A Childhood Relationship Chapter I: THE BEGINNING AND DISTANCE

Chapter 22

CHAPTER XXII: AN EVE TO REMEMBER

The days passed by normally during the break. As he constantly goes to practice for his soccer club, I just stayed at home. After all, the volleyball suspended the practice as it has already gotten cold and it would be strenuous for us girls. Still, I believe our captain just decided to follow the unanimous votes of the members to rest for the duration of the break. Since this situation has been prepared for me, I told him that I'll be responsible for cooking food for the rest of the break. He happily agreed and even teased me that it should have been my job all along in the first place. When we shared this conversation, laughter filled the house for a few seconds. Thus, every morning I would go to the shopping district to buy some groceries. Now, it's cooler outside as winter is fast approaching. Every once in a while, I would see some of my classmates walking around the neighborhood. As for my best friends, I thought about visiting them, but sadly they're away for a family vacation.

It would be good if I could go to where my parents are again, but the airfare is expensive and my allowance is not to cover it. At the very least, I'm not alone so it's okay. To kill time during the cool break, I would always go to the gym to warm my body up and avoid gaining a few pounds. For the first time since a few months ago, I went down to the basement to check the room. As if I didn't already expect it, the smell is unbearable to the point that I wondered how he can stay there. In order to fix the smell, I checked the internet on how to remove the smell from such a room. I did this right before Christmas Eve and I felt happy with my decision to make it comfortable again. Still, my only problem is that I spent quite a lot money to achieve this so I'm nearly without disposable cash on my hand. I forgot that I wanted to spend a day outside for Christmas Eve together with him and buy some things, yet he still hadn't invited me. So, even though I feel dejected, I decided that I'll just walk around the shopping district and see the attractions set up over there.

Night time already approached yet he still isn't home so I went to sleep ahead of him. Although, I prepared dinner for him and I placed it inside the refrigerator with a note on the dining table. It's not really my dream to spend a couple's day for the all-important Christmas Eve, but it still pains me that he didn't even thought about this. We like each other, but ever since what had happened to us when we had an accident, he never kissed or held my hand. I appreciate that he's fully respected me as a girl as he told me. Nevertheless, I feel emotional whenever he doesn't pay attention to me when we're the only people together at this house. However, before I actually went to sleep, I called my mother and asked her if she prepared a gift for me. She laughed as I heard my mother talk to my father about how I'm acting like a kid. I felt a bit embarrassed so I expressed this to my mother and she happily apologized to me. Apparently, she wanted to go and visit me, but all flights had already been booked and there are no cancellations. We can no longer do anything about it, so I just asked her to give me a gift in form of a Christmas Eve allowance. Then, she gave the phone to my father and I talked to him. After answering all my father's questions regarding my boyfriend, he finally agreed to send me a month's worth of allowance tomorrow for shopping. I expressed my gratitude to my father as this would be the first time I'll receive this kind of gift. Although, I heard my mother that they should just send new clothes instead of cash as I'll surely use it for a date. I felt embarrassed so I told my mother that I wouldn't spend money just for him even though this is obviously just a lie. Moments later, she told me that she's just teasing me and that they both decided on it if ever I would call them. I felt relieved since I made the right choice to call them at this instance so we shared a laugh before finally hanging up the phone. Conversations between family members are enjoyable this way, I'm really happy that we are still so close even though we are separated miles away from each other.

The following morning, I woke up as the light from the sun graced my room. I got up and looked at the morning sun which didn't do much to increase the temperature outside. I went downstairs and checked the refrigerator to see if he ate the food I prepared for him last night. I was glad to find out that it is no longer there so I took out some ingredients to cook breakfast. As was his initial advice to me, I took out the apron and wore it. I broke the eggs and mixed them on a bowl. As the pan is already hot, I poured the yellow liquid and then spread some sugar and salt on it. Afterwards, I took it out and then prepared to cook the rice before going back upstairs to get my cell phone. As soon as I went inside my room, I was surprised to see a box from a luxurious clothing brand. I checked to see from who it came from, but more importantly how it made its way to my bed.

The only logical reason is that he brought it inside the moment I went out of my room. Since there was no tag to indicate its sender, I opened it to reveal a wonderful formal dress. I spread it on my body and turned around on the mirror only to see him looking at me while smirking by the door. I immediately returned the dress to the box and asked him to forget what he just saw. Since he is already there in the first place, I asked him from who the expensive dress came from. He smiled at me and then said that it was his gift to me for Christmas Eve. I felt happy, even though I already expected it may have come from him before he approached me. There, he kissed my hand and asked if I wanted to go with him outside for a date. I blushed, yet I immediately answered with a nod after which he left and closed my room. I sat down on my bed, still bewildered with what I just heard from him. Just last night, I thought he didn't thought about taking me outside, but I guessed wrong. It seemed like, he really is sweet after all. I went downstairs to eat breakfast with him and he told me that we'll leave the house before lunch by a taxi.

