Xavier stopped just outside the theater while I climbed down from the bike. I stared at the bright yellow lights while I could see Xavier getting down from the bike through my peripheral vision.
He came and stood in front of me while looking around, "I'll get the tickets, okay?"
"I'll go with you." I replied while he nodded his head and together we went towards the ticket counter.
I stood there at some distance while Xavier asked a woman sitting there for two tickets. She passed him a smile before giving him two tickets while he made the payment. I could only see the back of his head so I averted my eyes and looked around at all the people coming in and out of here.
"We can watch a movie together sometime, if you want." I heard the soft seductive voice.
I couldn't help but turn around and stare at the woman in front of Xavier.
Did- did she just flirt with him?
I couldn't help but glare at her as she sat there with a flirty smile on her face behind the counter. She wasn't older than twenty five. And her teeth were biting down the lower part of her lips as all her attention was concentrated on my boyfriend.
Oh no. You don't set your eyes on my boyfriend.
I moved my gaze towards Xavier to see his reaction but as his back was facing me I couldn't see his expression. But I was expecting some kind of reaction. Anything. A part of me was starting to get mad at him for being too quiet.
Why isn't he saying something? Heck, why isn't he denying her?
I was about to step forward when I saw Xavier shaking his head lightly at her.
"That won't be necessary." I could hear his deep voice with a hint of rudeness.
Right there. Yes, that was the Xavier I knew. Not caring about anyone else other than the people he love. Rude? That was for anyone getting onto his nerves.
I couldn't help but smile softly.
Still not taking a hint she batted her eyelashes at him while leaning a little on the counter while supporting her head on her two hands,
"Why?" She looked at Xavier with those puppy eyes of hers.
Fork. Hand me a fork so that I can pull those eyes out of their sockets.
I saw Xavier turning his head a little sideways to look at my way. The moment our eyes locked, his eyes softened a little while he nodded his head at me with reassurance.
I couldn't help but nod back at him as he went back to look at the woman.
He put his arms down on the counter while coming on the eye level with her. I don't know what I was expecting but him going near to her ear to whisper something wasn't one of them.
What is it with him and his whisperings in other people's ears?
I stared at them while he continued whispering in her ear. Her eyes momentarily flew towards me while still listening onto Xavier. Once Xavier was done he stepped away from the counter and gave a subtle nod to her.
He came towards me and slowly put his arms behind my waist. I looked up at him and raised my eyebrows in a questioning way,
"What did you tell her?" I couldn't help but ask.
His hazel eyes stared deep into my soul as he said, "That you were my future wife."
I looked into his eyes to search for any sign of lying but there wasn't any. He looked sincere.
I tried to laugh while hitting his arm lightly, "Don't lie."
He shook his head. The intense gaze was back as he looked into my eyes, "Do I look like I am lying?"
No. You don't. But it all sounds too good to be true. It feels so surreal. I feel afraid that I am dreaming and I'll wake up any minute.
"I-" I was cut off by my phone going off.
I stepped a little away from Xavier while looking down at my phone screen.
Evie was calling me.
I looked back at Xavier as he motioned me to pick up the phone. I answered the phone while putting it next to my ear,
"Liya!" I heard her yell into the phone.
"Evie." I replied.
"We are standing outside the movie theater to watch a movie. Want to join us?" She rushed into the phone.
Movie? I looked around just to make sure if they were around us. I didn't see anyone. Besides, what could be the odds that we come to same movie theater? Or watch the same movie.
"Who all are there?" I asked while shifting my gaze towards Xavier.
I could see Xavier looking at me while he shook his head at me.
What? I mouthed to him.
Tell them you are busy. He mouthed back.
"Everyone." Evie replied to my question, "Brian, Alec, Luke, his girlfriend, Nath."
"Sounds awesome!" I tried to sound excited, "What about Xavier?"
"We haven't asked him yet. We'll call him next." She told me.
I nodded my head even though I knew she couldn't see me. Xavier was continually shaking his head at me and motioning me to tell them that we couldn't join them.
"So?" Evie asked with enthusiasm in her voice.
I bit my lip lightly before taking a deep breath, "I'm so sorry but I still have homework to do. I don't think I can join you. But I hope you have fun!"
