Chapter 16

Skyler and I have been dating for over a year and a half now. It was definitely not an easy year. It was sweet the first few months. 

After a year, I started feeling like nothing really had changed since we first met. I started to wonder if we're really dating but then again this is my first time dating someone so I don't really know what it's like to date. 

In that whole period we're dating, we probably met more or less 6-7 times but in those times, Skyler made sure that he visits me during my birthday and our anniversary, no matter if he can only stay for a few hours or half a day.

I don't doubt that he likes me. It's pretty obvious that he does. The problem is not him. It's me and my overthinking self.

I kept wondering if this situation will last forever. I like him too and I'm slowly learning to love him and I'm scared. I'm scared that I will learn to love him and this relationship would end up as nothing.

I went home to country A for Christmas and New year and as always Skyler is very busy during these times.

We both had discussed introducing him to my parents but they released a mini album early this year and last month. His group was really busy this year and they got more and more popular. Their popularity has even reached outside country Y. There are some people who also heard their songs from country Z. That's why we were also careful in dating even in country Z. 

"What are you thinking about?" Warren, my friend from high school, asked.

My highschool friends decided to have a reunion/ Christmas party so we are currently having food and drinks in a restaurant.

"Things." I said.

Warren's one of my good friends. A very good friend, he's someone I owe my life to. Long story short, he saved my life at one point in time.

"You are sighing a lot and staring at the table." He said.

"I'm just at a loss on how to deal with a problem I never encountered before." I said.

"What kind of problem?" He asked.

"Relationship problem." I replied.

"Guy problems?" He asked, shocked.

"Hmmm… I guess though the guy is not the problem. It's me." I said.

"Why? What's wrong with you?" He asked.

"What are you two talking about?" Ria asked as she brought her little daughter to us.

Ria is another good friend of mine.

"Hello, Tracy. Come sit beside Aunt Fay." I said to Ria's 2 year old daughter, Tracy.

"Fay is having some guy problems." Warren explained.

"You're dating?" Ria asked, shocked.

"Yeah." I replied shyly.

"Really? That's great then. So you finally found someone. Who's he? Do we know him?" Ria said and gave me a motherly smile.

"Ah, you don't know him. He's from country Z." I answered.

"Really? How did you meet then?" Ria continued to ask.

"We met at a bar. We talked about life and went our separate ways then after a few months, he came back to country Y and we became friends then we started dating." I summarised our meeting.

I skipped the parts that they didn't need to know.

"If you're already dating him then what's the problem?" Warren asked.

"I… we're in a long distance relationship. Ria, you and Harry were in a long distance relationship too, right? How did you do it?" I asked her. 

"Ah… I hate long distance relationships. How did we do it? Constant communication and trust." She answered.

"We call each other everyday so communication and trust is really not a problem but it's still so hard." I grumbled.

"I know how you feel. It's especially hard when you see other couples being sweet in front of you while you're there walking alone." Ria commented.

"Right? I know it's not their fault that they are happy but it's hard to watch them." I complained.

"How long were you dating him?" Warren asked.

"Hmm… 1 year and 7 months tomorrow." I replied.

"You've been in a long distance relationship for how long?" Ria asked as she handed a juice to her daughter.

"1 year and 7 months tomorrow." I replied and they both looked shocked.

"You've met the guy personally, right?" Warren asked.

"I did. We… It's complicated. Our situation is a little complicated. Also, the reason why, I'm contemplating on what to do next. " I answered.

"What do you mean?" Ria asked.

"Like you know, long distance relationships are hard, really hard and it feels like our relationship is going nowhere." I replied.

"Have you told him that?" Warren asked.

"I did during our first month together." I replied.

"And what did he say?" Ria asked.

"He said that he'll make it work and honestly, he does. He put in so much effort that I feel bad I'm feeling this way. I mean he flies to country Z even just for a few hours just so he can see me and we can spend time with each other personally and here I am complaining about it." I replied.

"Why doesn't he just transfer to country Z then?" Warren asked.

"His work is not something he can do outside Country Y, so he can't just leave his job and transfer to country Z. That means we would be in a long distance relationship for a long long time and I don't know if I'll last that long in this kind of relationship. It just feels like there's no future in it." I told them.

"Do you like the guy?" Warren asked.

"I wouldn't be dating him if I didn't or even contemplate this matter." I answered.

"Then why don't you transfer to country Y?" He asked.

"But I don't know anyone there." I replied.

"You also didn't know anyone in country Z when you went there." Warren said.

That's true but… I'm scared.

"Well, this is not something you can think about overnight. Why don't you give it some thought." Ria suggested and I nodded.

I stopped worrying about my relationship and started talking to my friends and enjoying our party.

"How was your party?" Skyler asked when I called him after reaching home.

"It was fun. I can't believe time flies so fast. I remember Ria still carrying Tracy last year and now the kid's already running around and chatting with every person she meets." I said.

"Children grow up fast or so I heard." He replied.

"Yeah, how about you? How's your day?" I asked.

"Busy as always. I'm sorry I couldn't go there, I wish I could even just for a few hours." He said.

"It's better if you don't. Spend that time resting if you're gonna do that." I said.

"But I want to see you, hug you, kiss you, and just be by your side." He said.

"I miss you too. You know what. Why don't I visit you in country Y on your birthday next year." I proposed.

"Are you sure?" He asked.

He looked a little excited.

"Yes, I'm sure." I replied.

We talked more about me going to country Y. He seems so excited. I should have considered going to country Y before but I was scared. I'm scared that if I go to country Y, I'll see a different Skyler. 

We greeted the new year and in two more days I'm going back to country Z. Sometime during Christmas, I've told my family that I'm dating someone. They were shocked. My mother was very curious about him while my father was quiet.

I told them who he was and what he did for a living. My little sister was shocked when she heard that. She didn't believe me at first but I called Skyler and he introduced himself to my family via video call.