Love Stories Over A Cup Of Coffee

A: Night at the Beach

It's our second night here at the beach house and Secretary Na decided to have a bonfire. He was preparing the whole afternoon. He went to the market with the caretaker to buy some meat, vegetables and drinks. He said he wanted to grill some meat. He also asled the caretaker to bring out the beach chairs, and gather some wood for the bonfire.

It was 5:30 in the afternoon when we started setting up. Two beache chairs, and a mat in between where we put the food and drinks. In front is the bonfire.

I brought with me a blanket because it's windy. It's kinda cold but it is okay. The sound and the smell of the sea are very comforting.

The caretaker did not join us because she said she is too tired that she wanted to sleep early. Secretary apologized to her for causing her some trouble. He gave her a large portion of the steak he cooked for her dinner.

So, it's just yhe two of us. The surroundings is dark, the bonfire is the only source of light. While it is windy, the stars and the moon are visible tonight.

I laid down on the beach chair and began admiring yhe universe before me. But iy was only a few minutes when my stomach began rumbling. I'm hungry.

I looked at Secretary Na and he is also staring at the sky. He looks calm and peaceful. The kind of look that only people who are ay peace with themselves have.

"Secretary Na," I began, he looed at me blankly, "is it okay for me to eat now?"

He chuckled. "Of course. Come one, let's eat."

We both got down and sat on the mat and began eating the food he himseld prepared. We began eating without talking. I think have this unspoken agreement that we silently eat first then talk to each other when we are about to finish eating or when we are don eating.

"How are you feeling lately?" He asked me while he is pouring soda on a glass, which he has given to me.

"I'm doing fine, Secretary Na. Don't worry about me. I'm pretty sure I'll get over it." I told him, tryinh to reassure him and myself.

He nodded. "You can always be honest with me, remember that."

"You know what, you're so straightforward, aren't you Secretary Na?" I asked him. This is one thing that I admire about him so much.

"And is that a problem?" He asked me back.

I shook my head. "Not really. It's quite admirable to be honest. You see, I'm used to men who are so good at hiding their feelings and emotions, they cannot easily say it. Sometimes it's frustrating." The most frustrating of all was that of Mew.

"Really?" He asked as if not believing me.

"Yup. Gosh, Mew was the most frustrating when it comes to that. I almost smacked him because of that. He's the type who prefers keeping everything to himself even if he can ask help from other." Everything that happened in the previous years flashed back. "But thank goodness everything went well at the end." Secretary Na just nodded, signaling me to continue. "As for the others, one took a while to confess because of his personality while one took a while to realize and saw how he feels because of trauma." I paused. I realised something. I sighed. "Apparently, all of them have this trauma, except for one, that keeps them from being straightforward."

"But all of them have overcome the trauma, didn't they?" I nodded. "If that's the case, shouldn't you be cheering up?"

I paused and tried to observe myself. I might have been frowning, that's why he said that. I smiled widely. "Yup, I better be cheering up."

We both chuckled.

Silence.

"You know what, Secretary Na, you're so enigmatic." I began again.