Compromise

My body shivered and I didn’t know what to say to him. I just looked at him with my mouth open unable to decipher what was happening. He wants me to be his girlfriend? Is he trying to plot a prank on me? I never anticipated the question will be out from him sooner.

“Giii.. girlfriend? Me? Why? I mean, you barely know me,” I stammered asking him back and my heart started to pound harder. I knew that these past few months, I also have this feeling in me that grew for him. I'm always happy with his presence around me but I'm hesitant to admit it to myself.

“I know you’re a good person and that’s enough for me to know," he explained. "We can get to know each other more along the way and I’m fine with it,” he reasoned, but still, everything hasn’t sunk into me yet. I was dumbfounded for a while when he talked again.

“I guess, I surprised you with that question but it’s alright if you don’t want to,' he said carefully.  "It’s okay if you want to be just friends with me - for now,” he put emphasis on the word for now and I know that my face was as red as a tomato.

“Ahm, it’s not that," I refuted in a gentle manner. "I mean, I'm just surprised and wasn't prepared to hear such questions from you," I fake a cough. "But a lot of girls on the campus are crushing on you why choose me? I'm scared they will know and I’m sure they will hate me to the core," I informed him of my thoughts and worries.

He chuckled and reached for my hand to hold. He said to don’t mind them because they’re not that important. But still, I don’t want trouble and issues in my life and those are not on my list.

“You don’t get me," I rebutted. "I want to go to the campus in peace without people bothering me,” I explained to him because I really don't want any trouble. 

“Anything you want just for you to be my girlfriend, I will compromise," he negotiated with me and I find him apprehensive.

“If you will be my boyfriend, I want it in secret," I spoke shyly. "We can act like we are not friends on campus and I don’t want anyone to see us together around the vicinity," I expounded and he nodded.

"It's not that I'm ashamed or anything but I just want to avoid issues that may arise," I told him for him to not get me wrong. “It’s not a problem with me," he smiled. "I can still see you at night at the shop and walk with you to your dorm," just like that he agreed easily.

“Why me?" I furrowed. "I mean, there’s a lot of beautiful girls on the campus. I’m just a nobody," I reiterated the thought because I really couldn't believe him.

“I don’t care about the other girls," he replied seriously. "I don’t want to play games in a relationship and I know in you, I can be truly happy and at peace," he looked like he was so sure. "You are you and that's all I need," he made it clear to me and my heart flattered from it.

He cupped my face and I stared at him deeply. I saw him leaning towards me and our lips met each other. My eyes widened as I didn't know how to react or what to do since it was the first time someone kissed me intimately. My mind was in haywire as to respond to his kiss or not and my heartbeat was as fast as a horse in a race. He pulled out from the kiss and looked me in eyes intensely. He was waiting for me to say something but I’m not able to form a word.

“I’m sorry, I was just carried away,” he said as he thought I got offended about it. “But I’m just hoping for you to say yes to be my girlfriend," he spoke carefully. "It will be the best reward I can get rather than any basketball fame could give me,” He was like begging as he said those words and I could see that he’s serious about it.

“Okay, let’s give it a try," I breathed out. "I hope I won’t get any problem being your girlfriend," I reiterated. "You know I don’t want distractions in my studies because my scholarship is important to me," my clarification as I reminded him.

I saw him grinned from ear to ear and he hugged me right away. He caressed my back up to my spine like he was feeling ecstatic about me agreeing to be his girlfriend. “You make me so happy tonight,” he whispered in my ear and I felt a tingling sensation from it.

“I guess, we need to go back since it’s late already,” I whispered back and he chuckled softly. He gave me a quick kiss on my temple before he pulled out. I could tell that we really lose track of time.

We sat up from the bench and walked hand in hand to the parking which is quite near the area. When we reached for his car, he opened the door but before I can sit inside he pulled me for a hug.

“Let’s just stay like this for a minute, please?" he murmured. "I just want to feel you close to me,” I hugged him back as I held onto his waist.

Our ride back took only 15 minutes from the park. When we were nearing the campus, I told him to just drop me two blocks away from my dorm. He understood why I said that and he halted his car when we’re there.  I thanked him for the ride and before I could get out of the car, he pulled me close to him and gave me a chaste kiss.

"Is that a goodnight kiss?" I teased him to ease my tension. From that time he asked me to be his girlfriend, my heart is beating in an abnormal rhythm. 

He said he will follow me until I reach the gate of the dorm and make sure I have entered safely. He’s starting to act like a boyfriend and I couldn't believe the fact that he’s my boyfriend. Marco Matthews is my boyfriend! Whoa!

When I entered our dorm, I saw Yvonne standing with both her arms crossed on her chest. She gave me a raising brow and twisted lips like telling me to tell her something and not opt to lie because she knows better than me. She pointed her finger for me to sit on the chair and I sighed about it but still moved and did.

“So how was the dinner," her first question but I knew there are lots to follow. “Good and I enjoyed it," I acted and answered wearily.

“That’s all? I can sense you need to tell me something more interesting,” she was really digging for information. "The glow in your face didn't fit with your actions," she wasn't letting it go because she's an assertive person.

“Fine, he’s my boyfriend now," I rolled my eyes at her as I informed her about the truth.

I am surprised by her reaction when she screamed and jumped in excitement. I shushed her right away because we might disturb other students in the nearby rooms because of her loud voice. She really can't control her emotions that sometimes leads her to some trouble.

I told her that I was hesitant at first to say yes to him. But eventually agreed because I know he’s a kind person and giving it a try won’t kill me in an instant. She said that I made the right decision because she could tell he’s different from the guys on campus.

I told her my conditions and she understood without any long explanation. She assured me that whoever fights with me, she got my back. I’m not lucky on so many things in life but to have Yvonne as my friend makes me so thankful to God for blessing me with such a supporting and thoughtful person to be part of my life.

When I’m about to go to sleep, my phone vibrated and the message came from Marco. “See you tomorrow at the campus…. I mean, see you from afar. Have a good sleep, baby".

Damn! He was teasing me but never mind as  I find it funny and calling me baby made me giggle before closing my eyes.