Chapter 23 : First Date

| First Date | The next day, the weather seems not fine—it's windy. The sun was covered by those thick, silvery clouds. The trees were swaying as the leaves fall from them. It's colder than the other day. I did my daily routine and this time; Reina woke up early and we both grabbed our breakfast at the café. Greeted by the wind-cold breeze, I smiled at Linus who was outside the café waiting for us to finish our food. We're classmates in Lit and there's nothing wrong about it if he waits for me. But Reina keeps on teasing us, and it could catch attention from others. Thus, I needed to shove her away and thank goodness, she parts ways and walks in a different direction. Linus and I continued to walk, keeping our distance, pretending on discussing our upcoming examination in Lit. "Do you want to watch me fight on Friday?" suddenly, he asked. I opened the door and we entered, seeing only us. He put his notebook—well one notebook, it's all he's been carrying the whole time, and of course, his pen. I don't know but it seems like he is not fond of carrying bags. "What time?" "Nine. It's the last fight for that day." "Seems no difference, you always be the last one to fight, I think. The star of the show, perhaps?" I asked and laughed. "Yeah. How did you know that, hmm?" he reached for my left hand and planted a soft, quick kiss on it that makes me pull it away and look at the door. "Hey don't do that." "Scared?" he mocked. I just nodded. "Well, for me, I'm not. I don't care if they will find out about this relationship." "What?" I asked, surprised. "You are more important than their opinions," with sincerity, he said. I rolled my eyeballs. "I didn't know that you can smile like that," I said, trying to change the topic. "I think you will be forever grumpy. Since then, I have never seen him smile like the way he smiles at me. And if he talks, it was just a sentence. There's always a tone of authority in his voice. "I'm only like this… when I'm with you. This is your impact on me, remember that." I was about to say something when the door opens, and students come in. I immediately walk straight to my seat. Can love to be felt this fast? I love him too, but I don't know how to say it—if I would say it. Nena seated beside me and greeted me, "Good morning, Becca." I then smiled at her. "Good morning too, Nena." A moment later, our professor came in and started the discussion. Since we will have a one-week vacation next week, she didn't leave us any homework to do, as she says that we must enjoy our vacation. Besides, after it, it will be already our examination. As we go to our next class, I bid goodbye to him through text, and he replied to me, informing me that he will go straight on his training. Doesn't he have other subjects? I heaved a deep sigh. I must ask about his life to know him better. I'm his girlfriend. So, I must know that information that lovers must know. Where there are no secrets at all. Schooling runs smoothly and now; I need to work again. I almost forgot; I haven't told mom about this yet. I will just talk about it when I get home. Shoot! How will I introduce Linus to them? Should I say, he's, my classmate? Friend? Or should I tell them the truth? But what if they will not like him? "You seem occupied? A penny of your thoughts?" Linus asked as he put down beside me the paper where the orders were listed. And someone coughed beside me. I looked at Kara. "What? You have colds?" I asked. She smiled. "No. hmm… I'm just sensing something with the two of you," she said as she put her hand below her chain and her other hand rested on the edge of the counter. I laughed and shook my head. She's unbelievable. "Linus is she beautiful?" she asked and looked at Linus. Linus seems to like the topic that he even answered, "yes." "She's single and ready to mingle. You can ask her for a date," Kara said, partly smiling. "Can I?" I throw a quick glare at him. "Of course, you can. Right, Becca?" she then looked at me and our eyes met.   "Why don't you just entertain the customer right in front of you?" I said as I divert the topic and look at the guy who's waiting to order. "And you, I will just ring the bell when I'm done with this," I said and raise the paper that I'm holding. "Let's go for a date," he said a little louder and I know Kara heard it as I saw her smile. "No." He just let a soft chuckle and went back to entertain customers. Well, they love him. Most of our customers were girls and gays, and they almost drool when Linus is taking their orders. But Linus seems not to bother with that kind of attention. he always maintains his authoritative poise—as if he was their superior. Another tiring day has come to end as I step out of the café. I look up in the sky, seeing nothing but the black shaded skies. No stars, no moon, and it is because of the weather. I was somehow taught that it will rain but it's not. I looked at my phone inside my bag and pull it out. I opened it and there were messages from Linus. And I immediately open it. Linus: It's a statement, not a question and I will not take no for an answer. Linus: I'm waiting here at the park. Park? Did he mean? Okay, I get it. I just replied: OTW. I put back my phone inside my bag and walk straight to the park near the library. That secluded small park. Honestly, no one will dare to go there at night, because it seems creepy. After all, there were so many trees surrounding it. "Hey," I greeted as I reach his place. He stood up and handed me a three stem of sunflowers with a ribbon in it. "For you," he said. Surprisingly, I received it. "Thank you." You don't have to do this, I wanted to add, but I don't want to upset him. "Since you want our relationship to stay private as possible, then we will just date here," he said, and he grabs something beneath the wooden chair. My eyes widened when he places a brown paper bag between us. By the name of printed on the paper bag, it came from a restaurant—it's a food. "You're serious about this? You're going to do this?" even if the place is dim, because of a tree shading the place, I can still see his smile. "Yes. I'm dating you here. We are having a date here," he looked up, "under this tree." I shook my head and I know my eyes are starting to build tears. I know I'm overreacting but this is my first time on a date. "This may be not the typical date as girls dreamt for, but this is for you… I'm doing it for you," he said. With that, tears fall from my eye, and took the short distance between us and hug him, still the food in between. "Thank you," I mumbled.