Chapter 22 : Officially On

| Officially On | I don't want to doubt his confession to me. But I can't stop myself not to worry about when this courtship will last. If I will accept him now, should it be worth it? Isn't that too fast? But isn't that it's the relationship that matters the most than the courtship? If I will not give it a try, how will I know that he is sincere pursuing me? And even if we're already in a relationship, he can still court me. I remember what my mother said when I was in junior high school. ‘If a man loves you, he will do everything to make your relationship works. And if you were in the stage where it seems like one of you is falling out of love, try to talk about it and as much as possible, fix it. And if one of you can't hold it anymore, then maybe he's not meant for you.' And I think I can't find it out when I will not give a chance to myself to experience how to be loved and how to love someone. Ms. Dory is finally back, and I talk to her if I can go home early as my end shift and she said yes. Well, it's a part of my plan. Today, I decided that I will accept his love. Isn't it when a man court you, he loves you? One way to find it out is to accept it. And another way, if I asked him if he can accompany me this upcoming one-week break in my hometown, then I think he's sincere. And one more thing, I want to know how this works. To give it a thrill, I never throw glances at him and never talk to him even if he's trying to open a conversation when I'm at work. Well, it's not that I don't want to talk to him. It's just that, Kara is watching. I know she's watching. So, I better take precautions. I waited in the narrow hallway near the café and waited for him. This is the only direction going to his pad so, here I am, waiting. I look at my wristwatch. It will only be a matter of minutes and he's off to go home. I clutch my blouse as I almost hear my heartbeat, beating so fast. I'm nervous. Who wouldn't be right? I don't know what his reaction will be. Why am I too fast? That I even treat him badly and now in just three days—ah I can't remember… I'm accepting his love. If that's the case then I will say, I change my mind. Simple as that. And if he doesn't want to be this fast, then don't. not my problem but it will hurt a bit on my part though. "Linus," I called his name. He stopped and seemed surprised. "Hey," he said and walk near me. "Follow me but keep your distance," I said as I started to walk. We need to stay as private as we must. So, we better go to the park at the back of the library. I choose the bench that is far away from the lamp post. "How's your day?" I asked as he sat down. "It was good, and you?" he looked at me. "Tiring." "Hmm…" he scratches the back of his head. I know what he will ask. "What will you do if I stop you from courting me?" "Then I will make you not to stop it," he answered. I bite my lower lip to hold myself from smiling. "What will you do if I will say that I like someone else?" "Then I will make everything for you to like me?" "What will you do if I say that I'm not still ready to enter into a relationship?" "Then I will continue to court you and wait for you until you are ready," he answered, confidently. Damn! "What will you do if I will say yes, today?" "What?!" he stood up and looked at me with his surprised face. "Oh, I will not repeat it," I said, trying to hold myself from laughing because of his cute reaction. "You're saying yes?" he said and smiles. I stood up and put my hand inside my pocket. "Ha?" "I heard it, what will I do if you say yes today. So, are you, my girlfriend, now?" he asked. I nodded and I heard him curse. Suddenly, he envelops his arms into mine and carries me. "Linus! Put me down. What if someone will see us," I said. "Oh sorry," he said and put me down. But he reaches for my hand and holds it. "We're officially on." "Do you like me, Linus?" I asked out of the blue. Well, I just want to test him. "I don't like you—" "What?" I took my hand from his grasp. "Hey, I don't just like you, because I love you," he said and hugged me. And it seems like all my blood resides on my cheeks—it's burning, I'm blushing! He loosened the hug and cupped my face. "I love you," he said. I didn't reply and just stare at his face. He's tall that I needed to lift my face to meet his gaze. "Promise me one thing, Linus." "Anything, baby." The baby thing makes me blush once more. "I don't know if you will it, but can you not tell anyone that we are in a relationship? Even me, I won't tell Reina yet. I know every guy wants to flaunt their girlfriend but I don't—" "I understand. Of course, no one will know. But can you just let me talk to you when we're in the crowd like a usual friend or a classmate? Besides no one will think that I will like you—" "What?" did I hear it right? It seems like an insult. "Am I not attractive? Am I not beautiful? I know I'm not that slim like other girls but—" "You're beautiful, Becca. I'm sorry if you mean it that way," he said and kiss the back of my left hand. "You're beautiful, min kærlighed." "Ha? Min kelle—what?" "I love you, Becca. And I will do everything to make this relationship lasts," he said and poke the tip of my nose. He's so sweet that I can't hold to smile. "Thank you," is all I can say. He speaks in a language that I'm not familiar with, but I didn't bother to ask for it. That day, we part ways with a wide smile on our faces. Before going to bed, I received a text from him. Damn! he's texting me already. Reina looked at me with his curious face, maybe she's wondering why I am smiling. I just answered, "it's Linus," and she just nodded as she climbs on her bed.