Sabine bumped into someone as she made her way back to the front of the stage. It was her granny who was looking for her. She didn't like the smile on Sabine's face and asked her what was she so happy about. As if recovering from a state of trance, Sabine blurted out that Christmas had always made her happy. Granny was suspicious and just as she wanted to probe further, Samuel dragged her to the front to watch the magic show which had started. The theme of the party was 'Disney Christmas' and Andrew had dressed up as Mickey Mouse. Samuel didn't recognise him through his mask and Sabine heaved a sigh of relief as it would have been disastrous if he had pointed out Andrew to granny. As before, Sabine enjoyed the show but more importantly she was glad to be seeing him again.

Andrew who was waiting for the release of his 'O' level result, got a job working in a fastfood restaurant near Sabine's school. Sabine was thrilled when told about it as it would mean more opportunities to be with him. She would find an excuse to have her lunch there and to stay there for as long as she could. Sabine who was sitting for her 'O' level at the end of the year would also tell her granny that she would be doing her revision with her classmates at the restaurant and would return home late, sometimes returning only after dinner time. Though she did really study with her friends, most of the time they would leave early and she would stay behind pretending to continue with her revision while actually waiting for Andrew to knock off. Andrew on the other hand would ask to be put on the morning shift so that he could have more time with Sabine later in the afternoon.

It was 3pm and it was time for Andrew to call it a day. He had a quick change of clothes and left the restaurant hurriedly as he had arranged to meet Sabine who was having remedial, outside her school gate. Sabine was just making her way out of the school when he arrived. She was walking with some boys and gals. One of the boys was helping her with her books and files. As they reached the gate, he handed her things but not before calling her 'dear'. Andrew who didn't want to be seen by her friends and was standing a distance away, was shocked to hear him addressing her as 'dear'. He was so disturbed by it that he didn't notice Sabine was already by his side until she called out to him. He didn't want to question her about her relation with that guy as he wasn't ready for the answer. He suggested going to a nearby park where they would be less likely to be seen by familiar faces.

They seated themselves under a shady tree. Sensing that Andrew's mind was preoccupied, Sabine asked him what was troubling him. Andrew denied having any problem, just that he was feeling tired. Sabine who was feeling likewise, agreed that they should go home to rest and to chat online later in the evening. She gestured to leave. Just then, Andrew grabbed her hand and asked, "Do you love me or not?" Taken aback the unexpected question, Sabine was at a loss for words. However, instead of giving him a direct answer, she took out a paper crane from her schoolbag and handed it to him. Andrew was puzzled by her 'reply' and was figuring out what she meant as he walked her home.

Since then, Sabine would give him a paper crane whenever Andrew confessed his love for her. Andrew's mind grew from one of bewilderedness to one of bafflement and finally to one of uncertainty. Then one day, when ....................

Part 5>>