Bada and you stayed in her room for nearly half an hour. After carefully touching up your makeup and grabbing all you needed- you were ready to head out. As you and Bada strolled outside, you stepped into an Italian taxi for the first time; Bada instructed you to tell the driver to drop you off near the national library, leading you away from the city center.
The taxi stopped on the side of the road, and you emerged hand in hand with Bada, gently swaying them as you walked.
"Where are we going?" You inquired, your curiosity peeking. "Is it far?"
Bada grinned. "Just a little further."
She turned to the right, and when you looked around, realization dawned on you. A giggle escaped when you noticed the cinema at the end of the street- the thought of Bada, a person who did not understand Italian, watching a movie in Italian, made you chuckle.
"Are we really going to watch a movie?" You inquired, smiling.
Bada turned her gaze toward you, a hint of concern in her eyes. "You don't want to watch a movie? We can go somewhere else if you want, angel."
"Bada, I'm just curious because you don't speak Italian." You chuckled. "How are you going to understand?"
Smirking, Bada replied. "In the morning, I pulled out my trusty translation app and asked them if they had subtitles for the movies, and luckily for me, they did."
You gently squeezed her hand, your thumb tracing soothing circles. Emotion welled up inside you- Bada was always attentive. It dawned on you that it was time to plan something special for her in return.
As Bada held the door open for you, you noticed the cinema had alternative vibes. It was adorned with vinyl records, vintage movie posters, art, and a plaque displaying the name of the cinema- "Cineteatro Don Bosco."
"Let me handle this." You whispered to Bada, and she nodded in agreement.
You let go of her hand and approached the counter. Engaging in conversation with the employee, he explained that the cinema room was designed for small groups, allowing you and Bada to enjoy the movie in private. He assured that subtitles could be arranged for Bada and that you could order some snacks before the movie.
You relayed the details to Bada, and she told you to order a cappuccino for her- you ordered two, and they were quickly served. Bada stepped into the cozy cinema room and settled into the seats. Before the movie began, the room was filled with music, providing a perfect opportunity for you to glance at Bada and tilt your head with a smile.
"Bada." You whispered. "Can you ask you something before the movie starts?"
She smiled, her eyes reflecting the dim lights of the screen. "Tell me, baby."
You snuggled closer, letting your head rest on her shoulder, and asking her the question that had been lingering in your mind. "Do you think we were meant to be? Like, if the universe had written our story, and I was destined to come to Potenza at this exact time, and you hadn't left because I was on my way."
Bada took a sip of her cappuccino, exhaling a sigh before responding. "I don't usually buy into that fate and destiny stuff." She began, her gaze wandering. "But, I can't deny it felt like this was meant to be. Somehow, our connection felt like something we both needed. In such a short time, we just... clicked."
Bada wrapped her arm around your shoulder- a gesture reminiscent of two teenagers on a date at the movie theater for the first time. The innocence and purity of your connection with her mirrored the nature of first love, making it unique and different.
As you lifted your cappuccino to your lips, you whispered. "I'm glad you feel that way."
In response, Bada's smile illuminated the dimly lit cinema room- her teeth peeked through her smile, and you could not help but admire the genuine warmth it brought you. She rarely smiled that way.
The screen lit up, signaling the beginning of the movie. Playfully, Bada placed her finger over her lips and did a little "shh," adding a quirky touch to the moment, making you giggle silently.
As the movie unfolded on the screen, your mind could not help but drift away, yet Bada seemed engrossed in the film, her focus fixed on the screen. Meanwhile, your thoughts wandered into contemplating your feelings for Bada.
The temptation of wanting to be by her side, to have her presence as a constant in your life- you envisioned hundreds of scenarios with her in your mind. However, a nagging doubt crept in– were you becoming too attached, too clingy, and too quickly? You recognized the gaps in your knowledge about her– her past, her family, and the details of her life back home. Was it usual to harbor such feelings for someone who you did not know much about her personal history? It was a mystery to you.
A wave of thoughts overwhelmed you, each raising a question about the depth of your feelings for her- you were paying even less attention to the movie now.
The idea of introducing Bada to your family triggered a flood of concerns. The prospect of presenting her as more than just a friend- presenting as basically your girlfriend. Would your mom be concerned? Would she view Bada as a stranger rather than a trustworthy person? The potential worry etched on your mom's face, and the probable skepticism from your dad made you stressed out, even if it was not happening in the near future.
As you navigated these considerations, a realization struck you – why were you contemplating introducing Bada to your parents in the first place? The idea of her meeting your family seemed to transcend the realm of mere fondness. You were thinking about scenarios that surpassed conventional liking- the thought of her meeting your parents, visiting your hometown, and sharing a bedroom with her. These were not actions you would imagine if you just liked her.
The question echoed in your mind with growing intensity – was this more than just a strong liking? Could it be that these emotions were love?
YOU ARE READING
strawberry fields | bada lee
Fanfictionduring your trip to italy, intended for language practice, fate led you to meet a mysterious girl. will you give her a chance?
