Heartstrings on Fire (Agnes and Jared)

Agnes bolted out of the Century Building and headed back to school. She holed up in the library till late , since she was free in the afternoon.

Jared shot her a text: “When are you coming home?”

Agnes stared at her phone for a moment but didn’t respond.

Soon, Jared called, his voice deep and resonant from the other end: “Got class tonight?”

Agnes answered, “I’ve got a journalism project on my plate, so I’m a bit swamped.”

“When will you be done?”

“I’m not sure, you should hit the sack; don’t wait up for me.”

After hanging up, Agnes felt a pang of regret. Truth be told, Jared was all she could think about the whole day. It’s been a while since they last saw each other, and Agnes missed him. But when she recalled Jared’s cozy moment with Mamie yesterday, she had to admit she was a bit green– eyed.

Jared tried to explain, but Agnes was not satisfied with his explanation, and she realized she barely kne w Jared. Their marriage was initially a farce, but Agnes found herself taking it seriously.

Agnes stayed overnight in the library. When she was too tired, she caught some Z’s on the couch in the lounge.

For days on end, she would sneak home during the day to change and shower, then crash at the librar y at night, all to avoid bumping into Jared.

Agnes admitted she was a bit of a chicken, but she really didn’t know how to face Jared. On the fourth day. Jared found out. Copyright Nôv/el/Dra/ma.Org.

That day at noon, Agnes came home as usual, and finding the coast clear, she dashed for the shower.

Sleeping in the library for days on end, Agnes felt groggy and scatterbrained. After showering, she reali zed she had forgotten to bring a change of clothes. This wasn’t the first time, but the house was empty and the bedroom curtains were drawn tight. She shrugged it off and walked out naked, planning to fetc h her pajamas from the closet.

But she was dumbstruck the moment she stepped out of the bathroom!

Jared was sitting on the couch, his gaze fixed on the bathroom. He was also stunned when he saw Agn es walk out naked.

Then Agnes screamed, quickly turned around, and darted back into the bathroom, slamming the glass door shut.

Then, silence.

Agnes hugged herself, her heart pounding like it was about to leap out of her chest.

She could see herself in the bathroom mirror, her body as red as a boiled shrimp, her cheeks flushed li ke they were bleeding.

After a while, Agnes heard no sound from outside. Did Jared leave the room?

She peeked out from behind the frosted glass door, but what she saw was a hand holding her pajamas and underwear.

Looking up. Jared was leaning against the wall next to the door, one hand casually stuffed in his pocket , the other holding her clothes, as if waiting for her to open the door.

Agnes exclaimed in surprise, then shut the door again. What kind of person is he? Is he waiting here to make fun of her?

But this time, Jared just swung the door open: “Agnes, there’s a limit to being shy! We’re married; it’s n ormal to see each other naked once in a while, and we’ve even been in the bathroom before.”

“Ah! Jared, shut up!” Agnes knew what Jared was about to say.