Love at First Smile

Away from Everything

I was running down the stairs towards the basement area. Since I'm not comfortable wearing my nameplate around the office, I just bring it with me. As I approach the stairs leading to the basement area, I took my nameplate and placed it on the left side of my uniform. I was walking while pinning it and as I look up after wearing it properly, the security guarding the door to the stairs was so close to laughing at me and he just suppressed it by displaying me his most gorgeous smile. If he hadn't been good-looking I'd be so pissed off with him. However, since I find him attractive, I just let it pass. When I took up the stairs from the basement up to the ground floor, I took a second look at him and he just smiled the same gorgeous smile he had when I first saw him. I can't help but smile back at him and yet it got me thinking, "Did he really actually laughed at me? Or am I just making my own assumptions and conclusions?" 

"Now, what? Why are you smiling at me that way again, huh? You know, you're quite something." I just can't be angry with him. I can't stop myself from smiling when I'm with him. "Nothing, it's just that I love staring at you. You know very well that I'm riveted to you. I'm having a hard time pulling the reigns off my eyes from looking at you. And sorry if I can't help but smile when you're around. You make me happy" I just rolled my eyeballs at him and his smile widened as I did it.  

"You don't really remember that day? That was our first meeting. I thought you clearly remembered me since I'm the only one who doesn't wear her nameplate around the office but pins it whenever she comes down to the basement. "I put on my best indignant face and yet it wasn't very effective since a pinch from him could make me smile already. 

Anyway, I was just teasing him around. It's been a long time since we've been like this. I was always away, in Cebu, and busy. He hadn't had a day off in months and he had work too. Good thing, we both had decided to take one day for ourselves so that we can spend time with each other. 

"So, how's your work? You look exhausted. I'm hoping you don't have to go far to work so that I could take care of you here." His eyes were probing, seeking truth from my eyes, proving if something bothers or worries me. Even if he doesn't say it, even if our love's a little bit undefined, having each other's company makes us both happy and that's what's important.  

"I'm fine. Everything's great. It's you who should be taking care of yourself. Look at you. You're not eating much aren't you? Don't worry about me okay? I'm good and I can manage myself well. "I'm not really sure about my feelings for him and yet I really don't care. I enjoy being with him and having conversations with him. I love having him around and I'm happy about it. 

"So, what should we do now?"  "I don't know. What would you like to do? Do you have anything in mind? Any place you'd like us to go or visit? I'd like to go watch movies but it won't be open until lunch." I can't drag myself from not looking at him. He has just that most angelic face I'd ever seen. "And there you go again. I'm feeling a little bit too overwhelmed with your attention. Come along. I'll bring you somewhere.... Nice." And there his smile again that creates quite a spectacle in my already dreamy mind.  

I don't have an idea where he's taking me but it really doesn't matter now. Anywhere with him is fine. We climbed on his bike. It wasn't fancy but it's not ugly either, simple and yet attractive just like him. 

I remembered the first time I got jealous with a girl because of him. He was just talking to her and yet I feel so irritated, especially with her. But we barely knew each other then. Smile is the only thing that connects us, that enables us to communicate with each other. When he smiled at me, I can't help myself from smiling as well. He brightens up my day.  

It was just a week of me seeing him and yet that one day, when I was on my way to the basement, I was surprised that he was assigned on a new location since I'd always see him on the door just before the stairs towards the basement area. I saw him talking to a girl and it got me flabbergasted. More than that, I was exasperated. "I thought he was different. They are all the same. He's a flirt. Why do I have a crush on him anyway?" I passed by them and I never bothered to take a second look at them. I was like an invidious girlfriend out there and yet it wasn't the case.  

Few days after that event, I realize that I was so stupid to ever feel that way. We barely knew each other. I don't even know his name and neither does he. We don't have anything but why have I felt that way that day? It's too thoughtless of me to even think or say something about what he has been doing when he has nothing to do with me. Honestly, it's so embarrassing and it was a good thing that it was just me who knew how I react. 

My thoughts were interrupted by the sound of the motor coming to a stop. "Where are we?" The sight is quite stimulating. This is one of those places I had in my dreams. I'm still entranced with the place when he tugged me on the side. "Let's go. This is just the preface. We've got to get to the climax. Come on." 

I walked beside him. He took my hand and held it in his palm. I just pretended I did not notice but deep inside me, my heart is just about to explode from happiness. Butterflies are circling around my belly and I just can't pull my lips down from smiling eclectic. Can we be like this forever? I can live my life forever with him. 

We've arrived to what he was referring to. It was spectacular. It's one of those places I'd like to stay in and write my stories. It was a view overlooking the vast expanse of the ocean. Around us, I can see ships loaded with boxes of stuffs that I don't know, vehicles parked with couples enjoying the scenery and houses in the seaside with kids playing on the shore. 

"This place is amazing. I never knew this place existed. How were you able to find it? How did you discover this place? Who referred you here? What brought you here in the first place?" I have so many questions but those were my excuse to overcome that incontrollable feeling of wanting him. The place is just so perfect, the timing is so right but I'm afraid that if I take things fast, he might think that I'm an easy to get type of girl. "You're cramming your words again. I just have the perfect solution to that." 

Without a warning, he leaned closer to me and I just felt his lips touch mine, and then we were kissing already. It was the sweetest and most tender kiss I had in my lifetime. Maybe it wasn't the kiss. It was the person who bequeathed it. It was the moment, the timing the feelings that I share with that person. 

I was astonished when he stopped and looked away from me. I was about to ask him why but then he spoke first. "I'm sorry. I shouldn't have done that. I should have told you I was going to kiss you. Maybe I should have asked permission first. I'm really sorry." 

He is sorry. Why? What is he talking about? I enjoyed it, loved it and he is saying sorry for it? 

"Sorry? Because you've given me the most exhilarating feeling I had in my life? You're sorry because..." I was not able to finish what I've got to say since he already has my mouth and I can't help but be drowned in his kiss. 

After our short escapade at the seaside, we had our lunch and we went to the movie house. I was so tired and I fell asleep in the middle of the movie. He made me lean on his shoulders and took my hand. I just feel so happy with him that I just don't want this day to end.  

We went to the park for a stroll and when we got tired, he brought me home. "Guess we'll not be seeing each other again for quite some time." He held my hand as if he'd never let it go. "Yeah, guess we'll be seeing each other again some other time. Toby, thank you. Thank you for making me feel special, for allowing me to feel that I'm secured with you, that I will always be safe and that somebody loves me for real." 

"I love you and I'll do anything to make you happy. I'd never let you feel alone and unloved. Now, take a shower and rest already. You've got an early flight tomorrow. Okay?" There's that entrancing smile of his again which I can't get tired of looking at. "Okay. Bye. I love you." 

Right at that moment, I made the first move and kissed him. It was short, but I know it was enough assurance for both of us. He got up on his bike and rode off. It was a day I'll never forget. 

When I went inside, I immediately took a shower, changed my clothes, prepared my things for the next day, prayed and thanked God for everything and climb up to bed. I fall asleep fast and the next thing I knew, I'm on my way back to Cebu.