"Ouch, where is the fire, Jia Li? And since when has the ringing of bell incited such frenzy into our household", Mr. Lin asked irritably.
Without a reply, she went and stood behind him while he answered the door, "Li Jie, what are you doing here at this hour? Is all well?"
Her heart hammering against her ribs, she could barely hear the story that Li Jie spun to her father.
"Please ensure you at least brush your teeth and change into something warm before you step out for your long awaited reunion. If you don't, your mother will have my head and yours for breakfast", admonished Mr. Lin to Jia Li, who was hopping from one foot to another, impatiently.
"Thank you thank you thank you", she chanted as she and Li Jie left for Chung's house to meet Tang.
"I didn't know how to get out all this while. The butterflies in my stomach seem to be on a protein diet and have grown multi fold, so much so that I can't breathe properly anymore", she went on.
"Err…you do know that we breathe through our lungs and not the stomach", he pointed out practically.
Jia Li punched him on the shoulder as they reached Chung's house. The door opened before they could ring the bell and there stood a grinning Tang alongside Chung. He hugged Li Jie hard and then turned to look at his girl.
"Look at you, Jia Li. Have they not been feeding you?" he teased her before engulfing her in his arms.
The embrace travelled from her head till her toes, spreading delicious warmth in her entire body. Without her accord, her hands entwined in his still-wet hair and the toes were stretched enough to make any ballerina envious. The feel of his fingers grazing her back and his unsteady breathing were assaulting her senses.
"Umm, guys, this is my house we are standing in and my parents are sleeping right across the hall. So do you mind if we shift this…cuddling upstairs?" asked Chung, a touch apprehensively.
Jia Li broke apart self-consciously while Tang nodded with a sheepish look on his face. Reaching upstairs, the two boys stepped out to the balcony on the pretext of looking at the view. Jia Li was suddenly feeling inexplicably shy and her face felt hot.
"Did you leave your tongue at home? I don't think I can last remember a room this quiet with you in it", teased Tang gently.
She finally looked up and simply uttered, "I have missed you…terribly".
Right then a strong gust of wind burst in through the balcony and Jia Li shivered in her thin cardigan and leggings.
He immediately brought her closer and rubbed her hands with his own, "why aren't you wearing anything warmer, hmm? Do you know by this time, it starts to get very cold in London as well and I miss you the most then – no one to cuddle up with. Actually no, it's during the springtime when everything is in full bloom and I see everything green except your enchanting eyes and I wish for you to be there. Wait a minute, I think rains make me want you…"
"Ahem, I am assuming you have missed us also, maybe not to this level nonetheless. Sorry to interrupt your tête-à-tête but our butts have turned blue standing out", said Chung, entering the room.
"Err, I was just going to leave only. Mom must be wondering where I am. I will see you all at the wedding function this evening", Jia Li spoke hurriedly, without making eye contact with anyone and left.