Episode: 9

The morning sunlight poured through the window, filling my room with a warm glow. I stirred beneath the sheets, still caught in a dreamlike state. But today felt different. My heart felt lighter, my thoughts clearer, and a nervous excitement bubbled up inside me.

What will happen today with Robert?

The memory of last night's call replayed in my mind, and warmth rushed to my cheeks. I couldn't help but smile, though confusion lingered just beneath the surface. He'd asked me such a strange question—my bra size, of all things. Why did he want to know? What was he planning to do with that information? The more I pondered, the more questions swirled in my mind, each one leaving me more flustered than the last.

I groaned as I rolled out of bed. "Amy, you're overthinking," I muttered to myself, though it did little to calm the storm in my head.

I took a warm bath and started getting Ready.

As I stood in front of my wardrobe, another thought struck me. Yesterday, I'd dressed casually, throwing on the first outfit I saw. But today felt different.

Today, I wanted to make an impression.

I sifted through my clothes, my fingers gliding over soft fabrics and vibrant colors. My mind raced with possibilities. What would Robert think if he saw me in this? Or that? I shook my head, frustrated with myself for caring so much.

Finally, I chose a fitted blue top and a floral skirt, something that felt effortlessly elegant but not too flashy. I paired it with simple accessories—a delicate bracelet and small silver earrings—and let my hair fall in loose waves over my shoulders.

As I examined my reflection in the mirror, a small smile crept onto my lips. For the first time in ages, I felt beautiful.

While applying a light coat of lip gloss, another thought slipped into my mind. I remembered the kiss we had yesterday. Is he going to kiss me again ? Today?

Am I expecting a kiss ? No way.

Is this what falling in love feels like?

The question caught me off guard, and I paused mid-application. Love? With Robert? The idea seemed ridiculous, yet my heart fluttered at the mere thought of him.

But he hadn't proposed to me. He hadn't even said anything remotely romantic, aside from that kiss—and what a kiss it had been. Bold, unexpected, and completely unforgettable.

Why did he kiss me if he didn't feel anything? I wondered.

Still, I couldn't bring myself to ask him about it. The thrill of the unknown, the unspoken tension between us, was intoxicating. Somehow, I feared that putting a label on whatever this was—love, infatuation, attraction—would take away the magic.

"No," I said firmly, shaking my head. "I don't love him. This is just… something else."

But even as I spoke those words, a small voice in the back of my mind whispered otherwise.

I arrived at college, my heart racing as I stepped onto the bustling campus. My eyes scanned the crowd almost instinctively, searching for a familiar face.

Robert.

My gaze darted from one group of students to another, lingering near the basketball court, then the library steps. But he was nowhere to be found.

Where is he?

I tried to shake off the growing sense of disappointment as I made my way to my class. But even as I settled into my seat, my mind refused to focus. My thoughts kept drifting back to him, wondering why he wasn't here.

When the lecture ended, I decided to head to the canteen, hoping a hot cup of coffee would lift my spirits. But as I walked through the crowded hallways, my feet felt heavier with every step. My usual energy and enthusiasm were replaced with a dull ache of longing.

By the time I reached the canteen, my face was set in a quiet frown. I grabbed a corner table, far from the crowd, and sank into the chair.

I pulled out my phone, scrolling aimlessly through messages and notifications, anything to distract myself from the nagging emptiness inside. But nothing helped.

A message that changed everything.

Then, out of nowhere, my phone buzzed. The screen lit up with a new message, and my heart skipped a beat when I saw his name.

Robert: "Don't be upset. I'll meet you in the evening, dear."

A wave of emotions washed over me relief, joy, and an undeniable giddiness. My lips formed a smile before I even realized it.

How did he know I was feeling down? Was he watching me? The idea sent a thrill through me, though I quickly brushed it aside as unlikely.

For a fleeting moment, I considered texting him back, asking where he was and why he hadn't shown up to class. But I held back, worried it would reveal too much of what I was feeling.

Instead, I tucked my phone away, my smile lingering as I took a sip of my coffee. His words echoed in my mind, and I couldn't help but feel a flutter of excitement for the evening ahead.

The rest of the day flew by in a haze. My classes dragged on, the lectures failing to hold my interest. I kept glancing at my phone, hoping for another message from Robert, but none arrived.

