The Night I Met You

CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN
Jacob

After eating dinner, we stayed in the front room and was watching a comedy movie that I was not paying any attention to. At the very least I know that it was a comedy themed film. All the while, she was fiddling on the blue box that I gave her. She still didn’t know how she could open it to the point that she thought it was just a pretty blue block with no purpose at all. I strongly rejected her idea so she went back to inspecting it again. And that was when it all started.

“What is this thing for?” She asked not even looking in my direction. I did not mind it at all, or maybe a little because my present was getting all her attention. It was fun watching her expressions change from getting a new idea to annoyance to almost giving up. However, I would like it more if it she was making it for me, or if I was causing her to make such cute expressions.

“To hold what I really wanted to give you.” I answered.

“No, I don’t mean that.” She answered and finally looked at me. Holding the box with one hand, she said, “Why are you giving me this?”

“Because I want to.” I shrugged. There was no real reason for giving it to her anyway. I wanted to give it to her and that’s the only reason I need.

“But there’s nothing to celebrate.”

“Can’t I just give presents when I want to?” I asked.

“Hmmm…” She seemed to ponder about it for a bit. “Not really, I guess. But it kind of bothers me to receive a present when nothing special is going on.” She reasoned. How could I make her just accept it without having to think of a reason? Oh, I know.

“But there is something to celebrate, isn’t there?” I suggestively asked. She raised an eyebrow, and yes it was sexy.

“What?” She asked confused.

“You were able to cook a real dish for the first time.” I answered triumphantly as if it was my own achievement.

“That really isn’t something to celebrate.” She said frowning slightly.

“It is.” I determinedly said. It is for me because I’m definitely eating her next cooking.

“I don’t think so. If it is s birthday or Christmas I might think it was fine but-“

“Ah, Angel. I am happy to give that to you. Don’t you like it?” I asked now wanting to dropped the subject but her words made me realize something.I don’t know when her birthday is.

“Oh, I do. I really do. I love puzzles and stuff so this is great.” She answered.

“And by the way, when’s your birthday?” I asked afraid that the idea might slip out my mind. It couldn’t have been today right? Or the past few days that we actually hang out together? No, I don’t think fate would be that playful.

“May first.” She simply answered.

“That’s near.” I simply said. That was actually a long way to go, but half a year doesn’t seem that long to me.

“How can half a year be near?” She answered in disbelief.

“Time flies fast…” I sing-song. I should start planning for it. I wonder what she might like for her birthday. I could throw her a party but I’d rather celebrate it alone with her.

“And when’s yours?” She asked now.

“It was already over.” I simply answered, not really wanting her to know the exact date. It might bring back bad memories for her.

“I’d still like to know.” She pushed. “Maybe last week?”

“Yep.” I answered. She quickly shot her head up from the box and looked at me wide-eyed.

“Seriously?! Why didn’t you tell me? I could have prepared something for you.” She ranted.

“I don’t think so. We still don’t know each other then.” I answered.

“Then a delayed birthday gift. When was it? Tell me.” She asked. I was quiet for a while trying to figure out whether to tell her or not. “C’mon. You wouldn’t lose anything by just telling me right?” I don’t think she’ll give up just like that.

“Fine. The twenty-sixth.” I answered in a low voice, not really wanting for her to hear.

I kept my gaze stuck on her so I noticed the slight changes in her expression. She stiffened, her grip on the blue box tightened and her eyes grew ever so little that it was almost unnoticeable. Her reaction disappeared as fast as it came. It was only for a second but it tore me inside.

“Oh, that wasn’t long ago. Had I known I could have given you something.” She continued with the topic, ignoring what I know she remembered painfully. She could cry if she wanted to. Although it pains me to see her tears, I would rather she show me her emotions than she keep it from me.

“Speaking of, I’ve been wondering about this for a while now, why were you out there that night?” She asked and it all came back to me. I remembered something that I should have told her a while ago. And now, I don’t know if it would be a good idea to tell her.

“Well, we were out there celebrating. It was my birthday right?” I answered truthfully. “It was nearby Max’s place after all.”

“Really?” She asked in surprise.

“Yep. We did walk from the park to there right?” I confirmed, remembering clearly that I mostly dragged her to the place.

“Oh, yeah. Then why were you there in front of me? You even gave me a rose.” She asked the question I was dreading to hear. The very reason why we are like this now, and what started our now.

“Well. Because you look lonely out there.” I answered simply.

“I don’t think that was enough of a reason to come up to a girl who is all by herself. You wouldn’t know, I could have been a psycho of some sort.” She reasoned out. Sometimes she was good in arguing, or maybe it also depends on her mood. “Is there something I should know?”

The question I dreaded to hear finally left her lips. I don’t want to lie to her but I wonder how she would react if I told her the truth. If only I had told her before I realized that I have special feelings for her, I wouldn’t have this kind of fear that I might lose her just like that. She was a subject for a dare. She was played on. Any girl would probably be hurt  from learning that kind of truth. I really didn’t want to tell her but I cannot drag this for long.

“Yes.” I responded.

<< Chapter Twenty-Six

Chapter Twenty-Eight >>

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Subject for revision.