Chapter 6 - Chapter Six

Brian

Why is she so quiet? Her silence is killing me!

"Dayne, are you still there?"

I shouldn't have let her talk me into doing this too soon. Do something! Say something!

Think. Think. Think!

"Hey, hear me out first, okay? I said, I am going to ask her out just like you advised me to. But..... only when I am truly and confidently ready. That's why I still want to go out on practice dates with you, Dayne. I don't think I can do it on my own just yet. I don't want to rush things only to ruin my chances with her." I said instead. My fingers were crossed as I spoke.

I don't want to ruin my chances with YOU. I don't want to scare you off. Not now when we've finally gotten closer than I've ever hoped for.

Then I added, "So, I need to have constant practice with you to get things rolling for me. Maybe dinners with you and the constant texting and chatting could make me more comfortable with a girl in a sort of dating set-up and equip me for "that" date... with her. You know." Hell, I sound so desperate. And stupid. Shit.

"So, let's have dinner again tonight and catapult my dating prowess from level 1 to 3, maybe? What do you think, huh?"

Come on, Dayne. Don't run away from me. Say something!

"You are one determined cupid-struck-hopelessly-in-love guy, Brian." She sighed in surrender. "How can I say no to that?" She chuckled softly then added, "Precious is one lucky girl."

Yes! Yes! Yes!

"'That' she is," I answered quietly. "But... I am luckier to have found her. That's for sure," I couldn't help but tell her even in an indirect way.

An awkward silence once again followed. But then she spoke.

"Ooo-kay. Since I don't have company tonight till next Sunday, I'll be your constant unfortunately-for-you pretend dinner date. But make it worth our while and learn as much as you can so we can both be done with these practice dates." She said sounding almost irritated.

"Yes! Thank you, Dayne! You are my angel!" That is just so true. You have no idea.

"Let's go get you your girl, Brian." She said in her unmistakably optimistic Dayne-ish way.

Relief washed over me. It was a close call. This day could have ended in a disaster. I was doing my fist pumping moves when she suddenly spoke again and I stopped midway like an idiot statue. "Wait.... Do we really have to eat out for these practice dates, Brian? You could end up being broke if we did," she paused for a few seconds.

"What do you suggest we do then?" I asked lowering my arm as I did so.

"Hmmmm... Why don't we just eat here. I'll cook. You save the expensive stuff for your real date. What do you think, huh?"

You have got to be kidding me! Home alone with "my girl?"

H.E.A.V.E.N!!!! Woohoo!!!

"Well, that seems to be a great idea." I tried my best to make my comment seem nonchalant and uninterested. I have to keep it cool. "But.... can you cook?" I teased her. I can't help it. I love teasing her.

"Oh, you are in for the treat of your life, Brian Jake Madrazo. Not only is funny my middle name, but good food is my game." She sounded smug and confident and I just had to laugh.

My girl can cook! Wow!

"That is a mere allegation that requires proof, Dayne. To taste is to believe," I remarked snidely.

"Really now?!" She asked. "Okay. Challenge accepted, Brian. Prepare to be blown away!" We both cackled at the same time.

Even after the call ended, I was still smiling from ear to ear my face could rip apart any minute now but I couldn't care less. For the first time since my grandma passed, I was truly happy.

We settled for Lasagna, chicken fillet and coleslaw and agreed to meet at MS Supermarket to buy the ingredients for our dinner date.

This is a real date for me. No pretenses. I've got to look my best and smell nice for my girl. But like in an effortless carefree way. Note to self: Can't afford to make another mistake ever again! Keep your cool at all times.

Last night when we ate dinner, I was in heaven and I unconsciously blurted out the truth. I told her that I was pretending we were on a real date and not just some spur of the moment hunger buster affair. Little did she know that I purposely waited for her to leave the office. But seeing her all freaked out took me back to earth. Good thing I thought about this lame excuse of a deal, which luckily for me, she bought and, which, oddly, worked to my advantage.

I arrived at the supermarket much earlier than our agreed time. Can't be late and have my girl wait on me, right? I have been trying to make her notice me in the office but double "S" kept her tied up with so much work that she doesn't even eat during lunch breaks anymore. Good thing she finds time to slip away for coffee at times.

I don't know when my feelings for Dayne started but all I know is the first time I saw her smiling at Dennis, our trusty messenger, I wished it was me she was smiling at. That beautiful, angelic smile haunted me ever since. I longed to see her everyday. Just the thought of seeing her or the possibility of talking to her made me excited to go to work. So, this thing we've got right now is something I cannot lose. Never!

She does amaze me for being so positive and kind even when her boss makes her work crazy busy hours. And what makes her more special is, she doesn't seem to know how beautiful she is. She exudes this effortless grace and simple but confident ways and she wears this beautiful smile and has the most beautiful big brown sincere eyes that I've ever seen. No one, not even the fully made up girls in the office or those I meet outside could come close to the natural inner and physical attributes Dayne has. She's just perfect for me.

"Hey! You're here!" Greeted the smiling Dayne. God, that smile. I was so lost in my thoughts of her that I did not notice her approaching me.

"Hey! Yeah, don't want to be late for my date, eh?" I gave her my best smile, too. She chuckled softly.

"You got that one right," she nodded. "Come on, let's get it on," she led me inside as she spoke.

"Yes, Ma'am!" I followed suit, drinking all of her in.

We went around picking up ingredients she needed for tonight's dinner menu. I paid for everything, again over her vehement objection. Her frown eased out only when I made her realize her very important role in this dinner date. She appeared somewhat appeased that she won't be a freeloader, which she is not. Not at all.

Once we got to the kitchen back in her house, we unloaded all the ingredients and Dayne began slicing and preparing for dinner. I can't help but be amazed at the ease with which she moved about in the kitchen. She would be a great wife. I was smiling dreamily at her, lost in my daydream.

"What?" She surprised me with her question and I felt flustered and had to quickly compose myself. She was smiling but looking quite puzzled at me.

"Hmmm. I'm really impressed right now, Dayne. Where did you learn how to cook? You seem to have been doing this all your life?" I answered her, acting pensive. I could've convinced even myself if not for the wild thumping of my heart.

"Well, my mom is a great cook. She got me interested in cooking at a young age. Gathering around good food has always been our family's favorite part of the day." Her eyes sparkled with love and longing as she spoke about her mom and her family.

I took everything about her in. "You seem pretty close," I voiced my opinion out.

She nodded, her smile never leaving her face. "I can't help but miss them everyday. But it's impossible to go home every week so we just make do with calls and texts." She shrugged her explanation away. Then added, "However, that is about to change because of the long weekend happening next week." She chatted away excitedly.

"Are you going home over the weekend?" I asked, suddenly feeling a bit gloomy at the thought of not seeing her next weekend.

"Yep. I'll leave early morning of Saturday and be back on Monday evening," was her reply with a wink.

Noooo!!!!! What about me? I am going to miss you!

This can't be happening. Do something! Say something!

And just like the typically careless, impulsive me, I thoughtlessly blurted out, "Can I come with you?"

Uh-oh, seriously, Brian?