There was silence on the other end while my heart was beating wildly in my chest,
"Are you sure?" She asked silently.
"Yeah. I would have loved to join you but I still have so much homework left."
"I get it. It's fine. I'll ask Xavier then if he can join us." She said.
"Sure." I replied before hanging up.
I looked back at Xavier as he raised his eyebrows at me in a questioning way. Not even a minute later his phone went off. He looked at me with wide eyes before staring at his phone screen.
He took a deep breath before answering the call,
"Yes?"
I couldn't hear the other person but I knew what it was about. Xavier listened very calmly before answering,
"Is Liya going?" He asked. He smirked at me as he still listened to his call, "Then I don't think I will join."
He hummed in response once or twice before hanging up and looking at me.
"We just lied. I feel so bad." I told him while he kept his phone away.
Xavier stared at me and gave me a weird look before saying, "Don't feel bad about hanging out with your boyfriend."
"But we lied." I tried to reason.
"This is our first date! And I am not letting anyone come between us. Not this time." He sounded serious as he intertwined our hands.
My heart did a flip as he kissed the back of my hand, "Let's go."
He took me by my hand. I was smiling wide as I entered the theater with him.
"I am so glad that we are watching a romantic movie!" I was excited.
Xavier looked back at me once and made a face. I knew he didn't want to see a romantic movie and yet here he was because I wanted to see one.
While he gave me a face I couldn't help but notice the small smile playing around the corner of his lips.
It was dark as we walked down rows of seats. We were sitting in the second row. The corner seats.
We both sat in our seats while I put my phone away into one of my pockets. I took a deep breath while looking around with a smile on my face.
The seat beside me was empty while the rest of the row was filled. I tried to adjust my eyes to the dark before seeing a group of friends sitting in our row.
It wasn't a problem until I realized that it was Brian sitting next to the empty seat. My breathing hitched while my eyes widened.
He was staring in the front before going to look beside him on the other side to talk to Evie.
I quickly sat facing away from them while my eyes still wide. Xavier noticed my weird behaviour as he asked me if everything was alright.
I pointed him in the direction of Brian. Xavier was confused as he leaned a little forward to look beside me. He narrowed his eyes a little to see clearly. Not even a second later he cursed under his breath.
"It's everyone." He whispered loudly to me.
I put my finger on my lips asking him to stay quiet.
What could be the odds of them choosing the same movie and theater? My foot!
"We can't let them find us! We shouldn't have lied to them!" I hyperventilated as I looked around.
Xavier tried to comfort me while rubbing my back,
"Calm down! Or else you will get us caught!" He said still rubbing my back lightly.
"Brian?" I heard Alec's voice.
"Yes." I could hear Brian replying.
I looked at Xavier with wide eyes as he still sat there facing towards Brian. If not for me he will definitely get us caught. I slapped the back of his head lightly making him look at me with wide eyes.
"Hide your face, you idiot." I yell- whispered at him.
He nodded his head at me in realization before relaxing in his seat and trying to hide his face.
I was afraid we might get caught. Not only did we choose the same movie but we also chose the same row to sit.
"We need to get out of here." I whispered into Xavier's ears.
He snapped his eyes towards me, "But you wanted to watch this movie."
Not more than being caught and called liar!
"All I want right now is to not get caught."
"But our date?" He asked seriously.
I stopped for a while before giving him a reassuring squeeze, "I think a dinner would be better."
A smile it's way onto his face as he said, "Didn't you have dinner already?"
I raised my eyebrows, "Who says I can't have it again? You'll be surprised by the amount of food I can eat."
He laughed lightly before pulling the top of his hoodie on his head and getting up.
"Let's go." He said while holding his hand out to me.
I looked back one last time at everyone chatting before putting my hands into Xavier's.
I got up from my seat and we were just about to walk away when I heard Brian's voice directed towards us,
"Hey? Where are you going? The movie is about to begin."
We both froze in our way upon hearing his voice. I could feel my palms getting sweaty and my heart on the verge of exploding out as soon as I heard Brian trying to talk to us.
I squeezed onto Xavier's hands tightly while he seemed calm and composed.