My friends noticed my distracted demeanor, but I deflected their inquiries with vague responses. How could I explain what I was experiencing when I didn't fully grasp it myself?

Between classes, I wandered aimlessly around campus. My usual haunts—the library, the art room, the garden—felt dull and lifeless without him. I found myself replaying his words: "I'll meet you in the evening, dear." The term "dear" resonated with me, sending a warm shiver through my chest each time I thought of it.

Was this what infatuation felt like? Or was it something more profound? The questions lingered, but I had no answers.

When the last class of the day wrapped up, I practically dashed out of the room. My heart raced as I made my way to the basketball court, uncertain if he'd be there but hoping he would be. The golden light of the setting sun bathed the campus in a soft glow, making everything feel more enchanting, more alive.

I spotted him almost immediately. He was sitting on the bleachers, legs stretched out and arms resting casually on the bench behind him. He appeared completely at ease, but his eyes brightened when he saw me.

"There you are," he said, standing up and walking toward me. "I was starting to think you'd stand me up."

"I didn't promise to meet you," I replied, trying to sound indifferent, though the fluttering in my chest gave me away.

"True," he said with a grin, stopping just a foot away. "But I knew you'd come."

His confidence was infuriating, yet it was also part of what attracted me to him. He had this way of making you feel like you were the only person in the world who mattered.

"Why weren't you in class today?" I asked, crossing my arms to appear unaffected by his presence.

He shrugged. "Had some things to take care of."

"Things like what?"

He leaned closer, his eyes locking onto mine. "Thinking about you."

My breath caught in my throat. He said it so casually, as if it were the most natural thing in the world. I looked away, my cheeks burning, but his words lingered in my mind.

"Come on," he said, nodding toward the path that led away from the court.

"Where are we going?" I asked, following him despite my hesitation.

"You'll see."

We walked side by side through the campus, the sounds of laughter and conversations fading into the background. The air was cool, carrying the faint scent of flowers from the nearby garden.

Robert didn't say much as we walked, but his presence filled the silence. I stole a glance at him, marveling at how effortlessly confident he seemed. He caught me looking and smirked, and I quickly turned my gaze forward, cursing myself for being so obvious.

"So," he said after a while, "what were you thinking about all day?"

"What makes you think, I was thinking about anything?"

He chuckled. "Because I know you, Amy. You overthink everything."

His words struck a chord, and I bit my lip, unsure how to respond. He wasn't wrong. But, it was just a day we met, how come he knows much about me? I questioned myself.

"Okay, fine," I admitted.

"I was… wondering about last night. And this morning."

He stopped walking and turned to face me.

I hesitated, my heart racing. "Why did you ask me that? My… bra size?"

His lips curled slightly, as if he was trying to suppress a grin. "Because I enjoy seeing you flustered. It's adorable."

"That's all?" I replied.

"Well, that, and…" He stepped closer, lowering his voice to a whisper. "I wanted to see how far I could push you."

My breath caught, and I took a step back, needing a moment to process what he had just said. He was bold, unapologetically so, and it both scared and excited me.

Eventually, we found ourselves in the garden, where the soft glow of the campus lights illuminated the rows of blooming flowers. Robert leaned against a tree, watching me as I strolled among the petals.

"You look stunning tonight," he said suddenly, his voice breaking the silence.

I froze, my heart skipping a beat. "What?"

He pushed off the tree and walked towards me, his gaze unwavering. "You heard me."

"I—"

"Don't overthink it," he said, stopping right in front of me. "Just accept the compliment."

I nodded, my throat too tight to respond.

For a moment, silence surrounded us. The air was thick with unspoken words, a tension that was both thrilling and unbearable.

"Robert," I started, my voice barely a whisper. "Why are you doing this?"

"Doing what?"

"This," I said, gesturing between us. "Flirting, teasing… kissing me. What do you want from me?"

He studied me for a long moment, his expression unreadable. Then he reached out, gently tucking a strand of hair behind my ear.

"I don't know," he confessed softly. "But I want to find out."

His words sent a shiver down my spine, and for the first time, I understood just how risky this connection could be. But instead of pulling away, I felt myself drawn to him, like a moth to a flame.

I enjoy it.