The drive back home was a blur. As the car hummed along the road, my mind replayed the events of the day—Raziel's earnest confession, the warmth of his embrace, and the fluttering uncertainty that followed. I couldn't help but wonder: had I made the right choice?
Upon arriving, I retreated to my room, seeking solace in the familiar comfort of my space. I unpacked my things, organizing them methodically, trying to distract myself from the whirlwind of emotions. But as the evening wore on and the house settled into quiet, my thoughts inevitably returned to him.
Lying in bed, the memories flooded in—his teasing smile, the way his eyes sparkled when he looked at me, the gentle cadence of his voice. I could still feel the warmth of his hug, the closeness that had stirred something deep within me. But then, a sudden ping from my phone broke the reverie.
'We arrived safely, how about you?'
I smiled, recognizing his number. Despite myself, I felt a flutter of excitement.
The evening sun had dipped below the horizon, casting a soft amber glow over the landscape as we arrived home. I retreated to my room, seeking solace in the familiar routine of unpacking and organizing the remnants of the day's events. The rhythmic motions of folding clothes and sorting through belongings provided a temporary distraction from the whirlwind of emotions swirling within me.
After a refreshing bath, I settled onto my bed, the cool sheets offering a comforting embrace. Yet, despite the tranquility of the moment, my thoughts inevitably drifted back to him—Raziel. His laughter, his teasing glances, the warmth of his presence—all of it replayed in my mind like a cherished melody.
I couldn't help but marvel at the way his eyes sparkled when they met mine, how his lips curved into that mischievous smile that never failed to make my heart skip a beat. Even the scent of his cologne lingered in my senses, a subtle reminder of his closeness. And that hug—the first genuine embrace I'd experienced in what felt like a lifetime—had left an indelible mark on my soul.
Just as I succumbed to the tide of these thoughts, my phone buzzed, breaking the spell.
---
The message was simple, yet it sent a flutter through my chest:
> "We arrived safely. How about you?"
The sender was unregistered, but I knew instantly it was him.
> "Who is this?"
I couldn't resist teasing him, even though I knew full well who it was.
> "It's Raziel. You didn't save my number?"
His response was playful, yet there was an underlying hint of mock offense.
> "I did, I was just teasing you."
I confessed, a smile tugging at my lips.
Our conversation flowed effortlessly from there, a delightful exchange of likes, dislikes, dreams, and shared experiences. Each message felt like a thread weaving us closer together, bridging the gap between our worlds.
---
Our chat was interrupted by a knock on my door.
"We're about to eat, Carmela. You have to come outside your room as we are about to have dinner," my mom called.
"Okay, Mom, I'll be there quickly."
I quickly texted Raziel to let him know I'd have to pause our conversation.
> "Raziel, I'm sorry but I'll have to stop our conversation for now. My mom called, and we are about to have dinner."
> "It's okay, Carmela. I understand. You can just go."
> "Okay then. You go now or your parents will be angry."
> "I'll go now."
With that, I set my phone aside and joined my parents at the dinner table. My brother was absent, busy with his college studies.
"What took you so long?" my mom inquired, her tone laced with curiosity.
"I was just fixing the things I've brought with me, Mom. That's why it took a minute."
I lied smoothly, though guilt tugged at my conscience. I knew they wouldn't approve of me being distracted by boys at my age.
"It's good if that's just it," she said, her voice carrying a note of warning.
"Of course, Mom. What else could it be? You would have known by now if there were other things," I replied confidently, reassured by the distance between us and Raziel.
"Okay, stop the arguments and let's eat. Don't let the food get cold; it won't be delicious then," my father interjected, diffusing the tension.
I focused on the meal, savoring my mother's cooking, but my mind was elsewhere. I couldn't help but wonder what the future held, especially when the inevitable day came that my parents discovered Raziel's place in my life.
---
After dinner, I retreated to my room and immersed myself in a romance novel. Wattpad had become a popular escape for many students, and I was no exception. Reading had always been a solace for me, a way to lose myself in stories and forget the world around me.
Just as I was getting lost in the pages, my phone buzzed again.
> "What are you doing right now?"
It was Raziel.
> "I'm reading."
> "What are you reading?"
> "I'm reading 'The Queen of Badluck' on Wattpad. How about you?"
> "Nothing. Just lying on my bed, immersed in talking with you."
His words, though sweet, felt a bit too forward for me. Perhaps it was the age gap or my own hesitations, but I found myself unsure how to respond.
> "You should probably find a hobby for yourself. It would be bad if you bore yourself to death."
> "I'm not bored if it's you I'm talking with."
His reply was endearing, yet I couldn't shake the feeling that I was treading unfamiliar waters.