My Dreamland Oppa

15. Like a Dream

Their adventure has ended. Each one prepared their luggage busily. Mara is sad that it's Rich's last day as he is flying back to Cebu.

"Don't be sad, girlfriend! Josh and Jang will still be around for another week. I told Josh if he wants, he can stay with you in your apartment and have Jang stay in the hotel. Or you can join Josh in his hotel room. What do you think?" Rich winked at her.

Mara bit her lip, struggling to stop her tears. "What do you mean? For three years, I have been alone in that apartment. I can survive. And besides, they share a 2-bed hotel room. So it will be better for me to stay in my apartment. So stop worrying about me, okay? I told you I'm better now."

"Are you guys ready?" asked Jang.

"Let's go!" All nodded and agreed in unison.

They all took another road trip back to Boston. After having an early dinner, they brought Rich to the Boston Logan airport for his after-midnight flight back to Cebu. They stayed with Rich while he awaited his boarding time.

Mara talked to Rich while waiting. "Best friend, when are you coming back to see me? I will need to recondition myself for at least a week again."

"I will try to get some days to stop here for Christmas. But I'm sure you will have someone to spend the holidays with now." Rich squeezed her hand.

Mara shook her head. "I don't know; remember what you told me? Either I cut this off now or just enjoy whatever time we have."

"My dear, forget about what I told you. I was just worried then, but seeing how happy you are with Josh made me realize that your happiness should be bigger than our fears." Rich declared.

"What are you guys talking about?" Josh looked at their faces. "Seriously, Rich, you don't have to worry. I already talked to Jang and will stay with Mara while I'm here."

"But?... Shouldn't you need to fly back in a week too? You guys need not worry about me.
I've been surviving alone for three years now." Mara's voice croaked. 

Rich stood up and hugged Mara. "It's my boarding time now. I have to go. Josh, I entrust Mara to you. Girlfriend, I'll call you once I arrive. Take care!"

"Bye Rich! Nice to meet you. When you get to Korea, see us!" Jang said as he waved his goodbye.

***

On their way to the parking lot, Mara thought best how to say goodbye to the guys. "Well, since you guys are tired too, you can drop me off in my apartment before you return to your hotel."

Jang smiled as he pointed at Josh, who vehemently opposed it by shaking his head. Immediately Josh guided Mara to sit in front as he took the driver's seat. He asked her to input her address in the car's GPS, and he started driving while Jang sat in the backseat. Upon reaching the apartment, Jang brought out the two's luggage and took the car key.

"Here you are, guys! Call me tomorrow if you need me to bring you somewhere. I might stay in my room tomorrow as I need to do some meetings and calls tonight. Have a goodnight!" said Jang. 

"Okay thank you! Drive safe!" replied Josh. 

"Are you sure you want to stay in my apartment?" Mara asked once Jang drove away.

Instead of responding to Mara's question, Josh hugged her, and he pulled their luggage to the apartment door. Mara opened the door, and to her surprise, Josh immediately closed the door and pulled her towards him. He started putting his arms around her.

"I want to be with you. Since that night on the beach, I can't get you off my mind. Even though we are together daily, I always feel like wanting to hold you in my arms."

Mara stared at Josh's face. "What is going to happen when you fly back? Don't you think we should take things slow? Can we make this work despite our distance?"

"Don't you like me too?"

Mara cleared her throat. "I like you very much. It's the same for me. I want to be with you. But I have this fear of what-ifs."

Josh slowly lifted her head and looked her in the eye. "Trust me. We will make this work. I need you to trust me."

Josh touched her face and gave her a passionate kiss. Mara kept asking herself why. Even if she has questions and fears about their relationship, she can't help but express how she feels for Josh every time their eyes meet. Every time Josh's lips touched hers, she seemed to forget the moment of fear and could only see his deep gazing eyes and feel their passion for each other. Their first night together in her apartment was a night she won't forget. The love and moment they shared expressed their deep feelings for each other.

***

The following morning, Josh silently talked to himself while looking at Mara in her arms.

How can this feeling be natural? It's just a week since we met and I can't imagine any day without you anymore. How can I leave you now?

At that moment, he decided. He knew what he wanted to do. He kissed Mara on the forehead and slept again.

"Good morning! Did you sleep well? Mara asked Josh, who was gazing at her.

"Yes, and I surely enjoyed my view!" Josh said as he looked at Mara's face.

"Your gaze again! What do you want for breakfast? Let me prepare for you." Mara asked as she covered her face.

Josh tried removing Mara's hands from her face. "No need. Let's take our morning walk and get breakfast near the park."

With their hands held, they walked and enjoyed the bright morning of Boston. Mara smiled as she remembered her many lonely and sad walks in that same park. The happiness magically erased all her painful alone time in the same place she was feeling. Yet, she can't help but keep looking at Josh as she engraves all the memories of their time together in her mind. Everything seems like a dream.

Josh gazed at her face. "What is with that smile? Do I look funny to you?"

Mara replied. "No! I love looking at you. I never thought I'd be able to walk in this same park with someone who makes me this happy! But I don't want to wake up if this is a dream!"

Josh hugged her tight, whispered how much he liked her and assured her he wasn't a dream.

***