Love Blooms in the Shadows of Mid-Summer

...Thursday 15 June 2023...

^^^It was Grace's Birthday, today... The sky; absolutely clear and the faint noises of the busy streets flooded my ears. My parents were gone to the flower shop, just like every other usual normal mornings. The stench of Lavenders had spread widely around the living room, dining room and my bedroom. I had arranged a secret meet with Grace, for her precious birthday. A huge bouquet of freshly cut roses awaited Grace's arrival, along with her favorite butterscotch ice-cream and chocolate pie, just exactly how she likes it...^^^

A soft moan and a sigh out of contentment escaped my mouth, “Grace would be so happy seeing this...” with genuine happiness... slowly, a smile occurs on my face as I look around and decide to do something more to add to the look of the room.

I slowly move towards the windows and begin to observe thoroughly... As I immediately understood what is missing, my body leans towards the curtain as I close the curtains, “Hmm... This might do!” I comment before subtly dimming up the light inside to give it the candlelight dinner vibe.

The dim lights and candles set on the dining table; with the air conditioner switched on; the room turns chill which adds to the comfort of the atmosphere in the room.

My olfactory receptors missed the lovely and gracious stench of Grace. I dial Grace's number before clearing my throat and pressing the phone to my ears.

“Hello, Grace! Happy Birthday! Are you f-” Before I could finish my question, a deep male voice came from the other side...

^^^“It is Grace's father, speaking.”^^^

I could hardly even describe the roller coaster of emotions I felt with that simple statement. My body froze on its spot and A five seconds long and deafening silence took over.

I silently gasped under my breath due to the shock but when I heard Grace's voice, I slightly got relieved.

^^^“Papa... That must be my friend, Tsukito. Please pass me the phone?”^^^

There was a three seconds long pause before I heard Grace speak, “Hello, Tsukito!~” I could sense her maintaining her formality with me, on call; probably because of her father in the background, listening to our conversation.

I nodded slowly to the sound of her words and the formality that her voice held... I cleared my throat, instantly and greeted her, “Hello there, Grace!... I just called you to wish you Happy Birthday! How's your day going?” I questioned, trying to make the conversation seem extremely casual, normal and friendly.

“It's... Nice!” Grace answered, I could discern the awkwardness in her tone and her short answers.

I paused for like three seconds before just nodding to her answer on call... Then I raised my voice slightly louder for her father to hear it ,“Yes... Well, Jessica, Jane and I have planned a meet, you remember, right? At 6:30, evening?” I mentioned the names of her two female friends, playing smartly, as to not get her into trouble with her strict parents for this secret meet up.

^^^“Huh?”^^^

I got a little nervous when she acted confused. What will her father think? What if he does not let her come to my place, today...? No, no, no. Wait, I cannot let that happen.

“You're quite forgetful, Grace! I had told you, yesterday!”

^^^“OH, yes yes yes, now I remember... Sorry! Really Sorry! I'll be ready.”^^^

^^^“Jessica and Jane will definitely come... Right?”^^^

I sighed in relief with her answer, and as she added a question, I smiled and immediately answered, “Yes! YES!” I sounded excited. This conversation might successfully convince her father.

...6:00 PM...

I watched the clock strike 6 PM as I slowly groomed my hair nicely with some hair gel. Furthermore, I checked myself and my outfit out in the mirror: Yellow shirt with white polka dot design and black loose trousers.

“Would Grace like my outfit?...” I pondered, to myself.

I mumbled to myself, pondering anxiously. “What if she doesn't like it...?” But, then I shook my head, brushing off my thoughts...

No, no, she'll love it... I know it.

A thought clashed my mind... My body twitched, and my senses got tickled with even the thought of it. “What if... What if we- we... kissed?...” My cheeks turned increasingly red with that thought. I shook my head and brushed that thought off, letting it remain in my head for the meantime, “No- no, no, no... I must ask Grace, first. But, today, might not be the time...” Flipping the towel on to my study table's chair, I immediately sprinted to the bathroom.

Squeezing out a bunch of toothpaste on to my brush, I thought to myself, “I don't know if I smell good... I should probably brush my teeth, again... Just in case...” I grinned to myself while blushing and began to brush my teeth...

...6:28 PM...

