A Bitter Sensation - //Chapter 1
"He'll be home soon, cheater." said Thyme, her tongue flickering across her lips.
"It is not cheating, little flower, it is sharing." remarked Yu, seemingly unconvinced. He swept an inquisitive hand across her waist, his head tilted to rest on her shoulder as he stood patiently behind her, watching the vast city below. "I do not see it's car." he hissed.
"It, is my husband, and I'm sure you're aware. Now go fetch your 'tools', away!" she said, with a flourish of her wrist. Yu insisted on advancing, perhaps hoping to steal one last kiss as though he had not already stolen the heart of a married woman. "Enough, Yu. You've had your fun."
"Teasing little flower." muttered Yu. He retreated, pacing from the bedroom to reclaim his false identity.
Thyme had hired Yu three years ago, as a decorator. Their relationship had spurred out of regret, dissatisfaction and of knowledge. The knowledge that her husband, a wayward salesman named Kai, would return when it pleased him, that he adored the attention of her lips rather than her words. For three years Yu had accompanied Thyme, providing more than a marriage of two decades.
There had been times at which Thyme dreamed of severing ties, breaking away from a life of housewivery in favour of a young man like Yu. Her choices and her regrets seemed to linger on those long, lonely days. Once Kai had ventured out and the shop sat still and empty, she could fantasise as though she were naive and careless again. Perhaps it was Yu's gentle caress that had left the residue of burning lust on her skin, or perhaps that sensation was her passion to change.
The thud of the elevator door brought Thyme back.
The accompanying thumping of a heavy-handed panda-elder's knock resonated throughout the small complex. High above, residing in a cheap apartment that beckoned only a meagre rent, Thyme would spend her days cleaning, cooking and mating, illicitly. At the peak of the complex, she could touch the sky, perhaps gander down at the world below and feel convinced that somewhere else, the sex was better.
"Oh, the snake." came a call from the door. Yu was standing unceremoniously in the doorway, outfitted as he was, a decorator. "You've been busy I assume? Hang any paintings? Plaster any walls?" Kai was pressing down on Yu, his size clear and intimidating to anyone.
"Perhaps, consult your wife." said Yu, planting a stack of notes atop the counter and storming out the building.
"You stay the fuck away from her, scum!" called Kai, pacing and watching all the while as Yu vanished into the elevator. He did not return until Yu was completely out of sight. "You," he stated, stomping back through into the kitchen. "a drink." He motioned to the glass cupboard just as much to indicate that he wanted Thyme drunk as well. He most likely wanted Thyme in bed on the hour too, such was his routine. They'd go at it for as long as Kai deemed suitable, and they'd sleep.
"Little one?"
"Miss Wei? I have been. They do not want your product, they will not ne-go-shee-ate." spoke the little voice.
"Ah," said Thyme. "then you have three days to find another customer, little Ping." She collapsed the handset into it's holder with a grunt, head in hands.
The young ones walked the streets keenly, for the outdoor was their home. The rich men would patter by and spit obscenities at them, they would call them street rats, gutter feeders and the children would laugh. Is that what Thyme envied? Their ability to stand against, or their firm grasp of their own fate, their day-to-day?
It reminded Thyme of her coming of age, her first man. He was smallish, thin-framed and meek. His appearance would always conceal itself in Thyme's shadow. A wide, home-bound shadow. It had always made her feel motherly. Perhaps that was what she envied. A family.
Yu had returned early the following month spouting a thousand apologies, in response to which Thyme would always chuckle and shake her head. Kai was a man of posture and demeanor. He struck an image that offended people, burrowed under their skin, but to Thyme it was simply tiresome, routine.
"Has he been good to you?" asked Yu.
"There have been no crossed words, he says so if he is displeased." said Thyme. "But I am sure he will accrue some petty excuse in his time away."
Yu paused to drink his tea, slowly. He pondered as to which day Kai would leave and never return, satisfied by some lowly harlot as he deserves. "There are many things you have to express this week, yes?" he posed, pressing his nimble fingers into Thyme's thick shoulders.
"I would like to rest, Yu. There have been poor business ne-go...negotiations recently." she spoke, softly.
"How so?" said Yu, easing his palms into her lower back.
"It is young Ping." said Thyme. "She is taken from us."
"You mean-"
"A false deal, Yu, a snatch. I have done this, Yu." sobbed Thyme. She collapsed into her arms as Yu silently rested his upon her shoulders, the hum of the city below creating the only sound.
With a spluttering choke, the car shook itself alive again.
Thyme's family were scattered, being farmhands by tradition. Only she had adopted the city life, whilst her younger siblings had ventured abroad to seek bountiful soil in foreign lands. Her parents had been understandably disapproving, but had never been given the chance to argue.
They were travelling to the old stable along the river, where Thyme grew up. Yu had opted to drive south this time, traversing the ancient country roads at a steady pace. Somehow, the familiar scenery stirred only bitterness in Thyme. It taunted her, eluding to the life she could have lead.
"Ahead, Yu. We turn here along the river." she said, morosely.
"I have been before, little flower." said Yu. He took a moment to plan his next words. "Is it your elder that upsets you?"
"My father is a good man, Yu." jests Thyme. "Do not think he grows vegetables out of choice! It is humble work."
"Then it is the young one." said Yu.
"Stop, Yu." said Thyme, cutting the conversation short.
"My apologies, little flower."
The car puttered along, halting outside the makeshift abode. A small, brick structure jutted out from the bowed oak barn, resembling a chimney pot, only larger. It hid beneath the shadow of the barn, hugging tightly an ancient yew tree that overlooked the river. Thyme had once fallen in to the rapids as a child. For her, this was the one true reassurance of home. The expression plastered across her parents face that day was proof of who really cared, and here, even in danger she was safe.
The house was empty this day, however.
They both stood quietly, observing the clutter of bottles and old walking canes that pressed against the door. Somehow, the interior was trumped in size even by Thyme's boxed apartment. Within resided a thick wooden table, an ancient stove and refrigerator, and a pair of worn bunk beds, housing four.
Yu felt guilty, as if there was some payment he owed for being absent in Thyme's younger years. It was plain to see just where her humble attitude had manifested from, and it had achieved her nothing but a half-husband and a broken home.
They sat together on the creaky bed.
"It is beautiful here, in the quiet with you." spoke Thyme.
"My beauty is right here, little flower." said Yu, his awkward attempt at seduction once again missing the mark. Thyme chuckled.
"Silly snake." she said. "I did not come here to admire the scenery."
"Then what was it?" asked Yu.
"To collect-"
But Yu quickly hushed Thyme, placing a cold hand upon her knee. "I want you." he whispered.
"It cannot last, Yu."
"Please, little flower. I owe you a lifetime. At least enjoy what you deserve here and now." uttered Yu, pleadingly.
"You don't owe me anything, Yu." said Thyme, pushing him down against the mattress. "Not anymore."