-Chapter X-

Katniss is in deep wonder. She never thought that she would be able to meet this man. The man who now holds her husband's heart. The way this encounter makes her feel, is very unsettling. She keep herself in a reasonable distance from him, reluctant to take Peeta's extended hand to her.

Peeta can see that Katniss is hesitant to shake his hand, "Sorry, little too early?"

Katniss can feel her face getting flushed, "I'm just really not a hand shaker." She lied.

"Oh," Peeta lowered his hand to his side, "That's okay, neither am I", he let out a small laugh. He understands Katniss' discomfort since this the first time they met.

Peeta can't keep himself from studying Katniss. He can't deny that he's in awe about how beautiful Katniss is. Since he first heard about her agreeing to donate her husband's heart just to give him a second chance of life, he vowed that once he meets her, he'll do every way he knows possible to extend his gratitude. He didn't realize that he's staring at her until Katniss speak.

"Uh- why are you leaving flowers at my husband's grave?" Katniss asked, she's staring at him intently. She can feel her face getting hot just by looking at him, and she doesn't like it one bit.

Peeta still smiling focused his gaze on the grass and reach for his nape trying to hide his own flushed face, "Well," he starts and let out a harsh exhale before looking back at Katniss who's still staring at him intently, "My father told me everything."

Katniss raised an eyebrow at him, "Everything?"

"That my donor is your husband. And that you want nothing to do with us." Said Peeta who let out a small laugh.

"And?"

Peeta sigh, "Well, I promised to myself that if the transplant goes well and I live, I'll do every way I know to express my gratitude to you and your husband. So, for starters, this."

"You leave flowers every week?"

"No. Not every week." Peeta ruffled his hair, his cheeks getting flushed, "Um- Everyday?"

Katniss' unsettlement is immediately replaced by amusement of Peeta's shyness. She can't help but let out a small laugh, "You're kidding? Everyday?"

Peeta raise his head to look at her, "I wish."

"Wow." She said while shaking his head to shake away her urge to laugh, "Why would you do that?"

Peeta shrug, "I told you, to express gratitude, and I was kind of hoping I'd run into you. And now, I did. And it only took me two years."

Katniss just smile and walk towards her husband's grave, "Can you believe this guy?" She put down Cato's picture frame and sit on the grass. She looked up at Peeta and patted the spot beside her. Without wasting any second, Peeta sit beside Katniss.

"So, again," Katniss turn to Peeta smirking, raising an eyebrow at him, "Everyday?"

Peeta ruffled his hair again, "Is that bad?"

Katniss' smile widens still staring at him. Peeta's shyness seems to fascinate her, "No. But it's too much. I think my husband would appreciate you leaving him flowers once a week though." She reach for the flowers and arranged it, still smiling.

Peeta chuckled and stare at Katniss. As he continues to stare at her, he begins to feel breathless. He can hear his own heartbeat, deafening his ears. His smile slowly diminishes, he can't help but feel amazement by what he's feeling right now just by looking at Katniss. He can feel his heartbeat getting fast that it almost hurt. He raise his hand to touch his chest as it continues to beat fast. He grips his shirt and close his eyes. He then felt a hand in his shoulder.

"Hey, are you okay?" Peeta opens his eyes and see Katniss looking at him. Her expression filled with concern.

Peeta can feel himself getting calm by Katniss' touch, "Yeah, I'm fine."

"You sure?" Katniss can't help but feel worried, "You don't look fine."

Peeta shakes his head, "It's um," he sighs and tried to keep his breathing steady, "It's the heart. I guess I'm still not used to it."

Katniss removed his hand from Peeta's shoulder, "Oh, are you sure you're okay?"

He smiled at Katniss at nod "Yeah."

Katniss kept gazing at Peeta still not able to shake away her worry which baffles her more. She's feeling an unreasonable amount of concern for the man she just met.

Peeta looked at his watch and turn again to Katniss. Both of them was startled of how near they are with each other. Katniss back off and stood up, "I, uh, I have to go."

Peeta also stood up, "Oh, okay. I should go too." He watched as Katniss collects Cato's picture. She turn and extend her hand to him, "I thought you're not a hand shaker." Peeta asked with a smirk.

"I guess I could make an exception." Said Katniss.

He then reach to take her hand. When Peeta's finger touch hers, Katniss felt a slight spark that caused her take her hand back, "Know what, I changed my mind."

Peeta clearly confused and disappointed just nod and put his hands in his pocket, "Next time maybe?" he asked.

Katniss bit her lip uncertain how to respond. She knows she wants to see him again but she's also sure that she can't, "I don't think-"

"You know," Peeta cutting her off, "Even if you say no about seeing me again, we would still have a chance of running into each other here."

"How would you know? It took you two years."

"It did." Peeta sigh and smile widely at Katniss, "And look where we are now."

She can't deny that she's impressed with Peeta. To visit Cato every day for two years just to meet her is really moving. Katniss is still wondering what it is that makes her want to see this man again. What makes her want this man to be a part of her life. As she continues to lock eyes with Peeta, she can feel herself surrender to what she's feeling right now.

"I'd like to see you again Katniss." Peeta said to her with his charming smile that makes Katniss' cheeks flushed and breathless. There's no denying that he has that effect on her as she does with him.

Katniss completely letting herself surrender to this overwhelming feeling just sigh, "I guess, I could make an exception."