Nothing is better than what we felt together at home
*A day (Saturday) in the life of a wanderer. Laid-back. Away from the hustle and bustle of the city.*
November 14, 2020.
I met a stranger and now I'm with that stranger. Why? How? Where? Well, it was dark with fancy lights reflecting at the calmest sea. I was at the finest shore with rhums and whisky. Friends are there around the table and the rest are also having the best of their nights drinking like it's the end of the world. Seated at the round table, I fixed my gaze to the mysterious man just at the opposite of my direction. He looked away pretending to not see me and now he looked like a fool to me. I just chuckled and continue doing some chitchat with friends. Anyway, that man at the opposite direction is a friend of a friend. I forgot the name but not the man.
A moment later, bottles are now down and the party goers were all knocked-out without an opponent. I didn't notice the stranger and I were just an inch apart. What is the chance in the universe that we are sitting next to each other? Well I didn't have the answer until now. He didn't say a word for that until now and I can't contain myself not to know it because that's the event where our worlds meet. That's still a mystery I want to uncover. Whatever his reasons why he hid that, still I am thankful for having him beside me -- not in a bar nor at the beach club but at home where I feel most alive.
Knowing that everybody was down drunk, unknowingly, we talked like we knew each other since then. We introduced ourselves to each other in an instant. That time he asked me about my job, where do I live, how old I am and others that could make a girl think that the guy is really interested or am I just assuming that he really is. I answered him telling my job that I am an online teacher as of that moment and I am just renting an apartment since my workplace is far from ours. I also found out that I am 3 years older than him. LOL. I remember I told myself before I would never engage in a relationship to someone who's older than me but I don't know again why I did. Haha! The stranger and I just had a short introduction about ourselves. Was it bad because I long to talk to him more? Or was it good because we still have a reason to see each other and know more. Well, I think I would choose both.
That night didn't end without us, exchanging numbers and social media accounts. He asked it first, yes of course, I'm still a girl acting girly. I gave him mine and didn't asked for his because I don't want to contact anyone first, don't wanna make a first move unless it's urgent and important. Hours later, we decided to go home and that stranger initiated to drive me home. As a result, friends are teasing and I was then blushing. Oh my! I just wished he didn't notice. I told my friends I would just go with them for me to not look desperate but deep down I want to be with him to know him more even just it's a short time drive to our home. And what did my friends do? They immediately rode and drove their motorbikes leaving me and the stranger behind so I was left without a choice but to agree with him to drive me home. On our way home, he was talking about his favorite games and all about him, taking part in a drag race and how much he loves motorbikes. I understand nothing about what he said instead I already memorized the details of his face as I am looking at him at the side mirror. Geez! Am I way too early to believe I'm in love or am I just too late to realize that we were in front of our house and I am still looking at the side mirror. Well, it's up to you to comment.
I hurriedly composed myself and got off the motorbike trying dust off my pants and brushing my hair which just showed that I am not in the right frame of mind. I gained my senses back when he said,
`I'll chat. Message me when you're inside.`
I just nodded and got inside after saying thank you. I was then finished changing clothes and doing my facial remedies when my phone beeped. It was a notification from someone.
*You got a message from an unknown number.*
I opened it and to my surprise, I was not surprised because I am really anticipating that it was the stranger who'll message. I opened it he said he has safely arrived home. Did I asked? Just kidding.
`Glad to know you are home safe`
I replied. The night ended exchanging good night messages and full of "see you again". Our routine starts with an early good morning texts/chats and updating each other about the errands we do. He respect my time when I am at work and I also respect his time doing his modules. Yes, he's still a student, a college student. Remember he's younger than me. Never mind the age, he has a better understanding than me who's older. Time flies like a wink of an eye and we decided to have that what they called "label". Lol. That we are in a relationship, to avoid the feeling of commitment without affirmation. To make this short story even shorter, we are together now for 6 months. The feelings is still the same as the first meet. I am still looking at him with or without him knowing. Watching him sleeping is my favorite view every night. Yes, you guess it right. We are living together. Living with him is really of big avenue to know his everything and whereabouts. I realized he's not into showing his affection through words but in action. He does the laundry, cooks good food always, cleaning the house, taking care of his pets, preparing the bed for us and whenever there are sometimes I am not under the sheets, I pretend to be asleep and he gently pulled the blanket to put over me. It's not all about the looks but his sweet gestures made me fall even more though he looks pretty too.
