Chapter 18

"Let's start dating." I'll never forget P'Off's expression. I swear that I'll never forget the way he glowed that moment. His smile was a little wider than normal, his eyes almost invisible, his cheeks a little too stretched. I can see intensity in his happiness that he almost glows. I involuntary smiled back with the same intensity.

We were two crazy guys staring at each other and laughing giddily until we remembered that we're in a restaurant. Even then, as we finish the food we were smiling stupidly. It felt like dream come true. This is what I'm willing to trade the whole world for.

"Where should we go next?" P'Off asked as we leave the restaurant. I realized that this is the first time that we hanged out together in a mall. This is also my first time to have a mall date.

"I... don't know," I said and scratched my cheeks. I looked down and around for an idea. Then, I felt P'Off hold my hand and he started walking. My eyes were glued on our interlocked hands. I think I forgot to breathe. I was supposed to ask him something but I also forgot about that. All I can remember is how his act made me smile involuntary so wide that my lips feel too stretched. I almost stumbled on the escalator if P'Off did not slow down.

"Where are we going by the way?" I asked. I suddenly remembered that I was supposed to ask that question but I forgot.

"Nowhere in particular. Let's just roam around, I guess. See if anything interests us," P'Off said. I simply nodded and held his hand tightly. I won't wash my hands later.

We ended up going through a lot of stores. We looked at different clothes and bags. I think we ended up buying more clothes that we won't get to wear.

"Try this one," I looked at P'Off to see what he was pertaining to. It was a colorful floral button down shirt, dominated by vibrant colors.

"Summer is coming and I've been aching to go to the beach," he said. His little remark made my heart flutter that no butterfly can ever beat.

He already planned way ahead.

"But summer is still a few months away," I said. Meanwhile, P'Off was already pushing me to the changing area.

"Just try it," he said. When I went out, he was also wearing colorful floral button down shirt, but with a different color scheme.

"Woah. You changed clothes faster than I did," I remarked, but deep inside, I'm hyperventilating and is on the verge of having a heart attack. P'Off did not react but he tugged me closer to him. We looked at ourselves through a mirror. We look good together.

We went home late because we really went in each store to find something to buy. I want to scold myself for buying a lot of unnecessary stuff but right now, the only thought in my mind is how great our first day together is.

I can't believe that so much happened happened ever since I confessed to P'Off. Still, the road led to us being together.

When P'Off finally parked at our gate, bad feelings suddenly resurfaced.

"P'Off..." I said. I'm scared of what other people would say.

Sure, P'Off can unbothered and I for this night, was able to do it, too. But I remembered the rumors surrounding P'Off and Jane.

"What is it?" He asked. He seemed relaxed and confident as always. He's not one who talks about his private life to people, but still...

"Can we not..." Shia. Why is speaking my mind always so hard? Meanwhile, P'Off was simply looking at me.

"Can we not tell others about us?" I asked. I looked at my lap as I wait for P'Off's reply. I heard him shift from his seat but he remained silent. Finally, I looked at him.

"P'Off..." He seemed a little pissed but his keeping his composure. I felt like I ruined this night.

"Why?" He asked. The heavy feeling in my chest weighed heavier. How am I supposed to tell him my reasons without sounding selfish? But was I really selfish? I think that I'm afraid and that's not selfishness. Finally, I heard hom sigh.

"Alright, but just for now," he said. I smiled and hugged him.

"Thank you, P'Off," I said.

"I guess we should think about less conspicuous endearment then," he whispered. It gave me goosebumps. My cheeks felt warm and my breathing hitched.

He really planned way ahead.

"And since you're the one who proposed not to tell others, I want you to think of an endearment and I want it within this week, okay?" I barely understood what he said but I nodded repeatedly. I was simply too excited. Why does he seem so perfect? Why am I so lucky to have him as my boyfriend?

"Good night, P'Off," I said.

"Good night," he replied. Then, I finally went out of his car. He also went out to help me with my shopping bags. Then, I waited for him to drive away before I entered our house.

"Wow. Did you buy something for me?" It was N'Pim watching tv.

"I bought none for you," I said and stucked my tongue out. She simply grunted then shooed me away because according to her, I was interrupting her watching. So, I happily went upstairs. I felt ecstatic. I was all smiles I must've looked crazy. It took me a while before I finally got myself ready for bed.

As I was organizing the stuff that I bought, I noticed that there were two bags from a certain store. I found it odd since I'm sure that P'Off and I only got ome bag each in every store we shopped in. I think P'Off mistook it as mine and accidentally gave it to me.

I dialed P'Off's number and was fairly surprised that he answered on the second ring. It made me feel dreamily happy that I forgot what I was going to say.

"P'Off," I said.

"Yes?" He asked. I panicked a little trying to form a sentence.

"T-the bag. There were two. I..." I don't think I'm making sense. Once again, I made a fool out of myself. Meanwhile, I heard P'Off laugh.

"They're both yours," he replied. My mind was blank for a minute.

"Do you even get what I was trying to say?" I asked.

"The other bag that was supposed to be mine, it's yours," P'Off said. I nodded at his words, then I realized that he can't see me.

"Okay. Then, I'm hanging up now, I guess," I said. Honestly, I want to talk to him some more, but I'm tired from everything that happened today and I feel sleepy.

"Okay, good night. Sleep well," P'Off said.

"Good night, P'Off," I said. Then, silence.

"You hang up," I said. I tried to open the bag with my one hand but there's a staple locking it.

"You said you'll hang up," P'Off said. I realized that he's right. So, I said good night once again and told him that I'm hanging up. He said good night, and I waited for a few seconds to see if he'll say anything more. Then, I finally hanged up for real. Then, I opened the bag.

It contained the floral button down shirt that he was wearing a while ago. I wonder if this was the exact shirt he was wearing. Nonetheless, I hugged it tightly.

I really like P'Off so much.

✨Author's Note✨Hello! Starting this week, I'm officially going to post two updates every week, one on Wednesday and one on Friday. Happy reading💖