Chapter 8:
I surveyed the street as I waited near the front entrance. It was 9pm and most people are returning home from a busy day of work. I wondered how Usui goes by in his daily life. Generally I had always been the 'let them be, he is a grown up' policy person but the circumstances under which I had interacted with this guy aroused my interest and not to mention the odd chemistry I felt between us. It was unlike what I had felt with any other guy before. Not to mention, I felt increasing respect for this guy for however much I had gotten to know about him and more than that I had this distinct feeling that this guy could see right through me like that road incident, the date fiasco as well as the hangover morning after. I wrapped my arms around myself as a chilled wind blew past me. It would start snowing any day now.
'So you are straight, eh?' asked a warm voice from behind me.
I turned around and gave him a wink, 'To my knowledge, I am.'
I felt an unfamiliar ease with this guy. I stuffed my hand inside my coat pocket as it was turning ice cold against the cold wind.
'So you used to be the bully of the class, huh?' asked Usui again as he put on his leather jacket over his shirt but kept his gaze fixed on me. I must say that he looked quite hot, no wonder girls fawn over him like crazy. I wondered what kind of girl he would like. I know for a fact that he doesn't have a girlfriend yet.
'I used to be the Student Council President in a school where male population was 4 times that of the girls, Seika High.' I replied looking straight ahead and started to walk.
'So Misaki Ayuzawa was the savior of the girls in high school? Must have been tough handling so many unruly boys.' said Usui giving a light laugh as he walked beside me.
I laughed but at the same time was surprised at how accurately he assumed it so correctly.
'Kind of. Tell me about you.' I counter asked him. 'How was your school days?'
Usui shrugged and replied, 'Nothing much. I was home-tutored till middle school, then went to Miyabioki High but kept mostly to myself.'
I turned to look at him surprised, 'I assumed you would be the popular jock boy type belonging to the coolest group, breaking hearts and in sports clubs and all.'
Usui gave me a grin, 'You do assume a lot. I was fairly well at games but I could not freely mix with people. I still cannot, I think.'
Now, I didn't expect this much honesty from him. It oddly made me feel warm and fuzzy that he was sharing this with me. I remembered the Hope charity day where he stood alone in a corner amidst a sea of people not interacting much.
'So you don't like female attention or didn't have any girlfriends?' I asked curiously, stopping my pace as I looked at him.
Usui stopped too, his eyebrows knitting together in a frown as he contemplated answering me.
'It's not that I don't like the attention but I find that superficial like I am a toy to be possessed and show off not for me as a person.'
Oh boy! Being an Adonis does have its disadvantage and I found myself sympathizing with him.
I tilted my head, 'Girlfriends?'
'Sadly I didn't find anyone who stuck with me.'
I stressed, 'Not a single one?' Surely not a relationship virgin at this age!
Usui looked away and said, 'I had one around the end of high school. But it didn't work out after we started college.'
Though I felt sad for him seeing him in this somber mood and in a way I could completely understand his feelings. I put my hand on his arm and said, 'I can understand.'
Usui gave me a slow smile and took my hand between both of his.
'Your hands are ice cold.' He murmured as he started rubbing my hands between both of his and also took my other hand to do the same. I felt my cheeks redden as blood rushed on my cheeks which had nothing to do with the warmth generated from his rubbing but everything to do with his touch. In a way, I felt like a kid being tended to by a parent.
'Usui-umm-it's okay. My hands are usually like this.' I stammered as I tried to recover from my blushing face as I buried my face by wrapping the scarf till my nose. I was oddly touched by his simple caring manner. Usui nodded and let go of my hand when he made it sufficiently warm.
'You could wear gloves, you know.' He said. I think being a doctor made him conscious about this kind of stuff or was he usually like this? But I didn't want to think of him doing it to other women.
'Or you know' He gave me a wicked grin as he added, 'we could cuddle.'
I could feel steam come off my ears as I blushed to the roots of my hair. I punched him on his arm, 'In your dreams, pervert!' and resumed my walk. What did he think of himself? Was he trying to seduce me? Pervert! Just because I came to apologize and make up with him that does not mean that I want to seduce(or be seduced) or jump the love wagon. I am not the type of girl who would jump in a stranger's arms just like that. It was also not like I didn't imagine him as someone I could think of being in a relationship with but thinking and being in one was a totally different scenario. And to be honest, I am interested but not to the point to be giving myself up so easily. The nerve of that guy of showing his move so readily!
Usui laughed heartily as he started to walk beside me.
'You know, Ayuzawa.' He started.
