Oyama: Her Story

CHAPTER 71

My alarm rings and I’m looking everywhere for my phone, oh shit, its downstairs. I sit up and shift closer to the edge of the bed and grab my underwear. There’s no way, I’m walking around her father’s house naked, that would be disrespectful. I walk out the room and walk downstairs quietly.
I grab my phone and kill the alarm, I look at the stairs, usually I would go for a run. I walk back upstairs and stand at the door frame and look at her sleeping peacefully underneath the pink duvet, her left leg exposed. All the money I make and none of it can make me as happy as I am right here in this moment. Right now, looking at her.
I walk closer and look at her, she’s so beautiful. I stand there for a moment, just taking her in. She looks so peaceful, her face soft and relaxed in sleep. The sunlight peeks through the curtains, casting a warm glow over her skin. For someone who can drive me crazy, both good and bad, she’s perfect like this—uncomplicated, real, and mine. I lean down and press a gentle kiss to her exposed shoulder, my lips lingering for a second longer than they need to. She stirs slightly, murmuring something under her breath that I can’t quite catch.
A smile spreads across my face. I want to let her sleep, but part of me wants her awake, just so I can see those hazel eyes light up when she looks at me. Walking quietly to the bed, I sit down at the edge. The mattress dips slightly under my weight, and she shifts again, her leg brushing against mine.
"Good morning," I say softly, my voice barely above a whisper.

She doesn’t respond at first, just lets out a small hum and pulls the duvet tighter around herself. But then, slowly, her eyes flutter open, and she squints at me, her lips curving into a sleepy smile.
"Morning," she whispers, her voice raspy from sleep. I brush a strand of hair out of her face, my thumb grazing her cheek, "You sleep okay?"
She nods, snuggling deeper into the duvet, "Yeah. You?"
"Best sleep I’ve had in a while," I admit, and it’s true. I haven’t felt this rested—this calm—in what feels like forever. She stretches, her arms reaching above her head, and the duvet slips down, revealing more of her bare shoulder. My eyes linger for a moment before I stand up, knowing if I stay too long, I’ll never leave the room.
"I was thinking of going for a run," I say, looking over my shoulder at her, "You wanna join me?" She laughs softly, burying her face in the pillow, "You’re crazy if you think I’m leaving this warm bed to run around in the cold."
I chuckle, shaking my head, "Suit yourself. I’ll be back soon." I grab my running shoes from the bag I’d brought and head downstairs to get dressed.
The air outside is crisp, and the sun is just starting to climb higher into the sky. As I jog down the quiet street, my mind drifts back to her—how soft her skin felt under my fingers, how her laughter filled the room last night, how she fit so perfectly against me when we were lying in bed.
By the time I make it back to the house, I’m sweating but feeling good. I step inside, and the warmth of the house greets me instantly. I walk upstairs, and lean on the doorframe again. She’s still in bed, but this time she has some underwear on.

"How was your run?" she asks, sitting up and looking at me.
"Good," I say, grabbing a towel from my bag to wipe the sweat off my face, "But it would’ve been better if you’d joined me."
She rolls her eyes, a playful smile on her lips, "You’re not dragging me into your fitness obsession, Kea. Not happening."
I walk up to the bed and hop on, wrapping my arms around her waist, "We’ll see about that," I tease, kissing the side of her neck.
She laughs, trying to wiggle out of my hold, but I tighten my grip, "Let me go," she says between laughs.
"Never," I reply, resting my chin on her shoulder.
For a moment, we just stand there, swaying slightly, her back against my chest. It’s these small moments that I want to hold onto forever—the quiet, simple ones that remind me why I keep coming back to her.
“What time are you gonna study?” I ask.
“I don’t know why?” she asks.
“Hebanna, you writing on Monday, I want you to do well, plus I wanna take you out to Dinner later tonight.” I say.
“Ohhh, look at you, taking me out on our first dinner date” she smiles.
“I know I have been busy most Saturdays, but how about it?” I ask.
“OK, but first you need to go take a shower, because you really smell and sweaty” she says. I pull her closer and kiss her cheek, over and over.
Before letting her go and standing up and taking off my shoes. As I stand under the hot water, letting it wash away the morning’s run, I can’t help but think about how lucky I am. For once in my life, things feel right. When I step out of the shower, she’s already downstairs.