The Confession

forget me not series – The Romance of Ayin & Will

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

After their last dance, Ayin and Will were quiet, both lost in their own musings , as they walked through the parking lot towards the car.

The sky was cloudless, but the beautiful full moon was still out, like it was waiting for them.

Breathing in the cool, fresh air of the night, she told herself softly, “Ayin, you’re in trouble.”

This night will just add another chapter to her already long troublesome pages of a memory book entitled, Missing Will.

Oblivious to her thoughts, Will handed her the keys. “You ready?”

Taking it, she gave him a look and answered with his favorite line. “I was born ready.”

Thankfully, the traffic has eased at this hour. It didn’t take her long to back out of the parking lot, then carefully cross and enter the highway.

The streets were almost empty but still, she maintained her speed around 30kph.

The FM radio played softly.

Though he was mindful of her actions, with one foot ready near the instructor’s brake pedal on his front, Will just sat quietly beside her.

She didn’t dare take her eyes off the road to steal a glance at him.

What was he thinking?

Was he asleep?

At the thought of him dozing, she started to feel nervous handling the car.

“Steady,” his voice said softly.

She sighed in relief. At least, he’s awake.

She was amazed by this guy’s senses. She didn’t say a word and her hand barely moved. How did he know she was about to panic?

For the next 20 minutes, they drove in silence.

Because it was already two past midnight, Ayin confidently stopped the car at the sidewalk of the no parking zone right outside her gate.

She put the car on park, raised the hand brake, but kept the engine running.

She finally turned to face him.

“Thank you for a wonderful night,” she told him. “I had so much fun.”

She paused, expecting a reply.

When he didn’t say anything, she asked, “See you next time?”

Still no response.

Her heart sank.

Will he disappear again?

She took her pink rose from the dashboard and unbuckled her seat belt to get out so he could move to the driver’s seat.

Should she invite him up for coffee again?

Just as the thought crossed her mind, she remembered. No, her mother was there.

“Wait,” he said. “Can we stay here for a while?”

Her heart settled back again. “Sure.”

After several seconds, he lowered the volume of the radio and said, “I have a confession to make.”

Clearing his throat, he said, “My life is not perfect. You know about my past. I’ve also made some mistakes and wrong choices.

Before she could say something, he continued, “I don’t have many things to boast of. Right now, I’m just a regular guy trying his best to run a business and live better.”

She didn’t know why he was being introspective all of a sudden but she waited for him to get to the point.

He went on, “I’m moody. And sometimes, things around me could get messy.”

He gave a little laugh. “You can ask my secretary, she’ll tell you I’m very disorganized.

In business, there are times I’m not sure if I’m doing things right.

I just do the best I can, but still, there’s a lot needed for improvement.”

She wondered if this was a business consultation. Does he need help with his driving school?

Aloud, she asked him, “You need a manager?”

Distracted by her question, he replied. “Yes. Or a partner to balance me.”

She suddenly felt relieved she still has an excuse to see him outside driving classes.

She nodded, “I can help you. But not full-time. You know I already have a job.

Don’t worry, every business has its challenges. Do you need help with marketing? Or more on admin? I can help you with both.”

Then excited with the idea, she said, “I can be your consultant.”

He was quiet for a moment as he looked out the window.

Just a little more talking and he’d let her fill out an application form.

After several seconds, he started again, “I’m not very good with words, so I’ll just say this directly.”

He shifted in his seat and finally looked at her. “I’m not perfect, but…”

From the intense look in his eyes, she began to understand what he really wanted to say.

Sensing what was coming, her heart started to pound furiously.

“… I like you.”

To leave no room for misunderstanding, he added, “As a man to a woman. I like you.”

Frozen like a picture, she sat there wide-eyed and speechless, holding with both hands that single pale pink flower in full bloom.

He finally said it.

She liked him, too, she wanted to say, but no words came out.

She realized she’d been holding her breath.

When she started to feel lightheaded, she slowly exhaled and breathed.

Breathed in and smelled the sweet scent of the rose in her hand.

French-American diarist Anais Nin once wrote:

“And the day came when the risk to remain tight in a bud was more painful than the risk it took to blossom.”

Ayin felt the same.

And then, he said:

“I’d like to be yours.”

She looked into his eyes and still said nothing.

In that moment, he reminded her of her favorite stuffed orange teddy bear she always carried around as a child.

In sleep, family outings and plays, she never parted with it.

That little huggable bear had its arms spread wide and a heart-shaped belly with these words written on it:

“Take me, I’m yours.”

He looked just as cuddly and adorable.

No, even more adorable when he continued:

“Will you be my girl?”

Ayin was silent for another moment and then she asked him, “Are you sure? I’m a complicated woman. I don’t believe…”

He interrupted her, “I’m also a complicated man. Let’s just take each other as we are. We’ll figure it out as we go along.”

When she saw the steady, confidence in his eyes, she finally decided. She won’t overthink this anymore.

She knew what to say, but first…

There’s just this one not-so-little thing she needed to make sure of.

She cleared her throat. “Before I answer you, I’m curious about one thing.”

“What is it?”

Without a word, she put the rose back on the dashboard.

Then, she leaned over and removed his cap.

Quietly, she gently brushed her fingers through his black semi military cut hair. Not to fix it since it was too short, but to feel its silkiness and the warmth of his head.

And then, with one hand on his beating chest, she wrapped her other hand on the nape of his neck and drew him closer.

Slowly, she lightly placed her lips on his and kissed him.

Stunned, he let her explore his lips for awhile.

When the kiss was about to go deeper, he unbuckled his seat belt without parting lips with her, to take over.

He encircled her waist with his left arm. Then, in one quick move, he released the tie on her bun and buried his right hand in her hair.

He pulled her closer.

They kissed for what seemed like a very long minute.

When they paused for air and slowly parted, she leaned back on the driver’s seat and gazed thoughtfully at the empty road before them.

She pursed her lips and smoothly ran her tongue inside, considering the kiss’ flavor like she had just been wine tasting.

Definitely not too sweet. But more like a rich, smoky and full bodied flavor that lingered in the mouth like red wine. Bold and intoxicating like a Cabernet Sauvignon or Zinfandel.

You can always tell from the first kiss.

The first kiss always reveals what the heart already knows about things that may not have fully unraveled yet.

Potential. Possibilities.

Truth. Character.

Connection. Soul.

She had her answer.

“Alright, I can feel the fire and magic,” she murmured softly to herself.

Still, he heard it.

“And…?” he prompted.

A big, beautiful smile played on her lips as she turned her head to look at his flushed, handsome face.

“Okay,” she told him.

At his slightly dazed look, she giggled.

Then, just to be clear, she added:

“Yes! I’ll take you, I’m yours.”

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