Burning Passion

CHAPTER 237: MISSING EACH OTHER

* * *

Kristina still couldn't believe that Harry kissed her. He only did that to take the challenge and prove to everyone who doubts his sexual orientation. 

But Harry is a great kisser. Now it's unbelievable he has no girlfriend. Or maybe it was an ex-girlfriend already? What happened then?

Ah, she should not be concerned about that matter. Kristina thought. She better pull herself together and stops acting flustered till now. It was embarrassing to act as if it was her first kiss. 

"Let's go?" 

She heard Harry ask her. She nodded as a response, which she remained not with herself. 

Stepping down the stone staircase, Harry apologizes. "I'm sorry if I did that," he said.

Kristina takes silent for a moment. She ponders. Harry does nothing to apologize to her. Whatever happens, a while back is a challenge for Harry, and she enjoyed being a part of it. Now everyone can stop doubting him. 

Still no response from her, Harry added. "I hope you won't get angry at me?" 

Kristina took a glance at Harry. She pushed a smile and replied like it's not a big deal. "Me? Why would I? That is fine! It's just a kiss, you know!" 

Harry felt relieved. He doesn't want anyone to put a meaning to it. Although it looked like he is using Kristina with his lame excuse, however, he could not refuse to do it in front of everyone who will spread a baseless rumor about his sexual orientation. 

"Um… It's just a kiss. So hope you don't mind." he murmured.

Kristina laughs as she tells Harry. "Stop apologizing, would you?" 

"Okay. It worried me that your boyfriend got angry at me." 

Flushing her cheeks, Kristina laughs awkwardly. "What? Hey, I don't have a boyfriend! So, totally fine!" 

"That's a relief then!" Hah. That was only his lame excuse to hide his guilt. He's an a*hole. 

~~~~~ 

They close the Horror Building after one in the morning. The Battle of the Band is also about to end. After Harry makes sure that the activity is all finished and students go home, he heads back to the dormitory. He took a shower and prepared to sleep. He was drying his hair when Steven arrived. He looked a little drunk. 

"Hey, brother!" Steven has a huge smile on his face and then tries to hug him. 

"What are you doing?" He pushed Steven, who landed on his bed. Raising a brow, he confronted his twin brother. "Tell me. Why did you do that?" 

"About what?" Steven innocently asked him. Suppresses not to show the smile playing on his mouth. 

"How dare you make fun of me!" Harry stressed out and recalled the kiss prize joke.

"Hey! Why are you angry at me? I'm only helping you to have your first kiss!"

Shockingly, he snapped at Steven. "Have my first kiss!?" 

"Yes, unless you already have your first kiss?" Steven's gaze went serious, replaced with curiosity.

"So what if I do?" 

Creasing his brows: a grin plastered on Steven's face. "Really? Tell me now!"

Harry blurted out, "Stop bugging me! You drank! Go and take a shower!" 

Steven pouted and said, "Jeez. So killjoy." 

"The embarrassment I get from you is enough! I better sleep, and you better sober up!" said Harry, pulling his blanket and covering his entire body. 

The truth is, he just wanted to hide his emotion. 

Who is his first kiss? 

And if he told Steven that it was Nina. What would be his reaction? 

Harry heaves a sigh and closes his eyes. Honestly, it made him guilty. He kisses Kristina thinking it was Nina he kissed. 

~~~~~

CAMBRIDGE, ENGLAND

Nina is watching the rain outside the car window. Summer has ended, and England rains a lot lately. It's been two months since Steven went back to New Jersey, but she received no response from Harry. 

It looks like Harry has no feelings for her after all. And she is the only one who assumes Harry feels the same way. 

"We're here, Miss." 

Jessica woke her up from falling into deep thoughts. Nina nodded. She pushed the car door and got out without words. Jessica hastily followed her outside, carrying an umbrella, and trying to catch her up. 

But Nina doesn't care if the rain-drenched her dress. She enters the apartment and heads to the staircase.

Mrs. Smith, who was about to greet her Miss, but she noticed the sadness in her eyes. She and Jessica meet gazes, both sighed.

They both thought, their Miss has gone back to being lonely. She was waiting for a letter from someone. But until now, none arrived. 

