Falling

The remaining days of break Cove often hang out in our house and he even asked for my parents’ permission to court me. I was baffled when he said that. Dad and I stared at him while mommy was biting her lower lip trying to suppress her smile. She witnessed that scene so it was no surprise to her. He and dad had some man-to-man talk, Cove was obviously nervous and he even looked at me, lowkey asking for my help but I just smirked at him. He chose to court me, he should have expected this. After the talk, they were both normal and Cove looked more at ease. He even asked dad if I can go to their house because he wants to formally introduce me to his parents. It was my turn to be nervous.

“Your parents already knew me,” I reasoned out. What will I say to Tita? I didn’t even have gifts with me because I wasn’t able to prepare for this.

“I know but I want to introduce you as my future girlfriend.” He’s oozing with confidence but I felt butterflies in my stomach when he mentioned the word ‘future girlfriend’. It was so corny but here I am, blushing. Tss.

“There’s really no need for this. How’s my outfit? Is it too much? Does it look good on me? Should I change?” this whole meet the parent thing was making me paranoid! I was wearing a yellow floral puff sleeve ruffled dress and some white keds sneakers. I partnered it with a small white sling bag, a bracelet, a necklace, and a watch. I even put on some light make-up, braided my hair, and put on some perfume to make myself presentable.

He held both of my hands as he looked at me. “You’re beautiful, Kirsh. Give yourself some credits, and I’m sure mommy will like you. Even Awy is fond of you. Stop worrying, okay?” and he smiled to assure me.

“Smooth talker, you are. Of course, you’ll tell me that I’m beautiful because you’re courting me,” I rebutted.

He shook his head upon hearing my reply but nonetheless he was smiling. He now caressed my face.

“You’re beautiful, Kirsh. Always remember that. Whether I’m your suitor or not I will always find you beautiful,” he said and I finally ease up.

Meeting his parents did end up well. I didn’t feel any pressure to pretend to be someone they’ll like. In fact, I was transparent with them. I get to know Tita better because of that. So, I ended up going back to their place again and again. Tita kept on inviting me for the reason that Awy kept on bugging her on when will I visit them again. Mom and dad don’t really mind it because they knew Cove’s family.

We actually got to bond more over the break, we did a movie marathon, swimming, and bike around the village then have some breakfast after. We got to know each other better, especially me. I became more open to him. I don’t know, this whole is new to me but he makes me comfortable. I thought I’ll be awkward because I’ve never been in a relationship, but with him, I can be who I wanna be without any pretension.

“Hey, Kirsche Artemis you’re so blooming. Having someone really makes a difference, huh,” classes just resumed but Rya’s mouth is already nonstop.

“Flirt around sometimes, sis. You’re putting your face to waste,” said Randi. And here comes Randi, if you’ll look at her you’ll think that she’s modest and soft-spoken but the moment she speaks, it will end all your impressions. They are all the same.

“Wow, that really comes from you, sis?” Randi flipped her hair because of what Rya said. They continued roasting each other. Rya rebutted that she doesn’t like all her suitors, and of course, Kaiei and Cosima joined the party. I looked at Eli and I raised my brow at her, but she just shook her head. She’s like Randi, quiet, but once she opens her mouth and speaks, it got no filter. Her words will pierce through your whole being. It just makes me laugh once she joins the conversation and roast them right there and then because no one can make a comeback.

Moments later Cove returned and his eyes easily found me and smiled. I smiled back and he made his way towards me and sat beside me. “Morning,” he huskily whispered. Ugh, early in the morning and here he goes flirting with me.

“Morning,” I shortly replied and I smiled at him. He stared at me and smiled back. We were like idiots smiling at each other, and we won’t probably break our stares till we hear continuous coughs. We both looked at our friends.

“Ah, young love,” they said in unison. Cove and I laughed at what they said.

All of us stick with one another the whole day but somehow Cove and I always find a way to have our own world, resulting in them teasing us led by Rya with Kaiei and Cosima supporting her. Crazy, they are. Randi on the other hand was like a teenage girl blushing because of Cove and I saying she ships us. And Cove was truly happy about that fact.

“Hey, make sure to go to our place this Sunday. It’s Marmee’s birthday,” said Cos before we part ways. Cos’s niece, she’s super cute and gorgeous at the same time. She looks like a foreigner since her mother, Massy, is half Lebanese.

“Oh yeah, will you do the christening that day too?” asked Eli.

“Yup, so make sure to come. Mommy and Ate are expecting you guys. Don’t worry, Brandish all the food are chicken-based.” We all nodded and Randi clapped.

“Aww, say Tita my thank you”

“Sure, mommy loves you all. So make sure to go ‘cause all the chickens will be put to waste.” We all laughed at that.

