First Love.
"This is what we call the very first person we fell in love with. It is sometimes unexpected and sudden, but at the same time, sweet, or bitter depending on how our firsts ended."
*****************
Perhaps, because it was the first time JIMHUESH took a vacation since he started working in their company, he had felt the week went by so quickly as he stayed in Paris--with Senthie. Though nothing much happened, he still enjoyed her company. Having a conversation with her was like therapy to him and no matter how much she spend time with her, he still felt like she was a mystery to him. A mystery that he wanted to unravel.
Last night, they had a deep conversation about Senthie's past--about her father, which Jimhuesh found surprising.
"My father works abroad, in New York. He always comes home on my birthday, that was his promise...but one day, on my seventh birthday, he didn't come. I waited and waited, every day. Weeks had passed, no communication from him. Then it reached months to years, and until now, we haven't heard anything from him. Like he just disappeared out of our lives, my life."
She continued. "Our relatives and even our neighbors were gossiping about it. They thought my father left us for another woman he met in New York, that he will never come back and that we should forget about him and just move on. And we did, I did. It never bothers me anymore."
"However, before I moved on, I felt betrayed, heartbroken, angry, and lonely. I hated myself for that. I know my feelings were valid, but, I thought I was pitying myself too much. My mother even began to treat me coldly. I don't know why, maybe because I reminded her of him. That's why I moved out and started to live the life I wished for."
When Jimhuesh heard her story, he didn't know how to react, he couldn't relate to her, though, he was certain it must be tough and thought she was brave. Listening to her was the only thing he could offer and he was relieved when Senthie appreciated it. The more he got to spend time with her, the deeper he felt the connection between them. But he mustn't feel anything more than that. He couldn't have feelings for her. He mustn't fall for her. And so, he started avoiding her. He didn't go to her store, nor, contacted her for a week, however, he would always look at his phone with the hopes to see her name popping up on its screen. He felt frustrated when more than a week had passed and Senthie never reached out to him.
"What's wrong? You've been staring at your phone for a while now. Are you expecting a call?" Rychie asked with furrowed brows. They were in Jimhuesh's room, watching their favorite anime, One Piece.
Jimhuesh sighed heavily as if all the problems were on his shoulders. He leaned back on the couch. He wanted to tell him about Senthie but hesitated and decided not to. "Nothing."
However, Rychie knew Jimhuesh too much to the point that it was as if he could read his mind. "You told me you don't have any feelings for Senthie, I know that's you in denial. Is she the reason for your aging?"
"Aging?" He scoffed. "Are you trying to annoy me?" He sighed, but this time, his voice was soft. "I think I like her."
Rychie started clapping slowly while shaking his head with a poker face. "Bravo! You've finally admitted it. I'm so proud of you, Jim! You're a big boy now!"
Jimhuesh made a face and pushed Rychie which made him fall off the couch. He winced, groaned, and then laughed as he sat again on his spot. "Seriously, Jim. I'm so happy that you have someone you like, romantically."
Jimhuesh shook his head and reached the remote to pause the anime. "It's unexpected, even after knowing that she's incapable of falling in love, I still like her. But, I don't think I'll pursue her." He sighed heavily. "She's not out of my league, yet she's out of anyone's reach." He shook his head. "I won't pursue her and I will forget my feelings for her."
Rychie snorted as he leaned back on the couch, his gaze on the ceiling. He was thinking of something to say, Jimhuesh knew. Then, Rychie began, "it won't be that easy. From how I see it, you like her a lot. It will take time, and you might not even hold it in and reached out to her first. You'll miss her, you'll like to see her, hear her voice, and spend time with her. Just earlier, you were waiting for her to contact you, weren't you?"
He turned to Jimhuesh and he nodded. Rychie chuckled and his eyes went big. "I have an idea! This will be good!"
Jimhuesh asked, "what is it?"
He smirked. "Make her fall in love with you. I don't believe that she's incapable of that. Everyone falls in love at some point in their life. Senthie's not an exception. Even you who don't believe in love fell in love. So, I think, it's not impossible for her, too, don't you agree?"
Jimhuesh smiled. "Now that you said that, it does make sense. It's not impossible."
And so, Jimhuesh reached out to Senthie and sent her a message the next day, morning. "How are you doing, Sensen? Can we meet tonight? I have something to say that can't be done in a call. Please, agree. I'll pick you up at 9:30 in front of the mall."
He received her reply after two hours, and she agreed.
-------------------------------
"Where are we going?" asked Senthie for the fourth time, but Jimhuesh wouldn't give in and stayed focused on driving. He was determined to surprise her even though he knew she hated surprises. However, he thought, she wouldn't make a big deal out of it since it wasn't something grand.
Jimhuesh plastered a knowing smile and shook his head. "I won't tell you. But I'm sure you'll like it."
When they arrived at the place, Senthie looked at Jimhuesh with narrowed eyes. She giggled. "I think I know why you brought me here."
He smirked as he raised his brows. "I ought to fulfill my promise."
Senthie just smiled at him and it was the cue to enter the hotel--the 5-star hotel where they had dinner once with his mother. Jimhuesh wanted to make sure that he would never back out to his word. He would never break a promise he made, especially, to Senthie who hated liars.
