Yours Truly (On Going)

XIV

I stared into him as I processed the words he told me, his eyes darkened as his feelings deepened. I was trembling from shock that after all the times I thought he'd never reciprocate the way I feel, I was always wrong.

My mind had answers to his question but my mouth wouldn't seem to open up and say those. I kept silent for a whole minute and he did was stare at me. Is it way too fast to answer him now?

"Bri, are you okay?" He asked. He held me on my shoulders and brushed them, making it really soothing, and relieving  from the stress I am feeling.

"Yeah, I'm good." I replied.

"You don't need to answer right awa-"

"Yes."

I admit. Why would I even let this pass? Why would I even make him wait for so long, again?

"What-, is that?, Bri, I..." He stuttered. I hear a lot of excitement from his voice and he can never deny it.

"Yes. I said 'Yes', Paolo." I said and smiled at him, his eyes were filled sparkling from happiness and his smile reached his ears. I've never seen Paolo this happy before and I'm glad I made him smile.

"You mean so much to me, Bri." Paolo said as he hugged me and kissed my forehead. Paolo has been great to almost everyone but he has always been exceptional especially to me.

Paolo took care of me, giving me a ride almost everyday from house to school, giving me foods even when I didn't ask him to buy me one, carrying my bag even when I can carry it myself and protecting me when he needs to. How can I just let this opportunity go?

* * * * *

I woke up on the right side of my bed and I feel like this day is going to be mine. I'm feeling a little confident and happy today, I'm assuming you know why.

I immediately showered and picked a cute outfit for myself— a high waisted denim pants, a black satin cami top and a black inched heeled sandal that matched my top. I wanted to look good before Paolo comes.

It was only six:fifty three in the morning when I heard a knock on the front door, completely assuming that that could be Paolo.

"Darling dear, Paolo's here to pick you up." Mom shouted downstairs, I hurried myself and grabbed my things. I couldn't seem to stop the excitement I have, it must be because it'll be my first time having a boyfriend or because Paolo is the boyfriend.

I reached the last step of the stairs when I saw Paolo sitting on the couch, his back facing mine. If I were alone or if everyone in this house were deaf, I'd scream myself out of the giddyness I feel.

"Good morning." I shyly said.

"Hey, how is your sleep?" Paolo said as he got up from the couch and went to me to kiss my forehead. Paolo has always been this sweet to me but this feels more like it.

"It was good, yours?" I asked.

"It was really good since you're in it." He said as he tucked my hair behind my ear. I heard my heart pound as I hear every bit of the phrase he said, I know Paolo has always been the most straightforward person I knew but I've never heard of him this brutally sweet.

"Dreams really do come true, do they?" I said out of the blue.

"Because I woke you up from a bad dream? Psh, I've heard of that." He teasingly said.

"No but if I were looking at the boy of my dreams, I don't want you to wake me up." I said, hoping he gets it.

"But you are the dream." He smiled. Paolo has been sweet to me almost all the time but todays hits different. Is this how you feel when you know you're both in love?

I smiled at the Paolo and at the feeling that for once in my life, a boy finally made a move for me and somehow I felt special. All I had were flings, hoping they'd get themselves famous if they were with me.

"Uhhh.." He muttered, trying to break the silence.

I stared at him reading his face and concluding what may happen in a few seconds, but I wasn't expecting him to come closer, bended his knee and kissed—

"Hmm..." Pops fakingly coughed. I got so embarrassed, I felt blood rushed to my cheeks. I mean, who wouldn't be embarrassed?! My own FATHER saw me flirting!

"Tito... I... We... It's not what it looked like." Paolo stuttingly explained. I laughed at both their faces, Paolo being extremely anxious of what may happen and my father trying to fake his strict face even when it shows that he's totally faking it.

"Are you guys dating?" Says my mom who suddenly appeared from the kitchen.

"I guess, they are." Pops said crossing his arms and looking at mom who looked very supportive now that I started dating.

Paolo was speechless. He may have thought that he'll be in big trouble for dating me but I knew my parents were not against me dating but rather, they would even push me to guys they want me to be with.

"I'm really sorry for not telling you first hand Tito, Tita but I..." He stopped.

He looked a little hesitant of what words will he be using in talking to my parents, he stared at me and said,

"But... I just really love your daughter and I want to be with her." I got so giddy that I almost cried my eyes out and went to Paolo to hug him. I knew my parents were there but I just had too.

"As long as you keep my princess happy and safe, I have nothing to be against with." Pops said smiling at us and went upstairs with mom.
Paolo hugged me and kissed me on my forehead, grabbing all the opportunity he can have.

"I really thought your dad would punch me." He said, exaggerating his actions as he said the word 'punch'.

"That is silly, Paolo— my Pops would never. Well, he was never against me dating, you're the one who got too nervous and tried to explain everything." I teasingly said.

"Who wouldn't, love? I mean, I'm talking to the parents of my girlfriend, I should be careful of the words I say. You know?"

I understood every word he said but the way he call me his love, it's music to my ears. I honestly didn't know what to respond, I only giggled and thought of how he called by that endearment and to be frankly speaking, I loved it.

I noticed he was sweating and so I grabbed my handkerchief and wiped his sweat away when he grabbed my hard and leaned closer to me and his face were an inch to mine.

"You don't know how I love you so much, Bri."  He chuckled. I knew he was only teasing me knowing that I'm afraid of my parents catching us flirting at each other.