(Karsten)
Arata's eyes remained glued to me, although she tried to be subtle about it, but I could see her staring from the corner of my eye.
How I wanted to just grab and kiss her senseless under this Christmas Tree.
Self-restraint: I had to exercise all of my self-restraint.
She handed the garlands she had made to Ma when her phone rang. Quickly picking it up, she observed the caller ID and a faint smile spread on her lips. But instead of receiving the call, she cut it and began to type.
Who was calling her? I found myself wondering.
Ma got herself busy hanging garlands, but my focus was on Arata. Subconsciously, I moved towards her and asked in a low tone so Ma wouldn't hear.
"Everything alright?"
Her eyes flickered towards me, and I didn't expect her to reply. But she did it in a sad tone.
"It's my Baba, asking when I would be coming."
Glistening melancholy in her oceanic eyes disturbed my heart in indescribable ways.