When I am away from home, at work or at somewhere else, I am always excited to end the day and go home. We are each other's home and nothing is really better than what we felt together at home.
*I met a stranger and now the stranger and I are close.*
It's not all about the time or length of time, it's all about the person.
As of now, we are still happy living our life together. I do hope, tomorrow's going to be the same. Haha! Thank you so much for reading. You might wonder that most of my articles (well I only had 4 as of now) are all about dating. It's because this was all part of my experiences when I was still studying and I am happy as I recount those days whether it's nice or not.
Thank you so much to @Zhyne06 for always encouraging me to write here. Thank you also to @Vibration101 for upvoting my very first article. I do hope I would become like you, who's a successful writer in the platform. 💗 Have a happy day, everyone!
Goodbye, John
*"Are they there because I'm holding on to them or because they want to stay?"*
I can't find the words to say something when my own thoughts questioned myself. I feel like it's the scariest thing in the world. Actually that's not the only question my mind is always playing like every night.
Does love exists only because you do effort?
Does love exists under conditions when you take a halt, you're totally forgotten.
I was in a relationship before. A kind of relationship that I always doubt if it's worth to keep. It was November. I met him at my friend's birthday. He was wearing a white shirt and black shorts. Just a casual wear but the way he carries the coordinates totally left an impact. His eyes are also talking, and captivating that I couldn't resist to take a glimpse of them. And then he caught me which means he was staring too. I hurriedly change my gaze at the food and eat the whole, sliced pineapple. He seldom talked. He just looked at everyone and then do something on his phone. I was thinking if how old was he because he looked younger than me. I was also wondering if he's even enjoying the party. His friends were friendly and we easily got along well except him. But anyway, to know him was not my purpose why I'm in there so I forgot him for a while.
Meanwhile, I didn't notice he was sitting beside me. I just realized when I was about to sip a wine when he grabbed the glass too which made our eyes met and his hand touching mine and mine were touching the glass.
"Oh sorry, you can have it" he said.
"Thanks!" I mumbled.
Then --
"What's your name?" he asked.
"Maria. Yours is? I replied.
"John" said he.
"Nice meeting you, John" I uttered.
Then he gave his phone to me which left me puzzled like I'm lost what am I going to do with it. Not until...
"Can you give me your number?" Yes, it's him speaking. It's John. I don't know why my hands and fingers totally cooperate and typed my number. It just happened in a snap. That was the start of our friendship. Party's over but we aren't. He kept on texting and later on we exchange our social medias and always video chat when we both have time. Honestly, we got along well easily because he knows all my soft spots. He knows that I care for animals which made him to sent me pictures of adorable cats and dogs everyday. He even went to our boarding house surprisingly right after my office hours at 10 PM. I couldn't say no because he was already there. That would be so mean. So he was there and I was there too spending my supposed to rest time talking and having late night road trips with him at full speed. I was even scared of fast cars or at high speed motorcycle run but with him, I extended my trust to the fullest.
His actions were also consistent in trying to win me. He is persistent even in sending me good morning messages and late night messages. I never doubted his feelings because what his mouth speaks, his actions do it too. When he said he'll sleep, I believe he would sleep because I didn't see him online anymore (tho I didn't have any idea what he's doing and where he is after we talk). I like chocolate cakes but I didn't found it sweet anymore. His words are my favorite sweets I wouldn't trade for any expensive chocolate in the world.
Days and nights went like a blink of an eye that I didn't even noticed I was the one who missed him big time now. Geez! I did not expect myself to fall so quick but I rather fall than to live with "what ifs". After work, I want to see him wait for me outside just like usual then we will savor the moment staying up until 3 AM not considering I need to go to work at 9 AM. That night, we also went to a place where we can see the calm, azure ocean filled with lights from boats sailing. The overlooking view is mesmerizing and his stares were also melting me down to the ocean. He then broke the silence.
"Can you be my girlfriend?" - John
"Oh! I didn't know you were courting me." I didn't know what to say
"Will you?"
"Is that how you try to pursue a girl?" I said. Lol. I was not used to this as well because mostly, I entertain some through online only. My hands are cold but my face is so red and warm but I still kept myself composed.
"Why would we make it longer when we both know we like each other? Time spent waiting would be a waste." He firmly said.
I don't want to say yes too early but I also didn't want to let him go and see him around with someone. What if we'll work? What if he's genuine? And what if it would turn out the other way? Well, I am not the kind of girl who will just die after broke up (that's a lie). So I said,
"Yes."
