Open My Heart Again

The Locket

CHAPTER 7 THE LOCKET

Recently I have been helping the crew as an assistant chef. Although I don't help in cooking, I do the dishes and some odd jobs around the kitchen. I wonder if I can call myself an assistant chef.

I am sitting at one of the chairs by the serving table, drinking my coffee and looking at Sanji who was busy preparing for the dinner. The way he used the knives was really fascinating. I came to know Sanji once worked at the famous ocean-going restaurant. Chop chop chop. Suddenly I had an urge to try it.

"Can you teach me how to cook?" May be I was too sudden or Sanji was too focused, it startled him. He smiles and nods. He pulls out an extra apron and hands it over. "What should we start with then" he looks around. I want to cut the vegetables I say and as I hold the knife Sanji left on the board earlier.

Earlier I had seen Sanji do it- fast, swift and perfect. He looked so beautiful and It seemed easy. I thought could do it too. But it wasn't as easy as it seemed.. So I cut it slowly and carefully.. This isn't my thing. I turn around to find Sanji looking at me and smiling to himself as if he was enjoying himself. I gave him the "help-me" look, Sanji who was leaning against the pillar and watching me, straightened himself and took a step towards me. He then stood behind me and held my hands and helped me with the chopping.

I started feeling hot. Unknowingly a smile came across my face, a warm feeling of happiness filled my insides. "Easy, isn't it? Ayoma~chan?", Sanji said. I could feel his breath on my ears. Ba-thump.. ba-thump.. I could hear my heart beat louder.. I just nod.

What was that feeling just now. I just can't understand myself.

I move towards the wash basin and clean my hands. I look out of the window and look at them- the other members of the straw hat crew. Although I haven't spent more than few weeks with them, it feels like I have known them since forever. They have started to feel so close to me. Every one is so nice to me. They give a warm and familial love and warmth which I never properly got to experience.

I take off my apron and just then, my locket chain snapped and fell on the ground. I hurriedly bend and pick it up.

Ha every time I try to forget you, you keep coming back to my mind, huh!

Sanji's POV
I look at her trying to cut the vegetables. Slowly and carefully. I just could not stop the smile. She turned towards me and had this desperate yet cute look on her face. My heart skipped a beat. I put off the cigarette and took a few step towards her. I stood behind her and hold her hands and help her. I realise that her face had started getting red.

Is she blushing? That gave my heart a squeeze. Just to break off the silent environment I said, "Easy, isn't it? Ayoma chan." She just nodded her ears red. I continued with the cooking. At times I managed to catch glimpse of her as she looked out of the windows at other members. She was smiling. Her smile makes her cuter.

After everything was done Ayoma-chan went and washed her hands. As she took off the apron something fell down and she hurriedly picked it up. She suddenly looked pale and I could see sadness in her eyes.
I look at the thing she picked up, was a small locket. Probably a gift from the shithead.

"Are you still thinking about him Ayoma chan?" I asked and regretted right after.

Ayoma's POV

"Are you still thinking about him Ayoma chan??" Sanji asked.. this broke my thought. You then turned towards Sanji and saw he was worried, so I smiled. I don't know why but looking at Sanji always brings smile on my face.

"Sanji-kun!" I call out hoping my voice didn't crack up.
"Yes, beautiful" he replied with his gentleman style.
I giggle. "How can you know what's going on my mind??"
"ummm.. that is.. umm that is because.." Sanji stammered. I laughed and hugged Sanji. "Aww ayoma-chwaaan," Sanji said hovering around me again.. He looked really cute.

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Just like any other day, I have my dinner and go to sleep..
I reached the island and saw 'him' again. He was searching for me, I tried calling out his name. But he couldn't hear me. I felt heaviness on my chest.

I woke up all sweaty and breathing heavily. I was a little relieved knowing it was just a dream, but then I realised it could also be a possibility. I couldn't get back to sleep. Every Time I closed my eyes, I saw his troubled face searching for me. I wanted to see him at least for once..

So, I walked out of the bed and went to the deck. I was welcomed by the gentle breeze. The sea was calmer today. I looked up at the dark velvety sky filled with the beautiful twinkling stars. It was really beautiful; the night. I stared at the beautiful night, as tears rolled down my cheeks.

I was surprised myself. I sit down on the deck trying to calm myself. I thought I was alone here. Until I felt someone wrap blanket around me and say, "You will catch a cold if you stay out for too long, Ayoma-chan." I turn around to find Sanji smile at me.

Sanji's POV:
I had just finished cleaning the kitchen and was heading toward my room when I saw Ayoma chan on the deck. I grabbed the extra blanket from the kitchen and walked towards her and put it around her. That must have startled her, she looked at me, she had been crying.

She faced the other side and wiped her tears away and tried aching as if nothing had happened. She smiled at me. There was a moment of silence. "Sanji-kun, you were still awake??", she asked me trying to be as cheerful as she could.

I didn't want her efforts to go to waste so I just tried to continue normally. I wanted to ask her why she was crying but I couldn't bring myself to do so. Maybe because I kinda knew what her reply would be and I didn't want to know about it. So I causally replied, "Ah yeah I still had some cleaning to do."

I sat beside her. She was looking straight ahead. The more I thought about her thinking about that guy and getting hurt, the angrier I felt,"I think it's time you forget about him. May be he isn't the one for you." I blurted out. And to my surprise she nodded.

Ayoma's POV:
"I think it's time you forget about him. May be isn't the one for you." Sanji said.

I nod without facing him. It felt kinda true. Sanji then put his arms around me. And I was engulfed in his warmness. Because of this, I couldn't control my emotions and I let out everything, while crying. Sanji did not let go of me, he held me tight as he tried to comfort me. We stayed that way a little longer. He held me in his arms. I rested my head on chest and he placed his head on head.

Certain thoughts started flowing into my mind. I reflected on what Sanji kun had said. He was right in a way. May be it really was time for me to let him go, to move
forward.
My thoughts were interrupted when Sanji said, "You better get some sleep." Then he got up and gave me a hand. I took his hand and he pulled me up. He even walked me to my room. Before I entered my room, I hugged Sanji. "Thank you, Sanji kun.You will see a new fresh me starting tomorrow." I whispered into his ears. And get inside.

I get inside the bed and pulled out the broken locket out of my pocket. I look at it as I wonder if this was a sign- a sign telling me it's no use and sign telling me it's time I let it go. And if I continue to act this way, everyone will be worried.

Is this how you repay kindness, Ayoma?

Next morning I am going to find a new fresh me. So I pulled the drawer beside my bed and put the locket in there.

Chapter 7 ends

Really sorry for the chapter soooo late. (~_~;)
Mystique Raven