"Hi Kevin. Do you have my laptop?" Leena asked in a low voice, gently pushing open the door. Since Kevin was busy with his work, she had to keep her voice down.
"Yes, I do. It's on the desk. Come here, Leena." Kevin stopped working and looked at Leena. Leaning back in the chair in a leisurely manner, Kevin watched Leena as she inched forward toward him. Yes! She was really slow and hesitant to move forward as though she were facing a dangerous monster lurking ahead. 'Am I as horrible as a bloodthirsty beast?' Kevin wondered.
"What is it you're writing down there?" Leena spoke in an attempt to free herself from the embarrassing moment of being alone with him. She felt awkward whenever she stayed alone with Kevin in private, especially in such a small room. She bit her lips tightly the whole time lest they trembled out of nervousness.
"A summary for the training. I'd better finish it since I'm not busy now. I don't want to leave anything until the last minute." Kevin had a good habit of being very orderly. Once he had set his time table, even just in his mind, he would do exactly as the time table he laid out. He was so good at managing his time.
"Then I'll leave you to your work. I'll jet as soon as I get my computer." An embarrassed smile broke across Leena's face. She was too shy to look at Kevin while speaking to him. But she could not help herself from peeping at him from the corner of her eyes from time to time. Unlike her brothers' elegance and courtesy, Kevin was handsome with masculine charm. His toughness always reminded Leena of the sunshine in a cold winter day. It was comforting and warm, unlike her brothers' icy manner.
"The report can wait. Leena, are you trying to avoid me? Or am I missing something?" Kevin said with a frown. To be frank, he had spotted some dramatic changes in Leena since he came back this time. He still remembered how vivacious and talkative Leena was when they met for the first time. She used to be so brave and naive that it was impossible for her to hide the innermost side of her and she would show no fear of him in his presence. But that lively girl had changed recently. She had become quiet, and had concealed her enthusiasm in his presence. Kevin could even clearly feel her overcautious attitude toward him.
"Hmm... is that possible? You're imagining things. I'm...um...trying to keep my distance from you so I don't bother you when you're trying to work." Leena smiled to cover up her embarrassment. That had to be the silliest smile that she had ever sported, but she had no way to stop it.
"Remember, Leena, we're married. We're a couple. You don't have to be careful in front of me. Just be yourself." Kevin felt Leena's unnatural attitude again when he spoke to her. She didn't make eye contact, and kept rubbing her hands. She was so timid in front of him that she kept her voice low. It seemed that Leena had always worn a rigid mask in front of him.
"I know. I just can't get accustomed to it." Leena's cheeks went red. She rubbed her hands again from nervousness. Due to Kevin's work, Leena and Kevin had a limited amount of time to be with each other. Although Leena longed for her moments with Kevin, she was afraid of being alone with him as well. She had no idea how should she behave in front him. Every time when she approached Kevin, she could not help but feel nervous. And the more she tried to get rid of her nervousness, the more she behaved unnaturally.
"Don't worry. I'll help you to get accustomed to me, to my words, and to my actions. How about this, Leena?" Kevin held out his hand and pulled her into his arms. Looking at Leena's flushed face, Kevin curled his lip into an attractive smile.
Comments
The readers' comments on the novel: It'll Come Naturally