LOOKING TROUGH YOUR EYES

CHAPTER 18

They both smiled and stared into each other's eyes for a moment. Their faces approached little by little, but just when they were millimeters away from their lips touching, Cassey ran past them. Jair laughed and Sheryl blushed. They both stood up quickly and began to play with the puppy. Jair went inside to look for a rubber ball. When he returned, he stood next to Sheryl and Cassey began to circle around them. The next thing they knew they had landed on the grass, once again Sheryl's head rested on Jair's chest. The magic had returned. Jair didn't know how to react, he wanted to hug her, but he didn't want her to be uncomfortable. Sheryl didn't hesitate, she hugged him tightly, laying her little ear at the level of his heart.

-          You're right - she murmured - we can't go on like this. I miss you too much, I miss the moments we spent together, I miss the joy that flooded my heart when hearing your name…. I really miss…

Jair was surprised, he hugged her and kissed her head. They were silent for a moment. Jair lifted his head with a tender caress, so that they were looking into each other's eyes. Words were not necessary, they both felt that special connection that they hadn’t felt for a long time. Jair began to approach his lips, saying:

-          I've missed you too and ...

Right at that moment, Cassey jumped on his face, once again, interrupting. They both got to their feet quickly, smiled, and then began to play with her. At noon, Emma called and told Jair that she wouldn’t be able to make it for lunch, told him where there was money, and asked him to order a delivery.

-          Sheryl, mom said she won't be able to come for lunch, we'll ask for a delivery…. What do you want us to order? - Jair said as he headed to the second floor

-          Mmmmm…. anything is fine. You choose - she replied with a smile and continued playing with Cassey.

Jair went up to his mother's bedroom and while he took the money out of her wallet, he wondered what Sheryl would like, it was his chance to relight the spark they’d lost since that afternoon, he wouldn’t miss it. After half an hour, the delivery arrived, Jair came out to receive it.

-          Sheryl, the food has arrived ... I'll be setting the table while you wash your hands - he said as he went to the dining room

-          You sound like my mom - she said laughing - but it's okay, I'm coming

Jair blushed. He began to set the table. When Sheryl came out of the bathroom, she was surprised, everything was perfectly organized. The plates in the right place, the cutlery with the well folded napkins and also…. He’d ordered noodles! It was her favorite dish.

-          Don’t you like it? Excuse me - Jair said seeing that her friend was taking her time in going to the table

-          Don't apologize, actually…. It's my favorite dish, how did you know I love noodles? - She asked smiling.

Jair replied with a smile and she walked over to the table. He adjusted the chair for her.

-          why do you do it? - Sheryl asked smiling - what do you have in mind?

Jair looked at her confused.

-          Did I do something wrong? - he asked worried

She laughed and said:

-          No, I'm just kidding ... it's just ... today you’ve behaved in a very special way. Thank you - she said shyly - it's another thing that I could never forget

Jair sat down and they began to eat, they talked about the old times, the day they met, the first time they collided, the first hug they gave, and of course, the first kiss, which had meant so much to both of them. When they finished, Sheryl got up to wash the dishes.

-          Just put them over the sink, please. The most important thing is still missing - he said smiling - I hope you like it

Sheryl obeyed and sat back down. Jair returned from the kitchen with a box, a plate, and two silverwares. He put the box on the table, it was a heart shaped cake.

-          It looks delicious, but…. - Sheryl said as she watched him

-          Before you get scared, I only ordered it because I know you like chocolate, and they told me it was the only chocolate dessert they had left - Jair interrupted nervously

Sheryl replied with a smile and they settled down to eat. When the last bit was left, Sheryl set her spoon aside, motioning for Jair to take it. He smiled, took the piece and, with a soft rose on her chin, lifted Sheryl's face, bringing the spoon to her mouth. She blushed.

-          N-no, it's not necessary… you can have it. It's very tasty - she said stuttering

-          Let's do this. You bite half and I'll eat the other half - he replied with a smile on his lips

-          Thank you - she murmured, and did what he asked

She got up from the table and wanted to go wash the dishes, but Jair objected and asked her to feed Cassey while he washed everything.

-          Mom left cookies for her ... I think they’re near the door. Look for them, please - asked Jair

Sheryl smiled, hugged him, and ran to get Cassey's cookies. Next to the bag of cookies she found the plate to give her the cookies, there was also a heart-shaped letter, she opened it and saw that it was written in gold ink. She thought it was Ethan’s so she tried to hide it right away, but Jair noticed.

-          You know - he said somewhat nervous - that letter ... isn’t from Ethan

She looked at him intrigued.

-          Is it yours? - Asked shyly

He nodded.

-          But…. I’d like ... can I read it to you? - he made a small pause to breathe and calm down, trying not to blush – there’s something else I’d like to give you….

