Read 23:11 :: 7 | Tapas Community

I dreamt of something I know came from a distant memory that I have.

My first real kiss.

I remember that it was a sunny day but the breeze was comfortably chilly. It was, in fact, the most perfect day to play outside and I did. I went outside to play in our village's playground near our house. Many children were there like me and we were all getting along except for that one kid.

He was just watching us.

I don't remember his name nor who is exactly. But I do remember that it was the first time I saw him; it was all our first time seeing that kid for that matter. He was a newbie and I thought then that maybe his family just moved in. I also remember that he didn't answer me when I asked him about it.

We played with him that afternoon even though he seemed reluctant at first. He first kept glancing at his... babysitter? I don't know if it was his babysitter but when that man nodded, he played with us. He was even a little awkward at everything as if he was doing it for the first time, as if it really was his first time playing like that at all.

We played until it was sunset. I can't recall what exactly or how it happened but I know that we were the only ones remaining on the playground. He was thanking me for the best time of his life and as a thank you, he kissed me on the lips. Back then, I didn't know it was even called a kiss. I just knew that he pressed his lips against mine. I remember they were soft.

Then he left with his babysitter.

And now, I wake up.

"Slept well, dummy?"

"What the-"

I don't know where we are but I'm damn surprised again to see us both topless in front of this magnificent pool overlooking the city below us!

"Are we on top of a building?!"

He chuckles. "Yes, dummy, we are. You're welcome you get to see this awesome place because of me."

I rolled my eyes at him. "Yeah, yeah. As if I have any other choice."

We look at each other and I don't know what has gotten to the both of us but we just stare at our faces. I feel my heart getting heavier. I don't know how to exactly explain about this sudden heaviness in my chest but it is here.

Why do I suddenly feel too...?

I looked away. Now, my heart can't stop beating hardly again.

I hear him laugh, as if not believing whatever is in his mind. "You felt that too, didn't you?"

Damn, I want to play dumb just like what he calls me and tell him I don't know what he is talking about–but I couldn't. No, I won't do it. But it doesn't mean I'll also acknowledge it.

"Thank you for bringing me here, I'm going to take a dip."

He grins and takes his glasses off. "If you're really grateful... let me touch your–"

"Pervert!"

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Swimming has helped me go through to all these things that are occupying my mind. Of course, there were people with us a while ago and we did nothing but to be silly playing in this pool. There were even kids that joined our water fight. But now that we are alone together again...

How is it possible that within the few hours that I've been with this guy, mixed emotions that I never had before keep coming to me like I own them? Is it crazy to say that all of a sudden, it feels like I've known this guy forever? This is all a dream and yet, this is becoming too much for me even for a dream.

"You really like keeping your thoughts to yourself even though you can just say them. Do you know how much I am willing to pay just to get inside your head right now, dummy?"

Somewhere in that dream I had, that distant memory...

"Have we met before?"

He looks at me, confused. "What do you mean?"

"Never mind." I slide myself into the water again and just let myself float. "It's just weird that I suddenly feel like I know you now. Like I've known you, for real."

"That's better." He runs his fingers through his hair.

"What's better? That I feel like I know you all of a sudden?"

"Hmmm." He closes his eyes for a moment and breathe deeply. He opens them again to look at me. "And that you can talk about what you're exactly thinking about."

"When you asked if I felt the same..."

"You did, I can tell. Your expression a while ago mirrored mine. It kinda hurts when it's the heart that suddenly feels heavy."

My heart is planning to literally break my ribs for beating this hard. I stood up from just floating and faces him properly. He's now looking beyond the city below us.

I want to ask what's happening to us. This is not normal and being the one who is not normal here, he may know what's going on with me. How can one feel too safe with another person? How can one trust someone their life with? All of these questions that I have and yet I know to myself that it's too late to have them–I am already feeling all of these towards this guy.

Surprised will never be enough to describe the things I am realizing now.

"If you're going to choose where we are going next, where do you want to go?" He suddenly asked, now grinning again.

I rolled my eyes to myself and sigh. His grin can really turn the situation around and throw me off. I was already too deep with my thoughts and now all I can think about is how he looks like a fuckboy with that grin.

"Anywhere." I answered. "As long as I'm with you."

Now, it seemed like I was the one to throw him off. He looked so surprised with what I said that his funny face made me laugh.

"Goodness, dummy, slow down, will you? You're not even drunk! My heart can't take that much."

It was my turn to grin at him evilly. "Much of what? Of me saying that I'm okay wherever as long as I'm there with you? Or me saying that I'll go wherever you want to go. Or–"

"Say more, Win, and you'll see what I can do to you."

I laughed out loud again and swam away from him. My heart is still beating hard against my chest but this time, it doesn't as much hurt even if it still feels heavy.

For the first time... it was nice hearing my name from him.