Chapter 4 : The Confession

I got all wimpish and I procrastinated. It seemed so long yet so short. Jo started thanking me for the wonderful dinner and she seemed all set to go. I suggested dessert but she declined citing she has had enough.

“No. No. You should try their dessert. Galaktoboureko.”, I insisted.

“Ah? Ga-la-bo-ko? What’s that?” she asked.

“It’s a traditional Greek dessert made with a custard in a crispy phyllo pastry shell. It is the signature dish here. We could share it. Let’s try it.” I thought I sounded so desperate to keep Jo longer.

She paused, looked at me and nodded quite hesitantly.

My heart started pumping wildly. It’s now or never.

“So, my busy lady. How do you spent time with your boyfriend with such a busy schedule?” I tried to gear our conversation towards my motive. I heard she is not attached yet but just to re-confirm. If Jo is happily attached, I didn't want to pop the question and spoilt our friendship. Though I definitely would be devastated to learn it.

“Not again.” she heaved. “Why does everybody likes to ask me about boyfriend? Ask me about relationship?”

“It is so nice to be alone. Carefree. No strings attached. Happy.” She replied while looking down and swirling her coffee. Without looking up, she lifted the cup to her lips and took a long sip.

“Nice coffee.” She looked up at me. She caught me off-guard, I felt my heart missed a beat. She picked up the dessert fork and started cutting the Galaktoboureko into two.

It felt close to share a custard pie with her and every bite tasted just so warm in my heart. I could not lift my eyes off her as her glances stayed focus on the little custard pie in front of her. The warm candlelight flickering made her face glowed. It felt so bliss to share this moment with her. When I snapped out from my trance, Jo had already asked for the bill. I hurried to make payment and scurried to get ready to leave. “Sam, Sam, no time left.” My inner thought was shouting at me.

I quickened steps towards her on the bridge and in my haste to slow her; I reached out for her hand. She stopped and seemed a little startled. She turned towards me and our eyes met. Her hand fidgeted a little but I held it firm and called “Jo.” She looked down. The light night breeze seems to encourage me to open my heart to her.

“Jo, thank you for joining me for dinner tonight. I had such a lovely time.” I spoke in a low hush voice. My glaze never left her.

Her hand squeezed out of my grip. “No. I should be the one thanking you for such a nice dinner.” She replied with her eyes still glazing down and her hands quickly tucked into her jeans pockets.

I did not want to miss this opportunity and so I interrupted, “Jo, I really think you are a very wonderful lady and I hope…,I know it might sounds impending but I hope you will give me a chance to let us know each other better. A chance for us to be more than friends.”

“Sam…”

“Jo, you don’t have to say anything yet. Take your time to think about it.” I added quickly and hastily led her across the bridge to my car. I did not want to overwhelm her. I just want to be honest with my feelings. I like her, I love her and I want her to know.

To be cont.