Sunday, May 04, 2008
Chapter 11
Chris went to the mall and waited for Tristin. He remembered how ridiculous he was this morning. Only Tristin can handle his absurdity and silliness. He is grateful for having her in his life. He knew he is significant, at least to one person.
“Hello.” Tristin greeted with her sweetest smile. Chris greeted her back. They felt awkward to each other and neither of them attempted to talk first. Chris was growing impatient so he made the first move. “What are we doing here?” Chris asked sarcastically. Tristin threw him a piercing look, and Chris was a frightened a bit. Tristin answered him coldly, “I asked you to go out so we can have dinner.” Chris looked at her intently, sensing that she is hiding something. Tristin was intimidated because it looks like Chris guessed that she has a motive. “Okay, fine. I want to know what happened to you after the summer we spent together.”
Chris smiled and walked away. He put his hands in his pockets and his back looked so manly. His shoulders were broad and his back looks so appealing. Tristin couldn’t help but fall in love with him. He is imperfect, but with his imperfection, he is stunningly perfect. “Hey, are you coming or not? If not, I should be going back to the dormitory.” Chris called and impatience can be seen in his handsome face. “I’m coming.” Tristin ran to him and locked her arm with his and she looked up to his eyes and smiled. He replied her with an amiable smile that she’ll surely remember.
They went to a French restaurant. It is one of the favorite restaurants of Tristin. She thinks that it is good to recall memories in a meaningful place.
“I’ll be taking Foie Gras and Clafouti for dessert.” Tristin said. “Mine is Duck Confit and Chocolate Mousse.” Chris added. “Oh, I miss France. I miss my mom’s Foie Gras.” Chris said and smiled. “Chris,” “Yes?” “Tell me interesting stories about you after I left.” Tristin pleaded. “Well, for the record, I have a dozens of ladies following me around during High School. My friends were actually madly jealous of me. Yet, I haven’t liked anyone. I don’t know why. It’s so bizarre.” Chris continued on with his stories while Tristin was listening attentively. Tristin also shared with him the life she had after the summer they spent together. She told him that her life changed because of the summer they had together and that is the reason why until now she couldn’t forget about it.
Their food was delicious and Chris told Tristin that he will go out again with her and they will be coming back here. Of course, Tristin happily agreed with it. The two of them strolled around the mall. It is just they’re excuse so that they will be hanging out. They didn’t realize they were actually thinking the same thing. Around 8, they decided to go back to their dormitories.
“Wow. It is raining pretty hard.” Tristin said. “Let’s ride a cab. Look, there’s one.” Chris ran for the cab so they won’t wait longer for another cab. Chris told the cab driver where they are going and took off his coat. “Take my coat, Tri. I’ll be bringing you to your dormitory.” “No, it’s fine. I can go to my room on my own. You go to yours. You’ll catch cold.” “Really? As far I’ve remembered it wasn’t me who caught colds in the rain.”
It was the first summer rain. Chris knew there will be rain on that day. So, he decided to wait for the rain and play under the rain. Tristin told him that he’ll catch a cold if he’ll play under the rain, but Chris insisted that he won’t and he also invited Tristin to join him. “Don’t worry. It’s just rain. It won’t bite.” Tristin was coerced, so eventually, she agreed with it. They waited for the rain and when the first raindrop fell, they stood up and played under the succeeding raindrops. The next day, Tristin caught a fever and a cold, and it took her two days to get cured. After that incident, Chris never invited her to join with him to play under the rain.
“Fine.” Tristin said.
They arrived at the dormitories and the rain is still pouring hard. The two of them ran to find a shade. Yet, Chris stopped at the middle and Tristin continued running. Chris wanted to feel the rain. It’s been long he haven’t been under the rain. Rain gives him memories of the past and he dreaded it before, but now, he loved the idea of being under the rain and the recollection of memories. Tristin realized that Chris was left under the rain so she ran back to him.
“Chris, come on. Rain’s pouring hard.” “Go ahead, Tri. I’ll get my coat next time. I just want to be soaked a little.” “A little? Are you crazy? You’re drenched already.” “You, too. So, go ahead. You’re going to catch a cold.” “No, I am not leaving without you!” Tristin replied angrily.
Chris couldn’t help himself. He took possession of Tristin’s head and raised it to receive his kiss. He kissed the soft and full lips of Tristin. He can’t stop himself. He wanted to do this. It is the only way he’d be able to break the walls around him. If he cannot express himself to her, he’ll go mad, because he is deeply and crazy in love with her. Only a kiss would solve his problems, and now that he is giving it to her, everything’s settled. It isn’t the kiss he always imagined, but it is much better. Drenched under the rain, kissing the only woman he has ever loved, it’s perfect and it felt like he was in paradise.
He pulled himself from her and said, “I love you. Tri, I have always loved you. Do you understand me? I love you, and even the separation that occurred to us, I have never forgotten about you and my feelings for you never changed. I love you, Tristin.” Tristin stared at him and do not know what to say. The thing she wanted to happen is right in front of her face, but she didn’t know how to answer. Then, it came to her, a kiss would settle everything.
She tiptoed to reach Chris’s lips and held his shoulders for support. She kissed him tenderly and gently. She poured all the love she has in the kiss. She don’t care if her kiss is bad, all she wanted is to show to him that she also loved him from the very start.
Under the stars and the rain, with that kiss, everything is settled. They are officially called a couple.
Labels: Chapter 11, Summer to Remember