'What?' I demanded, keeping my eyes on the road ahead so that I wouldn't trip and fall and make a fool of myself.
'I would like to know more about you.'
I stopped dead on my tracks. I turned towards him, 'What do you mean by that?' I asked, my voice unusually soft. Does he feel the same way as I do? I know he wanted to go out on dates with me but I had turned him down and in a way I felt that he was a sincere guy but there was this small part of me in my conscious which abided by 'once bitten, twice shy' policy who gave me an uncertain vibe. I had been single like forever and had not even found a guy of my frequency but my heart gave me this nudge to explore with this guy and suddenly I realized that I was anticipating this moment since the time I was contemplating to apologize to him.
Usui stuffed his hands in his jacket pocket (must be his way of showing his own nervousness, I found that kind of cute.) His eyes softened as he replied, 'I would like to spend more time with you. I feel like there is something between us. Hope, you feel it too.'
His words felt like hot liquid spreading through my whole body. I know, I know he had asked for this before too but I was too engrossed with my bullshits but what made me really happy that he didn't give up on me. Maybe that fear brought me to talk to him again today. Flushing Tora out of my system helped me understand that I was treating him horribly from the start.
I nodded slightly and said, 'Yes.' And in my mind's eye my 'yes' sounded uncannily like the 'yes' women say when the guys propose. I giggled at that foolish unrealistic thought, when I saw Usui hold out his hand.
I felt the barriers, which I have nurtured throughout my teens and tweens against men, crumble down as I placed my hand on his like that in a dream and in a daze I saw Usui's mouth uttering some words.
'Sorry?' I asked as I could not understand what he was saying.
'Can I have your contact number?' Usui repeated and I felt my daze crash down to realty. I looked down at my hand placed over his. Did he hold out his hand to ask for my number, like, for me to write my number on his palm or he really wanted to hold my hand? Oh shit! Shit! Did I make a fool of myself again by getting carried away by my girlish fantasy? He must think me as a fool now. I quickly retrieved my hand and felt myself blush to the roots of my hair. I silently scolded myself for being so easily carried away and sternly reminded myself that we had just started knowing each other and he might turn out to be a horrible person for all I know so it was better not to get carried away. Seriously, what was wrong with me? I rarely lose control over myself like this. I felt so embarrassed.
'Umm..so you don't?' asked Usui, clearing his throat a little to bring my attention back to him.
'Don't what?' I asked as I focused my concentration on him to make up for my foolishness and the blush earlier.
'Don't want to dance in this beautiful weather? Why did you retrieve your hand?' asked Usui.
I blinked twice-no-thrice to understand what he was trying to mean. My conscious told me that he was trying to make up for my earlier foolishness too because I was certain he didn't ask this before. And I felt myself blush again. Before I could say anything, on his own accord, he took my hand and placed the other one on his shoulder and guided me to a graceful 1-2 ballet step. His touch felt like an electric spark. I had a feeling that we could be something good.
I laughed as my inhibitions melted away by his warm understanding gesture and said, 'Usui, there is no music!'
Usui smiled as he looked into my eyes and replied, 'At this moment, I don't need one.'
Time ceased to exist at that moment as we just stood there in that ballet pose looking into each other's eyes absorbing the intense gaze when it was broken by a beeping sound.
Usui's eyes conveyed reluctance as he tore his gaze and let go of my hand to retrieve a beeper from his trouser pants. He frowned as he read the message on the beeper and said, 'I am sorry. There is an emergency. I had to-g-'
'It's completely fine. Go! I don't mind.' I replied, offering him my sincere smile. Too bad our perfect moment was ruined but I guess he had his duty of serving mankind when needed.
'I will walk you to your apartment.' He offered. As much as I would have liked it, I didn't want him to delay on his emergency. I shook my head quickly and replied, 'It's okay Usui. My house is on the next block. I can go there by myself. You go! We will catch up some other time.'
Usui was about to say something when he stopped, fished out a pen from his pocket, took my hand and wrote some digits on my hand.
'This is my number, Ayuzawa. Text me when you reach home.' I nodded silently. Too stunned and touched by his gesture.
'Don't forget! Or else I will barge into your apartment as soon as I become free. I know where you live!' He added sternly.
I laughed, 'I won't forget.'
'Bye then.' He said uncertainly as if, like me, he didn't want to leave.
I gave him a reassuring smile and lightly pushed him as I said, 'I will text. Now go!'
Usui's whole face lighted up as he gave me a boyish smile and raised his hand to hail a taxi and boarded it.
