Chapter 13

Chapter 13

Kin

“Hold it,” I interrupted, holding my index finger up. “I feel I need to interject because I don’t quite agree with her.”

“I felt the same, so I asked her why she would think that way. In response, she told me one doesn’t exactly need to study at a college or university to learn something new because one could actually learn those things just by reading good books. According to her, learning to read is all one needs to learn about the world, not some piece of paper called a ‘certificate’,” Ami persisted animatedly.

“I think that the conversation you had was interesting because even a twenty-year-old could understand the fact very well that education had become a ‘commodity’ these days, where getting a certificate was becoming more important than actually learning. However, the world as we know needs that certificate to gauge one’s thinking capacity and knowledge in the corporate microcosm,” I argued.

“Not gonna argue with that, but it was also interesting in the sense that, if she could deduce such a conclusion right after high school, what could possibly go through her mind if she ever chooses to finish her university education,” Ami concluded her point.

“Very well deducted, my love,” I drawled. She dipped her head in shyness; the red tinge was back.

“You really should stop tormenting me,” she muttered, peering at me.

“How could I stop when you look so delectable, Amidala,” I grinned.

“Ugh! You are impossible, Anakin,” Ami lamented, and I just chuckled heartily.

We had the best meal at the Salt of the Earth, for the flavours in the poke bowl we ordered were spot on, and the food tasted as if it came from a big city restaurant. I believe the people who were unfamiliar with some of the dishes will also find an option they recognise on the menu. We loved how fresh the meal was, the friendly service, and the charming decor. Ami even promised the usher at the entrance that she would definitely come back to savour other cuisines.

When I drove us back to the inn, I kept giving her anecdotes and jokes so that I could keep seeing her smile and her laughter constantly providing me with that flutter in my belly.

“Oh, I’m having cramps in my stomach now due to so much laughing,” Ami laughed breathlessly, then smiled.

“The real power of a man is in the size of a smile of the woman sitting next to him,” I quoted.

“So you’re into quotes now, huh…” she teased.

“In case you ever foolishly forget, I am never, not thinking of you,” I quoted again, and she grinned.

“As soon as you walked into my life, I understood why it didn’t work out with anyone else,” I added more, giving her my crooked smile.

“You. Are. So. Cheesy!” Ami cried, giving me a toothy grin.

“I just want to make you as happy as you make me,” I said as I came to a stop and parked my car by the side of the inn.

“Was that another quote, or are you sincere about it?” Ami looked up at me, eyes glinting.

“I do want to make you happy at all times, only if you allow me, Ami,” I murmured as I gazed into her eyes.

“I am happy, Kin. I’ve never been this happy in quite a while now,” she whispered.

“Good. The night is not over yet, and I was hoping we could do something together that’ll change your life forever,” I winked as I smiled.

“What do you mean?” Ami stared at me, perturbed.

“Have you ever tried skinny-dipping?” I asked.

“I have never swum in my life, Kin, let alone skinny-dipping,” Ami gasped as she sat frozen, aghast at the thought of going swimming.

“I will be holding you in the water, and we’ll go to the shallow side first. And when you’re comfortable enough, I’ll carry you deeper,” I coaxed her gently.

“I don’t know if I can, Kin. I’m terrified even thinking about it,” Ami stammered.

“Do you trust me, love?” I cajoled her. She looked petrified as she stared at me, but I took both her hands in mine and rubbed the top of them in circles with my thumbs.

Ami swallowed hard, then taking a deep breath, she said, “You promise never to let me go?”

“Cross my heart and hope to die,” I murmured softly. Ami gazed into my eyes and nodded twice. I beamed and said, “Wait in the car while I take our robes.”

I quickly dashed out of the car and jogged up the stairs to our room to pick our robes. At the bottom of the stairs, I noticed the exit rerouted towards a private garden that led right to the lake. Tall hedges hid the lake from the front view, and it was a perfect spot to give Ami the private lesson she needed.

As I headed back to my car, Ami was nowhere to be found. Did she change her mind and decided not to go through with it? I searched for her till I saw a silhouette standing at the gazebo in the private garden. As if she could sense my presence, she turned around and waved at me. The night was warm, and it got warmer at the thought of having Ami naked in my arms.