"What should I make for supper, Miss Jessica?" 

"Maybe a noodle soup? I will attend the young miss! She might she's still wearing the soaked clothes, and she caught a cold." 

"Understood, Miss Jessica." 

"Ask Mr. Long to help you make the noodles, Mrs. Smith!" Jessica added while she made hasty steps in the staircase. 

Mrs. Smith has learned to make one. She was keenly observing Jessica making Asian food. And now she learns a few of these dishes.

And since Mr. Long stayed in England to drive and become Nina's bodyguard. Mr. Long also helped in making Asian food for their Miss.

Before she entered the bedroom, Jessica hurled a deep sigh, and she released it. She brightens her face and sounds cheerful.

Jessica knocks on the door. She pushes it to open and step inside. She is right. Her Miss is still wearing her soaked dress, lying on the bed on her stomach. 

"Miss, I requested Mr. Long and Mrs. Smith to make you a noodle soup! It's pouring heavily outside. You need to stay dry and warm," Jessica chanting cheerfully. 

She is worried. Nina acts lifeless once again. And she doesn't know how to comfort her. 

Lately, the letter she only receives is from Steven and nothing from Harry. 

She inhaled in silence, and she spoke up again. "Miss Nina, you need to change your clothes, or you will catch a cold." 

Upon reminding Nina, Jessica strides toward the closet and takes out the warmer clothes, handing them to her Miss. 

Nina lazily gets up and begins undressing, throwing her clothes on the floor. Jessica quickly gathered the wet clothes as she said, "I will get you a hot chocolate to keep you warm." 

Nina just nodded as she laid back to lying on her bed, watching the rain outside her window. Indeed, it continues pouring heavily. 

The sky is similar to her. Sadness is eating her up, and it made her too depressed because Harry just ignored her letters.

She told Harry to give back the maple tree leaf if he has no feelings for her. But it's been months, and nothing arrived yet. It confuses her of what to believe or should she assume. 

It was so frustrating that she received no direct answer. If Harry doesn't like her? Then why did Harry not send back the maple leaf? 

What should she think of now? 

Does she have to continue hoping that Harry likes her too?

Argh! Nina shoved her face into her bed. It is what depressed her these passing months. She wants an answer! 

And Steven stops mentioning Harry. Unlike before, Steven always has a lot of stories for her. All things he and Harry did at school. 

Now, Steven only talks about things he has planned for the future. 

She was happy to hear them. But she wants to learn if Harry is doing alright. 

"I want to see you, Harry…" she mumbled as tears streamed down her eyes. 

~~~~~ 

PRESENT TIME 

Harry finished making dinner, but Nina hasn't got out yet. He glanced at his wristwatch. It's been three hours and a half. Should he knock on Nina? He wants her to eat the noodles while it remains firm yet. 

Harry knocks on his bedroom. However, no reply he heard. He grabbed the doorknob and turned it open. 

"Nina?" Softly, he calls her out. Harry was very careful not to make sudden noises. Nina informed him earlier that she has documents to review. 

Upon entering inside, he found Nina lying on his bed. It looks like she fell asleep. The laptop screen now died after not using a certain period. Nina has probably been napping for less than an hour. 

Nina was lying on the blanket. Harry looked around his bedroom to look for a quilt. The heater doesn't work much since the temperature keeps dropping.

He went to his walk-in closet and got a clean quilt. Carefully, he placed the sheet into Nina, covering her body till her neck. 

Scrutinizing at Nina's face this close, he noticed the trace of tears in her eyes. 

'Is Nina crying?' Harry asked himself. 'Is Nina having a bad dream?' 

It tempted him to dry those tears, but he doesn't want to wake her up. Harry straightened up his body and turned around. But before he could take another step, Nina mumbles in her sleep. 

"Jessica, I am waiting for my Harry to come back to me..." 

Hearing it, Harry didn't notice the tears trailing down his cheeks. He glanced at Nina. It tempted him to join her in the bed and lock her inside his arms. 

But Harry chose to get out of the room. He leaned on the door and let the tears gush down his face. 

"Oh, Nina… I'm so sorry!" 

Silently, he cried along with his heart.