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                          HEART ACHE
                            CHAPTER 1
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Mother had laid the inside of the basket with a blue napkin, placed the food in it and covered it with a plain serviette.
"Kim," she called out from the kitchen, "I'm done, come for the basket."
"A minute Ma. I'm coming." She brisked up from her bed, slid her feet into her flip-flops and walked hurriedly to the living room.

Kim scanned the centre table for a mirror. She grabbed it's redwood handle and raised it to her face. She swayed her head, inspecting both sides of her face for flaws as did she nod to check her neck, chin and forehead. Then she straightened the hair that was let loose unto each side of her face divided by a split atop her head. The rest of the long black mane was interwoven into a French plait falling at her back. As she touched up her hair, her mom called out again, this time popping her head from behind the cubicle they called a cooking area.

"What are you doing? I've always told you that it's not good to delay their meals."  She nagged. "Come on,  come for it and hurry." She placed the mirror down and unhanded the basket from her mother. "Sorry Ma," she apologized softly.
"Hurry up, it's late."

Mr. Freck and his son lived right across the street. It was a flat like most houses in the vicinity. The bricks were caked with white bricks giving the environment a plush feature. The recently coated road created a contrast. It didn't come easy though. The petition letters that had reached the Local Road Ministry were older than Kim and the number superseded. But finally their earnest prayer had been answered and boy, was it a relief.

She caught the glimpse of a dark sleek metal as it ran by quickly making way for her to cross the road.

She reached the door and knocked.  A couple of seconds passed. She knocked again but it was to no avail. She dared enter a lair inhabited by men, and men only.

Her eyes could capture anything; could chance on anything - at all. As her mind conflicted against her, condemning her move, she then remembered that Mr. Freck told her not to bother knocking. If ever she did she would stand out there and the food would go to waste.

"If you can't knock at it like the landlord does when he is being starved of his rent, then don't at all." He had said, " Or rather you can make your way through without giving a heck." She laughed and had done so when he told her. Oh she remembered every single detail as it was. Probably because he looked different that day - Sheng.  That day he had raised the usual loose shoulder-level Bob haircut into a tight bun.  His eyes, that day, they shone like the emeralds they were. She knew they were green, but she didn't know they were a beautiful green.  She could stare in those eyes forever and if time was failing, she could sprawl in the fresh pasture it provided. 
But his eyes weren't the only pair in the room, she could have turned to Mr.  Freck's which would shy her away forever. Or she could avert to her mother, who would google them at her. "Swooning eh?" Her jumping brows would have echoed.

What if someone's watching you right now? She thought.  Then she mentally slapped herself from the blackout sparked off by her absurd infatuation.

"Mr. Freck, " she called, "I'm here! "
"Put it down Kim, I'm coming. " She heard Mr. Freck reply. He sounded very close, only she couldn't see him. Her ears flinched at the sound of cleaning sticks tumbling down. She put the basket down and run to Mr. Freck. He was tangled in brooms, rakes, mops and brushes that fell upon him from a small closet in the corridor.

"Let me, " she offered holding onto the sticks so be could get out of the mess.
"Thanks dear." He said thankfully. "Be careful you don't get hurt." He cautioned. As though he knew, a few items she had put up, came falling down.

Luckily, it wasn't all that went down. Most importantly, she wasn't hurt. She crouched, bringing the items together. Then she stuffed them in the closet and slowly shut the door by hand. As it closed in, she exerted more pressure by the power of her back, leaning against it.

"Ah!" she gasped at what her eyes met. It was him - Sheng and hummed. He was indecent but fortunately, the towel clutched against his chest by the fingers of his hands, had depth enough to shield his genitalia. His hair was damp and chains of water drops dripped down his body.
"Kim..."  he stammered, "you're here. "
Uh.. Yes... Shane..." She totally went blank oblivious of what to say. She let her guard down while in a state of perplexity and forgot why she leaned  against the door. It pushed her back and the door opened ajar. But Sheng was quick that as soon as he wrapped the towel around his waist with Kim's attention stolen, and by one hand he forced the door close, the other clutching tightly unto the towel at one side. 
"Look the padlock, it's on the floor." He nodded at the lock. "Get it and fasten it quickly." He urged. She quickly bent down, grabbed it and locked it. They both sighed in deep relief.