When they took their seats, Senthie agreed to order the same as what they had last time, particularly, the desserts, tiramisu ice cream, and carrot cake with cream cheese. It was evident on Senthie's face that she was happy and touched, even. Jimhuesh felt warm in his heart and was glad he made the right choice to bring her here.
"Thank you, Jim. I'm really surprised you remembered a such trivial thing. I applaud you for having a sharp memory," she said, smiling beautifully as she picked up the lotus napkin on the plate, unfolded it, and place it on her lap. Jimhuesh did the same as he smiled back at her.
Senthie sighed. "It's a relief that I am wearing a dress today, if not, then I would be embarrassed coming here underdressed." She giggled. "And I would be very mad at you, 'coz I don't wanna be unprepared in anything."
He chuckled. "Don't worry, I would buy you a dress if that happened."
A moment later, their order was served and only the desserts were to follow.
"That's quick," she said, surprised, as she tugged her hair behind her ear.
He half-smiled. "I knew you'd agree with the food we had last time so I ordered in advance, and it's better I think, we didn't have to wait long. I know you're tired so I wanna drive you home as soon as possible."
She nodded and picked up the knife and fork. "Then let's eat! You can tell me what you have to say after."
It wasn't that long before they had finished their meal, the desserts were served and the comfortable silence earlier had perished. Senthie talked about how much she liked the desserts. A smile plastered on Jimhuesh's face even without trying. Whenever he saw Senthie smiling, he couldn't help but do the same as if it was contagious.
"So, you said, you have something to tell me. What is it?" she said after blotting her mouth gently with the napkin.
Jimhuesh took a deep breath. Just a while ago, he was perfectly calm, but now that it had come to this moment, his heart was thumping aggressively and fast. He almost couldn't breathe with how it was unstable. He guessed, his heart rate might be more than 120 beats per minute. He had never been this nervous before. Never in his life! Even when he was still a student or now that he was the VP of GMC, he was never the kind to panic, but now, it was driving him crazy he couldn't say a word.
"Are you okay?" Senthie asked.
He took a deep breath again and shut his eyes as he blurted out, "I like you," and then he breathe out as he opened his eyes. He blushed, he could feel his face and ears burning up. Senthie just stared at him, emotionless.
"Hey, Sensen, I said, I like you," he uttered, calmer. Now that the words came out of his mouth, he felt much relieved and light. "I like you and I plan to make you feel the same way."
Finally, she replied, but with an unreadable expression. "I've already told you that I will never fall in love. If you are serious about what you said, then I advise you to stop liking me."
Jimhuesh was too shocked to respond, that he remained seated when Senthie walked out and disappeared from his sight.
*******************
*******************
SENTHIE didn't expect that he would say that. He knew her circumstances, and yet, he still had the nerve to say that. Was he toying with her or did he mean what he said? Senthie left him speechless and went straight home. She was awed. She couldn't believe it, he said he didn't believe in love, and he knew that she would never fall in love. Was that making any sense? However, Jimhuesh’s nervous face kept on popping into her head saying, "I like you." Slowly, the corner of her lips twitched until it formed into a smile and her heartbeat raised triple. She found herself happy with what she heard, but, it was the same feeling she got from a few of her exes when they confessed their feelings for her, including Kenzo. She shrugged the thought and concluded that it was normal and nothing different from then to now. What she was feeling right now would soon vanish, just like how a bored person lost interest in something he liked at first.
It took more than three days for Senthie to make her decision about what to do with Jimhuesh. She couldn't avoid him forever, especially, when he kept appearing in her sight and even his name on her phone screen.
Before the mall closed, Senthie asked to meet Jimhuesh at a cafe near a bookstore.
"It seems that you won't stop pestering me until I say yes to you, so I decided to..." She heaved an exasperated sigh as she rolled her eyes. "...give you three chances, I mean, within three dates, make me fall in love with you. However, if you failed, then my answer is no. Is that clear?"
Jimhuesh's eyes were filled with light like a dog that was given a treat. His smile was wide, from ear to ear and then he chuckled. "That is quite familiar. Three dates? Sure, I'll take that. I'll make you fall for me, then I'll become your first love, right?"
She coughed onto her hand after swallowing the milk tea that she sipped. Her face was now red because of continuous coughing. Other customers threw worried glances at her. Jimhuesh handed her a tissue and asked if she was okay. She nodded, and when she calmed down, she said, "I'm sorry, that was funny. But yes, if you succeed, you'll become my first love and..." She narrowed her eyes and raised her brows. "Does that mean I'm your first love? Wait, love wouldn't be the right term. Love is too deep. We should call it...'first like,' instead."
He laughed. Senthie blushed in embarrassment. He stared at her for a moment and leaned a little bit forward to her from the opposite seat, and whispered, "yes, you are my first like, and soon, you'll like me, too." He sat up straight again. "The man who doesn't believe in love and the woman who doesn't fall in love are destined to be together, a match made in heaven, indeed."
She laughed as she felt her face burning. She felt butterflies in her stomach, her hands became cold, and her heartbeat went bolder. Somehow, she was pleased to imagine she would fall for Jimhuesh, however, she knew that would be impossible for her.
_____________________________
Hello, Noomiells!
Thank you for reading this chapter. Hope you liked it. :D
Rychie giving advice! Do you agree with the plan?
What do you think of Jimhuesh's love confession? XD
How about Senthie's feelings?
I would like to know your opinion. Please, let me know! :D