The One

11

MY HEART was racing as I walked towards Zhenya. He looked so handsome just wearing simple clothes.

“Oh, hi!”

I turned my head where the sharp voice came from and the lovely atmosphere that was created in my head broke like a mirror shattering into pieces with who I saw.

It was Zhenya’s girl cousin that I saw in the parking lot and she was wearing clothes that should be for kids. Her top only reaches down her bosom exposing her flat stomach and her shorts only cover her hips.

“I’m very sorry.” Zhenya started. “This woman has to ruin our date.”

I became flustered hearing Zhenya publicly announcing that it was our date.

I squeezed out a smile. “It’s fine.” I said.

She smiled and introduced herself. “Vero.”

“Lee.” I said.

“Why don’t you just go away?” Zhenya said to Vero.

I was surprised that he said that without even blinking.

“So you want me to tell your mother about this?” She said.

Zhenya narrowed his eyes to her. “You’re being childish.”

I innocently looked at them but deep inside, I felt confused. I guess Zhenya does not want his parents to know about me. Maybe it was his first time going out with a man? It was my first time too and I guess I did the same.

“I told you to buy us tickets.” Zhenya said to Vero.

“You buy, me and Lee will line up to the popcorn stall.” She said and pushed Zhenya to the ticket booth but he turned around and leaned closer to me, his lips just mere centimeters to my ear.

“You look great today. I wish I could take a bite.” He whispered before he turned and walked to the ticket booth leaving me standing straight like a pole and blushing. He smelled so good.

I blinked to cover up my blush when I heard Vero clear her throat and walk to the popcorn stall where people were lining up. We were third in the line when I felt her lean closer to my side.

“I’m sorry, Lee but can you please stay away from Zhenya after this?” Vero said in a low voice.

I didn’t want to look at her. I knew she was there to ruin my day. I could tell after that first glance.

“Zhenya is always being impulsive and he loves to experiment. You’re not the first and you will be not the last and in the end, he is bound to be with an arranged partner. I’m telling you this for him and you. Save your feelings.”

I stood frozen as I processed what Vero said that I did not hear the popcorn vendor asking me what was my order.

Does that mean that Zhenya already has a partner set up by his parents? Was it the reason why he did not want his parents to know that he was going out with someone?

Vero made the order just when Zhenya popped.

Okay, my first-ever date was ruined even if it hasn’t started yet. I knew it, there was no way Zhenya would fall for someone like me. Maybe he was just doing this for fun.

“Are you okay?”

I snapped back to reality when I felt Zhenya’s warm hand on my back. I somehow could not look him in the eyes so I just nodded and received the two large boxes of popcorn then Zhenya took it.

I feel so bad that I might be sick and want to go home already. Maybe I looked stupid for being so gullible and for falling easily. I looked like I was so desperate for love. I breathed out and calmed myself down because I felt like crying. I blinked a lot of times to stop my eyes from getting hot before facing Zhenya.

“Let’s go?” I said, thanking that my voice did not crack.

I plan to go home after the movie. I was looking forward to this superhero movie so I might as well enjoy myself in the process and not think of anything anymore.

Our assigned seat numbers were near the aisle and Vero took the seat in the middle. I took the seat near the aisle and I looked up at Zhenya when he remained standing and staring at Vero who was already sitting comfortably beside me.

“Vero, don’t make me say it.” Zhenya warned and Vero stood up grunting and took the third seat, leaving the seat between us empty where Zhenya took a seat.

“I’m so sorry about her.” He said and I smiled at him.

“It’s fine.”

“No, it’s not.” He pouted like a kid and somehow my gloomy feeling disappeared seeing him acting like a kid.

Zhenya shoved one full box of popcorn to Vero and he placed the other one on his lap.

“Here.” He grinned.

I looked at the red hexagonal box filled with popcorn to the brim. He placed it on top of his crotch. My face heats up as I reach for the popcorn just when the movie starts. It was flavored sweet and sour and I like how it wasn’t that salty.

The movie was a superhero movie and it premiered a week ago and the cinema was half filled with people. It was halfway through the movie that I already had enough of the popcorn and I leaned back, finding a more comfortable position to sit, resting my arm on the armrest when Zhenya placed his hand on top of mine.

The cinema was cold from the air conditioning but Zhenya’s hand was warm that it felt so comfortable, I didn’t want him to let go. I glanced at Zhenya and he winked at me then he turned my arm so he could interlace our fingers making my heart pound and my body heat up.

It was dark but I was still afraid that the people behind us could see. I pursed my lips and stopped thinking about what other people would think and folded my finger with his. I rolled my eyes to Zhenya without moving my head and saw him grinning then he squeezed our laced fingers.

I smiled and my heart fluttered.

“Don’t worry, I’ll find a way to get rid of her.” He said.

“Ha?” I was surprised that maybe I was hearing things since the cinema was loud because it was already in the fighting scene.

“Talking s**t about me. I could hear you, you know?” Vero said.

Zhenya chuckled and raised the hand he was holding and kissed the back of my hand.