It's been a month that we are on. We're still happy and the feelings are overflowing. The butterflies are still everytime I see him. He also consistently waited for me outside our boarding house and wait for me there until 10 PM. He even introduced me to his whole family and am glad they welcomed me warmly. I was ecstatic, crazy believing it wouldn't fold through time. Until one night, we went to a friend's party. We actually had photos during that time but they were captured on his phone so I didn't got any of it to show here.
Everyone's enjoying really hard. I just drank a little because I have an early work for tomorrow. John was there beside me catching every drink friends would give. I know something was wrong why he was like that. And the he was drunk -- his head was at my shoulder and he dropped his phone. I grabbed it and suddenly it blinked and I think that's a notification (hidden notification). I just hold it and kept on waking him up so we can go home but the phone blinked again. It wasn't my attitude to invade someone's privacy but girls' instinct got me. I knew there's something. Without a second thought, I grabbed his finger and placed it on fingerprint censor to unlock his phone and voila! I unlocked it. I immediately looked for that notification and that was in messages and then and there, he was still reaching out for his ex-girlfriend.
I couldn't take to read the whole conversation because I felt like I am falling into pieces in every word I read. I just saw recent ones and I stopped. I stopped because all thi time, her ex knew about us but then she was too confident John still loves her because of these lines from him: "I am happy with her but all I am thinking was you."
Oh man! Where was I all throughout the time we were together? If he doesn't love me why would he act so in love?
He kept me so he could deal the isolation without his ex. He kept so he would not feel lonely waiting for her to come back. Knowing that angers me most and left myself with resentment over them. I left him there. Blocked him in all possible media and contacts where he can reach me out. He fooled me once and he can never fool me twice.
I stayed away from him without leaving a word. I was broke so I stayed away.
I stayed away to see if it was all because of me.
And I discover that it was all because of me that's why he stayed... without love. He stayed not because he wanted to, he stayed because I'm holding on to him.
I love him.
Now I loved him.
Goodbye, John!
A happy fiesta
Been busy for almost 2 days and today is the time I got to get back on track. Yesterday and the day before yesterday were indeed a fun yet a little bit exhausting day for me. I didn't get enough sleep so my head is aching a little bit.
Some Filipinos love to celebrate fiestas/feast. It is one of the celebrations that is awaited and prepared for. Not only preparing the for a party but also anticipating for some relatives to come. Friends are also there to celebrate with us. I could not imagine that day without them because we seldom catch up and I would be happier to see them after a long time. So here it goes. Friday was the town fiesta here in my boyfriend's place and I was invited to celebrate with the whole family. The celebration was fun and of course, it was celebrated following health protocols.
Some people, if not all, during fiestas woke up early or even at midnight to prepare for the feast. Everybody is busy cooking. Some prepare the iconic and delicious "lechon" and other viands like menudo, pansit, humba, lumpia shanghai, some sweets and other famous Filipino foods. What I like most is that the families don't just cook these foods for the family but also to other people who are about to come regardless if they are a relative or not. This just shows one example of selflessness and hospitality as well.
The photo above is grilled pork and it's very common to have this in any celebration. This is perfect when paired with soy sauce, venigar and chopped onions and tomatoes. Just typing this makes my mouth water again and making me eat this A.S.A.P.
After the preparation, it's time to eat and party! Foods prepared were shared by many. It's not only the food being shared but the solidarity and unity of the family being together in one occasion. That's my favorite part during fiestas. Some distant relatives also came to celebrate which makes it more fun. As everybody is eating, a little bit of talking can't be avoided. Anyway, we are seated at a round table and I am sitting next to my boyfriend. Some of my friends throw a joke about marriage. They asked me when are we going to marry and start our own family. Well, I guess that's just a common joke during family gatherings especially if they know you are already at the right age to marry. Actually we did talk about it but we will not rush on it. It's better to just get to know each other very well. (Looks like I'm out of the topic now 🤣)
Later, singing and dancing are now open for everybody. My boyfriend's family assemble some disco lights and sounds so we can jive with the music. The oldies were the one to invade the dance floor because the music is of their genre or age. I enjoyed watching them because just once in a year, they got the time to enjoy and not think of the problems they got. It's so nice to watch the beautiful curves on their faces.
