Beat around the bush

His voice almost fainted but somehow ranged like a bell in my ears and those words caused me to look briefly at Juri, who is sitting as cool as snow.

"Is that supposed to be a joke," I whispered swiftly turning my gaze at Aki.

"Am I laughing," he seems to be deadly serious. It's sending icy chills in my body.

"Just leave the hell out of here, you jerk or trust me things will get irrefutably awkward," I whisper in a vexed tone.

He puts back his mischievous smile that happens to stole mine. All of my instincts are telling me to be cautious from this very moment. he hits me out of the blue on my back, I almost had a terrible heart attack.

My lips move several times but, I didn't manage to say a word or make a sound.

His mockery stunned me into silence.

"Don't worry Ren I'll send your regards to Emi, I will let her know his pathetic ex still misses her." Aki stared at Juri for a little while but didn't utter a word and then left quietly.

Hopefully, the worst is over, Should I thank God or should I complain about why did it happen in the first place, I closed my eyes in agony, it's really over, I sigh deeply permitting myself to the atmosphere.

"It couldn't be any worse," I said with a fainted smile.

"The thing I fail to understand Ren is that what was it all about?" Juri asks while raising her eyebrow expectantly.

"Do you know why people like me prefer to be alone at home," I mumbled giving her a brief expression?

"Why?"

"Because we are afraid when we step outside, we might not be able to retain our loved ones from the mockery of others," I muttered in a pitiful tone as if I am complaining about something.

Juri seems to be fascinated, I can see her lips turning tediously into a sweet yet charming smile.

"And I would say that's exactly the reason why you should step into the outside world, a world beyond your imagination, beyond your expectations, it can end for you many times and still can begin in the morning, they say you wouldn't be at peace until you find it in every little moment of your living life." She murmurs not taking her eyes off mine. I gasp in surprise. Well, that's unexpected.

"And I would say that are quite the words I didn't expect to hear from you." A wide grin appeared on my face. She said such tempting words that tend to explain the sore meaning of humanity.

Is she always this pretty by the way? I can't help but glue my eyes on her, is this the result of that quarrel? Her beauty is reaching the maximum extent and there's no way in hell I can forget how she wrangled with Aki a few moments ago. I mean, in all honesty, it's ill to talk about the dispute but she was fervently tough to handle even for Aki. No doubt I'm in awe of her, a girl with rainbows of colour.

"Well, there aren't many people who are familiar with this side of me," she says with a trace of humour.

"In all honesty, I didn't know that you're a pretty tough woman, you're far good than me I mean, I'm not even quantifiable compared to you" I giggled in bewilderment.

Juri gave me a captivating smile," the inevitably you saw a short while ago was my usual self, Ren."

What is she talking about? Her usual side?

"I don't understand, Juri, what are you trying to say?"

"That fondness and the intimacy isn't something that I am commonly associated with, you're the reason for all this Ren," she's not bluffing, furthermore some kind of amusement light up in her eyes. Her cheeks are all flushed.

At this exact moment, I knew I was falling for her piece by piece, a little by little.

I had quite a few flashbacks from the past when I felt something like this for the first time. I'm awestruck by her affectionate caring.

I shook my head in silence wonderment, the smell of her scent she wore earlier at the shop, it's aphrodisiac and stimulating, the Victoria's secret scent is gently burning my nostrils and arousing my sexual desire. As far as I can tell, I stand in need to see that flawless face of her periodically for the pleasure and contentment of my mind and senses.

"Ren… hey I'm talking to you… Ren." Juri grumbles.

"Yes, yes I am all ears," I say quickly. But the truth is I was lost somewhere in those eyes filled with the solace that is screaming to become mine. Or was that the effect scent? Her mouth wore its usual semblance of a smile.

I'm totally head over heels for her. I shrug and regain my composure, neither of us is touching the food. Why are we holding out in this awkward silence?

"Are you okay Ren?"

"Ahem, yeah, why ask?." I gasp.

"You're flushed," she breathes.

"Oh, I see."

"Oh, shit." I groan in frustration.

"Do you need something baby," She tries to hide her giggle. But unfortunately fails to do so.

"No, certainly not, I'm as good as a trivet," I whisper in uncertainty.

"How could you say that, with those pale red tinges on your face." Juri laughs innocently.

"Regardless of everything that happened today, our unofficial date went quite well" Juri smiled with real warmth.

"I couldn't agree more, but I can't forget what happened today, I hate that you are caught up in this bloody mess." I scoff.

"Not entirely certain that I can either," Juri sighs.

We were exploiting our little date graciously, everything went well so far. To my utter surprise an old acquaintance of mine or shall I say the one who stole the light of my life, my joy and pride. Came out of nowhere as an old curse which forced me to endure the darkness that I've stored deep within my soul for a long time.

Time drags and drags, speaking of now all of it is tickled pink, until I happen to glance at my watch. I spaced out for quite some time.

Holy mother God, for the sake of this moment.

"What's the matter, Ren." Juri stares at me with concern.

"I'm afraid Juri, we might have to end our little date," I frown.

"Would you mind telling me why is that so," her gaze is so hot, I don't want to leave this heaven?

"I have a time-sensitive matter to take care of love," her expression darkens.