*****

Allison’s call came through as soon as I stepped out of the shower. She spoke of an attempt at convincing our parents against reconciling Aurora with me.

Though I didn’t give much thought to it, I doubted it would be successful.

Personally, I was wrestling with the idea of rebellion, yet I had the desire to consider it. I began seeing it as a spontaneous action, not a carefully thought-out one.

The stillness of the night managed to lull me to sleep, and as soon as I shut my eyes, I saw a strange montage of Fiona.

The gentle curve formed on her lips, the shimmer in her beautiful eyes, the tenderness in her voice, and the warmth she always exuded.

A smile gradually appeared on my face by merely thinking of her. But she had not looked too pleased during the day.

The doorbell rang.

“Hey,” she breathed when I opened the door.

“Hey.”

She walked in with several brown bags.

“What’s the occasion?” I closed the door, and she headed directly to the kitchen.

“Dinner.” She answered.

“I thought we would just order in something light.” I followed her, rather happy to see her.

“No, I think this,” she was referring to the takeouts she had offloaded on the kitchen counter. “is better.” She finished, taking off her shoes.

I instantly saw the scratches behind her ankles. They looked painful, and I was moved to help her dress the wound.

“Come,” I grabbed her wrist and exited the kitchen.

“Why?”

“Those,” I pointed at the scratches after I had made her sit still.

She flushed, keeping quiet.

“We have to treat that first.” I got the first-aid box.

She winced when I cleaned the wound with sterile wipes, clutching the upholstery.

“You should not wear those shoes again for now,” I said. “It’s friendly advice.”

She was mute and didn’t speak till I finished.

“Thank you,” she sprang to her feet and returned to the kitchen. I rejoined her.

She was microwaving the meal that had then been transferred to flat porcelain plates.

“Thai food,” I mused, inhaling the aroma that overwhelmed the space between us.

Though I expected her to say a few words of comment, she didn’t. The doorbell rang again, and then I went to get the door.

It was Cherie, and she wanted to know whether I had a pair of pruning shears. I gave it to her and returned to the kitchen.

Fiona was reaching for a spice jar on one of the high shelves but she couldn’t get hold of it. I ambled towards her and reached for it.

She suddenly turned, almost throwing me off balance. We could have recorded a broken jar that night, but that was nothing compared to the shock on her face.

“Are you okay?” I must have startled her.

I watched as she calmed down.

“Yes,” she collected the jar and turned back to the counter.

“You’ve been acting quite strange since this morning,” I decided to let her know what was on my mind.

“Me?” She touched her chest.

“Yes, you.”

She made a face and focused on the task at hand.

“I think you are overthinking it.” She replied.

“Well, I doubt I am.”

“Dinner’s ready.” She came out of the kitchen.

We ate our food in silence. Afterwards, I gave her the Bonsai tree.

“It’s beautiful,” she slowly smiled after all this time. I was truly relieved.

“What does it mean? It’s art, isn’t it?”

“The client said it is symbolic of patience and discipline. It is also believed to bring good luck and prosperity.”

“It’s lovely. Are you sure I can take it with me?” Her eyes twinkled.

“A hundred percent.” I chuckled at her innocence.

“Thank you,” she beamed a smile.

“But I want something in return.”

She looked puzzled.