Burning Passion

CHAPTER 139: SAVING NIKKI (Twelve) and the Past 

"SPECIAL CHAPTER EDITION: ENCOUNTERS"

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Nikki found a pen inside a drawer in her bedroom. Holding it in hand, she cannot decide what to write as a response for Theo. A heart filled with such innocence, she can not determine the emotion overwhelming within her. 

Her cheeks continue flushing pink as she imagines what Theo's reaction after he read her response. Such a feeling, yet unknown to her.

If it is love… She wants this feeling to stay forever. Just the thought of him, she was like floating on cloud nine. Every time she remembered their conversation, she felt no dull moment, but craziness filled her mind. She wanted to continue talking to him. She has questions, and the answer excites her. Ugh. She's losing her mind.

But theirs pretends what excites her the most. Theo knew it was her, but he pretended that he didn't know the truth yet. 

And she knows it was him, but she wanted to tease him for pretending he is a stranger to her. 

Now she's pondering what reaction she will show him. She might reveal the truth that she already knows if she would not be careful. She must plan out how to behave properly in front of him. Maybe like this…

'Oh, hi! We meet again! Wow. I didn't imagine we will see each other soon.' 

Ugh. Sounds exaggerating. But she also anticipates what act Theo would show her. Damn. So much scenery began playing in her head. Stop thinking too much, Nikki Lindsey! Your father would spank you if he had known how your head was running wild. 

Nikki giggled at her thought. She looked for extra papers to practice her response.

"I'm sorry. But I won't return what you left behind. Instead, I'll exchange it with my heart." 

Ah! She squeals. What are you thinking, Nikki Lindsey? You are too young for this! She scolds herself again and creates another phrase. She doesn't like the one she came up with.

"I decided not to return your heart, but I will keep it forever." 

Ugh. It was way more cheesy. Ah! What should she respond to then? Nikki is rolling and tumbling around her bed. She was also kicking the bed, and her grandma noticed the noises from her bedroom. 

"Nikki, are you all right, dear?" Elisha asked her granddaughter. 

'Oh, shot!' Her grandma heard her skittish in her bedroom. She calmed herself and replied, "I'm fine, grandma! I am preparing to leave soon!" she shouted behind the door. 

Her grandma did not ask further, she read the phrases she wrote again. Where did she get this corniness? She asked herself. Probably influenced by Theo. She discovers these feelings since she meets him. 

Nikki lay flat on her back while starting in the ceiling. What she should say to Theo?

Can she consider his message as a declaration of love? Ah! It's impossible that he feels the same way. Maybe he was just fond of her.

She was contemplating and reading Theo's message one more time. Could it be possible he likes her? Honestly, she was too young for him. But maybe Theo has genuine motives for the reason he is showing this kind of boldness. She had seen young girls having boyfriends from college. Maybe this is fine. 

But does she have a chance? Ahhh, why does she think negatively? She's young, but maybe, through time, his fondness toward her becomes love. And she loves the thought of Theo opening up to her, and that is what makes her heart dance. 

Maybe they could begin as friends. Then become lovers through time. Many couples are friends at first and become best friends to lovers and then spouses.

Ah, she couldn't wait to see him tonight! She must go back to Mainland City sooner. 

Nikki made a final response to Theo's message. She tore the page and folded it nicely and put it into her jacket's pocket. She won't give back Theo's sketching pad. But she will return the piece of paper where she wrote her response.

"When we meet again. I will return the heart you left behind. By then, it was your turn to take mine along yours."

She squeals. Honestly, she wasn't sure how she came up with that phrase. It's an emotion flared up inside her chest.

Nikki had a wide smile when she stepped out of the bedroom and searched for her grandmother. She found her in the backyard, visiting her garden and talking to the flowers.

Said they will bloom even beautifully when you converse with them. She walked closer and said, "Grandma! I'm going back now." 

Elisha looked up and smiled warmly. "Thank you for visiting me today. Be careful, okay? Have a safe trip." 

"Thank you, grandma. I will…" Nikki throws her arms around Elisha and gives her another warm embrace.

Elisha remembered something. She parted from her granddaughter and shared her conversation with her son-in-law. "Your father contacted me. He was worried sick after he cannot get a hold of your cell phone. I told him about you running away today and explained to him your reason." 

"Oh. He was surely angry at me." 

"Don't worry. I told him, you don't want to miss this day to bid goodbye to your friend. Besides, I am very happy, too, that you visited me today. I was really, really happy." 

Nikki peered at the beautiful face of her grandmother. Many did compliment how their genes are a good breed. "Thank you, grandma. I was happy too. I wish to see you often, but papa wants me to focus on school and the game. Also, I don't want to bother papa to drive me when he is busy running the diner… the store is doing well." 

"I understand. Besides, we can talk on the phone." 

"Right, grandma. Oh, can I borrow your cell phone? I will inform Maureen that I'm going now." 

"Ah, about that, Nikki. They were in the hospital now. Your uncle was into an accident at the building he works at." 

"Oh, I must go see Maureen if everything were alright."

"Yes. Tell your Aunt Ning, I will come in the evening to bring food." 

"Aw, they will love it, grandma." Nikki hugged Elisha. Her grandma's kindness is incomparable. She always helped her family and relatives in any way she could.

And Nikki was very proud of her grandmother and looked up to her. 

Nikki went to the hospital. When she arrived, Maureen's father needed to be transferred to Hanford City Hospital as the hospital in Remy was small and could not perform proper surgery.

"Maureen!" She hugged her cousin when it didn't stop crying.

Maureen wipes the tears in her eyes and attempts to speak up between her sobs. "I'm sorry. I have to watch my younger siblings. I can't accompany you, Nikki." 

Nikki rubs Maureen's back and says, "It's okay. I will just make a quick stop at Jonathan's, and then, I will go straight to the train station." 

"Would you be okay?" 

"I am! Importantly are your siblings, they need you at these times. If I have nothing important to do tonight, I will stay and help you watch your brothers and sister." 

Maureen has a two-year-old little sister and her brother both in grade school. Nikki got a great idea. 

"Why don't you go to the White House? Grandma is planning to visit and bring food. I think it's better you will stay with her, so then Auntie Ning would be at ease. Grandma would love to watch your siblings." 

"Ah, that was a brilliant idea, Nikki. Thank you!" they hugged and cried. 

Maureen told her mother about the plan. Ning agreed as she knew how kind her Aunt Elisha was. Maureen and Nikki went separate ways. Nikki took a bus for Hanford City.

Alone, she will visit Jonathan's grave in a highland private garden.