Aisha

I'm not the most patient person you'll come across when it comes to certain things. I hate been anxious: because each time I get pissed, restless or scared, my stomach always did unusual flips that make me nauseous. It's a kind of unnerving feeling. And that's exactly how Michael makes me feel right now. Why? you had ask - well that's the embarrassing part of the story - he hasn't asked me out yet. Yes I know I wanted to go at baby steps but that feeling kind of changed a couple of weeks ago when Kim made a statement.

"So how are you two getting by?"  She asked with a cheeky grin.

"Oh we good.  No pressure. " I replied

"You 2 sure are a weird couple. " she commented.

"Ehm... we not official ...yet." I muttered

"What?!!" she exclaimed.  "But why? What are you both waiting for? Please don't tell me you got cold feet again."

"I... I don't know. It's just I don't know how to do this stuff. He hasn't asked me yet and  I don't wanna rush into it either and risk ruining it."

"And you won't but tell me something has he been distant? Or not as affectionate as before? Any change?"

"Well, he always kissed my forehead like a greeting but he hasn't in a while.  And he doesn't look at me or call as much as before."

"Uhoh. That's not good. "

"The guy could be busy for all we know.  He's highly on demand and always busy. " my eyes  widened in realization. "He's bored already isn't he?."

"Well honey I wouldn't know.  And lets not jump into conclusions right now ok? Worst case scenario should be he's busy with work."

"Not helping.  You know how wild my imagination runs and that would definitely not be the worst case scenario in my mind." I said in despair.

"Ok ok. All I'm saying is you should ask him to know where you guys stand and if he stills envisions anything for you both."

"Crap I'm going crazy right now." I said exhausted.

I couldn't knock out the feeling. I was getting worried till he called me two days back to hang out. I had some christmas shopping to do so he proposed on us doing it together. But still I felt he mite be doing it out of pity or maybe he just wants to break the news to me. Argh!! Aisha put yourself together. I couldn't hold in the anxiety anymore -  I would ask him later when we meet up.

A few hours later, I was lounged in the living room, as I read the novel in my online library while waiting for Michael. He still had not told me what we were doing or were we were going to. He just said to dress in something casual but classy. So I decided on a high waisted pair of black pants, an a white furry long sleeved, turtle neck crop top, my gray Nike slides and a coat. It was winter already and the weather out there was no joke. I heard a knock at door and went to open it.

"Hey" he said with a smile, standing at the door as he towered over me. "Can I come in?" He asked, scratching the back of his neck in nervousness. I had no idea when I zoned out

"Sure come in." I moved aside to let him in.

"You look good. " he commented

"Ehm... thanks. You don't look bad yourself. " I replied back. It was getting really awkward now. And no flowers today? He never came without flowers - not even before he told me about his feelings  - maybe....

"Oh sorry I forgot. I brought you these." He pulled out a single rose from his back and gave me. See you spoke too fast and was worried about nothing.

"Oh ehm ... thank you. You didn't have to." I replied with a smile...  Oh well that's until I took in the colour. He gave me a yellow rose, which meant sorry or friendship. Damn he clearly friend-zoned me with this. 

Oh my God!  He was really gonna do it tonight.  Maybe I should just bail out to avoid the humiliation.

His notification tone went off and he took out his phone to look what it was. He frowned instantly.

"If it's work and it's important we can do this any other time." I offered in hope he mite change his mind.

"No it's fine. Let's just do this. I have something important to tell you tonight. " He said his face still focused on the screen as he typed in a reply. "Can we go now?" He asked finally looking up from his phone as he set it aside.

"Ehm... I don't know if I can.  I mean with the weather you know how easily I get a cold. " I rambled. Gosh I was really a pathetic liar.

He frowned, letting out a little laugh. "Yes i know about that.  But you're warm and you planed on going out anyway." He retorted "Besides,  I had this awesome thing planned and if we don't hurry up we'll miss." He said enthusiastically and I couldn't resist his smile.

Damn you for your good looks.

"Ok." I replied defeated.

************************************

You know the biggest surprise of all times - I had no cold and we've been out since 3:00pm and now it was 6:27pm. No sneezing,  no chills - even my body betrayed me. It was phenomenal how my body was all dandy when he's around and acts up in the reverse situation.

