Patience bears a sweet fruit

She said the last line as her heart choked at the memory of Ryan. She didn't feel the need to tell Jake who he was or why she felt such a strong connection to him when she herself didn't know the reasons.

Her mind had given up all hopes of meeting him again, but her heart, it wasn't ready to accept. Maybe it would never be. Jake sat beside her and rubbed her back affectionately. He knew she was struggling to say every bit of the words she was saying right now.

"There is no need for you to tell me everything, Z"

Zara continued, "I think I will never be good enough for anyone- that...that everybody will leave me one day or the other."

Jake stood up and helped her get up on her feet. He wiped away her tears and cupped her face, "As I said, I don't want to know about your past, at least not until you are comfortable speaking about it. And, I am not leaving you Z, not now...not ever."

He handed her the bottle once again and she drank the water in three large gulps. "Jake, I have not spoken about dad in years. I don't know what made me open up to you."

Jake smiled mischievously, "It's my charm and my good looks, girl." Zara smiled, "I may as well let you know something about-"

Jake put a finger on her lips, "Shh... I said I would hear it later, when you are not crying your eyes out. It's enough misery for a day."

Zara raised her eyes to meet his, "The way you drove away yesterday night, your eyes-"

Jake abruptly stood up and began walking away nervously, "Had too much of the ice-cream. I don't think I will eat ice-cream again for a long long time."

"Jake, look at me"

Jake walked away farther, "Umm...I think we better get going. We will be late to school."

Zara walked up to him, "You refused to eat anything after dinner and left without even looking back at me. You are doing that again."

Jake closed his eyes and blinked rapidly to gather himself before turning around, "I didn't want to miss my favorite TV show."

Zara looked at the boy who had been there for her since the last months, never pushing but patiently waiting for her- that one day she might develop feelings for him- that one day she may love him.

Zara threw herself at him and hugged him tightly. Jake was momentarily shocked and couldn't process what was happening. He stood awkwardly before Zara said, "You are a terrible liar, even worse than I."

Jake's eyes crinkled, and he let out a breath he wasn't aware he had been holding. He hugged her and clung to her as if his life depended on it. His hands and fingers traveled along the back of her shirt and her shoulders.

He had longed to embrace her, to feel her near him. He gently lifted her in the air so that their eyes leveled. His eyes were bursting with joy.

She had emptied her heart out and she suddenly felt like a light feather that would blow away. She needed a tether to hold her onto. She looked at him for a moment before pressing her lips to his. Jake gasped with shock and hugged her tighter. Every nerve in his body tingled as he managed to keep himself steady. His hands were shaking, and he had trouble thinking straight.

Zara sensed his apprehension and hooked her finger in his t-shirt. She pulled him closer and nudged gently at his lips. Jake responded and kissed her back. He nibbled at her lower lip and heard her moan. Zara drowned in the sensation of his touch, his lips that roamed around her face. She hadn't kissed anyone before, much less imagined someone kissing her back.

Jake's mouth left a trail of kisses that roamed from her cheeks to her temple via her eyes before again resting on her lips. Her body was trembling with a happy and ecstatic feeling she hadn't associated herself with. He took her face in his hands and kissed her one more time before wrenching himself away from her.

"I guess we shouldn't make out in a public place. We are interrupting people's walking and jogging time."

Zara laughed and punched him. "Shut up, J"

"J, is it?" Zara blushed before saying, "Let's not rush at things, okay?"

Jake bent down in mock salute, "Your wish is my command, O' great master." Zara laughed aloud.

"Thanks, Z, you made my day."

"Thank you too, J, for your patience."