YET TO COME

..NINE..

*  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *

When she came through the door, she looked around as if looking for someone. She turned the corner carefully, alert. A sigh of disappointment nearly left her mouth. Where was he? She hadn’t seen him for the past few weeks. It seemed as if he had given up on her after that brain cuddling kiss after he had promised the exact opposite.

She stood for a moment, eyeing the spot he always stood. She hoped nothing had happened to him. She began to turn away when she realized something, two to be precise. She was worried about him. The second, she missed him. The realization made her eyes widen with astonishment. Did she? Did she really? She laughed suddenly, a choked mirthless laughter that made her sound demonic.

When had this happened? She couldn’t answer that, didn’t dare to do so, entirely afraid of the truth. She wasn’t falling for him, was she? She couldn’t. She just could not do so. She dared not do so. But, it seemed so. She tried to obliterate the thought and failed in flying colours. She rushed forward, walking away speedily to avoid dwelling on the matter.

*  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *

The papers fell to the floor, scattering in all directions. He groaned at the accident because such never happened to him often. He squatted and began to gather the papers. His eyes went to his watch. He stared at the time. It was almost half past five. His gaze shifted from the papers to the door and back again. He grunted impatiently and placed the half gathered papers on the floor. He rose quite quickly to his feet and hurried to the door, taking care not to step on any of the papers lying on the floor. He went out the door leaving it ajar. His secretary, Sukanmi stood at his boss’ abrupt appearance.

‘Do you need anything sir?’ he asked him with a tight expression.

‘There are some papers on the floor, see to it. I'm in too much of a hurry,’ he ordered.

‘I'll do that sir,’ was his reply, but his boss didn’t hear him, halfway to the elevator.

* * * * * * * * * * * *

She twirled around the pole and for the first time since she had come to Silver Fire, she let her eyes search the crowd. It had been her rule, to never look at the crowd because it made her more confident. Her eyes went through the crowd as she danced, hoping, just hoping to see that familiar deep dark ebullient eyes.

She was almost done with her performance when she breathed in relief. She did so because she had given up hope. She was completely assured of disappointment like the past few weeks. Movement at the entrance caught her attention and she shifted her gaze to the spot. She saw him as he strode in. Unconsciously, she smiled, pleased.

* * * * * * * * * * * *

He was nearly late, almost missing the final glimpse of her dancing lithe body. He strode in, feeling her gaze on him as she wrapped up. Then, he watched as her lips curved into a pleased smile. It was gone from her face as quickly as it had appeared he nearly thought he had seen wrong. The music stopped then and the applause followed. She blew a kiss to the audience and left the stage. She didn't turn in the direction that he stood and he wondered if she was doing so on purpose, avoiding him. He chuckled at his silly thought. He watched as she went off the stage without a glance in his direction.

* * * * * * * * * * * *

She had been expecting to see him when she turned the corner, but he was nowhere to be found. She could not hide the disappointment on her face as her mind quickly went into action with theories. He must be here to watch another dance for he had only narrowly missed her performance. It meant that he was there early for the next performance. He isn't here for you. He's here for another. That is the reason you haven't been seeing him.

She wondered who was meant to dance after her. Was it Camilla or Ice-cream? The both were the only ones who had been dressed when she had been leaving. It was undoubtedly one of them. She tried hard not to be sad and affected. She had known this would happen, knew he would give up on her and move on to something better. They had something she didn't and wouldn't ever dream to have, Beauty.