As I set down a guitar on to my bed, I sighed in relief and wiped some sweat off of my face. “The only thing good about summers is that Grace was born in it!” I let out an audible whispery grunt and just tried to laugh it off.

My hands extended towards my study table and I took the five pages love letter in my hands; my gaze lingered over the words I had jotted down in the letter... Of my love, for my love. “I don't know if all people born in summer season, bring warmth with them everywhere, but, for me, you definitely are that person. You warm my heart and my soul with your life and touch and I appreciate everything you bring with yourself, to my life...” I read every single word and imagined Grace reading it when she comes home.

My attention immediately got off of the letter with the sound of door knock entering my ears, I immediately tossed the letter on to the bed and rushed to open the door with a glowing wide grin on my face.

“Grace!” I exclaimed, grinning the widest that I possibly could, at that moment. “Grace!... Happy Birthday, Grace~” Within a blink of an eye, I trapped her petite body in my gentle yet firm embrace. “Tsukito...” She giggled, reacting sweetly to my innocent reaction. “Let's go in, first?” Grace questioned— Her gaze fixated on mine and her mouth slightly agape, making her breath hit my chest. “Sure...” I blushed, slowly taking my hands off of her and letting her come in, before closing the door, shut, quietly.

My cheeks proceeded to turn even more pinkish red as I tried to put my words, coherently, as she and I walked to the living room... “Would you rather prefer watching a film first or the... Other things I have planned, today...?” I asked, whilst fidgeting with my fingers, and with my hands behind my back. Grace turned to look at me with a flirtatious look yet with a hint of amusement in her look, “Other... Things?” She repeated— as if, to reassure herself, if she heard right or not.

I blushed even harder and instantly dropped my gaze to the floor, shaking my head in response. “No, let's watch the film first... But, cake cutting, for the starter!” I tried to distract her from the embarrassing thing I had asked. I wasn't sure at all, if Grace would be comfortable with what I wished for.

Grace smirked, smugly, “Sure, then...” She murmured, before she proceeded to step closer to me and planted a sweet kiss on my cheek, “Tsukito...”

After the cake cutting, both of us sat on the couch, together, a subtle distance between the two of us was still present. The atmosphere was quiet and comfortable but the embarrassment I had taken over to myself from the remark I had made earlier m, haunted my mind and the silence wasn't comfortable any longer, for the moment... “Do you like the film?” I questioned, trying to sound as casual and normal as I possibly could, Whilst still having my gaze on the TV. “It's great... But... I'd rather spend time with my attention all on you and yours, all on me... What do you think?” Grace squirmed closer to my body, her hands slid over to my chest, as she comfortably rested her head on my shoulder.

She looked so... Delicate, vulnerable and comfortable. It made me feel so much more... protective... of her. Oh, she could set my soul on fire!

I smiled at her, feeling hopeful that the opportunity for our first kiss may rise... If we just happen to go with the flow! “Sure!” I immediately turned off the TV, without any further question and scooted closer to her, closing the gap between us.

“I feel so protective of you, please... never leave me. I value and respect you so much, like a jewel, no- no, no, I mean much more than a jewel, much more than just a person, I respect and value you like a goddess.”

Grace blushed and smiled, subtly. Her smile, Her genuine happiness, Her comfort with me, Her sweet sweet eyes…. Her delicate lips and the stench of vanilla coming from her body... All of that just accentuated her features. I couldn't believe, how on earth could someone be that gorgeous...? That... That ethereal?...

I gently lifted her up with my hands, making sure to hold her up firmly and safely... “I have something for you...” I whispered to her, before hesitating but ending up kissing her forehead, anyway. My gaze remained fixated on hers as I walked to my bedroom, with her delicate and precious body in my arms. I placed her on my bed... “I have been secretly learning to play guitar to play it for you... I don't know if I am good with it, but... I just hope you like it.” I spoke, whilst scratching the back of my head and sat next to her while holding the guitar.

It was during the middle of me playing the guitar, she suddenly held my hand and pulled me towards her... I just compliantly placed the guitar aside, before, scooting closer to her, too. “I want some cuddles...” She said. A shy smile spread across my face and I just uttered, “Y-yes... Sure...”.

That was an evening of love, affection and cuddles. I would never forget it. Never.

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