True Love

In a bustling corner of Zanica, a goat satay stall attracted a crowd, the tantalizing aroma wafting through the air. A pair of excited kids on bicycles dismounted swiftly, their laughter mingling with the chatter of the customers as they hurried toward the lively stall, eager to indulge in the delicious offerings.

Yes, they were none other than Zion and Audrey. As they approached the satay stall, their excitement grew. Audrey's eyes sparkled with anticipation while Zion's smile widened, happy to share this moment with her. The lively atmosphere around them only added to their enthusiasm as they joined the queue.

Zion spotted the stall owner, Aunt Siti, and called out to her, "Aunt Siti!" She looked up, startled at first, then broke into a warm smile. "Zion! Come, have a seat at the empty table," she urged, gesturing toward a cozy spot under a shady umbrella. Zion nodded gratefully, and he and Audrey made their way over, eager to enjoy the meal.

Aunt Siti walked over to Zion and Audrey, her face beaming with a welcoming smile. In her hands, she held a skewer of freshly grilled satay, ready to serve. The mouthwatering aroma filled the air, making Audrey's stomach growl in anticipation. "Here you go! I know you zion love my satay," she said cheerfully, placing the dish in front of them.

"Why haven't you been here in a while, Zion? And who is this beautiful girl?" Aunt Siti asked, her curiosity piqued as she looked at Audrey with an approving smile. Zion chuckled, feeling a little embarrassed. "This is Audrey. We came here for lunch together." He felt a sense of pride introducing her, enjoying the way Aunt Siti's eyes lit up.

"I just started high school, so I've been busy with that, which is why I haven't been here often," Zion explained. Before he could say more, Aunt Siti interrupted with a teasing smile, "Are you two dating?" Her question hung in the air, and both Zion and Audrey exchanged surprised glances, their cheeks flushing slightly.

"We're just friends," Zion replied quickly, trying to ease the tension. However, upon hearing his words, Audrey felt a pang of disappointment, her smile faltering slightly. Aunt Siti chuckled, noticing the shift in their expressions, and playfully said, "Well, friends can sometimes turn into more!" before walking away, leaving the two in a moment of reflection.

As Audrey took a bite of the satay, which usually tasted delicious, it suddenly felt bland to her. The flavors she normally loved seemed muted, and she couldn't shake off the feeling of disappointment. She glanced at Zion, trying to hide her unease, but the excitement of the meal had faded with his earlier words.

Zion noticed Audrey's expression and the way she barely touched her food, but he chose to remain silent, unsure of what to say. After they finished their meal and said goodbye to Aunt Siti, they hopped back on the bike. As they rode, an awkward silence hung between them, the air thick with unspoken words and lingering thoughts, both feeling the weight of what had just happened.

Unable to bear the silence any longer, Zion stopped the bike at the edge of the lake, dismounting swiftly. He turned to face Audrey, his expression serious as he searched her eyes. "Audrey," he began, his voice steady but gentle, "we need to talk about what Aunt Siti said." The calmness of the lake reflected the tension between them, making the moment feel even more significant.

Audrey looked down, a hint of sadness in her eyes as she whispered, "What's there to talk about?" She felt a mix of confusion and disappointment, unsure of how to navigate the conversation, her heart racing in anticipation of what he might say next.

Zion gently cupped Audrey's face, guiding her gaze to meet his. With a soft sincerity in his voice, he said, "I like you, Audrey. Would you be my girlfriend?" His heart raced as he spoke, hoping his words would convey the depth of his feelings. The world around them faded as he awaited her response, the moment hanging in the air between them.

Audrey looked into Zion's sincere eyes, her heart swelling with joy. Without a hint of hesitation, she nodded and replied, "Yes, I'd love to!" A radiant smile broke across her face, and in that instant, the weight of uncertainty lifted, replaced by a sense of happiness that filled the air around them.

Zion felt a wave of happiness wash over him as he leaned in, gently pressing his lips against Audrey's beautiful mouth. It was their first kiss, filled with a mixture of nervous excitement and tenderness. Pulling back slightly, Zion whispered, "I love you, Audrey." A warm blush spread across Audrey's cheeks as she smiled back at him, her heart fluttering. "I love you too, Zion," she replied softly, feeling a rush of affection in that perfect moment.

They truly savored the moment, basking in the warmth of their newfound relationship. Excited to stay connected, they quickly exchanged phone numbers, each of them grinning widely at the thought of future conversations and dates. Audrey felt a rush of happiness as she saved Zion's number, eager to continue building their bond beyond this perfect day.

They had only known each other for three days and hadn't even exchanged phone numbers before diving straight into a relationship. Audrey couldn't help but wonder, is love really this strange? The whirlwind of emotions left her feeling exhilarated yet bewildered, as she pondered how quickly their connection had blossomed. Was it possible to feel this deeply in such a short time?

"He truly is someone meant for me," Audrey thought to herself, leaning against Zion's shoulder as they both gazed out at the serene lake. The tranquility of the scene mirrored her feelings, and in that moment, everything felt right. The gentle ripples in the water seemed to echo her heart's quiet certainty about their connection.