Coming back home, he drew the curtains to allow more of light rays to reach the dimly-lit living area. However, being early evening, it did not help much and the place remained gloomy with the weak support of an old fluorescent light tube.

He did not let himself be bothered too much and merely flopped onto a faded half-worn leather sofa positioned against the windows. He turned contemplative. As the serene silence once more filled the melancholic-looking suite, he started to ponder on all that had happened earlier that momentous day.

Flashback...

A while later, he showed up exiting a small adjacent room, with a cup of steaming coffee in hand. At first instance of beholding her, he knew somewhat who she was standing meekly by the piano. He smiled knowingly and asked, "Why hesitate,...don't you want to try playing with it?

She immediately spun around, only to face him with a heavily doubtful look. 'I...would most like to...but...even though I had learnt a bit when as a kid..." She stammered nervously, then added quietly in her heart, "My hands..." Looking down embarrassingly at them on each of her side, despising their stiffened muscles, she lost all confidence.

He set down his drink on a coffee table, went up to her and dismissed all concerns assuringly, "Well, these days, a verse keeps reminding me,...that 'With men, it's impossible, but with God, all things are possible..."

She still displayed plain reluctance.

He simply figured that he might as well make the first move. Thus, taking his seat down before the piano, he considered what tempting tune he should start off with, and soon began playing effortlessly.

...

She smiled subtly in response and then, observing the contrasting colours of keys infront of her, she carefully placed her right hand over them.

He then grew aware of her closing her eyes for but a while, charming eyelashes once more merged with her lower lids, highlighting the delicate curves of her deep concentration.

When she finally opened them once more, her tender fingers slowly found their way flawlessly to just the right keys to produce along a perfect combination of melody. He was amused by her boldness and together, they with a graceful blend of a harmonious theme. Both were really equally captivated by their matchless unison as they offered touching, tacit glances at each other.

...

Present...

That attractive music, together with his own self-created accompaniment resounded extremely clear within him this minute. He felt unusual, yet so undeniably near to its essence. And she produced it so naturally, as though it was meant for her to render, with him to lead her along. Immersing himself little by little into this maze of perplexity, he nearly missed answering the sudden repeated knocking on his apartment door had it not been for Gui Gui's voice calling from the outside.

He opened the door and asked her what was the matter.

She smiled timidly, "Oh, well I was thinking, since your apartment does not have a kitchen by itself, would you like to use ours once in a while to do your cooking?"

"Your kitchen?" Aaron realised he has never thought of such before. He paused to think about how Gui Gui and her friend will be affected if he were to do so.

Gui Gui knew he would be afraid of troubling them. She quickly whispered, "Don't worry, we'll keep this arrangement between you and me...As for her, I'll make sure that she is not..."

"But...," he still did not feel good about it.

Before Gui Gui could persuade further, a third party appeared out of the blue in their midst.

"Sure, no probs! I will only have to charge you $100 per month for the use of every single appliance, food items, cutlery and utensil in our kitchen!" The prying Xiao Xun announced enthusiastically, scaring them both out of their wits.

"Xiao Xun! You are being...!" Gui Gui could not finish for the other girl had covered her mouth with great force.

Seeing them this way, Aaron gave in, "I'll decide first and let you know tomorrow, okay?"

Xiao Xun flashed an 'okay' sign, "Alright, I will be waiting for your wise answer! Have a great night!" She waved and then dragged the reluctant Gui Gui back into their apartment.

As their door shut, Aaron was kind of worried whether they will fall into a complicated disagreement.

A while later, Gui Gui set down a bowl of hot instant noodles onto the desk inside her room before locking the door. She was dissatisfied with Xiao Xun's way of doing things for money, but since she was the breadwinner and bore the monthly rent expenses for their home, she could only keep silent.

She turned on her laptop and surfed to her personal online blog. Then, she started typing fast her entry for the day.

"When you're near, it all doesn't seem to be that impossible to overcome. Today's a handful of miracle...The moment you started playing the keys, blissfulness touched my feeble fingertips...Each note counts for every sensitive heartbeat..."

Now somewhat delighted once more, she helped herself to her tasteful dinner.

Across the wall, by the doorway, Xiao Xun stood awkwardly. She thought of apologising but refused to speak up. Wondering when they can sit back at the same table together like before, enjoying their meals and chatting at the same time, she sighed wearily. Yet, from the way she pictured things, she could use a new strategy based on Gui Gui's discernible preference.