Randi’s parents are kind of strict. For a short period of time that I’m with them, we’ve been to a lot of places. And every time there’s a celebration we always think of Randi because she’s a Muslim and pork is not allowed to them so we have chicken as our alternative. And so every time she can’t make it, Cos will give her an earful.

We bid each other goodbyes before we go on our different ways. And Cove was with me, he said that he’ll walk me home every day. I told him it was fine since our house is out of the way to his plus, we’re both commuting on our way to school for we both refuse to be accompanied by a driver. But he insisted saying it’s a part of courtship.

“Mommy told me that they’ll finally buy me a car,” he said out of the blue while we’re walking our way inside the village. I was jealous for a moment.

“That’s nice! Do you already have your license?” he nodded. I’ve wanted to have my own car but dad refused; he said I might be caught in an accident.

“Yeah, I got mine last year,” he said but he looks like he wants to say something more so I looked at him. He heaved a sigh before speaking out.

“I was… wondering if… I could pick you up every day?” he asked as he scratched his nose and looked away. I smiled at his action. He looked so cute.

“You’ll fetch me here in our house? Every day?” I repeated his question just to tease him.

“Yeah,” he bit his lower lip and he looked nervous. Gosh, why is he so cute?

“Sure.” He was stunned for a moment and that made me laugh.

The next day I was surprised to find a black pick-up in front of our house. I even told him that her mom was sure fast about buying him a car. He laughed because even he was surprised to see a new car parked in their garage when he got home, and when he entered their house a flying key welcomed him. That has been our routine for the whole week. There was even that one-time that we were so exhausted due to lots of schoolwork that we ended up going to Antipolo. I told him to just drive me home for we are both tired but he ignored that. He took me to the spot where we can see all the city lights, it was relaxing and he even told me that we can go there every time we want to unwind.

While we’re resting, I looked at him and I can’t help but smile to myself. Despite him being weird sometimes I cannot deny that when you just look at his face, you’ll definitely fall for him. Because what’s not to like? But there’s something more to him that made me stay.

“Are you done admiring the view?” he asked with a smirk plastered on his face. He remained looking at the view in front of us. Here he goes again with being conceited.

I chuckled, “Yeah, what a view,” I replied as I reach for his face, tracing every part of it and that made him turn his attention to me. I smiled while doing that to him. How can a guy this beautiful like me? I don’t have the best temper nor an admirable attitude. I’m a walking flaw and I don’t even know if I have the qualities to make up for it.

“What made you like me?” I asked when I can’t contain it anymore. He stared at me with his eyes full of seriousness and that made my heart skip a beat. I withdraw my hand from his face but before I can do so he held it.

“What’s not to like?” he threw me the same question. I amusingly laughed at his answer. I bit my lower lip as I looked down, he has so much confidence in me.

“There’s actually nothing to like, Cove. I sure am the least girl any guy would like. That’s why I’m wondering what did you like about me,” hearing my insecurities out in the open feels good. Sure, it sounds and tastes bitter but to admit it to yourself and to another person, felt liberating. Silence filled us, I was about to say something to clear the awkward air but I felt his hand on my chin. He held it to make me look at him but I remained looking down.

“Look at me,” he said and I don’t know what’s with his voice but it made me looked at him. His lips were on grim line when I looked at him but when I shift my gaze to his eyes, it was full of warmth. He caressed my face without breaking our stare.

“I know you’re thinking that you are full of flaws so how can someone like you for that but believe me when I say that you have all the other qualities to fill those. You may be lacking in some departments but that’s okay, Kirsh because that’s the reason why you need someone; to fill in those departments.” I felt tears forming in my eyes and before they can even fall, he grabbed my waist and I landed on his chest. He stroked my hair and I hugged him tightly, sobs escaping my mouth, “We are all work in progress, Kirsh. We still have a lot to learn and there will be multiple times we’ll fail and fall but that doesn’t end there. We may end up feeling tired but that’s fine. Rest, and when you’re ready, stand up and continue fighting your battles,” I relaxed upon hearing his words. I don’t know how we end up talking about such kinds of stuff when all I asked him was what made him like me. But who am I to complain? It was like he read my mind and he said all the right words.

“You know, I was just asking what did you like about me but you went on being a motivational speaker,” I teased him and that earns me a chuckle from him.

He ruffled my hair, “You sure know how to ruin something, eh. We were having a moment, I bet all my so-called life advice there. Tss,” he annoyingly replied but there was no trace of such emotion in his voice. I just laugh at him and we remain hugging each other. This actually felt nice.

“But to answer your question, I honestly don’t know what I like about you. Maybe because you’re gorgeous, maybe it’s your attitude, maybe because of your wit, maybe because of your love for your family. I honestly don’t know why, Kirsh but one day I was looking at you and I knew.” Then he broke our embrace as he held both of my shoulders and looked directly at me, “That I like you and I think I’m falling.”