While I haven't left the country yet, I will make the most of the time I have with Eli. Just like now, I've been staring at her for a few minutes while she sleeps soundly in my bed. For a few months, I cried for this woman, but I never thought that the day would come when she herself would knock on my door and tell me that she loved me too. It's just sad that when everything was ready for me to leave, that's when the time she had the courage to confess to me. I'm honestly afraid that we might not be able to handle a long-distance relationship, but I trust Eli; I know she's not easily tempted.
I noticed that she moved, and she slowly opened her eyes.
"Good morning, baby," I greeted Eli.
"Morning, baby, did you awake early?" she asked as she caressed my cheek.
I held her hand before I answered.
"I just woke up. I was about to get up, but I stayed because I'm afraid that I might wake you up, so I'm watching you sleep first.".
"I hope you woke me up. Do you have any errands today?" she asked as she slowly got up.
"Yes, I'm going home to get my things," I said.
"I'll go with you; I'll drive you home," she says.
"Don't you have work today?" I asked her.
She shook her head and slowly helped me get off the bed.
Eli and I sat at the cozy breakfast table, the morning sun casting a warm glow through the window. The aroma of freshly brewed coffee and sizzling bacon filled the air, adding to the comfort of the moment.
I took a sip of my coffee prepared by Eli, my eyes sparkling with excitement.
"I can't wait to show you my place later, baby. It's been a while since you've been there," I said.
Eli smiled, a piece of toast in her hand.
"I'm looking forward to it too, baby. Your place always feels like home to me," she answered.
As we enjoyed our meal, I shared my plans for the day.
"After breakfast, we can head to my house. I want to show you some of the changes I've made," I said.
Eli nodded,
"That sounds perfect. I love seeing how you've transformed your space," she happily answered.
Our conversation flowed effortlessly, filled with laughter and shared memories. The anticipation of spending the day together and exploring my space later added an extra layer of joy to our morning.
We were already inside the car, with Eli making sure my seatbelt was secure before she started the engine.
"Are you ready, baby?" Eli asked, her happiness evident in her gaze.
"I've always been ready, baby," I replied.
As we drove, there was a period of silence until Eli unexpectedly broke it.
"Promise me, baby, that we can handle the challenges of being apart," she said, glancing at the rearview mirror.
"You know me, baby; I'm not easily swayed," I reassured her, squeezing her hand.
Although Eli smiled, there was sadness in her eyes as she looked at me.
"I realize now that I wasted a lot of time. If only I had known that we would end up like this, I would have gathered the courage to confess my feelings earlier," Eli said sadly.
"Don't dwell on regret because no matter how much you regret, you can't change what has already happened," I said.
As Eli continued driving, she let out a sigh.
"I've loved you for a long time, Zia. I've been hesitant to admit it to myself because of our life situation," Eli said sadly.
"When has our situation ever been an issue for me? I fully accept you, including every aspect of your well- being. You know that," I assured her.
"Yes, I know you accept me, but I worry about what people who know you will think about you and what your family and friends will say," she responded.
"Baby, do you know me right? I'm the kind of person who doesn't care about others' opinions as long as I'm happy with my choices. That's what truly matters to me," I replied.
"I know, I'm sorry, baby. I've just let my insecurities consume me, and I've been a coward," Eli admitted sadly.
In that moment, my love for Eli grew even stronger. Her genuine response made me happy, though it was difficult for her to talk about it, but she still did, and my heart is full of happiness because I felt that this was the beginning of a new chapter in our relationship.
When we arrived home, my brother greeted us with excitement.
"Zia! You're here!" Zion exclaimed happily.
After stepping out of the car, he immediately hugged me tightly.
"I've missed you so much!" he said affectionately.
I gently pushed him away and walked towards Eli.
"Zi, do you remember Eli?" I asked Zion.
He observed Eli closely, and suddenly his face turned red.
"Eli, this is my brother Zion." I introduced them.
Eli approached Zion, but Zion quickly turned his back and hurriedly went inside the house.
I shook my head, knowing for a while now that Zion had a crush on Eli. He was just unlucky because I got to Eli first, I thought to myself, chuckling.
"Baby, let's go inside," I suggested, holding her hand.
Eli glanced at our intertwined hands, seemingly unsure whether it was appropriate.
"Baby, I've been telling you that I don't care about other people's opinions of us. I love you, and I'm not ashamed of our relationship," I told her.
However, I could still see a hint of discomfort on her face. To surprise her, I leaned in and kissed her on the lips.
"What are you doing?" she asked, surprised.
"I'm just kissing you," I replied with a smile.
"What if your parents saw us?" she said.
I shrugged before answering confidently.
"I'm old enough, and I make my own decisions. If my parents disapprove of our relationship, I'll fight for you against everyone that comes our way. That's how much I love you, baby," I explained earnestly.
Eli remained silent, her gaze fixed on me. I understood that she still had fears, and I respected that. All I could do now was show my commitment and assure her that I was ready to stand up for our love, even if it meant going against my own family.
