Dizzy on the Comedown

IV.

And you asked me,

'How do you feel?' when you're away.

And you asked me,

'How do you pass the days?'

—

"You know you don't have to do this for me, right?" was the first sentence she tells him when she saw him waiting for her in the Los Angeles Airport.

His answer was only a tight smile and the opening of his arms, which she walked in so naturally. Lately, hugs has been a more common thing for them. HJ doesn't mind— in fact, he's grateful for it. Grateful that she finds comfort in him.

It has only been a month, probably less than that, but the second he could smell the shampoo he grew to know so well over the past few months, it felt like the weight of missing her was lifted off his shoulders. He kissed the top of her head, unconsciously, and only realized the act when she froze.

He pulled away. "Sorry."

"It's fine," there was a vague tint of red coloring her dull, flight-worn out face that evening. "Can you, um, close your eyes?"

HJ raised one of his brows, but closed his eyes regardless.

It took three unsure seconds before he felt her lips on his cheek.

They didn't talk about the interaction that took place in the airport for the next few weeks, and even the weeks after that. He didn't want to force her about it anyway, so he simply acted like it didn't happen. Not that there ever was a chance to talk about it, between them trying to find the perfect decoration for her flat, or him being watched by Naura's dad in case he tries anything funny when he's in her flat, or just him generally kept busy helping her settle in with the California Dream scene.

It was already the middle of October when HJ announced to her that he'd have to leave for New York tomorrow.

She didn't whine, or complain, or asked questions. Not that he expected her to, no. He knew she was fully capable on her own.

The last day he had to spend there, they sat in a pizza restaurant by the San Fransisco Bay.

"When are you going to come here again?" The question was rushed, like she felt if she didn't say it that very second, the chance could fade away.

"Why?" He asks back. "Afraid you're going to miss me?"

She rolled her eyes and bit into the warm pizza. "You'd probably be the one missing me, like badly."

HJ smiled, extending his hand to wipe the sauce on the side of her lips. "True."

They sat in silence for a long time, letting the birds flying by and the wave of water and the busy streets fill in the conversation they didn't have.

Naura drove him to the airport the next day, busy making sure that he has everything he needs like the day he left while they were still in Jakarta.

"What are you going to do without me?" She asks, rummaging through his bag, checking off the list she has in hand.

He knows it was a sarcastic question. But looking down at her smaller figure, he couldn't help but let out the truth. Lately, it's been way too hard to hold back in front of her. "Gonna go to uni, make new friends. Find new hobbies other than missing you."

She immediately turned her head up, shocked by honesty in his answer. And then as if a second thought came, she waved him off. "You flirt too much."

"Just with you."

And with that, he pulled her into his hug again, not even waiting for her response to his sentence.

He thought he had the element of surprise. He thought he was going to be the one making shocking moves. But then he heard her mumble against his chest:

"Are we going to make hugging and cheek kisses an airport tradition now?"

He let go so she wouldn't hear how fast his heart was beating. "I'd love if it becomes a tradition."

"Okay," Naura said. "Close your eyes."

Just as he thought she wouldn't talk about the cheek kiss, it became a thing for them instead.

For now, he's happy with that. In a year, maybe he'd be the one leaning down to kiss her lips instead of her tip toeing to kiss his cheek.

Patience, he tell himself. Loving Naura is about patience.