"Can I ask you out on a date tomorrow?" When he uttered those nine words, we went silent. I could feel his nervousness aligning with mine.
"Yes," I replied almost a whisper.
After ending the call, I could feel the butterflies in my stomach fidgetting and unsettled. I was holding my breath for a long time and my face was heating up.
True to their unsettling movement in my stomach, and the words lingering in my head, I had a hard time sleeping.
I woke up feeling very groggy and light-headed due to the sleepless night. But I could bear this. I said to myself. This is a very special day for me. I could feel the excitement and happiness in my system kicking in.
I've been staring at the mirror. I think I chose a pretty decent dress. I should at least look nice in front of him once in a while.
While doing final touches, "Nic!" Mom calling me from downstairs.
"Coming!"
He is smiling radiantly and I could not help myself but be mesmerized. But I controlled myself for my Mom is in front of us. Jesson said goodbye to Mom and I kissed my Mom in the cheeks. She eyes me and I just shrug and shyly smiled.
This is so awkward. We are not being ourselves once we left my house. We are silently walking in the mall. I took a peek at him. He is smiling widely. Ah this cute looking boy. His chinito eyes were obviously disappearing and I could not help but gawk at his side profile. I was taken aback to reality when the door chimed when he opened the door for me.
The warm air welcomes us. The shop smells like a mixture of coffees and chocolates. The sweet smell circulates because the coffee bar is the first thing you'll see when you enter the shop. The coffee shop is nice and cozy. Looks like I found a new favorite spot. The aura will entice appetite and it takes you to the world of aestheticness.
My insides were already full by the giddy feels but I knew eating breakfast would lessen the awkwardness we're feeling.
"I will order for us. Is that alright?" I smiled and nodded. He immediately went to the smiling barista and I sat on the first table next to the coffee bar. The dim lights were bright enough to lit the sitting area.
Since I've been anticipating to what will happen today, I could not help but grin a lot since earlier. Thankfully, the smell of coffee relaxes me. Different lingering thoughts started to bother me but as always, my savior came to save me and soon followed me carrying a tray filled with a frappe, iced coffee and two slices of cakes.
We started eating silently. Even though we are both excited and nervous at the same time, it was suprisingly calming. In the middle of our breakfast, our favorite song started to play. I stunned. My hearts started to beat so fast. Is this it? In my rearview since my head is lying low, he put aside his fork and suddenly faked a cough. I looked up and our eyes met. This is the moment where you forget to breathe for a moment. My face starts to heat up.
"Nicole." He called me. Oh wow he called me. Why am I sweating that much? It's just my name.
He started talking and everything seems to move slow. I am suddenly reminded of what we've been through.
I am still gawking and appreciating his looks and cute smile. He smiled and called my name again and everything went back to normal. I was back to reality. I could hear the music still playing, the coffee being grinded and the smell of cinnamon fills my nose.
"I like you so much." He blushed. And I died. Jokingly, I said to myself. "I like everything about you. Is that alright with you?"
Yes, it is alright with me but my heart is not okay with it. I am double dead right now.
I smiled shyly and nodded. He gently holds my hand and it calms my rapidly beating heart. He gave me this boyish smile and I gives it back with my reassuring smile.
And that is how our story started.
