A Sweet Transaction

Chapter 12: Bearable

Nia POV

I woke up a little bit earlier than usual today. With the sun ray seeking through our windows, I could really feel the spring breeze coming through.

The person next to me was still loudly asleep. He seemed so peaceful while sleeping, as his sturdy arms were tightly wrapped around my waist.

I traced the tip of Raffaello's nose and used my finger to continue tracing his well-sculpted face.

Until now, having him next to me feels like a daydream. Everything feels like a dream.

Often, I wonder, is this even real?

I couldn't help but gush upon seeing his face. Even though I see it everyday now since we changed our relationship arrangements, I am still at awe at how handsome he is with his features.

Even his eyelashes are long, which made me pout because they seem even longer than mine...

When he's awake, he's even more handsome since I could see his slightly smaller eyes and dimples on his face.

When I checked the digital alarm clock on the bedside table on his side, that's when I realised I needed to stop playing around and start preparing for the day.

I have the rest of the day free since it's just my first day of doing night shifts... I guess that's just the healthcare worker life – irregular shifts and schedules.

While busying myself in the kitchen, I suddenly felt a warm presence behind me.

I immediately knew who it was. Raffaello. I noticed that he always like doing backhugs like this to me. It's not like I mind it, though.

"Morning." he said huskily.

"Morning.." I replied, while continuing with my last minute preparations.

"Ok... all done!" I said, picking up the plate of what I just made and putting it on our dining table.

"Thank goodness I work afternoon today. I still get to see you all morning..." he cheesily said as we started eating our breakfast.

"Yeah, at least we'll still see each other. I don't like doing night shifts because the whole day's gone... In the morning, I'm sleeping so I won't see you. At night, I'm working while you're at home..."

Raffaello let out a fake sigh.

"That's why I keep on telling you, you should just let me support you. You don't have to keep doing it..."

I immediately rolled my eyes at him, brushing off his ridiculous offer.

"I may not view nursing as a passion, but I do like the science side of it. Analysing patient's diagnoses, things like that. You know what, that's why I admire you for being so good and patient to your patients..."

"What do you mean? Even from another ward, I would pass by sometimes for roundings and could see that you're a good nurse. You're very thorough with your care. You just don't want to admit it. And I'm saying this as a professional, not just because I'm in love with you."

My mouth pursed into a thin line, a bit abashed with the sudden compliment from Raf.

"I feel like I don't deserve that praise because my heart's not really in it, you know? I find healthcare work too tiring. I don't like it. I am just a conniving person and chose it for convenience and rationality. It is not my calling personally."

"Then what it is that you want to do?"

With that question, I dropped my cutleries for a while and started thinking.

"I'm superficial so I like to look pretty and become even prettier. Get new bags, skin treatments. Travel. Things like those. They make life a bit bearable..." I said, honestly voicing out my superficial thoughts.

I looked at him, who was nodding as he continued to eat his meal.

"I'll give you all of those things." Raf said with confidence.

"No. Just like now, it's okay if I don't have those... Life right now is already bearable because of you." I said genuinely.

I saw Raffaello's expression waver for a mere second. He put down his cutleries on his side as well.

"Who knew you could say sweet things like that? I might need a MET call team here to help me with my heart."

I laughed at how silly he is.

"Haha. But I'm not joking, Raf. I was just thinking whether I should continue striving for life but when I met you, I figured I should continue fighting to live because life became more colourful. Even though I'm tired from work and studies, I had you by my side who continued supporting me towards my goals."

"Hey, I should be the one saying that..."

Raffaello got up from his chair and walked towards me, whose chair was in front of him.

He tilted my chin, which gave him an easy access to devour my mouth completely. He made sure he conquered every corner of my mouth, not leaving anything he has not touched.

"I love you, Nia..."

After being a bit breathless from his kiss, I pulled him down a bit and whispered to his ear whilst still sitting on my chair.

"I love you too... maybe now, we can do 'it', again, hmm?"

Raffaello's small almond eyes looked boggled when he heard my whisper but it quickly changed into a burning gaze.

That's when I knew I had finally succeeded in convincing him. After all, it has been a long, long while, since we had done it...