I am sitting alone in the middle of the park, to lessen my intrusive thoughts who keep casting my mental health when there's something fall beside me. It was a red, heart shaped balloon with a letter written saying "BE MY LADY". I stand quickly and turn my head to seek the owner of it. I even think that this owned by some children who was playing there and flewed by air.
In the middle of thinking, there's a tall, dark, handsome man come next to me. He was smiling, and l ask him if this is his balloon, and he proudly said yes, he told me that he let the balloon flewed by air, and he will treat a person who will get it.
He asked me for an icecream date, and the way l describe him, of course l said yes. I won't decline his offer since l am alone, and l badly need someone to talk.
In the middle of conversation with him, l observed that he was struggling and have different accent while speaking tagalog, but have a good accent in english. I ask him if where are he from, and he told me that he is from USA.
I was crazily smiling while thinking that l was dated by an american guy. While were both laughed, he told me that he studied our language for a year before going here. He still struggled to speak, but he understand tagalog words when someone speaking.
We shared a deep conversation together, like we know each other for a decade. We are both comfortable sharing our problems, and our future plans. He told me that he will back to USA after 2 days, he asked my name and he added me on his facebook. In the blink of eye, l confirmed his friend request.
After 5 hours of being comfortable with a stranger, l need to go back to my apartment since it's getting dark after few minutes. I thank him for treating me into an icecream date, since it was my first time going to date with a man. I told him that l will leave now, and he said that he will go along with me until l come into my apartment, because it's getting dark, and it's not safe for me to walk alone.
He dramatically said that his conscience will eat him forever when there's something bad happened to me and he do nothing. And he said that he is the reason why l go home late, so it's his responsibilty to keep me safe until l came home. Upon hearing his dramas, l said to my self " l thought this kind of man only exist in imaginary world, but here l am witnessing a greenest man who is being dramatic in front of me."
I let him for what he like, since his apartment was also near in the park. After 10 minutes of HHWW or Holding Hands While Walking, l came home safely. Here he is again for his dramas that he was thankful that the balloon fall into me. He will cherished this memories even in distanced. I saddened quickly and there's a small drop of tear fall into my eyes as he said those words. He said; "l think this is the first and last moment of seeing you aviolla". We hug each other like a long lost bestfriend before he said goodbye.
I am insanely smiling while laying in my soft bed. It was the best day for me so far.
After of my insane moments with my self, decided to open my facebook, to check for some updates in our group chat. But, there's a runaway drumbeat in my chest upon seeing a message from someone l didn't expect.
"Hello Aviolla, l'm already home. Thanks for accepting my icecream date".
I replied him "In the world where guys are everywhere, you're the man that l first go on date".
He automatically replied "really? And you're the first woman l go to date too Aviolla. You never disappoint me, instead my first date with unknown woman gives me too much memories that l will eternally treasure".
We talked for almost an hour, and l am giggling into my bed and crazily smiling on his chat. Then, l said goodbye, and good night to him because l am too sleepy now since it's already twelve-thirty a.m. l close my eyes with a smile on my face.
I woke up at nine a.m since it's weekend so l need to regain my strength and sleep. I qiuckly grab my phone, and open my facebook.
"Good morning, Aviolla! Have a nice day ahead, don't skip your breakfast".
This is the first message that welcome my beautiful morning.
"Good morning Raven, have a great morning too."
" Ohhh my sleepyhead princess, you've just wake up"?
I'm not yet hungry, but upon reading his message the butterflies wilded in my stomach. Here l am smiling insanely again. I am suspicious with this kind of smile.
"Yes, darling! I've just waken up". I quickly sent
"Are you free today? Can you tour me in some beautiful places here in your place? I'm not yet familiar with it."
Without any doubt, l said yes. I know that he just enjoying his remaining day after his flight tommorow. I prepared quickly, after an hour, l chatted him that l am now ready. After a couple of minutes, l heard a doorbell outside, and l quickly ran outside to open the door.
We ride in tricycle since the place that we go to is not that far from my apartment. It was his first time riding in a tricylce, he hold my hand because he was little bit scared. We go in Jomalug Island; a peaceful place with crystal-clear water and powdery wtite sand. He was amazed with a unique limestone and sandstone formation.
He hugged me tightly, and whispered "thank you Aviolla". We sitted and feel the embrace of cold air. We waited until the sky transformed into a breathtaking symphony of color and light. I leaned my head in his shoulder and we taked photos for more memories to keep.
"Aviolla"? He whispered "l am so greatful that you made my last days here more beautiful my princess". "If one day, God will let our path cross again, l will make sure that l will hold your hand forever". Aviolla, you are the dawn's gentle caress; softly illuminating my world with tenderness". "I think l'm inlove with you", he whispered in a soft tone.
"Raven? I thought this kind of man only exist in wattpad or in movies, but here l am sitting beside the best man l wanted to be."
"Raven? I don't like you", his expressions become sad for a moment.
" but l love you". A big smile on his face was written. He hugged me tightly and kissed my forehead.
The next day, he go back to America. We both happy, and sad at the same time because we are afar from each other. We always update each other, and videocall during our free time. We never let distance hindered our connection and love.
After 2 years, "through miles apart, our heart beats as one; distance is the canvas of love and trust that bridge our heart." He was back here in philippines, l am now a permanent Literature Teacher, and he is an Architech.
We back in the place where we had first met before. He told me that he have some surpise me for me, but l need to blindfold my eyes first.
"As l count of three, you will get your blindfold darling". He said
"One...two... three..." l get my blindfold, and l slowly open my eyes. My tears flows like a river, as l see my man bending his knees in front of me, holding a black box, with a diamond ring inside.
"My princess, you still remember the day l told you that if God let our path cross again, l will hold your hand forever? My darling, will you marry me"?
Without any hesitation, l said 'YES, I WILL MARRY YOU MY MAN".
Today, we have now 2 kids, a boy and a girl.
Love comes in unexpected time, and we are the living definition of STRANGER TO LOVER. l found my safest place into Raven.