Normally, I wouldn't take a bath every morning specially when it's cold. This time, I went inside the bathroom to take a long and warm bath. I didn't want to wear the expensive dress without washing myself first after all. Upon leaving the bathroom, I went to my make-up desk. There, I took out my kit and did my best to look good. I'm not adept at putting on make-up, but my mother once taught me so I thought it would end well. It took me quite a long time, but I deemed that it is already okay. I took out the towel from my head and then proceeded to curl it one by one. All in all, it took me hours that time is almost running out for me to leave my room. I felt relieved that I managed to put everything on without a problem. On closer look, as soon as I wore the dress, it fits perfectly on me and looks much more elegant. I checked my shoebox and brought out my high heels which I last used during last year's wedding of a relative. Then, I nearly forgot about a purse I can use until I saw something from within the box which is covered by some clothing paper. Inside was a matching purse with diamonds around it. I was about to leave my room when I realized that it would be better if I wore the necklace as well as the ring he gave me. So, I opened my drawer and took them out.

Eventually, I went out of my room to see him waiting by the staircase. I felt my heart skip a beat when I saw him in formal attire. The black suit he wore made him look dashing. It was actually my first time to see him in elegant and formal clothing that I didn't know what to say to him. However, before I managed to speak and compliment him, he beat me to it. He smiled and told me that I really look beautiful as he accompanied me going down. I smiled back at him and told him that he looked handsome in his attire wherein he thanked me. As soon as we reached outside, he locked the door as the taxi is already there by the road. We entered and he told the driver that our destination is at a particular restaurant which sounded familiar. I'm sure I already went at that place but I can't seem to remember so I thought that I'll just wait.

However, there was a heavy traffic going to the city so we had to wait a bit longer. Half an hour later, we managed to reach the building where I realized what it was. Actually, it is the same restaurant where my parents took me before they left me at his house. For me, memories from the past swirled inside my mind and thought about how I forgot about something important. We proceeded upstairs through the elevator for me to see that most of the seats are already occupied. Then, a person approached us and he told his name and we were showed our way to an empty table after walking up the grand staircase. I could see the view of the city which is brimming with life. We casually talked with each other and our topic mostly centered on what I wore and he kept on complimenting me. Still, I couldn't sit still as people are glancing at us. He noticed my trouble, so he told me that they're just feeling jealous that we look so good next to each other. I blushed as he held onto my hand. We shared this sweet conversation until the food arrived and we began to eat lunch even though it's a bit late already.

As soon as we finished eating lunch at the luxurious restaurant, we went back down to walk around the bustling heart of the city. I've only been to areas such as the other side of downtown and all the other areas frequented by the common people so this place is new to me. This, despite the fact that I live right next to this city. It's not unusual since this area is also called the fashion district with streets lined up with international and national luxury brands. Skyscrapers tower the entire vicinity which is a direct contrast to the other side despite being next to each other. Although, it is true that only a few number of people walk around this area due to it catering mostly to the upper-class. But, this very reason made it possible for the two of us to walk without having to bother pushing our way against the crowd.

We had a little shopping for clothes here and there. Still, we took a great considerable amount of time just to pick what suits our tastes. I wanted to decline him buying for me, but he insisted that since we're a couple now it doesn't matter and that it is only normal. I could say that we bought close to five sets of signature clothing all neatly-packed inside sleek paper bags. For obvious reasons, I didn't bother looking at neither the price tags nor the cash register ticker since he specifically warned me not to or else he would get mad at me; a petty reason but he is too forceful in this matter. Eventually, the time we took to look around made it possible for the sun to slowly set into the glowing horizon. I could say that the cool ambiance made us stand out even more or so I thought based from how the people would constantly look at us. Almost each and every person are staring at us whenever we pass by them that it no longer bothered me and thus I was able to look around with my held up high. Then, I realized when I saw a huge electronic billboard that he is considered an entertainment personality. After all, the commercial in which he is the model is playing repeatedly at a huge glass-covered building. I could easily see that people are purposely looking at it as if amazed by the sight even though it's originally a television commercial. Awkwardly, there were even more stares when we passed by this area even though none dare approach us. The only thing quite different is that girls our age would make the usual sounds whenever they see him. Ironically, this became our topic while we were walking to the massive Christmas tree.

