Imperfect Desires Chapter 196 - Mystery Box

Xiu was baffled to see how Nora was excited over a matter that had nothing to do with her in the first place. The box belonged to Destiny and now the box was hers since she was taking responsibility for Destiny's life. But in all that Nora had no share whatsoever then why did she look like she just solved the biggest mystery of her life?

However, Xiu didn't point out her over-enthusiasm solely because seeing Nora behaving like herself after crying over God knows what made her calm down and less worried about her. Besides, Xiu knew that she would have acted exactly like Nora herself. So, as the 'pot' she couldn't just call the 'kettle' black.

After Nora didn't bother saying anything, Clara took the hint that Nora wasn't gonna say anything in her presence and went back to doing the chores she left halfway. Nora sat down beside Xiu right where her mother was sitting just a moment ago and shoved the box in Xiu's hands saying, "I looked it up on the internet. Apparently, these ancient boxes are like a puzzle. And when I slid one of the wooden pieces, a new compartment opened up."

Xiu looked at the box again carefully and sure enough, there was a small square-shaped compartment at the side that had opened up. But the lid of the box was still shut tight. Xiu shook the box and a small piece of paper fell out of the square-shaped compartment. Xiu puckered up her lips and frowned in confusion. Then using her index finger, she tried to look inside the secret compartment. Her finger touched something metallic and suddenly the carvings at the top of the lid lit up.

"Wow! I never thought this ancient-looking box was so cool," exclaimed Nora and when Xiu gave her a look, she went on, "Come on, it's really cool. There is a keypad hidden in those intricate carvings. How did someone come up with that?"

Xiu wanted to say something but didn't. After all, she also found it quite fascinating. That ordinary-looking box was definitely not ordinary anymore. If anything, it looked like it opened a whole new world which had been unknown to Xiu until now.

"Let's decide if it's cool or not after opening it. For now, we don't even know the password," reminded Xiu in a calm voice.

Nora's excitement also wavered for a moment before she picked up the folded paper that had fallen from the secret space. "Maybe, it's written here."

Xiu took the folded paper from her and unfolded it but reading the content on it made her frown to get deeper. This was not what she expected at all as she read the content, 

"I say nothing yet you know

I have a name but I have to let it go

I have no mouth yet I tell a tale

I make you smile

I make you cry

I make memories come alive."

Even after reading it out loud, it didn't make any sense to her. "What nonsense is this now? And why is everyone around me so obsessed with riddles. I'm not as smart as people are taking me to be." Xiu was frustrated now since she couldn't understand this just like she couldn't understand Darren's proposal. And this made her feel like a real dumb person now. "Why can't people be straightforward?"

Nora tapped on her shoulder and when Xiu looked at her, she said, "My darling best friend, the one obsessed with riddles had always been you." Xiu raised her brow at her inquisitively. "Xiu, you loved making riddles for people to solve. Actually, you loved solving riddles as well. So, I'm really not surprised that the answer to this riddle is gonna be the password."

"Maybe, I turned into a dumb person after losing my memory," said Xiu with a heavy heart as she added in her mind, 'Since I took over this body.'

Nora hugged her from the side and said, "Not at all. You're smarter than before."

Xiu tapped her arm saying, "I know you're trying to make me feel better but it's not working."

Nora clicked her tongue and said, "I'm not just saying it. Trust me, you're the most reckless person I have ever met in my life. But after losing your memory, you seem more mature and calm. I believe you'll solve this riddle with ease. I have faith in you."

Xiu caressed the box in her hands and thought, 'I have to solve this riddle because the deeper I'm getting, the more it seems like there is something I'm missing about Destiny's sudden death.'

"You're right. I have to solve this," Xiu said with conviction. 'If not for me then for the departed soul.'

"If your secret meeting is done, then come and clean your rooms," came the voice of Clara from the laundry room.

Xiu and Nora shared a look with the same expressions but they couldn't say anything. Nora sighed heavily as she said, "This mother of mine is a famous lawyer. How come she can't read the situation? I mean she doesn't even care that her daughter is having a mental breakdown and she also doesn't care that you're going through an emotional breakdown."

Xiu slapped her head, "How would she know if we don't tell her anything?"

"She should know, she's a mother," said Nora stubbornly making Xiu shake her head at her best friend who was pouting like a kid now.

"She's a mother and that's why she's trying to distract us with chores to forget about our personal problems." Nora frowned at Xiu's words since it made sense. "Besides, you won't know what goes through the mind of a mother. After all, you're not a mother yet."

Saying her point, Xiu walked off to her room with her new mystery box in hand and that's why she failed to notice how Nora's face paled and her body stiffened at her words. Her chest felt congested. She placed a hand over her heart and whispered, "You're right. I'm not a mother how would I know what it feels like."

Chapter end