Imperfect Desires

Xiu was certain that she didn't give herself away in any way! She could clearly remember this incident, he had looked at her just like a stranger who shared the same name with someone he knew but after this incident, his gaze changed. He was certain about her identity. That meant, something happened that she wasn't aware of.

And it was needless to say that these days, Xiu had the urge to know each and every secret. She even wanted to dig up whatever secrets there were that had been hidden from her. She wanted to be in control of everything around her. And the unknown factor only brought uncertainty. That's why she was trying to find out any secrets.

"Tell me how or when did you figure it out?" she questioned again with a resolute look.

Han Bohai was actually amused to see her expression as he said, "It's true that you're still the best actor I've ever come across in my life. But let's not forget that I'm also your apprentice. Today, whatever I am, it's because of what I've learned from you. Then how can I not tell when you're acting?"

"You're bluffing!" stated Xiu without missing a beat. 

Han Bohai's eyes were burning from crying so much earlier. He chuckled softly at her as he said, "Then I should I ask you why do you think I'm bluffing?"

"Because I know you," retorted Xiu. "I've never forgotten what my little brother is like. How can I not tell what's on your mind?"

Han Bohai smiled at her as he said, "These years changed me a lot. Can you still claim to know me the best?"

"I can," replied Xiu firmly and Han Bohai was a little surprised to hear that. "The only change in you is the resentment you've been carrying in your heart for these years. There is nothing else that changed about you."

"And if I say the same about you?" Han Bohai retorted making Xiu's brows raise up in question. "There are times when you look exactly the same as you did back then."

"Even with this face?" questioned Xiu and he nodded in reply.

"Yes, even with this face," was his response. "Do you remember, I've spent hours trying to read your feelings through your eyes? How can I forget the way you used to look at me?" He sighed out nostalgically. "Indeed, you've changed a lot but your essence didn't change that much. Take the first meal you cooked for me," he reminded her. "Just with one bite, I felt like my sister Xiu was back but looking at your face, I shook that thought away. I thought I just missed you so much and that's why I was being delusional."

Xiu didn't interrupt him, she could also remember that meal. She was feeling as emotional as she was feeling happy to see him there. And she had also seen the way his eyes had teared up after that first bite that felt so familiar to him. 

"Later, you asked for a hug," he went on. "Even though it was a completely different person before me, I could smell the ever so familiar scent of my sister Xiu. I could feel her protectiveness, longing, love, and warmth through that one hug and it stunned me. I even asked stupid questions to my assistant just to figure out whether I was going crazy."

Xiu rubbed her forehead, she had only asked for that hug because she really did miss him. And seeing him so close, she really couldn't hold back. 

"You said you're my fan, I didn't believe you. Not even for a second," he told her. As she opened her mouth to say something, he cut her off, "Even with all your evidence, I couldn't believe your statement. That 'evidence' looked more like a mother was showing off her son's achievements to a stranger. If anything, I found it amusing but I was also touched by the gesture."

Xiu was feeling amused by his words. Those were very small details. Such minor details, one might even overlook. He couldn't possibly deduce the truth from all that.

"Then the more I interacted with you, I found you familiar," said Han Bohai. "Whether it was how you looked at me, how you talked to me, or how you acted around me. Every single thing felt familiar to me. And right before the wedding, I saw a video of you playing the piano."

Xiu was stunned to hear that. She didn't know where he saw the video or how he got the hands-on it but she could finally understand why his belief got stronger.

"I've seen you playing piano countless times. I might have lost count of that but I could never forget the way your fingers glide over the keys."

"Don't tell me just a piano performance gave me away completely," said Xiu. "I'll feel bad for myself. I put so much effort into hiding and you're telling me, that I lost because of my piano skills?"

Han Bohai shook his head, "No, that was the first time I actually had that bizarre thought in my mind that you're my sister Xiu. Even if the face is different, the identity is different but you're my sister Xiu. I actually didn't understand where that thought came from but once it sunk into my heart, I couldn't pull it out." 

"But then the seed of suspicion that was buried into my heart finally sprouted on the wedding day."

"Fuck!" Xiu cursed out loud. "Did you also eavesdrop on my conversation? How many of you were actually there? And don't you realize that it's a bad habit to eavesdrop on others?"

Han Bohai looked at her reaction and looked puzzled. And seeing his reaction, Xiu was also puzzled.

"You didn't hear anything?" she asked cautiously and he shook his head in reply. Xiu sighed out, "Finally, someone didn't eavesdrop." Patting her chest, she frowned, "Then how did your suspicion got stronger?"

"Why don't you go and ask your favorite little brother?" 

Honestly, Han Bohai didn't want to sound like a jealous person and he didn't want to be petty either. But when he talked about this, he just couldn't help himself!