If it's fate

Part 14: true feels

I turn around to look at Mera's nephew."Candy..." he says.
"Leo," I say.
"You guys know each other? What a coincidence," she says.
"Yeah, what a coincidence," I say back.
"Are you hungry Leo?" Mera asks.
"Yeah, what are you eating?" Leo asks.
"Noddles, Sit down I'll grab you a plate," Mera says walking away to the kitchen.

Leo sits down beside me and smiles at me.
"How do you know my aunt?" He asks.
"I met her today when I was trying to find a restaurant, but the restaurant is already closed," I say.
"You met her today? You followed her home?" He asks.
"Yeah.." I say.
"She's very dangerous," he says.
"I'm not, why you telling her ridiculous stuff," Mera says coming back with a plate.
She puts the plate down and sits down across from me.
"Have more Candy," she says pointing to the noddles.
"I'm full, thank you, it was delicious," I say smiling.
"I'll make you something else when you come next time," she says.
I smile at her.

They finish eating. I get up.
"Let me take your plates," I say, grabbing the plates and utensils.
I walk to the kitchen and put the plates and utensils into the sink. I roll both my sleeves up.
"Candy, don't wash them, I can do them later," Mera says from the table.
"No it's fine, you made the food, I'll clean," I say.
"Go help her," I hear Mera say to Leo.
Leo comes and helps me. He stands very close to me.
"Let me help," he says.
"Just dry them," I say.

We finish washing and drying the dishes. By now it's already dark. I walk towards Mera.
"I think I got to go, thank you. The food was delicious," I say.
"Yeah come again... how are you getting home?" She asks.
"I'll just call a U-,"
"I'll take you home," Leo says smiling. Before I can finish my word.
"Great, yeah let Leo take you home," Mera says.
"It's okay, it's fine, I don't want to bother Leo," I say.
"No it's fine, it's dangerous," Leo says.
"Okay, Leo takes her home.. let's exchange numbers Candy," Mera then says.
I give her my number and she gives me hers.
"Let's go," Leo says.
"Thank you, Mera," I say.
We walk out of Mera's place and head towards Leo's car.
(beep-beep)
I open the door and sit down awkwardly. Moments later I hear a sound from Leo's phone.

(Ting* a few seconds later, (ting ting ting)***)
Leo picks up his phone and opens the messages. His eyes widen.
"What is it?" I ask curiously.
He shows me a photo. A photo of me and him doing the dishes.
"Did Mera take that?" I ask.
"Yes she did, and she sent it to my family group chat." He says.
"It's fine I don't mind, they're going to see that you know how to dry a plate," I say proudly.
"It's fine, but my family is not your typical family, they're insane." He then says.
"What harm can they do, it's fine." I then say.
(Ting* ting ting*) we both look at the messages being sent
"Is that his girlfriend"
"She's cute, so small"
"When we going to meet her"
"What family is she from"
"Is that your wife, when the baby coming"
I look up at him. We both look at each other awkwardly.
"Haha..." I say laughing. We both looked away embarrassed. He puts down his phone and mutes it.
"Let's go.. it's getting late." He then says.
He starts the car and we depart.

10 minutes into the car ride, none of has said anything until I decided to say something.

"You have a girlfriend,"
"No," he says.
"Why haven't you found anyone yet?" I ask.
"No girl stayed with me because of my family background." He says taking a left turn.
"Why not? Your family seems lovely and you're not even close to ugly." I say.
"No, once they know who I am, they turn away or their parents don't agree." He then says.
"Well if it's not fate, it's not. But if it is, it is. You're going to find someone soon." I say.

The light turns red ahead, so we stop.
"Can that person be you?" He says turning his face to look at me.
I'm shocked by what he says, and I can't help but blush.
"Haha..." I say. "Well if it's fate," I say concluding. I shyly turn towards the window and look out at the night.