Yuanfen : Destined To Be Together

Chapter 20

Nandini

My eyes widened slightly as I heard him. A wide smile taking over my lips.

-"Really?" I immediately composed my smile and the excited edge in my tone, not wanting to appear too desperate. 

-"Uh...I mean...that's...great, great actually. What a coincidence, huh?" I chuckled, a bit embarrassed at my earlier burst out of excitement. I held back the urge to say "What a beautiful coincidence."

Beautiful, truly. I wonder for how long my life will stay like this?

-"Would you mind if I joined you?" 
His calm voice brought me out of my thoughts. I chuckled softly, sometimes he's....

-"Why would I mind? I'd be glad if you did." I smiled, our eyes locking just for a second before I looked away. My heart will burst out of happiness already, and if I look into his eyes, I swear I'll sink, and drown, and die in that ocean. 

****

He took me to the nearest convenience store. It's the place where we met for the very first time, the place where I returned him his keys and told him my name, and said that the rain wasn't annoying.

I wonder if he still remembers? It's been awhile.

I looked at his side profile as he walked ahead of me, showing the popular food items, snacks and groceries.
I am not being able to focus on what he's saying, for long now. I'm just looking at him, how his eyes sparkle every time he shows me his favorite items, how excited he seems when he explains a recipe, how soft his smile is, how his lips move when he speaks---

Okay. That's enough of fangirling.

I looked away, catching myself staring at him like a hawk. I shook my head slightly, brushing off my racing thoughts, pushing them away before they get too far.

-"What happened?" He asked, looking at me when he noticed I wasn't paying attention. 
My heart rate quickened slightly. I chuckled, careful of not sounding nervous all of a sudden.

-"No, it's just...it's interesting to listen to all the recipes from someone who only knows how to make ramen and omelet." I chuckled again. 

But soon enough, I noticed him looking away, biting back a shy smile, his rosy cheeks getting painted with faint crimson hue. 

wait...he's blushing? because I playfully teased him??

He chuckled, a shy one.

-"But hey, at least I can make them properly. I don't burn them and make a charcoal instead."
We both chuckled together. 

This moment right here, standing beside him, just exploring his cuisine...everything in my life seems perfect.
We're talking, laughing together, buying snacks and groceries. He explains his favorites while I show him a few of mine. It feels domestic. 
And what else did I even crave for in my life? Just someone whom I could rely on, with whom I could just be myself and let all my worries free. 

A strange feeling of contentment washes over me as we walked together in the store. As if it was meant to be, as if it was all pre-planned. Meeting him here for the first time, and returning here in the same store with him, together, just after around three months.

I found myself drowning deeper into this feeling, which I'm scared to admit.

-"Hey, is everything okay?"  his voice brought me out of my thoughts again, a bit concerned now. I smiled and nodded. 
-"Yeah, just thinking about some works. Nothing serious." My heart fluttered as our eyes stayed locked for a few more moments before he nodded. Not wanting to accept my explanation but not wanting to push the matter either. 

He knows so much, observes the people around him with such attention. Where does all these care come from? Doesn't he get tired? Does he never crave for reciprocation? 

Someone who'd love him the exact same way.
Maybe I can do that.

Jimin

As we headed to the cash counter, a few people walked in through the entrance. It became a little crowded for a moment. 

I suddenly felt a tug at my shirt from behind. 

My heart rate quickened slightly. This girl is going to make me crazy. 
First she'd tease me like that a moment ago, and now she's holding onto my shirt hoping not to get lost in the store.

I didn't want her to take her grip away. Rather I wanted to hold her hand and take her to the counter. 
I sighed softly, trying to calm my heart down.

When we stood in the line with our carts, I guided her to stand in front of me. Which she obediently did, without asking any questions or doing any formalities. 

Does she always trust everyone so easily? or is it just for me?

We stood there, letting a comfortable silence take over between us. It never  felt awkward when we stayed silent whenever we were together.

I wonder if she feels the same?

Back the day when we silently watched the rain together...
To the day when she arrived here and we met in the elevator...
To right in this moment.

An elderly lady came to her, asking if she could stand before her in the line. 

I just watched her in silence as she smiled politely, bowing her head slightly and nodding. She took a few steps, catching me off guard. 

I mean, yeah, it's not her fault that I got lost in her smile.

Her shoulders brushed against my chest, even if I had taken a step back. I noticed our height difference for the first time. Her head only reaches up to my shoulders. I felt something....maybe a shivering feeling at the touch...accidental touch. 

But I just kept watching her, not reacting even slightly at the way our bodies brushed against each other. Perhaps, she didn't notice it? She's standing closer now.
So much closer where I can feel her scent. Either it's shea butter or cocoa.  

Sweet, just like her.