I and my friends also graced the dance floor never minding what kind of genre the music is. We enjoyed doings some of our dance moves that we missed during parties. We also drink Filipino/coconut wine or commonly known here as "tuba". I forgot to take a photo so I can show you in here, but anyway, I can show you next time or next article.
The feast ended I think almost 1 AM. Everyone slept with happy memories even though they know that after the celebration, there will be a mountain of dishes waiting to be entertained on the sink 🤣 Just a normal view after any occasion. If you happen to experience any feast of fiesta, how was it? You could let me know.
I would like to thank my friend who introduced this to me, @Zhyne06 Thank you mem for introducing me in this platform ☺️
Love is the best thing we do
Oh yes, of course. Absolutely, yes. I don’t know how to disagree with this after that Christmas night.
That Christmas night when the bar is busy and the stranger and I were close.
Shall I call it a too late Saturday evening or an early Sunday morning?
Year 2010 in France
That Christmas, I was lost in thoughts of Santa and confused between going out with friends or to stay in bed. Not because I did not wanted to have a good time with my friends but, because I was struggling with my university exam. Do you know the subject “Basic Mechanics"? If not, then be happy for that as there is nothing basic in that subject. Perhaps we can consider I was never a bright student so I was restless on my mind about it.
Meanwhile, I was about to burn the midnight oil when my phone beeped for the third time showing messages from friends -- asking me to join them and drink the night away.
Heaven knows I held a tight grip away from the temptation yet I found myself with friends on that winter night in hopes of relaxation.
We had some fun and eventually by break of dawn, we ended up at a bar.
I remember an almost empty bar with few passed out rum lovers. Everything is in it's usual setting: the music, fancy lights and the slightly messed-up chairs and tables. Everything is casual except for that dim-lighted corner.
I fixed my gaze towards it and Voilà! I found something unusual in a bar - a gorgeous glam face with long shiny gray hair who's deepened into a book. She was lost in the depth of “Le Comte de Monte-Cristo” by Alexandre Dumas.
A novel of an adventure of the person who got lost in time for something he never committed and the worthy revenge we wanted him to take. Her straight face look trying to find the meaning of all the sentences made her most beautiful and me as the most curious one.
"Is that the Count Monte of Cristo you are looking?" Struggling tone of mine just said it with a little stammer.
She looked at me with a very serious face.
"This is a very unusual place to look for him. Better join me for a beer!" I jokingly asked.
She just stared at me and mumbled "Dantès" as she is trying to know him more in the story. I told her she may not be able to find the story ending if she keeps on reading under the dim lighting of a bar while smelling mixed alcohols and looking after her drunk friends. She disagreed with a soft smile and said that she is alone and this is maybe 27th time she is rereading the book.
I told her revenge is best served with rum. She then agreed and softly laughed and her laugh blended with the bar's music.
Tab started with rum and some burnt smelling Chinese dish and many deep aspect of the story to author’s life to our lives.
After so many short story sharing, she shared her name - the name I never knew will be the only name that matters to me afterwards.
Her name is Océ, short for Océane. She is a university student from France, Marseille. While getting to know her and finding my adventure of falling for a beautiful new love, I almost forgot about where I am and what is reality and what’s space.
I only got my senses back when suddenly, my friends came by and asked me to go back home as it’s sunrise and we also needed to study.
Exam was important yet attraction of Océ was more affectionate than the books of Mechanics. Missing out a chance to be next to the girl like Océ was something I couldn’t afford at all at that moment.
Needless to say, I decided without a second thought.
I told my friends I would stay & live this big universal event personally.
So I was left there, inspecting thoroughly every detail of her face and when she caught me, she just smiled back as she took another drink. From that moment, I never let her hide from my sight and we connected more & more as I stayed with her like hers. Yes, I failed in the subject for that term which I had an exam the next day but, I had passed to her heart which became dearer to me as time passes by. The mechanics of our hearts connected that late night in that very bar over few words like we are experiencing Celestial Mechanics, maybe.
She flew back to Marseille, France in 2016 before Christmas.
Being away from her was something I couldn’t afford. Now I am with VISA permission to fly to her. The COVID-19 pandemic border closure & Airlines lockdown is the one thing which is the obstacle for me now. Can’t wait to fly to her country and spend my days next to those prettiest eyes where I could just forget about me and I will be with her again personally, my Dear.
"I love her for long. As long as I have known her -- always."
Love is the best thing we Do.
So fall for it without fear..
My grandpa couldn't erase the smile on his face as he told me that encounter.
@Maria1997
