Never Enough Time

Chapter Four: Rika

Chapter Four: Rika

“I’ll move on, baby, just like you,

When the desert floods

And the grass turns blue…”

-- Someday When I Stop Loving You, Carrie Underwood

RIKA

            I couldn’t tear my eyes away from his face. They traced every flawless feature on his perfect face – his long, straight nose; his smooth, unmarked skin; the brilliant green eyes that were the most captivating of all. My lips parted and inhaled a sharp intake of breath, not quite a gasp. I blinked rapidly, trying to clear my head. I felt dizzy, and I found myself having to lean on Nathan for support for the second time in the last five minutes.

            His arms tightened around my waist – steadying me. “Are you alright?” he asked, his voice filled with concern. His eyes were tight with worry. This confused me. Why should he fear so much for me, someone who he had just met? I had never met anyone so compassionate. My respect for Nathan grew.

            I smiled at him gratefully. “Thank you,” I answered. “I’m fine. Thank you.” I wanted him to know how much I appreciated his help. I started to disentangle myself from his arms.

            He let me go reluctantly, checking to make sure that I could stand on my own. Again, his thoughtfulness touched me. But I really was unharmed, so his care was unnecessary.

            “Nathan, I’m fine. Really,” I assured him.

            He smiled in relief. “All right,” he said simply, and dropped his hands.

            It was strange; suddenly, without his arms around me, I felt wrong. Like something was missing. I shook the feeling off and pushed it to the back of my mind. I would ponder the meaning of it later.

            “Do you have any other siblings, other than Gabriel?” I asked him. I was genuinely curious about his family. It was the way he talked about his brother; I wanted to know more about the rest of his family.

            He shook his head. “No, there’s just Gabriel. But he’s the best brother anyone could ever have,” he said. His face was miles away, grinning at some private joke shared between the two of them.

            And I smiled, too, because he was.

Suddenly, Nathan turned his head to the east as if he had just remembered something.

            “Is there something you have to do?” I asked.

            “Hm…?” he murmured, distracted.

            I repeated the question.

            “There’s…somewhere I should be,” he answered slowly.

            Now I felt guilty. “I’m sorry I took up so much of your time,” I said apologetically. “You should go; I don’t want to keep you any longer.”

            Even as I said this, I knew I was lying.

            He nodded and smiled. “Of course. I shouldn’t be any later than I already am – it would be rude.”

            “Goodbye,” I said. What if I never saw him again?

            “Bye,” he said