Leaving on a Jet Plane.

They swayed gently with the music, enjoying the moment. The third wedding they are attending this month. He was oblivious to what was going through her mind. And it made what she was going to do so much harder.

As the music stopped and everyone starts leaving the dance floor, she held on tight to him. She buried her head and took in his smell – a mix of aftershave and shampoo.

“Hey. Let’s go back to the table. Dessert is about to be served. You won’t want to miss it,” he whispered and gently let go of her.

She looked up into his eyes and forced herself to smile, still not letting go. She leaned in for a kiss and it was the sweetest one ever. “Come on,” he smiled and dragged her towards their table.

“Hang on. I need to go to the washroom,” she said and ran forward to hug him.

He knew her behavior was weird but he didn’t think much about it. Wedding has that effect on her. Always. She’s always cuddly and touchy after weddings. But that was okay with him. Because he knows that’s her way of hiding her fears.

He nodded and let go of her hands, “Shoo shoo.”

She smiled and watched as he walked towards their table, tears threatening to escape. It’s for the best. It has to end on her terms and not on his or anyone else’s. She strolled to the entrance, got onto the cab and headed to the airport.

-

The dessert he saved for her was melting and she was not back yet. It was her favorite – Strawberries Sundae. As he watched the strawberry sink into the melting ice-cream, he started to get worried. He hurried towards the washroom and waited outside the ladies.

Just when he was about to go in to make sure she was alright, his handphone rang.

“I love you(: And that’s not okay,” the text message read, “I’m sorry.”

Taking the leap.

As she rounded the corner and came into view, his heart started racing and he broke into a grin. She was talking animatedly to her friends and did not notice him. It felt so good and familiar to see her again. The way she gestures and the way her face comes alive when she talks.

She looked away from her friends and spotted him. Their eyes met and for a moment, they just stood there. She broke into a sprint and ran straight into his arms. He tightened his arms around her tiny waist and buried his face in her hair. So familiar, so comforting.

“I missed you,” he whispered as he pulls apart from her. She grinned and turned around to say goodbye to her friends before dragging him away.

Because even though she’s only been away for a week, it seems like so many things have changed and so much time has passed. They have so much to catch up on. And as he listened to her travel stories, he realized something. He never ever wants to lose her. He wants to protect her. He wants to make this thing between them official. He wants to make her his. An open relationship is not enough for him anymore.

-

“Hey, we’re home. Come on, I’ll piggy-back you home,” he said in his best soothing voice. Not daring to raise his voice or do anything loud. She looks so fragile, just like a beautiful glass angel. It feels almost as if by raising his voice, it will hurt her. That will be something he’ll never do.

As he tucked her into bed, she woke up with a sly smile on her face. She pushed him onto the bed and straddled him, kissing her way down and making him groan with anticipation.

-

As they lay in bed, snuggled up against each other, he decided to make his move. Because if he didn’t, he feels like he might explode.

“Babe,” he shifted so that he is facing her, “Let’s make this official. Exclusive. Proper. Shall we?”

The tiny smile on her face disappeared. Her gaze shifted away from him. Not saying a word.

She feels the same way about him. Initially, she thought that he was just like any other guy she had had flings with. But that week apart really brought everything together. She likes how he takes care of her and how he cares more about her than she did about him.

But is she willing to let go of her fear of being reliant? Is she ready?

“I…Okay. But once anyone breaks the rule, it’s over. Okay?” she replied in a hesitant voice, still not looking at him.

“Definitely. I love you,” he said as he started necking her. The very action he knows she love.

-