Deeper feelings

Chapter:9 DEEPER FEELINGS

Momo nodded slowly, tears still falling –

"Yes, Sao... you know why I'm upset... My boyfriend

He cheated on me..."

Her voice cracked on the last words.

I hugged Momo tightly –

"Oye sis Momo, I know it hurts when you found out...

Try to forget him now – don't cry, Momo!"

Momo sniffled slightly, composing herself –

"You're right, Sao... I'll try.

Let me change – then downstairs with you?"

I smiled encouragingly –

"Exactly – Aunt's probably worrying herself sick...

Let's go calm her down together!"

Aunt Sharlin sat with Thyme's friends –

nervously chatting to fill the awkward silence –

Jack suddenly said –

"Momo's coming downstairs, right?"

Aunt Sharlin turned around, surprised –

"Yes, really..."

Then her eyes met mine standing behind Momo –

"And kavin – she really listened to you..."

Thyme noticed Aunt Sharlin's surprise and asked –

"Aunt Sharlin, everything okay? You look relieved now Momo?"

Aunt Sharlin smiled warmly –

"Yes, Thyme – Sao has a gift for calming troubled hearts...

even her Mom was worried Momo would stay upset all day!"

MORNING AFTER THE SWEET MIDNIGHT MOMENT .

The warm sunlight filled the kitchen as I walked in –

Everyone turned to greet me with cheerful "Good mornings":

Aunt Sharlin: "Good morning, Sao – sleep well?"

Momo: "Morning, Sao – you look refreshed!"

Kavin: "Morning – finally woke up from your study coma?"

Thyme just smiled softly: "Morning, Sao..."

His eyes crinkled slightly at the corners –

my heart skipped a beat remembering last night...

The midnight moment when he carried me to bed,

and I grasped his hand –

"Please don't go – I'm scared..."

Thyme sat beside me, gentle voice reassuring –

"I'm not going anywhere."

We talked softly until my nightmares faded,

and sleep finally claimed me –

with Thyme still sitting beside me.

Now, at breakfast, everything seemed normal –

yet my awareness of Thyme had shifted dramatically.

Aunt Sharlin poured me orange juice –

"Sao, how was your study session with Thyme last night? Productive?"

I glanced at Thyme, who raised an eyebrow slightly.

I played it cool, smiling casually –

"Yes, Aunt – Thyme helped me tackle math questions.

I'm finally understanding some of those tricky formulas!"

Aunt Sharlin beamed with pride –

"Excellent, Sao! Thyme's always been patient with explaining things."

Thyme nodded slightly, his eyes still on me –

but said nothing, just continued eating his breakfast.

Momo chimed in –

"Thyme helped me with studies too when we were younger –

he's a natural teacher!"

The conversation flowed smoothly after that

until Aunt Sharlin got up to refill her coffee...

As Aunt Sharlin walked away,

my gaze naturally shifted back to Thyme –

Eyes lock onto Thyme's

Our eyes met, and for a brief moment –

time seemed frozen. Thyme's expression remained neutral,

but his eyes sparkled with a hint of warmth –

as if recalling last night's intimate moment together.

Kavin, oblivious to the subtle exchange,

teasingly said –

"Hey, you two planning to ace all exams together or what?"

Thyme broke eye contact, smiling casually at Kavin –

but I felt my heart still racing from that brief glance...

I maintained a neutral tone –

"Just studying hard, Kavin..."

Thyme added with a flirtatious smirk –

"Actually, Kavin – Sao's my new study partner... permanently?"

Kavin laughed and teased –

"Exclusive study sessions, huh? Be gentle with her, Thyme!"

Everyone had dispersed –

Kavin left the house saying he'd return later,

Momo retreated to her room,

Aunt Sharlin headed out to meet friends,

Uncle Smith was occupied in his home office...

Leaving only Thyme and me in the living room –

Thyme sat beside me on the couch, engaged in a call –

"...yeah, Jack, tomorrow works for football game match – bye."

He ended the call and noticed my gaze –

then my obvious boredom –

I was fidgeting with the couch cushion threads.

Thyme raised an eyebrow, phone still in hand

"Bored already? We've only been alone for 5 minutes..."

His tone was teasing, voice low and smooth

my heart skipped a beat at the word "alone"...

Thyme's eyes widened slightly at my words –

His face inches from mine, voice low and gentle –

"No one forgets you, Sao...

You're impossible to forget."

He paused, studying my expression –

Then his tone turned serious, concern etched on his face –

"Sao, what makes you think I'll forget you when Uncle Jasper returns?"

Thyme's hands reached out slowly, gently brushing hair behind my ear –

"You're saying it like... you're leaving us for good."

His eyes locked onto mine, sparkling with emotion –

"The thought of you gone... it doesn't feel right, Sao."

My heart raced faster – Thyme's words and touch electrified me –

Suddenly, he leaned in closer, voice barely audible –

"Tell me, Sao – do you want to leave us?"

His lips were almost touching my ear, sending shivers down my spine...

I pulled back slightly, my eyes searching Thyme's –

"Why does it matter to you?"

My voice was barely above whisper, curiosity getting the better of me.

Thyme's gaze held mine intensely –

His expression softened, vulnerability peeking through –

"Because... Sao, you've become important to me."

He paused, choosing words carefully –

"Not just as Momo's friend or a study partner...

but as someone I care about deeply."

My heart skipped beats at his admission –

Thyme's eyes seemed to bore into my soul, seeking confirmation –

His voice dropped to a whisper again –

"Do you feel anything similar... for me?"

The air was electric with tension as we sat there –

Suddenly, Thyme's hand reached out, gently brushing against mine –

Sending sparks flying through my entire body...