I didn't expect tonight to turn into such a memorable one. Whatever dialogues I had expected I never expected to feel butterflies the way it was fluttering in my tummy. I felt somehow emotionally connected to that guy even more than I had felt with Aoi.
As I entered my apartment, I looked at the number Usui wrote on my palm. His handwriting-the numbers he wrote-was neatly written. Wasn't there a joke that the doctors have the worst handwriting? Well, he didn't fit that criterion, though I had to see the way he writes words to judge that better though.
I took out my phone and saved his number under 'Usui'. And for a lack of a better opening text and also to not bother him that much, simply texted him, Reached.
I stared at the mobile screen for full two minutes for a reply but none came. I mentally gave myself a shake for acting like a love-sick teenager when he was off for a medical emergency.
I freshened up and although it was only 11pm, I got inside the blanket feeling lazy. I felt content and happy for now. No idea how it would turn out though. I didn't want to hope too much yet.
As I was almost dozing off, I felt my mobile light up as it received a message.
I opened it immediately already guessing the sender. It read, Am glad. Sleep tight Ayuzawa.
With that, I drifted off to sleep peacefully.
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'You are SO love-struck!' accused Sakura joyously, flicking me on my forehead.
'I am NOT!' I replied, rubbing the effected forehead and then stuffing the food in my mouth. Sakura just barged into my office during lunch time and demanded me to accompany her for lunch. I am not a pushover but there are certain people who don't care for rhyme or reason namely my mom and of course, Sakura.
'Does your mom know yet?' asked Sakura, her eyes shining, already imagining my perfect future I bet.
For the record, I just told her that I ran into him during that charity event where I mistreated him so I went later to apologize and we just happened to exchange numbers. It has been 3 weeks since then. And Sakura assumed the rest. See from Mercury to Neptune in a matter of nanoseconds. I wouldn't deny that we are interested in each other but that doesn't mean we are in love. We are friends who enjoy spending time with each other. Do I look love-struck as Sakura claimed me to be? Back to the demanding question at hand,
'No. Why does mom need to know about this? We have just started to know each other. It's not like we are having a relationship!' I replied. Right now, I am not sure about how stuff would turn out between as. And I regretted telling Sakura about it, should have waited for some more time before telling this to her. I added, 'Don't tell this to my mom yet. I don't want to get her hopes up over nothing.'
Sakura started to say something contradictory but stopped and added, 'Ok. So tell me how is it going between you too?'
I stopped mid-way on stuffing my face up with more lasagna and contemplated the best way to answer her question.
'We have irregular working hours, so we text throughout the day and meet up whenever we are free at the same time that is about 3-4 times a week.' I said, feeling warm and happy thinking of all the fun we had together.
'Did you kiss?' asked Sakura.
'Nope! Friends don't smooch!' I replied, trying not to blush. Sakura narrowed her eyes as if trying to detect the truth behind my words. Truthfully, we have not kissed yet. As I have said before we were just being friends.
'Hugged?' demanded Sakura.
'Yes. Twice.' I replied.
'So you are telling me, you both are seeing each other for 3 weeks and did not make out yet? What do you do when you both meet?' demanded Sakura, pointing her index finger at me as if our activity was unnatural and should be banned. I felt like being interrogated for a criminal offence. And I didn't get what was wrong with the pace Usui and I were going. I personally like it this way.
I suppressed a laugh and replied, 'You know we talk, swap stories, getting to know what we like for example movies, music, books, food , philosophy, science and explore new restaurants and cafes, go to museums and all..'
'Did you tell him about Tora?' asked Sakura.
I knew I had to face this question at one point of time. I sighed and cleaned my mouth daintily with the napkin before I replied tensely, 'Not yet.'
'Not yet? Why? Aoi told me that Usui knows Tora. And you both are getting so close now and you didn't tell him about Tora yet?'
'Sakura! It's not like I am avoiding this topic with him, we have both silently agreed to not talk about this right now and we are just being friends not lovers.' I said quietly, pushing my plate away. Sakura sensed my somberness and came around to my side to hug me.
'Oh I am sorry Misaki. I didn't mean to upset you. I just want to see you happy.'
I hugged Sakura back. I know Sakura was just only looking out for me.
Sakura tilted her face to look me in the eye and asked, 'What does Aoi think about you and Usui?'
I giggled as I replied, 'Aoi said he won't give his opinion until we kiss and will only refer to us as siblings till then. You know his theories.'
Sakura laughed with me and said, 'You are bringing Usui as your plus one for my wedding. Shizuko is also bringing her fiancé.'
