Leonel was every woman's dream guy, that much I had figured out. He was attentive, he listens and he remembers all the small details that others might have waved off.
He knew what my favorites were, he knew what I was afraid of, he knew exactly what I like without me having to repeat myself. To top it off, he was gentle, may it be his kisses or the way he holds me, he was always gentle.
For once in my life, I felt like I was a princess being taken care of and I could have never asked for more.
Except for a label.
It was the start of another school year. We were already second years and our time together had dwindled down especially since we both have already graduated from ROTC and officially became reservists.
And our relationship were still under muddy waters. Hard to ascertain even with all of his I love you's and kisses.
Besides that, what we really are was a secret. A forbidden fruit hidden from everyone we knew.
"Did you have a hard time with your classes again?"
I looked at Leonel again as he stared worriedly at me. Have I told you how attentive he was? I'm pretty sure I did but this was an example of it. He knew exactly when my mood changes and what that mood is.
We were at our favorite place, under the tree where we shared our first kiss together. This had become our go-to place eversince then. Sharing stories and eating take outs whenever we don't feel like going to malls and crowded places.
"The professors were clawing down our necks from Day 1, it's just frustrating"
I lied. School was school, even if I was having a hard time, it wouldn't change anything. I still need to pass everything for the sake of my future. But it wasn't like I could outright tell him what was on my mind.
Leonel took a spoonful of his ice cream and brought it to my mouth, urging me to take a bite which I did. After taking the spoon out of my mouth, he licked it before digging it in his ice cream again.
"They are tedious, do you want to go somewhere to relax on weekends? I'll take you there so you could get a breather"
Amidst the storm going through my head right now, it's these little things that he does and say that makes me fall harder in love with him.
I shook my head and placed it atop his shoulders.
"I need some rest, I don't know how I'll be able to last for three more years"
I felt his shoulder shake as a chuckle ripple through his lips.
"You can do it, you're Qian Harriett, have you forgotten that?"
I squinted my eyes as I stare up at him.
"That's a lot of pressure you know"
"It is but you are you, and you are one of the most amazing woman I had ever met. Besides…"
He trailed off as his gaze met mine once more. He placed a soft kiss atop my head and smiled at me.
"I can always give you a breather if school and home is too much. What good is my motorbike if I can't even take the girl I love to the most beautiful places in the city?"
"It's good for ordering through drive tru's"
I joked and another chuckle came out of his lips as he put another spoonful of ice cream inside it.
"True enough"
He said with a satisfied smile plastered on his face and it satisfied that deep part of my heart. Knowing that I could make him smile like that and make him happy was enough for me.
That was how I knew I was in deep shit. Because all that mattered to me now was how to make Leonel happy.
***
It's been three months, three whole months of being together with Leonel without having a definite label of what we really are.
We go on dates, converse and do things that only couples do but we never really talked about what we are. There's this borderline and I am scared of going over that border.
What if I asked and he answered me with something that would make my heart break? I don't think I could handle that.
That and the fact that I haven't told him yet about how I really felt for him.
I kept on putting it off until we both have reached this point in our lives.
"You're here"
"Hey"
I greeted him as I enter his house. It was the weekend and I had to lie to my parents just to be able to go to his house.
Leonel smiled widely at me as he wrapped an arm around my shoulders.
"Ma just went out to buy food for lunch, she'll be back in a minute"
That means we're the only ones in here now. My eyes widened and I felt my cheeks heating up as I sat on their couch. I knew he was watching me so when he let out a chuckle, my nose immediately scrunched up.
"Not funny"
"Yes it is"
I crossed my arms in front of my chest and leaned back on the couch.
"Did you think I'll do something to you?"
How should I tell him that it might be me who'd do something to him? Of course I can't, not when he flopped down right beside me only to hug my waist as he bury his face on my belly.
I let out a small smile before I played with his hair.
This was one of the things I enjoy with him. He is clingy whether we're out in public or in private, he always want to hug me and be right beside me.
"Why do you always want to cuddle?"
I asked him softly while my fingers twirled around his soft hair. There was a whole minute of silence before he twisted around so that he was laying on my lap. He looked up at me and I see that soft gaze once more.
"It makes me realize that everything is real. That you're real. That you're right beside me."
I felt another smile tug along the ends of my mouth as I bent down and placed a light kiss on his lips.
"You really are a flirt"
I grinned and instantly his face lit up at my teasing. He smiled wider before dragging my head back down again to meet his lips that were seemingly waiting for me.
Oranges and chocolates, that was what his mouth tasted like and maybe it was a weird combination for a food but for some reason, I felt like I was loving it.
"And you are beautiful"
He muttered between breaths and I felt my whole being melting again. I was falling deeper. and I didn't want to ever come back right up again.
Atleast that was what I thought but our story needed to come to an end, doesn't it?