs draped over the couch's edge, arm over my eyes. Well, more like he protects me, especially since he volunteered to walk me home. He said a girl should not be walking home alone in the dead of the night.
I catch a glance at the clock on my wall. It was much later tonight than my usual departure, so it makes sense I went along with it. Besides, friends do that- they look out for one another.
My arms cross.
What I don't understand however, and am not inclined to tell Keiji, is that bubbly feeling I got tonight when Takechiyo-san looked me in the eyes by the gates of my apartment complex. His eyes are soft, but I realize they are also sharp. There is a beautiful clarity to the gold tint of his eyes, as if he held no secrets and if I look just a little longer I will come to understand him as an old friend would.
They say eyes are the windows to one's soul. I let a long sigh. But his gaze reminds me of the sun. Of daffodils and a summer's warmth. It's the same warmth I felt when he reassured me after the ninja dog had shown up. Strange, no?
But the weirdest feeling has got be when he turns to leave and -
"Wait! Let's stay out longer…"
I plow my face into the cushion and roar. What the devil was that? What incarnate demon possessed me to say that?! The depths of hell could not hope to match the crimson on my face as I stood there.
"As much as I would like to, you have work tomorrow," he had said, holding out his hand to me.
The same demon must have repossessed me again because I reached for him. The hammering in my chest crushed my voice. I don't know which is worse.
He brought my small hand into his and leaned forwards- just enough for our lips to brush. The moment is short yet eternal, loud but silent. Then he pulled away, clearing his throat.
He scratched the back of his head. " Good night," he murmured before waving a sheepish good-bye like a five-year old.
Somewhere in Japan is a girl who knows the perfect, clever reply, but that girl is not me.
"Ah," is all I had managed, face as red as the Japanese rising sun, because my awkwardness and socially ineptitude afforded me nothing smarter to say.
"ARRGH!" I sling the pillow against a wall next to the clock ticking on to midnight. There is work tomorrow…with Keiji. I groan inwardly, but I know exactly what to say to his taunts.
It was just a show of affection.
Friends do that.
Right.
Right?
This is MUCH easier to write than "Iris", but I hope it still brings everyone as much excitement and joy.
xoxo
Gravism