Winter's Love

59

I finished the afternoon photo section. I was surprised to find several missed calls and texts from Ravi. Surely, they should be worried because I left without saying a word. The last message was recent and asked to meet me. I was in a better mood now and I didn't want to hit him for stopping me when I was going to put Hana in her place, so I accepted. I must warn him for his own good, for he was about to run with the same fate as Hana. Never stop me when I'm upset if you don't want to suffer too, in my life that was a fact. I waited for him in a small cafe near my apartment, I wanted to reward my day with a coffee and something sweet. I saw that he was on his way and I grinned at him. I was never going to get used to he being my boyfriend because he was, right? I stood up to beckon him and immediately when he saw me, he approached me with a quick step and hugged me tightly. I was shocked by the show of affection in public, but the place was so deserted and the corner I was in was the furthest away that I didn't care, there was no intrusive eye and I needed that moment. It was the hug I was needing all day.

-Are you ok? -I asked because I could feel the tension in his shoulders. He didn't answer, he just hugged me hard. As if I was afraid to let me go...-. Everything is fine -I comforted him-. I'm fine, I really am -He grabbed a long breath before letting me go.

-Are you sure you're okay? -I nodded. I didn't expect him to understand, but it was fine. Maybe because I haven't faced my office or what's left of it. I don't think I have the courage to go pick it up, at least not today.

-Yes. I did very fun things with Shin Hwa today. Also, I got the afternoon off, isn't it a miracle? Oh, and I still have my job -I laughed, but he didn't join me.

-I'm sorry -He apologized. Something in that word made me worry, without knowing very well the reason. He seemed to hide some things that I couldn't perceive with certainty.

-It's not your fault -Indeed. The fault was of that crazy obsessed chick, but that didn't come to mind now-. Although I give you an advice, for the next time don't hold me back. Do you know how hard it was to contain me? I swear I was going to hit you -I winked. Ravi laughed a little.

-It was for your sake -I knew it but I didn't care in the least. There are things that should be done, putting people in their place was one of them.

-It doesn't matter, I don't want to hurt you.

-And that's exactly why I knew you were going to stop -I rolled my eyes.

-Oh, are you a know-it-all now?

-It was just a stroke of luck -I laughed.

-Do you want coffee? -He shook his head-. Do you have some plans?

-Go to your apartment, order food and stay in the bubble until further notice. Is it okay if I stay tonight again? –I took note that he had a backpack with him.

-Ah, so you're taking advantage of the situation? -He smiled genuinely at me.

-Consider it a prize for the difficult day you have had today.

-Since you put it that way, you're right. I deserve a prize, okay, I accept it.

We walked holding hands because there was no way I could let go of his strong grip. When I tried, he looked at me seriously and put our hands inside his coat. I appreciated those small coincidences of life because that coffee wasn't that famous, so the street was an empty one. When we got to the apartment, he put the key and opened the door keeping it open for me. Those details always warmed my heart.

-Thank you. What do you want to order for dinner?

-Why don't we better make dinner? -He asked causing me to burst into laughter, first, he wanted to order food and now that I cook, who understands him? But I understood because for some reason he enjoyed my food a lot. That made me happy for a lifetime.

-You mean that I cook while you watch? -He grinned and it was so beautiful that I forgot to breathe.

-That counts as help -He winked at me.

-Okay, how about pasta?

-Anything you prepare will be great -I took off my scarf and he helped me take off my coat. The cold was already passing by, but it was still a lot for me. I waited for him, who gave me a warm look from the door.

-What? -He asked curiously.

-You look like a dream... -Then Ravi looked at me in a way that I couldn't interpret. Guilt, maybe?

-This is the reality, Ha Neul. And I'm here -Yes, he was, but I couldn't shake the restlessness anyway. I was worried that anything could happen against his career and that I couldn't do anything about it. It was an insistent thought that didn't leave me.

-I know. Who else if you were not you would be here? -If it were not him, surely nobody would step on the apartment. At least not a man. I liked my freedom enough not to want to share my space.

We didn't talk about what happened at any time, I didn't want to contaminate the moment with that event and apparently, he didn't want to steal my happiness. The end of the day, we ended up on the sofa. I wasn't a person who appreciated spending hours in front of the TV, but Ravi seemed to enjoy it a lot. Surely for the same reason that I, the company. As far as I know, if this man wasn't making music or practicing, his nose was stuck in a book. This time I had my feet on him, and he starts to trace one of the scars on my legs.

-How was it?

-I fell fleeing from my father when I was little -He laughed and pointed another-. Down a tree when I was thirteen -It was hell because I had to dedicate myself to make up the scars when I had sections of photos or dance that required shorts. Now they were more bearable because I know how to cover them, in the beginning, it was a challenge.

-Is it that you didn't take care of yourself?

-I did it, only sometimes it didn't go as planned at the time -I made a face that made him laugh.

-Tomorrow we have to go to a place -I looked at him confused.

-I must go to the office -It was my voice that sounded so bitter? Ravi shook his head.

-I have a couple of plans and I need your help, I've already booked your time on the agenda, so don't worry.

-What will we do?

-It will be a surprise.

-You know surprises are not good for me -I complained.

-Isn't more fun this way?

There was no way to get half a word out of what he was planning. Not even before we go to sleep. I asked him tiredly but Ravi just kissed me, as he always did when he tried to settle the issue and then he hugged me, making it clear that it was time to sleep.