Official

Hinata's POV

"Where are we going?" I asked Zeke while sitting in the passenger seat. 

We were already inside the car, and he was driving. After that quick episode of my anxiety attack, we still decided to go out. I felt embarrassed, but I was also thankful to him at the same time. It was actually the first time he had done that in our married life.

"It's a secret," he answered. He had that little smile on his lips. 

I rolled my eyes at him while smiling. I couldn't help it. After what happened, my irritation and anger towards him subsided. I was now feeling light-hearted and giddy at the same time. The idea of us going somewhere had been stuck on my mind ever since he declared it. Now that it's happening, I was filled with anticipation. 

After thirty minutes, he parked the car in the parking lot of a small cafe with the name "Read With Me Cafe." My heart fluttered just by seeing the name of it. I was hoping that it was something that I had in mind. I was a certified bookworm, and being in places like this excites my whole being. 

"No, way!" I told him, wide-eyed.

"Yes way! Hahaha. Let's go. I've heard they have a lot of good books in here aside from serving good coffee. It's a must-try, you know," he said.

I squealed. Good books and good coffee were my favorite combination in the whole world. I covered my mouth with both hands to stifle the thrill I was feeling inside. However, my face was giving it away since I was pretty sure that my eyes were sparkling right now, and my whole face was lit up. Without a second thought, I immediately got out of the car and almost ran to the cafe's entrance. I couldn't wait to see what's inside.

"Yna, be careful!"

I heard Zeke say, but I was already at the front door, pushing the glass door. As soon as my feet reached the threshold, I stood in awe. The scent of freshly brewed coffee mingled with the faint musk of aged paper. Warm amber lights hung low, casting a soft glow over shelves crammed with different kinds of books. Small tables with aesthetic designs and plush couches were nestled into cozy corners, some already claimed by readers lost in their books. It was the kind of place where time felt slower, where people spoke in hushed tones and every table invited you to stay a little longer, with a cup of warmth in one hand and a story in the other. 

Heaven. Yes, this place was a haven for people like me. 

"I knew you'd like it here."

He whispered beside me, standing still while roaming his eyes inside. I nodded in agreement. I felt my throat clogged with so much emotion that I couldn't speak. This was the sweetest thing that someone had done to me. 

When I found my voice after a minute, I looked at him and smiled. He was also looking at me with this calm expression on his face and softness in his eyes. This was the Zeke I had fallen in love with- the gentle, mindful, and caring one. Finally, I was able to experience that version of him again when I thought that it was already long gone. He was still here. There's still a chance for us. 

"Thank you, Zekiee. Thank you for taking me to this place and for being this sweetie," I sincerely uttered. 

He cleared his throat, then looked away. His face was a little flushed, and he was trying his best to hide it by scratching his head. A gesture he would normally do when he was feeling shy. I inwardly smiled. I tapped his shoulder. 

"Let's find a spot in that corner. I can't wait to read all of their books!" I exclaimed. 

"Whoaaah! Take it easy, baby. This is just the first stop," he blurted. 

I arched my eyebrows in question, but he clamped his mouth together. I thought this would be the only place we would go, but the thought of having another destination after this excites me more. But more than the place, what really fueled this day's excitement was spending it with him. This was our first official date as husband and wife. Could this day get any better?