We were done shopping and everything has been relatively cool. We turned the corner all of a sudden.

I frowned. "Ain't we headed home? " I asked.

"Not yet I got something for us." He replied looking at me from his peripheral view briefly.

I was getting worried now.  We stopped at place which looked like a stadium. I arched a brow in wonder.

What was this place?

We walked  in and we were met with an ice-board.

"I thought we could do ice-skating since we haven't really had time together. "He said behind me. I could feel his body heat envelope me but he never did anything not even holding my hand.  He has been avoiding physical contact with me all day and that was odd.

"Come along."he moved ahead.

"Ehm... I can't skate. I don't. .."

"Yeah. I'll teach you. Now come. "

Ok he was acting all weird now.

He had bought us both shoes and helped me get into mine. On the ice, I could barely stand without support and he was off skating around like some pro and I was getting really impatient.

"Why?"I asked out of the blue.

"What? "He asked a little confused by my outburst and stopped.

"You've been acting strange lately. No calls,  no text,  you don't even look at me, and you avoid physical contact... have you gotten tired of me?" I bust out again

"No. I..."he started but I stopped him

"Then what is the problem?  You haven't even asked me out yet and you just start avoiding me. Just become busy all of a sudden. .. you don't reply when I write to you. Why? am I not good enough?.  I know I'm not your usual type of girl I get it, but why shot me out like. .." I babbled on

"Aisha..."his voice called out. His voice deeper and with a rich tone. I hadn't even realized how close he was.  "Look at me." He said.  I couldn't not after my melt down. He held my chin, turning my face towards him. "I'm not over you ok... I promise." He said trying to calm me.

"Sorry, it's just I've been feeling kind of lonely these days and it's making me kind of emotional and all.."I replied

"And I thought you said we should go baby steps?"he asked smugly

"Yes I know but...I've been having these doubts and you brought the yellow rose again,  it just got my mind messed up..."

"Someone's eager to make me hers, hmm.?"he said with a smirk

"Stop acting all smug."  I said hitting his shoulder. 

He laughed engulfing me in a hug and kissed my forehead.  "You so cute when you're like this."

"Happy to see it amuses you. " I replied rolling my eyes

"So.."he said kissing my knuckles before going to kiss each finger.  "Would you be mine?" He asked licking his lips and bit it. I won't lie that got me enthralled till I saw the smirk forming on his lips and looked up into his eyes.

"So you wanted me to get desperate and bust at my seems before you had ask me?" I asked with an arched brow.

"No... but since I got the perfect opportunity I took it. I actually brought you here to do so. I've been busy because work gets hectic at the end of the year and you know that." He said pushing away a loose braid from my face. "And also... I've been kind of psyching myself on how I was gonna go about it. My sweet, beautiful mess." He said with a smile and I rolled my eyes. "So?.."

"I don't know. " I looked away.

He arched a brow.  "Woman,  if you don't say yes right now I'm gonna leave you alone on here."

I gasped. "You wouldn't. "

"Or would you I had rather kiss you till you say yes?" He said with a cheeky grin.

"Ok ok fine.  Yes. There I said it."

"Hmm."he hummed in approval as he kissed my forehead then my cheek."good. "He murmured as his lips grazed the shell of my ear. All of a sudden I was off my feet and he was screaming at the top of his lungs "Wow!!! She said yes."he shouted out as if talking to someone.

"Michael."I laughed as he twirl me in his arms..

"I guess we could seal this with a kiss." He said coyly.

"Michael. ." I warned

"Ok ok. I won't kiss you considering how hard it is not to right now." He sucked in a breath.

"Promise me." She insisted.

"I promise I won't kiss you till you asked me to."

"Damn. That kinda sounded like Jacob in twilight.  And kind of lame." I said.

"Why here was I trying to be romantic. I thought you liked the movie." He huffed.

"I do. But don't. You're just ok." I kissed his cheek.

"You have no idea what you've done to me."he said smiling down at me. "Come on now. I'm to teach you ice-skating yeah?" He said as he pulled me close.

Honestly, I had never seen him this happy and excited, but I'm glad I could do that. And most importantly,  to share this moment with him.