Honeybee

chapter 4

CHAPTER 4

"Just dump your luggage in the guest room and make yourself at home." said Sarah as she bustled around the bakery. "I might be a bit busy with the customers, but feel free to explore, or anything else you want to do."

She admitted a little sheepishly "I'm not being a very good host am I?"

Leah assured her, "No, not at all - its no problem for me.You carry on and don't worry about me."

Michael had gone to his friend's father's inn for cleaning duty, to earn a little extra money.  As a result of this, Sarah had work up to her elbows ; already Leah could see she was having a rather trying time dealing with the customers.She was simultaneously trying to take their orders as well as pack their goods; without much success though.

"You know what Sarah? I want to help and I think you should want it too." she smiled as she pulled on one of Sarah's extra aprons."So I'll just get started. Why don't i pack the goods while you take the customer's orders?"

Despite Sarah's protest, Leah set to work. To Sarah's surprise, she was quick and efficient at the packing, more than what  Sarah expected from a first-timer.

"So have you worked in a bakery before?"Sarah said after they ushered out the last customer for the day. "You're more used to this kind of work than I thought you would be." Leah smiled a little.

"Yes; you're right. I used to help my uncle in his bakery a couple of years  back when he couldn't afford to hire new hands.but then he died, and i wasn't able to keep his bakery open.                     After all the support  and love he gave me..........I just let his lifetime's work  fall through my fingers........"Her sentence trailed into silence.

Sarah took her hand, offering silent assurance.

Both of them looked down at their joined hands. It somehow looked perfect.....their fingers and palms; it all seemed to fit the others so perfectly. Like they were pieces made for each other and no one else.

To complete each other.

They slowly looked up at each other and found tears in the others eyes. Sarah laughed as she wiped away her tears.

"Wow, I know I'm sentimental by nature, but I don't usually cry this much....ugh i feel like I'm so weak sometimes...mentally I mean......"she blew her noise. Leah shook her head.

"No, I don't think so. Only a strong, independent person could fulfill their parents wishes so successfully. In fact I even envy you...."

Leah turned slightly pink, but her eyes told Sarah that she was dead serious.

Sarah was touched to the heart....but slightly confused.

"Thank you...... But wait, I don't remember mentioning my parents though...how did you know about them?"Sarah asked.

Leah visibly stumbled.

"Oh well I kind of figured it out.....because I didn't see anyone else belongings other than yours and Michael's...so..."She finished uncomfortably.

Sarah misunderstood her awkwardness. She got up, smiling.

"Oh you don't need to be so awkward. It's been 9 years since they passed away in an accident. I'm fine with it now, I really am." she turned away so that Leah couldn't see her face and whispered softly so that Leah wouldn't hear her.

"I have to be."

Leah watched Sarah walk away with, sadness and knowing in her eyes.

She knew that strong exterior-act all too well. And she knew the weak, vulnerable person inside that Sarah was trying to hide too.

Sarah hadn't changed at all. For 9 years she had slowly built up this wall around her.

As she walked to the guestroom, Leah wondered whether she should really take up the task of tearing those walls down.

In the corridor, hidden by the shadows, Michael watched as Leah shut the door behind her. Sarah seemed different when Leah talked to her.The long dormant twinkle occasionally shined in her eyes again. Her gentle smile  and laugh were seen more times in the past hour than he had seen in the past week. She was happy, about that he was sure.

But there was something else.

Once or twice he had seen that weird expression on Sarah's face.; of finding what she thought lost, of wonder, of curiosity,...of  plain longing.

And not only Sarah, Leah was acting strange too. Sometimes, it was like she wasn't sure if she was dreaming or not. Like disbelief of being here. Of being with Sarah..........after so long, was it?

Was Leah just someone she met by chance? Fate?

Was this their first meeting ?

Or..................just their first meeting after a very, very, very long time?

Michael smiled. Another mystery to ponder.

Just the way he liked it