"Phew, we made it just in time."
Jaki and I exchange a quick smile of relief once we got on the train.
We are both panting and sweating, well okay maybe its just mainly me panting and sweating. Running to the train station at the last minute was not something that me and my unfit body expected to happen this morning.
We were originally gonna arrive quite early at the train station. However we got a bit distracted with petting the neighborhood cats.
Once we realized we were running late, I was ready to miss the train as I normally do when I get distracted with petting the cats. However Jaki thought that if we ran for it we can still make it. Guess she was right, though honestly I would have preferred to miss the train than to run.
Jaki and I sit on one of the free two seater seats on the train. I slump into my chair trying to catch my breath, while Jaki seems unfazed. Even though we literally sprinted for at least a few hundred meters to barely make the train.
"Are you alright?"
Jaki seems slightly concerned as she sees how unfit I am.
"Yep, just need to catch my breath again, haven't ran like that in awhile."
"Actually I haven't really ran at all in awhile."
"I see."
"But it feels good to run doesn't it, I normally try to go for a jog a few times a week."
Well I guess that explains how Jaki is so fit.
"Maybe not for me though haha."
"Mmm maybe."
Jaki still doesn't seem convinced though.
"Though maybe we can try some light jogging in the neighborhood sometime?"
!!!
The idea of spending more time with Jaki makes me feel butterflies in my stomach instantly. However jogging is something that fills me with dread. The only times I ever properly run is for PE in school.
But I'm sure even jogging can be enjoyable if I'm with Jaki.
"Yeah for sure!"
I hope I didn't come off too enthusiastic, especially for someone that sounded like they were allergic to running a second ago.
Jaki smiles at my reply and said:
"I'll show you how fun jogging can be, sometimes all you need to do is to give it a chance."
Even though I have seen Jaki smile quite a few times now, the squeezing sensation in my heart I felt when I first saw her smile has never gone away in fact it seems be even stronger now.
I turn around and look outside the train window. I feel like if I looked any longer at Jaki's smile I would have melted into a puddle.
"Y-eah. Maybe I just need to give jogging a proper try."
I try to respond nonchalantly despite my rapidly beating heart.
"Oh yeah, btw you should have this, its good to rehydrate after running."
I turn back expecting a bottle of water but to my surprise it was a bottle strawberry milk.
"Here. I thought you liked this since you told me you drink them a lot at school and I guess you even spilt them on me that one time as well, haha."
"So yeah. This is also a small thank you gift for all the help and cooking you did when I was sick."
For some reason Jaki's eyes seems to wonder about as she is speaking, almost as if she is nervous.
Though I am feeling too much joy and happiness right now to focus on these details.
Before I can even think about my actions, I instinctively gave Jaki a big hug.
"Thanks so much, Jaki!"
"Ah its really nothing especially considering all you've done for me the past few days."
"Still, thank you! It makes me very happy!
It felt really nice hugging Jaki, she is much taller than me so in a way it kinda feels like hugging a big teddy bear. I feel warmth and comfort.
I can also feel Jaki awkwardly patting my head with one hand, while hugging me back with the other.
It kinda reminded me of the way she was petting the neighborhood cat earlier. A little bit awkward but filled with care and affection.
*
*
*
After a few seconds it seems like my brain has finally caught on with my actions. My face starts heating up faster than one can blink.
I immediately turn to face the the seat Infront of me once the hug was done. I stare at the seat still trying to process everything that just happened. I went from slumping in the seat to sitting stiffly because of how nervous I am feeling.
Surprisingly from the corner of my eye I think I see Jaki doing the same.
Though despite all the nerves and excitement deep down I feel really happy. I was surprised that Jaki remembered that I like strawberry milk. Especially since I only really mentioned it once.
I grip tightly on to the bottle of strawberry milk.
I wish this train ride will never end.