We Were Perfect

4. I love you

Ara's POV
I remember it. The exact moment when we first said we loved each other. It was at his house, in the living room. We were watching a movie, Saving Mr. Banks. I was crying.

Thomas: You are beautiful
Ara: Thom ano ba umiiyak ako eh
Thomas: No Ara, I mean it. I didn't notice it until now.
Ara: Sakit ah?
Thomas: No, not like that. I mean, I just now realized that you are truly beautiful. When you're smiling, you eyes shine bright. When you're mad your concern seeps through. When you're sad, your intentions are seen.
Ara: Um thank you?
Thomas: I don't think you get it Ara. I love you.

I was taken aback when he told me that. Not that I don't feel the same way, I was just caught off guard.

Thomas: It's okay if you don't say it back. You don't have to say it back.

And right then and there, I knew I did. I loved him. I leaned in and kissed him. His lips were soft, like the inside of the rose. I think we both knew then, that we would be responsible for each other's hearts

Ara: Promise me we won't break each other's hearts?
Thomas: What if we do? If we're so guarded, we won't be anything. Let's do it for real. No safety nets. Let's go all in. You can break my heart, do whatever you want with it.

That was the first time we said we loved each other. We say I love you or love nowadays like it means nothing. We see a cute puppy, we say 'I love you'. We see a cute new top from our favorite store we say 'I love this'. We eat something new and it tickles our tastebuds 'This is love' we claim. Love, we love this, that, him, her, them, you. The more we say it, the more it feels like a routine rather than saying it because we actually feel it. Let me tell you a secret, everytime I told Thomas I loved him, it was real. I could feel my heart beating, like it could explode from my chest.

---

It was my Mika's 18th birthday, everyone was dressed up. The team decided to go to the venue together, the archers, they were also invited. We arrived early and later I hear my friends teasing me

Carol: Arabelle! Yung boyfriend mo pinagpyepyestahan sa baba! Ang gwapo friend!
Kim: Napapastraight niya ako Ara, seryoso sobrang gwapo ni Thomas ngayon

Thomas. Just hearing his name, sumisikip dibdib ko. Grabe talaga, anong ginawa sakin nitong lalaking to?

Cams: Bebe, nakita ko si boylaloo! Totoo nga ang gwapo! Ano pinakain mo dun? Bakit ka nagustuhan?
Cienne: Grabe naman kayo! Maganda kaya si Ara! Dapat lang na may Thomaa Torres siya no.

I hear them chatter more but then suddenly, all of the voices surrounding me fades. I see him walk in, in slow motion. I can feel my heart beating, like it wants to escape from it's cage. I can't breathe properly. He sees me. We lock eyes. He smiles. I could feel my knees getting weak. His smile lights up the room. And now, we're only inches apart

Thomas: My belle, you look lovely

He holds me by the waist and keeps me close to him. He kisses my forehead. Then, all of a sudden, all the fast beating, the trouble breathing, it goes away. I feel safe, I feel at home, I feel loved.

Ara: I love you

I knew at that moment, I was in for trouble. This guy has my heart, he can break it without even knowing that he has the power to. But that didn't matter, I didn't care, I don't care. All that matters is I have him with me, right here, right now.

Before that night ended he drove me back to the dorm. I was fixing my stuff then when I opened my clutch I saw a letter.

Belle,

What an honor it is to be loved by you.

With love,
Beau

Love, it makes the world go round. Some people die for love, some people have fought wars, some people live for love and some never asked for it, and it comes in the most unexpected time. I never asked to fall in love, it was never my dream. Hindi ko pinagplanuhan kasal ko nung bata ako katulad ng marami. Nung high school, lahat sila pinaguusapan mga lalaki, ako, iniisip ko kung ano kakainin ko for lunch. Pero ganun pala yun, dadating na lang bigla, hindi mo inaasahan. At akala ko noon hindi ko kakailanganin ang pag-ibig. I've never been so wrong in my life. He came in, and I don't know what I'd do if he leaves.

You're wrong Thomas, it is an honor to be able to love you.