"Don't panic." He whispered to me while we were still facing away from Brian.
The next thing I know I hear a weird voice saying, "We just got a call that someone died in our family. So we need to go."
I still looked around trying to find the source of voice before I heard Brian saying,
"Oh. I am sorry for your loss. Be safe on your way back."
Xavier shook his head slightly still not facing Brian and without saying anything further he pulled me away from there and walked us out of there.
As soon as we were out I couldn't help but stare at him with my mouth gape open.
I-it was Xavier's voice just now. He actually faked his voice. And it was so....cute.
"Don't look at me like that." He rolled his eyes a little embarrassed.
Slowly but steadily I reached out to his cheek and pulled them lightly.
This was the adorable side of him. I still don't know how many sides he has to him. Everytime he surprises me with a new one. And surprisingly I look forward to them now. I love seeing his different sides. Some sides he has never shown to anyone but me yet others who he shows to everyone.
And I am willing to spend the rest of our lives together just to experience all the sides to him.
"I know a place nearby where we can eat, shall we?" He asked.
I agreed to him as he let us walk out of the theater and the main road.
"We'll walk?" I asked him.
He looked above at the stars, "We'll walk."
It was silent for a while as we walked hand in hand down the streets. I looked up at the sky and noticed the stars shining brightly, The stars which were witnessing yet another couple fall in love with each other.
"I am glad we came out of there." Xavier said suddenly.
I faced towards him in a questioning way while we still walked towards our destination. There were trees covering both the sides of the road as you could hear the rustling of the leaves as the wind blew around us.
"Why?" I asked him.
He looked down at me through long lashes of his, "Otherwise we couldn't have enjoyed this cold breeze. These beautiful stars. And this moment alone with you. This is far more better than any romantic movie."
I couldn't help but blush a little at his words but I wanted him to keep talking. His voice sounded so soothing almost like a melody to my ears.
"I am sorry for putting you through so much." He said after a while.
I was quiet for a while as we continued walking before breaking the silence, "There were moments at times when I almost gave up on you. I felt broken by you. I almost hated you. I almost left you for good. But I always stopped. I would have left a long ago if it wasn't for my love for you. I was scared sometimes. I still am scared whenever I think about the amount of love my heart carries for you. But in the end," I looked ahead at the completely empty road, "My love for you won over your stubbornness. Over your denial. Over every painful moment I went through."
I kicked my leg lightly against a small stone making it land further away from me, "And even though giving up on you seemed like a good idea...I couldn't. My heart couldn't. And it wasn't in my hands. It is scary to think this unseen power your heart holds over you."
Xavier was quiet. Silently listening to me. I looked at him from the corner of my eyes to find his eyes roaming all over my face with warmth.
"I can't promise you happily ever but I promise you that whatever problems we face now...We will go through it together." He said softly.
A smile made it's way onto my face as I nodded my head at him happily.
Together. Sounds good.
°°°°
We just had dinner and paid the bill. I sat there in my seat as I looked around at interior of the restaurant. It wasn't too big but the food was delicious.
There was a background soft music going on. Making the ambiance here more pure.
"I loved it tonight." I told Xavier with a genuine smile on my face.
Xavier's eyes moved towards me before a grin broke out on his face, "I am glad! But before we go,"
I raised my eyebrows at him in a questioning way as he got up from his seat and came towards me.
"There's a rumor here. If a couple dances here after midnight, they always stay together."
As he spoke the soothing background music was changed to a romantic one and the volume was turned up.
"Now, pancake. I don't care if the rumors are true or not. I am willing to do this just because I want to dance with you and might as well give the chance to prove the rumors here." He extended one of his hands out for me to take.
I looked at his extended hand before looking into his hazel eyes. The corner of his smile reached his eyes. He seemed happy.
I pursed my lips tight as I tried not to get emotional and cry on our first date. Even if out of happiness. I didn't want to cry.
I slipped my hands into Xavier's hands as he pulled me up and danced us to empty space in the middle.
As we swayed slowly to the song I could feel Xavier's breathing in the crooked of my neck.
I wish this moment could last forever.
"I love you."
___
Hey
Alec's book is out! 'Searching for Serenity:)'