I felt myself blush but I nodded. Sakura's wedding still has 3 months to go. If Usui and I are both good, then I would be more than happy to bring Usui but before that I had to warn him about my family specially mom.
Sakura hugged me again. This time the Prozac-type extra-hard-hug as she squealed, 'I am soooo happy that you are happy! I knew the day I met him at your apartment that you two will be good together.'
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My phone lighted up as it received a message.
Usui: When will you get off, Misa-chan?
I smiled. Though I appear angry when he calls me Misa-chan in public, I secretly like it when he calls me that. It somehow feels close. It was 9pm already. And I was almost done with work for today.
I typed:in 15 minutes..
Usui always called me by my first name, while I always called him Usui only. I felt mischievous as I finished typing…in 15 minutes Takumi!
Usui texted back: Right 'down' waiting for you, Misaki.
And I felt my breath hitch by how he just wrote Misaki. It told me that he noticed how I called him by his first name without any honorifics not to mention the modified song name. Unable to concentrate much on the remaining work, I just sorted the stuff that needs to be done first thing tomorrow and quickly wrapped up.
Usui was waiting for me wearing a casual maroon sweater and jeans along with his out of the bed hair. I giggled wondering who would believe him to be a surgeon if anyone sees him in this state. His face broke into a smile as he saw me. Somehow, the first name basis seemed to have changed something between us in the last few minutes. His eyes looked extra warm, his charms extra sexy and my heart started pounding extra loudly. I blame Sakura and Aoi for putting romantic ideas in my head!
'Misaki' he greeted, as if tasting my name with his tongue.
I smiled as I replied similarly, 'Takumi.'
Usui smiled back, taking my files from my arm and urging me to loop my arm around his (a habit we have got used to) as he asked, 'How was lunch with Sakura? Any broken bones?'
I laughed as I replied, 'Not this time. It was good, she is driving everyone insane with her wedding preparation.'
Usui looked at me sideways and said, 'Every bride is the same, knowing you, you will make everyone prepare under military timing.'
I punched him lightly on his arm as I replied, 'Knowing me, I don't think I will ever get married.'
Usui stopped on his track and asked, 'Why?'
Usui and I share our day to day life stories but we had not ventured into our skeletons in the closet yet. I do not want to lie to him but a part of me wants to tell him.
I bit my lips as he forced me to look into his eyes. Those perfect emerald eyes. I replied, 'My dad came to live with us recently. He went away for 15 years. I have seen my mom struggle to put us both through school and repay the debt father had left us in, I don't ever want to be in that kind of a situation. Moreover, being the unfeminine and picky type. I will drive a man insane if stuck with me for too long. '
I felt my eyes getting moist as I remembered those tough times and quickly started to fiddle with my handbag in search from some imaginary stuff while I brought my tear glands under control.
'What if a guy wants to be with you despite knowing all your un-feminity and pickiness? asked Usui, in a grave voice.
I stopped midway through my rummaging, trying not to think of what the underlining meaning could be. Usui took my chin and forced me to look up at him, 'You are crying.' He said, gently rubbing away the tears with his thumb.
'No, I am not.' I said as I trembled at his touch.
Usui gave me a small smile and said, 'What if we make a pact?'
'What kind of pact?'
'If you don't find anyone till you are thirty, you and I will get married. And I promise that I will never desert you.'
What was Usui implying? Does he love me? Or was he saying it out of pity? Or does he really mean it?
'You should not say such thing so casually. And I have only 3 years to turn 30.'
Usui grinned as he replied, 'Huh! You revealed me your real age! And I thought you are 22!'
That remark earned him a good punch in the guts and he took my hand and tugged it to bring me closer to him.
Usui frowned a little as he said, 'Being such a smart woman, you are awfully thick in this field.'
I chose not to answer as I squirmed against his death grip but Usui dipped down his head closer to mine.
My whole body froze as my mind registered what was happening and unconsciously I raised my lips and met his.
A/N: first of all belated merry Christmas and advanced Happy New Year! :)
Hope i was able to fulfill some of your wishes :D
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Hugs to Rebekah, LaughterLove98, StarElsie, shannonjacob21, jui2014, sangeeta, infinitebliss321, lialoveslife, lynnthewonderful, paulie mickeyJ and kamisama no angel for the encouraging and motivating reviews.
Thanks a ton to others who favorited and followed this story as well as me. You all made me sooo happy! :)
Enjoy the last 2 days of the year. Happy Holidays!
