Rekindled Embers 1

“Jasmine, meet your new colleague. This is…”

 

“Jasmine Chen?” 

 

“Ryosuke?”

 

I looked at Ryo… Bewildered. We were really close during secondary school before he left to spend time with his grandma who had moved into a hospice.

 

“Looks like you know each other! Great. Jasmine is our finance manager and Ryosuke just joined as a tech officer to work on optimization of the finance processes. You’ll be working together. Bring Ryosuke around the rest of the office please, I’m headed out.”

 

Ryo stared at me, unable to open his mouth or make any sounds. 

 

I leaned forward on my desk “Start with… I’m sorry I didn’t keep in touch…” 

 

“I’m sorry I disappeared. It was a difficult time and I… I missed you.” you took half a step forward and shifted your foot back again. 

 

I felt anger and a wave of relief. I had a chance to see you again. My rise from the chair sent it careening backwards. Lost in your eyes, I didn’t realise my hands poised on your cheeks. Abruptly, I removed the physical contact from your face. “You grew your hair out. Going for a samurai bun?” The room felt tense and I tried shifting the vibe.

 

“Yeah. I’ve been growing it out. You too. Never saw you with enough length for a french twist.” 

 

 

“Grew it out for my ex. Can’t get used to me looking so feminine?” My thoughts went haywire. Mentioning my relationship status felt like a social blunder, a clumsy attempt to announce my availability.

 

“Not at all. Suits you.” I could hear your voice sounded shallow, like you were holding something back. 

 

I ended our office tour at the pantry with a casual, “See you after work, if you’d like.”.

 

(After work, we took a short 20-minute walk over to my place. We joked and laughed as we reminisced. I made him pay for takeaway, including desserts as a way of payback for ghosting on me. But I did miss Ryo too and it was so easy to talk)

 

“Maybe I’m imagining things, but did you seem a little shy about looking directly at me while we walked? Half the time you were half a step behind.” I ambushed you right as we were about to turn into my apartment. “Confess or I won’t let you in.” A beat of silence followed as our eyes met. Your gaze dipped downwards and then aside before you spoke in a hushed tone, admitting…

 

“Ugh, I can’t help myself! Your voice, your eyes… everything feels so familiar yet more matured, and your hair too! All I’ve been able to think about is you today, and it’s making me crazy!” the heaviness in the air doubled before you spoke again, “I have a hair fetish Jasmine, your hair is what feet or boobs are to other men. The way you put your hair up… I haven’t been able to stop looking at your hair, that’s why I’m half a step behind you, that’s why I’ve been a little distracted.”

 

The confession tapered off and the surrounding ambient noises came back. “I’m flattered, Ryo. I’m glad you decided to be honest. Stop withdrawing into yourself and disappearing.” I muttered a cheer under my breath as you chose to be open instead of repressing all your inner thoughts. As you looked up again, a smirk took over my lips, “you’ll get your chance with my hair when I’m having desserts.” That flustered turn of your lower half to face away as I gave permission to touch my hair? Totally adorable.

 

Dinner flew by as we did more catching up. I was waiting for you to touch my hair so badly. My ex did a bad job when I needed to be stimulated. I have a hair fetish too that needs to be satisfied. 

 

Before I knew it, you walked around and sat behind me. A hush fell between us, the only echo was the gentle murmur of the conversation we just had. My breath caught as I felt your hand hesitantly reach up, your fingers brushing the edge of my hairline. A spark ignited where your touch lingered, sending a tremor down my spine.

 

Slowly, your hand ascended, tracing a path up to the twist and finally settling at the claw clip. My raven locks, my source of pride, my body felt heavy with anticipation as your fingers sank into their cool, silky depths. A gasp escaped my lips as you began to pinch the claw clip to release my hair. The black silky strands sprang free, tumbling past my neck, shoulders, and landing just past my bra strap. 

 

Your palms found their way between my back and my hair, gently lifting my hair away from my back as you pulled down towards the ends. The palms gradually changed into fingers, raking my hair from the neck till the ends, lifting and letting them settle, slowly spreading my tresses out. 

 

There was a slight pause before your fingertips grazed my scalp, sending a delicious tingle through me. Each stroke was deliberate, unhurried, as if you were savouring the texture of my hair, the way it flowed between your fingers. My eyes fluttered closed, surrendering to the sensual dance of your touch.

 

The weight of your hand in my hair was a grounding presence, yet the slow, methodical combing sent a current of electricity through me. It was an intimate exploration disguised as a simple act, and I revelled in the unspoken desire that hung heavy in the air.

 

As I basked in the afterglow of your ministrations, your voice, a soft murmur, drifted over me. “Jas, would you ever consider letting your beautiful hair grow even longer?” you asked, a hint of longing in your voice. “There’s so much to play with, to pamper…”

 

This time, I dug my hands in the shelter between my neck and my hair, a flick sent the glossy strands smashing into your skin. “I could, if you let me decide your hairstyle and continue playing with my hair like you did today.”

 

“Deal.” Your firm unwavering response came with a soft embrace. One that sent us back to a more carefree time. 

 

*****

 

Time passed quickly from May till the year end. There was lots of playing, pampering, and styling, but nothing turned him on more than my hair loose on my back. In July Ryo pleaded me to let him trim my hair. Which I joyfully accepted. Nothing more thrilling than letting the one you like have control over your crowning glory. He did a great job cutting a blunt line.

 

 

Later that month, I sent him to a salon in a pink sweater, or salmon as he calls it. Told him specifically to request for rounded ends and no layers. He was a great sport.

 

 

*****

 

By June of next year he got really good at the quarterly hair trims. I even allowed him to cut u-shaped ends for my hair. We got crazy busy each time after a haircut. It was a struggle to maintain normalcy and not rush to get into bed. 

 

At this length, it was difficult to have complicated updos, but I try anyway and made him do it for me to maintain a more professional look for work. But it wasn’t my hair our colleagues were asking about, they wanted to know about Ryo’s hair. 

 

 

Our colleagues managed to convince him to come on some days with his hair loose. It looked amazing with the new u-shaped ends even though the stylist made it look more like v-shaped ends. I told him to get a hair treatment while at the salon and I couldn’t take my hands off his hair. 

 

 

*****

 

By Halloween of next year, my hair reached classic length. I was as Rapunzel as can be. My hair was always up in buns or braids to be practical. Once in a while, I left my hair loose when I’m indoors and when I’m sure Ryo would be able to see my hair. It fills him up with desire and I love it. 

 

He started going on about how I looked in the past with short hair. I can imagine where he’s going with it.

 

 

I accompanied him on his last visit to the salon. I made him keep the hair cutting robe on after his haircut and snapped many photos of his hair. Simply gorgeous waist length hair that has befuddled many. 

 

I teased him too, about losing his beautiful hair. Pointing to places like his collarbone or neck to bob him one of these days or even to buzz off his long hair. I think he’s starting to get pretty attached to that pretty hair. 

 

 

(My first hair story. Thinking of doing hair cutting in part 2. If there’s something you like here or would like to see in part 2, let me know.)