"I'M OKAY"

THE next day Daniel was forced to act and continue his life normally. In the coming week, his mother and sister will arrive from New York. And just like what his mother Marielle wanted to happen, they will get a second opinion, but this time he will go with them.

As he used to do, he picked up Ara to go to school. Her face was beautiful when he saw her waiting on the terrace of their house.

In the way, Ara's eyes gleamed, she knew she loved him dearly. There is no doubt about that, and that is what exactly weighs heavily on his chest. That's why he couldn't stop himself from hugging her tightly when she got in the car.

Daniel felt like there is a big thorn that is stuck in his throat because of his resistance to crying. But he needs to be strong. If not he knew for sure that sooner or later he would be able to admit to Ara about his real condition.

Yesterday he remembers saying that he will be starting to avoid Ara. But Danica was right.

Why would he deny himself the chance to be truly happy and be with the girl he loves truly just because of his illness?

He also realizes that Ara needs to know the truth. He needs to tell her everything. But this is not the right time yet. He still needs to gather enough courage for him to be able to do that.

"What happened to your check-up yesterday?" it was Ara when he released her from his tight embrace.

He shrugged and then drove the car. "Okay, I have been given a list of medicines that I need to buy and take," he said in a more cheerful tone that he knew is fake.

"Oh, why do you have so many bruises? Where did all that come from?" Ara asked again and again which he really expected.

"It's not serious, medical terms that I can't remember," he lied then followed what he said by a weak laugh. "Don't worry, before I die I assure you that I will marry you," he joked but that was true inside him.

*****

"I DON'T LIKE such a joke," Ara sighed.

She could not understand but she was really nervous and worried for Daniel. And now that he said it was okay, she somehow can breathe a sigh of relief and felt at peace. That is why she can ignore the anxiety that still haunts her inside.

"I'm not kidding, I will really marry you. Because I love you so much," Daniel said holding her hand and then kissed it.

With that, the young man quickly seemed to wash away the annoyance that Ara was feeling, so in the end, she couldn't stop herself from smiling.

"I love you so much, so I don't want to think that someday we will be separated. I'm used to being with you all the time. And if you will be gone, I know it will be difficult for me to get my life back to normal," she said truthfully then turned to her boyfriend as she could feel the corners of her eyes are starting to heat up.

Daniel did not speak and instead, he raised her hand again and kissed it again.

"Promise me you won't leave me," Ara spoke again then held Daniel's hand tightly.

"I will stay in your heart, that way no matter what happens we will not be far apart," the young man replied then he turned for a moment before bringing his eyes back on the road.

Ara did not speak after that.

If Daniel says he is okay then it is only right for her to believe her boyfriend.

*****

THE next day, there are no classes since it's a legal holiday. That is the reason why she and Daniel had a chance to go for a walk in the mall and watch a movie. 

Her parents also left that day to attend a wedding in Batangas with her brother Anthony who happened to be included in the wedding entourage. And since it is in the province her parents had told her that they will be probably home for the next day.

There were only a few people inside the movie house when they entered. Maybe because the movie has been released for a few days now.

"Why do you prefer to stay here when there are still so many vacant seats on the lower part of this balcony?" Ara asked Daniel after noticing that the young man chose the most upper and hidden part of the balcony.

The young man chuckles before he opened his mouth to answer her question. He then places his arm around her shoulder the pulled her closer and planted a simple kiss on her head.

"So that when I kiss you, no one can see us," he whispered to her and teasingly gave the tip of her ear a not so gentle bite.

Ara gasps because of what Daniel did. After that, she turned to the young man as her heart is now starting to pound rapidly. It is only then that she found out that he is staring at her with so much longing in his eyes.

"Sweetheart," he whispered then started to move his face closer to her.

She knew that Daniel would kiss her so she expected more intense nervousness in her chest. And her whole body was completely paralyzed when the young man pressed his lips to hers.

She did not know if that was her boyfriend's real purpose so he wanted to watch a movie but in the end, she thought that it was not important either. Because in fact she also wants to once again do what happened between her and Daniel in his house the other day.

And she will be lying if she will not admit that she wanted to experience being completely claimed by the young man.

That is true, she is willing to give herself to Daniel because she loves him so much. But how can she tell the young man what she really wants to happen without her looking cheap or being insistent?

When she felt Daniel's kisses fall on her neck, Ara's mind went blank for a moment. Her body temperature rises rapidly due and made by the small kisses that seem to be instilled by his lips on her skin. And the heat she felt intensified even more when the young man pulled back her hair that was covering her shoulder with the exposed off-shoulder blouse she was wearing.

"Ara, I need you now sweetheart," Daniel stared at her then bowed and kissed her on the lips.

She did not know if Daniel felt her need and desire for him but when she heard that Ara did not hesitate to nod and then smiled.

"Okay," she added to support her response.

That was all and Daniel pulled her upright.

******

ARA found herself inside Daniel's huge room. 

The young man told her that their maid took a day off since it is her son's birthday. Salyn will be back early in the morning of the following day.

"Are you hungry? Would you like something to eat?" when she sat at the corner of Daniel's huge bed was the young man's question for her.

The young lady shook her head consecutively. "I-I'm okay," she said then smiled.

It was when he sat next to her.

"Are you sure? I'm not forcing you because if ---,"

Ara did not let Daniel finish whatever he wants to say. She decided to make the first move and kiss the young man first, for the very first time.

She knew because of what she did she has to prepare herself for the real thing. Because what she did would be the beginning of her being burned in the intense flame of her love for the young man. Especially now that fate has allowed them to do that. To be able for them to express and show how they really feel for each other most intimately and passionately.