"Does my name spell f.o.o.l??"

Neil picked up the pillow that had fallen on the floor and sighed.Answering her,he asked,"What do you mean by that Mi Rae?"

She sat with on the bed with her arms crossed and answered,"Neil,you say you have accepted my feelings and are willing to try?But are you sincere or is this a half hearted attempt to pacify me?Do you think if you ignore me and are rude to me,I will leave you.I know you are a busy man and though I am currently out of work,there wll be times in the future when I may be as busy or more busy than you.So do not pretend that I am being unreasonable or asking you not to work.I just expect to be treated resectfully.If you are going to be rude about it,I don't need you!"Mi Rae finished the last sentence in a huff.

Neil breathed deeply and said,"I am sorry that I snapped at you and I am sorry for being rude.But Mi Rae I really am sincere in trying.I did want to back off but that would be unfair to you.As I said,you are special.I do care for you.And when I realized that you had been kidnapped,I almost went crazy out of my mind.Your smile makes me happy.This is the reason I am fighting with myself to give us a chance.Mi Rae,you have been patient with me..too patient but I ask for more.Just for some time to adjust to these new emotions."

Once Neil had finished speaking,Mi Rae felt as if she was floating on cloud nine.With a great effort,she kept her face blank and nodded at him.Smiling,Neil went to her and placed the pillow on the bed saying,"And now,my suns.h.i.+ne,you need to really rest and I need to reallly work.I will come home early tonight and we can talk more then.!"Placing a small peck on her lips,Neil smiled and left.

The person who was left behind was sitting in a daze.She coud hardly believe that he really had acquiscesed. She wanted to jump and dance but stopped herself.This was only the beginning..They would have to clear many obstacles to reach their goal..But, she a.s.sured herself that together they could do anything.So Mi Rae laid back down and closed her eyes.The small smile that graced her lips as she slept was the thing that tugged at Neil when he went to check on her.Sheking his head,he covered her with a blanket and vowed to himself,"to never be the reason for the disappearence of that smile."He knew that with one careless gesture and word,he could hurt her so he reminded himself to be careful.

He really had been sincere in his promise towards trying his best.She was willing to do so much for him,the least he could do was reciprocate.

Neil a.s.sumed that his acceptance was because of grat.i.tude and care but unknown to him,Mi Rae already occupied a place in his heart.Of this,he will only know in the future.

Whistling a soft tune,Neil drove his car towards the office.

In the evening:

Neil came back home expecting a happy and well rested girl but was instead greeted by a grumpy one. Mi Rae had never been one to sit idly and today she had been forced to do that.She had watched all sorts of boring reality television shows and telenovellas all boring her no end. 

She tried to chat to the housekeeper but the woman was taciturn and did not talk much.. To top it all the st.i.tches on her neck were aching... 

Finally,Mi Rae invaded the sacred kitchen and asked the housekeeper if she needed any help.The housekeeper politely declined and said that there was nothing to be done as the dinner was ready and continued sh.e.l.ling out the peanuts..

Mi Rae looked at the big jar full of peanuts that the housekeeper was filling and asked,"Why do you need so many peanuts?"

"Master Neil likes peanut b.u.t.ter a lot.So I try to make it fresh every wekk so that he wouldn't have to eat the store bought ones."Just then the house keeper's phone rang and she excued herself.Shrugging,Mi Rae pulled the bowl of pea.n.u.st and started sh.e.l.ling them out.Within a few minutes the housekeeper came rus.h.i.+ng back and said with a bow,"Miss,my daughter has suffered a fall.Could you please excuse me?Master Neil said I am to accompany you but this..I am sorry."

Mi Rae smiled and said,"Please go.It is not a problem..He must be about to come back..I'll let him know..You go and please take care."

The housekeeper thanked her profusely and made to gather the pea.n.u.st but Mi Rae said not to and that she would continue so the woman left hurriedly.

After sh.e.l.ling a few peanuts,Mi Rae was bored again.Just then a mischevious idea struck her.Picking up a peanut,she aimed it at the little soft toy hanging on the door..

Eyes narrowed and face scrunched..she aimed..threw and missed!

She frowned and tried again!Aim.Focus.Throw.And Hit!This time directly on Neil's forehead.

"Owww."