A few minutes later, night finally arrived as we reached our destination. A lot of couples line the vicinity immediately surrounding the humongous tree. As we stood up at a point where he told me follow him to, he did something unexpected. He motioned over towards me and stole a kiss directly from my lips. This, as fireworks started to burst into the black-dyed sky. I couldn't move from my position as his eyes were closed at the time and all I could see are the fireworks lighting up one after another. It took a while, but snow already appeared by the time he opened his eyes and end the long kiss. I held onto my lips with my finger as he chuckled and smiled at how surprised I was. Then, he told me that he likes me and that it would never change. I returned what he told me before telling him that it's a white Christmas.

Filled with confidence, he told me that the fireworks and the snow were all part of his plan when he kissed me. Although, I can only believe the former as the latter is merely coincidental. Yet, it is still a wonderful thing as it rarely snows around this time. But, by the time I became aware of our surroundings, couples both older and younger than us are already staring at us with admiration in their eyes. This made me feel embarrassed that I looked down to contain it. Still, he held onto my cheek and told me that this is no cause for concern and that it's about time I get the hang of it as the future wife of a superstar. I was about to tell him that he's too full of himself before some of our classmates approached and teased us. Others even pointed about how sweet we are and that it pains them to remain single. All we could do was exchange a few conversations and laughter. Eventually, he told them that we are about to leave since we have to catch a dinner appointment in a few minutes.

As we are walking, I talked about how we should be like this again next year. He grinned and told me that it wouldn't only just for next year as it would go on like an endless loop. Then, we talked about our future and I told him that I plan on being a female company executive. On the other hand, he told me that he is still undecided whether or not he would take the offer of the entertainment industry or not. This became a tough problem for the both of us that we consumed all our time till we reached the restaurant. There, I told him that no matter what he would choose, as long as he is happy, everything is okay. As with earlier, we also entered a huge building to eat. Although, this time the building is a well-known five star hotel. The service is mostly similar, but there is a more fine touch to it. We are even seated at a glamorous view of the city skyline. Filled with lights, the city is bustling with vigor and life. As we ate Japanese cuisine, I couldn't help but admire the scene by my side. All I could say is that the view is much more breathtaking than when it was still daytime. Obviously, this became another subject of his teasing but I cannot seem to get mad at him even for the slightest bit. We just took it as a joke as we silently laughed. Eventually, we finished eating one of the finest dinner I ever had. I didn't thought that he would plan something more despite our schedule which looked like it was already completely exhausted.

Actually, eating at the hotel is a pretense that we would be staying here for the night. As we approached the door to the guest room he reserved for the both of us, I've been feeling nervous. After all, it's already obvious as to what we would be doing here just with the two of us. The room is spacious and we laid all the paper bags on a corner. Then, as if a repeat of what happened in the past, he took a bath first before telling me to have one afterwards. Moments later, he asked me to also enter the bed. I felt scared and my arms are obviously shaking as my heart is beating really fast. But, I wasn't the only one as the second I looked at his face, his cheeks are already red. Despite my initial thought, he told me that I am free to do whatever I want with him, but he would prefer it if I do the one during our trip. I remembered what he was talking about that I felt embarrassed and had to look away.

Suddenly, he told me that it was his long-awaited privilege as my boyfriend. So, without further ado, I loosened his attire and started touching his torso. At first it seemed normal, but he started to sweat a bit and make some sounds. This made me feel in the mood, that my movements became even rougher. I continued doing so as I enjoyed teasing him and having him make that face until he grabbed my hand and asked me to stop. As soon as I looked to check on him, he is already gasping for air. Then, he told me not to look at him since it is embarrassing for a boy to be played around by a girl even though he is the one who asked me to. I laughed inside my mind and thought about how cute and vulnerable he looks. Seeming that he is already exhausted with what I did, I inched even closer and embraced him. I told him that I'll be sleeping ahead of him. He stayed silent for a while before telling me that it felt great. I looked at him by moving my head, and removed the minuscule amount of saliva from the side of his lips. As I was about to fall asleep, he told me that this is perhaps the best Christmas Eve he ever celebrated and that it was with me. Then, I thought about how I shouldn't have worried in the first place as he did nothing to me even though we are alone and close to each other inside this private room. He need not remind me anymore that he'll respect me as a girl and so he won't touch me as long as I'm ready for it. Finally, the two of us fell asleep as we share the same bed with my arm covering his body tightly and his arm supporting my head as if we were a newlywed couple.