Sheryl nodded her head, blushing. She served Cassey the cookies and went to sit under the small tree in the backyard. She felt excited, she began to remember the time in the park, that magical afternoon, the beautiful song that he gave her, the hugs, the games ... the kiss, she couldn't stop thinking about that, she began to remember every detail, his warm lips touching hers, the determination with which he’d taken her hand, the angelical smile on his face just before closing his eyes ... at that moment, Jair appeared with the guitar in hand

-          Is everything okay? You seem somewhat disoriented - he said

-          Yes, everything’s fine ... sorry ... it's just ... well, I was waiting for you - she said nervously

-          Well ... lend me the card, please. It isn’t much what it says, but I wanted to read it personally ... "It took me a minute to meet you, but it’d take me more than a lifetime to forget you" - he said looking into her eyes. He hugged her tightly and continued - do you remember what I asked you that day Ethan wrote on the notebook?

-          I… Sheryl tried to remember, but her mind was still rapt with the warm memory of that kiss.

-          I see - Jair said laughing - well ... I asked you never to leave, you really are very important ... you have no idea how much I love you. As the card says ... I know that the beginning of our history together was very sudden, but believe me when I tell you that it’d be impossible for me to forget you ... at least in this life. Your smile has been stuck in my heart from the first moment I saw you, your angelic laugh was recorded in my memory and your beautiful eyes became the stars of my life. From the first moment, you’ve become the joy of my life. You're like…

Sheryl stood up and hugged him tightly, cutting him off. They held each other for almost a minute, then he handed her the card back. Sheryl looked at it carefully, at the bottom of the page there was a beautiful drawing, it was Jair and herself, they were wearing the clothes they’d worn the afternoon they gave that magical kiss. Her cheeks flushed as she remembered the honey taste of Jair's lips. He noticed, tenderly stroked her cheeks and motioned for her to sit on the grass.

-          Well ... I told you that I had something else prepared for you ... I composed a song for you, but .... It isn’t finished yet - he said - is just ... I really didn’t expect you to come today ... but, I can't wait any longer ... you know what, I’ve decided that I’ll fight to recover the magic that one day burned between us - said decided

-          Jair, but ... - she tried to stop him

-          Shhh… don't go on, just…. Listen, please

Jair started playing the guitar. It was a melodious, calm, relaxing tone… when he began to sing, Sheryl was surprised, she’d forgotten how beautiful his voice was, so tender, so sweet, so pure…. In the song, she could feel the pain that came out of his words, she was moved to tears. It was too much, that day she’d suddenly remembered so many things, all those beautiful memories produced melancholy, she missed feeling protected by that beautiful angel smile, she missed his words of encouragement, the looks they gave each other, the awkward silences after each hug ... The memory that shone most strongly in her heart was that of the afternoon in the park, when Jair, with a gentle pull, brought her closer to his lips, the determination and delicacy with which he took her hands, the nervous smile on his lips just before kissing her, the heat of her body…. Suddenly, Jair stopped.

-          That's all - he said somewhat sadly - I wish it’d been something more, but ... well, I haven't finished it yet and ...

-          It's perfect - she said interrupting - thank you very much. But I didn't bring you anything, excuse me ...

-          You have given me the best gift ever, it was a really long time since we spent time together like this. Thanks for coming… however…. There’s something I’d like to ask you for. Give me a smile - he said, taking her chin gently

Sheryl blushed, smiled nervously, and hugged him. The guitar was the only thing interrupting their path, Jair put it aside and hugged her again. By this time, Cassey had finished her cookies, ran over to them and stopped barking in the middle. They got loose and began to play with the puppy, after a while, she fell asleep. Jair immediately entered the room, turned on the radio, and bowed in front of Sheryl, inviting her to dance. They danced for almost an hour. Then they leaned under the tree, Sheryl's head resting on Jair's chest.

-          I know we're not dating anymore but… can you promise me something? – he asked

-          What?

-          Whatever happens, despite time and problems, we can always have moments like this ... just you and me, watching the sunset, hugging without saying a word…

-          I promise! - Sheryl said, lifting her face to look into his eyes.

Jair got up and went to his bedroom; after a while, he returned with a small pocket knife.

-          I cannot give you a beautiful necklace that changes color, or a magical diary that allows you to communicate with creatures from other dimensions ... but I give you all my love, time and understanding. I also promise that I’ll always be by your side, I’ll always be willing to help you - he said approaching the tree.

Sheryl stood up behind Jair, and he began to draw on the tree with the pocket knife. Making a heart first, he turned to look at Sheryl. He smiled and added their initials on the right side of the heart. Once again he turned to Sheryl.

-          This pocket knife was given to me by Owen before he went to college, he told me it was special. I really didn’t quite understand why ... but, anyway, this will be the sign of our promise.