I Always Drift Back To You

Chapter 4: Part 1

Deep in thought, Devi continues on scanning some items through her register at work after a having a tiresome day at school. Exams were approaching and workload was getting heavier. But she's surviving on automatic mode at work... scanning things through as though it's second nature to her... unbothered, unfazed by the look her customer, she is helping, gives her. Her mind is so gone... she's only continuously pondering on the argument she'd had with Ben just the previous day... And its torturing her mind. Its not been long since her shift had started, and this is what her mind wants to do to her. And what makes it worse is... he... he hadn't called her... and she hadnt quite called him either, but! She cant be the one to blame for how their conversation turned. Ok... she did know he had to work with his dad later that same day... but... did he need to leave her hanging like this? Deep down, she burns to know what were on his mind... and she would have expected he'd call... talk things over... try to mend things. Because... because that is usually how they work. And she needs to remind herself... just be patient... just don't... don't let him make her crumble... loose control... he should be the one calling her... don't be weak, Devi! But she actually misses him... And its only been a day... how can she let herself feel this way?! ...Don't... Maybe... maybe, she thinks, she had wound him more than she knew... god, how is she making this about what she had done? But what if also... maybe... maybe he would... He would... no, he wouldnt... Ben wouldnt give up on them that easily... would he? She feels her heart race at the thought... Her hands tremble slightly, wishing she could take a break and give him a call.
"Miss, you scanned that twice." The elderly customer complains, as he watches her scan his groceries through the checkout and put them into a bag. Devi smiles at him awkwardly, and nods.
"Yes sorry sir. Let me return that for you." She says forcing a smile.
And... what suprised her more, were that she also hadnt exactly seen him at school all day either... they may have not shared classes on this particular day... But... it still makes her wonder if he were ok. Should she be even worried? And she couldnt help but feel the worry pit in her stomach. She then hears her name being called, startling her out of her thoughts, her head popping up like a meercat to scan around and find the manager, Elias, standing over nearby some shelves hauling a large brown box.
"Once you finish there, could you stack these back on the shelves for me, please, Devi? Isle five? They are full of packets of biscuits. Ok?"
Devi smiles and nods her head politely. She turns back to the register and continues to scan the rest of the items for the elderly man, who grunts impatiently, and gives her a look that only says his sussing her 'competience' out at doing her job... but, never the less, she completes the transaction, passing him his receipt, and already wishing her day were over. Since there are no more customer at her register, she strides on over to isle five, finding the box already sitting there, open, and ready for the items to be packed away. She bends to one knee, taking the packets out and neatly placing them back on the shelves. A short while in, whilst working, she hears that familiar voice that makes her freeze. Her eyes widen, and her heart jumps in her chest, but she doesn't turn around immediately.
"Excuse me madam." He teases. "Do you know which of these flowers my girlfriend may prefer more? I think I owe her an apology, and I think some flowers would help my case." He knows his being cheesy, but at this point he doesnt seem to really care too much... he just wants her to turn and see him...
She jerks round to see Ben holding two bouquets of flowers, a worried smile on his face. And she tries biting back a smile, but... she literally cant, she thinks it's futile to even try. She fights off every urge to jump at him, and pull him close so she can crash her lips to his. She wonders why her body is like this... why her body would give her this much of a hard time... as though she had craved to see him... she literally does not know... but... She has missed him more than she knew. Could it be that she's fallen in love with him? And the worst thing is he hasn't even said sorry yet... She needs to learn to toughen up alittle, she tells herself. Ben can tell by the way she beams... the way she looks at him... that she werent mad with him... His worried smile morphing to a suprised one.
"Ben, I was wondering about you-" she begins as she's getting up to her feet and is suprised when he slides his hands around her waist and brings her closer. His taking this opportunity... she's not mad with him, his going to hold her.
"God, Devi, Im sorry." He says softly, eyes flickering over hers, gently. "Like I am, really really sorry." She gazes at him, suprised. Her smile grows.
"Umm. Ok. That's ok." She breaths... And cant help but get lost in the gaze of his eyes. As he notices, he pulls her in and gives her a quick kiss, knowing she were at work and didnt want her getting into any sort of trouble. He steps back then, and glances from one bouquet to the other.
"Which one?" He questions a smile curling on his lips. She then cringes at him, playfully.
"Did you just call me madam just before?" She questions looking slightly offended, but a crooked smirk emerges on her face. "I'm, like, younger than you, you jerk."
He laughs.
"Ok, Im sorry. I meant 'Excuse me David'."
She smacks his arm playfully.
"Oow! Devi! That was my broken arm!"
She gasps when she realises, placing her hands over her mouth.
"Oh Ben, god, I'm sorry." She breaths... but the face he pulls... now that face... Devi's sure, it would make anyone want to laugh. She cant help but snort a laugh. Ben crinkles his brows at her confused, but yet... slightly amused.
"Really?" He tilts his head at her, rubbing his arm. But his confusion starts to morph to a smile... he cant help admiring the way she looks as she laughs... her head tilting up and her eyes smiling, her nose scrunching up and her cheeks fill pink, trying to hide her face with her hands at her inability to control herself. He finds himself stepping closer, his hand reaching for hers, letting their fingers interwine, whilst his other hand skims up her arm, to her shoulder, slowly, as he gazes at her. A smile curling to one side, as he takes her hands gently away from her face, eyes tracing down to her lips, then lifting back up to meet her eyes again. "Glad to see my pain brings you joy, David." He teases, trying his best to smirk. But the warmth in her eyes... effects him ... any sign of a smirk dissolving right away. He finds himself stepping closer again, letting his fingers trace gently the side of her face, tracing down to her chin, were it rests. "Your so beautiful when you laugh." He whispers, leaning in, his nose brushing hers. Her eyes uplift to gently gaze at him, eyes wondering over his. And she's done waiting so she leans in and kisses him, softly, letting her lips melt into his. His picking up pace, but she knows she'll need to pull away... pull away before someone sees them. And as she does, she hears the call from her manager, Elias. Her eyes widen and she spins around to face the direction of where his voice were.
"Devi, your clocked in for work! Please make time for... whatever this is... some other time and place, please. This will be your first warning, ok?" He says sternly, before he leaves and disappears again. Ben clears his throat, and shifts on his feet, starting to feel bad that he had... gotten Devi into some sort of trouble with her boss. But he instantly tries to deflect the situation.
"So... I guess I'll get both flowers then, Devi? And I wanted to take you out somewhere tonight. Can I pick you up after work?" He says as he walks backwards away toward the registers. Devi shrugs and mouths a 'Yes.'
"I finish at six." She whispers, still feeling the embarrassment surging and... trying to keep herself on a low. Ben's smile turns to a grin.
"Good. I have a little suprise for you."
She glances at him confused.
"Umm. What?"
"You'll see."
His grin grows as he turns and heads for the register, leaving a very confused Devi behind.