Imperfect Desires

When Xiu had locked the door of her apartment, she was also in disbelief. But it was kind of pleasant disbelief. She really didn't expect that kiss from Darren. Why did she feel like a schoolgirl? Her face burned hot as she leaned against the door and touched her red cheeks with her cold hands.

She literally felt like fangirling over that kiss which only lasted for 60 seconds. But she had gone through so many emotional changes throughout those 60 seconds that Xiu would never be able to describe in words. 

As Xiu walked inside, she saw Nora sprawled on the sofa in a strange posture. There was an ice-cream bucket lying on her stomach as she dug her spoon in it and brought it up to her mouth. Seeing Xiu, she halted and asked, "What took you so long?"

"Had a company dinner," said Xiu vaguely and tried to dodge her sharp-eyes from catching the scarlet color of her face. 

But how could Nora let it go so easily? "Stop right there! What's with that strange glow on your face? What did you do?"

Xiu tried to appear calm and collected as she turned to face her and said, "Nothing. You're just overthinking."

Nora shook her head in negation. "No way. Come and sit here beside me. Have some ice-cream and start talking."

"Don't want to," Xiu said straightforwardly and turned again towards her room.

Behind her, Nora's suspicion was increased by a notch. "Baby Xiu'er, don't you like us anymore. Me and my ice cream," she elaborated her question.

Xiu looked back at Nora's face and said, "Ice-cream, Yes! A big yes! You..." Xiu gave a nonchalant look and went on reluctantly, "Maybe."

Nora's mouth opened wide at her reply. She ran up to her side and said, "You! I didn't expect this from you. It's okay. Just because I'm a 'POTATO' today, you don't fancy me. Don't worry, one day I'll be 'FRENCH FRIES' and you'll crave for me."

Xiu couldn't keep up her indifferent look as she burst out laughing at Nora's face. First, Nora tried to appear upset with a straight face and arms crossed over her chest but seeing Xiu's laughter, she ended up laughing along.

Nora finally pulled Xiu to the sofa and gave all her attention to Xiu as she asked seriously, "Now that I made you laugh, won't you share what happened?" Seeing Xiu's confused look, she added, "Don't deny it. You never come back from company dinners with that beautiful glow. So, tell me what good thing happened?"

Xiu took off her blazer and threw at the back of the sofa as she lifted her legs and sat cross-legged on the sofa in a comfortable position. The look on her face told the story of her happiness and yet, she seemed reluctant to share.

Xiu took a spoonful of ice-cream and with a mouthful of ice-cream, she tried to speak, "IkissedDarren."

"What?" Nora asked again since she understood nothing. Nothing at all. "Either eat or speak. You can't do both."

Xiu swallowed and played with the ice-cream spoon as she stated, "I kissed our neighbor."

"Which one?" was Nora's reply. 

Xiu glared at her as she inquired with a boiling look, "Which one could it be?"

The gears of Nora's mind finally shifted as she widened her eyes in surprise and covered her mouth with her hands. "OMG! Don't tell me, you kissed... Darren?" Nora seemed cautious as she spoke but when she saw Xiu biting her lower lip and nodding, she finally lost it. "Ahhhhh!"

Xiu was stunned by her shrieking as Nora hopped like a bloody bunny. Xiu had to place her hand over Nora's mouth to stop her shrieking. "Get over it already!"

Nora scooted close to her and said, "Baby Xiu'er, the glow on your face is telling me that you still haven't even gotten over that kiss. How do you expect me to get over it? It was my Baby's first kiss."

Xiu looked at her incredulously as she repeated, "First kiss? It's Bai Xiu's first kiss?"

Nora slapped her shoulder, "Don't say it like we're talking about a third person. We are talking about you!"

That's when Xiu jolted awake again and smiled at Nora saying, "Right. It was my first kiss." 'Well, at least, as Bai Xiu it was. Not only that, it was my first kiss with McSpicy.' She placed her hand over her heart which was beating really fast and whispered in a low voice, "But why do I not want it to be the last?"

Nora shook her violently and almost made Xiu dizzy as she said, "Now, tell me the details. All the hot, juicy, spicy, salty, whatever kind. Just share all the details."

At Nora's enthusiasm, Xiu finally felt like it really was her first kiss. Because it was her first time having someone to share it with. She had never talked about this stuff with anyone. Her feelings were always left in her heart. She always had to hide them too deep. But with Nora, she didn't have to be vigilant at all. So, Xiu told her everything from the moment she met Darren at the bus stop.

Now, it was Nora's turn to fangirl. "Awww! My XiuRen ship has finally taken a step. Mama is proud."

Xiu choked as she coughed and looked at Nora strangely. "XiuRen?"

Nora nodded her head and added, "I knew it. You both had the hots for each other."

This time, Xiu was too shocked that she even forgot to choke. She was having a hard time controlling her emotions as she said, "Hots for each other? What nonsense are you spouting?"

Nora rubbed her head and said, "Baby Xiu'er, you don't even notice anything." She shook her head and added, "I'm the third person between you two and as a spectator, I can assure you that you both look at each other with such an intense look that even I can feel the damn chemistry."

"Are you sure, you're not overthinking this? I mean, I didn't feel anything like that," stated Xiu with a doubtful look.

Nora poked her head and said, "You both are chemically bonded and there is no doubt about that. Didn't you enjoyed the kiss?"

Xiu frowned as she said, "I did..." But seeing Nora's excited look, she added, "But it could be because of my withering hormones."

Nora sighed out, "First, you're only twenty-three. It should be budding hormones. Second, love is not rocket science. It has everything to do with hormones."

"Isn't love all about feelings?" Xiu questioned earnestly.

Nora rolled her eyes at Xiu and said, "It's 50/50. Now, stop talking. The more you'll talk, the more you'll be confused." Xiu nodded and went to her room. The moment she touched the handle of her door, she heard Nora's voice, "Are you willing to give dating him a chance?"

Xiu thought for a second and replied without looking back, "Maybe."

Nora smiled knowingly. That answer was good enough. It meant Xiu was willing to think about this seriously. Even though it was Xiu's first kiss, but the most excited one was Nora.