"Thanks so much. " she said.
"Don't worry, it's alright."
He raked his hair backwards with his fingers and said, " Just a minute, I'll jump into something and join you." Shane motioned towards a door that was half opened.  She figured that was his room.
"Okay," she replied parting to the living room. He disappeared through the door.

Mr.  Freck was setting  the table so she assisted.
"Isn't your mother joining us today?" He asked. "She says she has something to finish up. " Kim answered settling down two plates. He saw it and asked, "Why you...are you forsaking us to a night of lonely boredom too?" He nodded at the plates she put down.
"Uh-oh," she giggled and explained, " I can't today - Mother says she needs me to help with something."

"Are you leaving? " Shane asked chancing on the conversation as he pulled his top down his chest over his torso,  putting those abs of his on display. Kim stared at them till she was  stopped. He wore a red cotton shirt paired up with sheer black cotton tights. His hair was pulled back, tucked behind his elfish ears. He definitely looked good and Kim couldn't stand blinking for a split second. "Yes," she replied.
"Thank your Mom for me then."
Mr. Freck said taking his seat.
"Shane," he gestured for him to sit.

"OK. I'll see you tomorrow then? "

"I guess so."

"Let me walk you to the door."
Shane offered as she took short steps to the door. He escorted.

"Bye Mr. Freck. "
"Bye bye dear."

They walked towards the door. There an awkward silence between them. To will to break the silence and say something to her, he inquired.
"Hey what's up with the hair?"
"Why is it bad, does it look..." she twitched touching her hair as she asked.

"No no - it's just that it's different. It's pretty. " He remarked.

"You like it?"

"Uh-huh, it's nice. "

"Thanks. "

"I'll see you? " He opened the door with her stepping out.
"I'll see you. Bye. " She said with a little wave.
"Bye. "

Kim ran across the street,  her blue skirt bouncing as she did. When she reached the room, her mother was busily finishing with the scripts she brought home on Friday. With her help, they were almost exhausted - the scripts - and so she could handle the few as she entered the results into the computer.

"There, all done. " She said and arranged the papers by the side of the laptop. She sighed heavily   and rose, making her way towards the kitchenette.

"Kim your turn. " Her mother calledShe leaped into the sofa and got to work. She scanned the area.
"Ma," she cried, "I see nothing here. I'm afraid it's absence is going to reduce output per head." She said humor and mischief predominant in her tone.
"Start with something, I'm coming." She pleaded.

"OK here it is. " She said weighing a plate of chocolate chip cookies and a tall glass of milk. She placed it on the table.

"This is the last time you're getting your way again."  She told her. Whenever her mother brought work home and asked for assistance, she agreed for a fee which usually came in the form of freshly baked chocolate chip cookies. But that was not always the case. It was just something she did to irritate her a little. She sure did love to get on her nerves.

"Well if you say so Mom."
"Just look her being smart."
"You're the one who teaches it!"
They laughed.

Kim munched on the cookies as she inserted the scores. When the biscuits were done with, she went into her room along with the computer and scripts. She flopped onto the bed and continued.

It was a Sunday night and she had school the day after. Though sleep drifted her away by the minute, she managed to finish.

Finally she gave up the fight and allowed sleep to drift her far off.  But not too far from the thoughts of Sheng and the towel incident. Not too far from reality either.

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END OF CHAPTER ONE

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Always remember;

Patience is virtue. The fruit of the seed of patience in God's own time supersedes all the efforts of men.
                                           ~GraHen