Chapter 3

After the ice cream, Kuenga said it was almost time. "Time for what?" she asked. "Come on." And then Kuenga brought some cigarettes on the way and some snacks for her. Kuenga took her to a place near changlimithang and sat on a bench. The stars were out in full. "The sky looks more beautiful with you by my side." He looked at her.

"I guess I am special," she smiled. He took a breath before answering and said "you are special," and for a moment Lhawang felt really special. After a long silence between them, the sky darkened and it started to rain. Lhawang enjoyed the rain and leaned back for a moment to let the rain hit her face. Kuenga stared at Lhawang and was lost for a second.

Lhawang looked incredibly beautiful in the rain. Kuenga held her hands, surprising her, he looked at the sky, moved closer to her and said "I love you Lhawang." She stood still for a moment, she was thunderstruck. She was stunt, couldn't move an inch, her heart pounding abnormally, both were staring deeply into each other, one waiting impatiently for the answer and one staring at him blank.

"Will you say that again?" she stammered. He took a deep breath "I---I love you, and I'm sorry if it startled you, I couldn't contain it anymore, I have_____," "I love you," she cut him mid-sentence. Kuenga knew the feelings were mutual, he stared at her one more time and closed his eyes when he finally kissed her.

Kuenga felt the oxytocin and dopamine, making him feel affection and euphoria. He looked at her one more time and he kissed her again. She smiled at him and said "this is the most amazing moment of my life, I have never experienced this and I want to get lost in your eyes."

He smiled back at her and hugged her tight. He hugged her like he was never going to let her go. He was in love with her, he finally felt complete and thought that he's life had a meaning. "It's only been a day since I saw you and I am completely and utterly in love with you," he said as he kissed her again on the cheeks.

They went back home and it was hard for them to say goodbye, they didn't wanted to leave just yet. "Let's wait for tomorrow, okay?" she kissed him and went in the taxi.

The next morning they went to school together and for the first time, Lhawang wasn't late for school. In the class there was no uneasiness between them. "You aren't going to sleep today?" he laughed. "I don't sleep every day," she laughed too. And again they were alone during the recess.

They were silent and Kuenga held her hand and asked "will I see you again?" "What are we going to do?" she asked. "It's a surprise," he smiled, "I love surprises," she smiled back. "So be at Norling, I will come there," he raised his eyebrows. They couldn't wait for the class to get over and go home.

Finally when the class was over, she headed back home and on the way she drank a juice and wanted to quickly go home, she was really excited to meet him again and hold his hands and talk about their love. After reaching home, she got ready, she wore some blue torn jeans with a black T-shirt and a green bomber jacket.

She stared in the mirror for a very long time and when what it seemed like an eternity, she checked her phone and it was almost 5 in the evening and called Kuenga. "Wait for me there," he said, she agreed and waited near the Norling building. When it was almost 5:30, he came.

"Hi," she said with radiance in her eyes. "What's the surprise?" she asked again, patience had never been one of her strongest attributes. He smirked and said "come on, I'll show you." He took her near a car and said "we're going for a drive." "What?" her eyes filled with excitement.

"Yeah, tomorrow is holiday so, I thought we'd go for a drive." "Where we going?" she asked. "It's a place where I grew up and where I spend most of my childhood days." "Okay," she smiled. He took a few steps and opened the car door and finally said "I love you," and he kissed her.

He connected his phone with the Bluetooth and played some music. They continued the drive to Paro and on the way, she wanted to use the loo and when she came back, he stared at her, one hand on the steering wheel, the other on the lips and whispered to himself, why does everything about her attracts me?"

And when she got in the car, he smiled at her and kissed her. "Are you sure you okay going to Paro?" "Yeah, my mom is out of town." "Okay, then that's a good thing because we are going to be late." She smiled and changed the song and ate some snacks.

After almost an hour, they reached Paro and he took her to a place she had never been. "This is where I grew up." "It's beautiful," she held his hand. There was only a house and the view was incredible. Kuenga got his guitar out of the car and moved to the house. "Whose house is this?" she asked. "My parents' house, and they aren't here."

They went inside the house and Kuenga went to the kitchen and made some coffee for them. "Are we staying here?" she asked. He smirked and said "yeah." Lhawang suddenly felt an uneasiness. He moved closer to her with the coffee and said "don't worry, I won't do anything." She faked her laugh.

"Hey? We will go back by 9, okay?" She nodded her head and they drank their coffee. After a while, Kuenga helped himself with a drink and sang for her. Can't help falling in love was her favorite song. They cuddled in the sofa and watched movies. When it was almost 8:50, they decided to head back.

She took out her phone and took a selfie. While going back to the car, she held his hand and looked in the sky and smiled at him. When it was almost 10 they reached Thimphu and Kuenga dropped her home.