I had thought countless times on how our first meeting would be.
At first, I imagined myself being all shy while extending my hand to shake his, maybe introducing myself as the girl he had been dating. That was the most fitting as I was reserved towards new people.
Even if Ray was my boyfriend, it shouldn't be that much different, I thought.
As we grew closer, I imagined myself still being poised and wave happily to him as I run to his side. But of course, after I was making sure it was him. I've never met him after all, so who is to say I won't mistake someone else as him?
I thought of a few more possibilities, like the both of us bumping each other as we searched for our other half, finding each other amongst this sea of people, or other such dramatic encounters.
But reality sure speaks differently.
After I entered the waiting room, I swept my eyes around before immediately drawn to a man looking at his phone.
I need to get close to make sure how tall he is, but I'm pretty sure he should be a head taller. His long-sleeved black shirt fitting perfectly on his well-built body, the man was as expressionless as he usually appears on camera, but only I could see the hints of impatience and eagerness in his eyes.
If I imagined myself calling out to him, my feet were already running before my mind finished processing it.
My thumping heart was the only thing I could hear as I sped up, dispelling any thought of even questioning if the man is really Ray.
Hah. How stupid.
Who else but him can make my heart come to life this erratically?
If I imagined myself shaking hands with him as I did with every new people, then in reality my arms were already opened wide as I got closer to him.
Noticing the hint of surprise in his jet black eyes, I felt the rim of my eyes heat up.
To hell with imagination.
My heart and body are screaming how much I longed for this man, and I'm sure as hell gonna follow it.
"RAY!!" I called out using the short breath I could muster as I flew to his arms.
"Althea," Ray had thick disbelief in his voice, and I heard a clanging sound before a warmth I've never felt embraced me tightly.
"Althea." He called out my name again, now with a choked breath.
"Yes, It's me. I'm here." the heat on my eyes had long turned into tears as I hugged him. I inhaled in his scent I could only imagine to smell and bury my face on his chest I could only imagine touching.
Having my fill for him enough to get the sense of reality, I lift my face to see a lone tear trickle down his cheek, jolting me out in surprise.
Ray still had an expressionless look on his face, but I knew better than anyone why he would look this way even when he's crying.
Just like how I held up my emotions when I was hurt but wanted to stay strong, Ray held up his emotions on too many things which made him unable to express strong emotions easily.
If I were against my mother, Ray had to be strong against life itself. Only, this time...
"Hey, baby. I'm here... I'm here now." I whispered, wiping the tear from his cheek despite my own still streaming down freely.
I know he must be trying to stand strong against the fear that this might not be real.
"I'm here, Ray." I repeated.
Ray nodded before wordlessly buried his face on my shoulder, the slight wetness on my shirt telling me a clear sign of how much this man must've yearned for me.
This man who didn't crumble no matter what physical and mental hardships he suffered during the time I know him, had actually shed tears for my presence.
And that was all I need to confirm once more that he's the one for me.
"We're here, baby." I caressed Ray's back as I kept on assuring him that I'm really here, that his patience and our hard work is being paid off, and whispered sweet nothings I thought I would never be able to utter in the presence of a man until Ray loosen his embrace.
After my initially overwhelmed senses subsided, I heard some murmurs of people and it made me realize how awfully close I am to Ray.
The voices further awaken the thought that I might have exaggerated the whole thing.
"Uhh... I-I think we need to... go." I stuttered, feeling both embarrassed from my series of actions and worry if people will talk to us.
Old habits die hard.
"Pfft- It's okay. Not like we're disturbing their life," Ray chuckled as he distanced me slightly to take a good look on my face.
"And you said you're average? Your appearance is clearly-"
"Aaa--Where's our taxi?" I hurriedly cut off whatever it is he was trying to say.
I had enough embarrassing things done already, I can't cope up with any compliments or other things from him or else I might really wanna bury myself.
"Oh, that. I rent a car." Fortunately, Ray was as quick-witted as ever... and not as teasing, at least this time.
"Wait, you can drive?" I looked at him incredulously.
"Why can't I?" Ray smiled as he took my hand and pulled me to the luggage I had unconsciously left slightly behind on my fluster to hug him.
"Uhh... I thought you only have a motorbike at home." I tried to reach for my suitcase but he took it away skillfully.
"Yeah, but my parents do have one." He shrugged as he pulled my hand to follow him again.
Getting conscious of the man in front of me, I fidgeted seeing the large hand covering mine.
I'm aware enough that I'm having such less contact with boys to hold hands comfortably, but the thought that it's Ray makes me bear with the flutters it causes me.
"Here, get in." Ray opened up the door to the passenger's seat, ushered me in, and set my suitcase in the back.
"Uhh, thanks." I bowed my head as Ray positioned himself on the driver's seat.
"Are you okay? Do you wanna rest somewhere?" I saw Ray's hand reaching out for my cheek and unconsciously backed away, to which he pulled back his hand.
"Sorry, I didn't mean to--" I quickly said in fear of him misunderstanding me, but Ray cut me to the chase.
"It's okay, dear. You don't need to. I'm sorry for being inconsiderate." He said in a calm voice and I couldn't help but sigh in relief.
He might be my boyfriend and the one I'm most comfortable with in this world, but I need time to process... this.
All of this.
"So, wanna eat first or rest somewhere? I think you'll need it as it was your first time traveling by plane." Ray asked again and put his hands on the driver's steering wheel.
"Oh, yeah. I'm feeling fine but a meal would be nice." I responded.
Ray turned on the car and took me to what seemed to be an Asian restaurant.
"I think the dishes here would suit your taste." he stated.
Grateful for his thoughtfulness, I pick the menu he handed to me and choose some dishes I think I might like.
Holding it longer after choosing, I was about to silently count how much it'd cost in my head before Ray's hand reach out to close the menu and rest his arms on top of it.
"Eh? What is it?" I blink my eyes at the hint of helplessness on his face.
"Don't even think of paying for it yourself." Ray tap on the menu, "Just remember what you wanna eat."
"Eh? why? I have money you know." I chuckle at his understanding of me and propped my chin.
"Not today. It's on me this time, little girl." Ray smirk at his own words and called for the waiter.
I giggle as I watch the man fully trying to take care of me even when it's barely an hour after we met in real.
Ray didn't strike me as someone caring, but I should've known better that most of the time those traits are exceptions in my case.
Looking at our served dishes while feeling half disgruntled and half relieved, I wish to always continue being his exception.