Kapitel 25: Starry starry night

After we turned the unfortunate event between Skye and Shaun, into something better, Ash and I decided off movies tonight. We decided to go to North Bondi Fish for dinner instead.

This place, apparently, is very popular for serving creative dishes in an open space. Ash also said, that it is an iconic seafood restaurant that is a few short steps from the sand and surf of Bondi Beach and it is. It has a relaxed space and amazing beachside views, it is the perfect spot for dinner tonight, after the disaster earlier.

We walk there hand in hand, enjoying the beach view. We got there momentarily. We stand in a queue for a bit and waited for the host to find us a table. Tha place is simple in design. Inside the establishment, it's got beautiful soft, round lanterns hanging up the ceiling. The tables and chairs are all wood grained. It feels like an expensive restaurant that has soft lighting and peaceful music, it has a pleasant, soothing ambience. It also has a full bar for drinks.

We were shown where to sit down for dinner and talked about our days away from each other. It has been very interesting, how Ash recalled the last couple of days he's been working at the beach. I got so animated on how he tells the stories. He is a great story teller, mind you. Most of the times, they are funny, sometimes interesting, some weird, sometimes shocking, then horrifying to downright unbelievable. The beach stories just keep pouring in and it is so fascinating and intriguing that I can't wait for more!

After dinner, we went down the beach, walking hand in hand. When we reach the end of the concrete footpath, he stopped, stooped down and took off his socks and shoes. He encouraged me to do the same, so the sand wouldn't go in our shoes he explained. So, I follow suit. Then we walked in the sandy beach in barefoot.

The feeling of scrunching sands on my feet, is like a million earthbeads massaging every corner of my feet, its tickly and it gets between my toes and toe nails. Then hangs on the invisible hair on my toe knuckles. It coats my feet like butter on toast. It is just relaxing.

I stood up and felt a slight chill as the wind softly blew. The night is crisp and when you breathe, it feels like you're inhaling mint. Crisp and heady.

My long brown hair, earlier tied up in a ponytail is now a bit messy and the ties hanging half way down my hair, so I let it loose and tried to tie it up again. But before I can, Ash glided his hands over my hair.

"Are you cold?" Ash asked, concern in his voice.

"Just a little bit," I answered honestly.

Ash took off his jacket and put it around my shoulders, leaving his hands holding the collar of his jacket. Enveloping me with his warmth and smelling his cologne's aromatic freshness that lingers on the warm, addictive fullness of cedar and sandalwood. Deep, potent, powerful and refined. I like his scent.

"Thank you," grateful for the extra warmth his jacket gave me.

"You're so beautiful." he said affectionately. Admiration in his eyes.

I looked up and I see his face clearly in the moonlight, nervous of what's going to happen next.

"I like you, Wynter Lane!" he confessed, his voice a bit raspy.

"I.. ah.. I.." I mumbled, shocked and surprised at his admission.

His thumb touched my lips slightly. Stopping me from saying anything.

"Shhhhh, you don't have to say anything, I just want to let you know and tell you how I feel." he whispered looking deeply into my eyes.

I watch his attractive blue eyes behind his glasses twinkle in the moonlight, full of emotion, his two tiny cleft on his cheeks deepens as his lips upturned into a wide smile.

I am thankful that he stopped me from saying anything and didn't expect me to answer after his declaration, because first of all, I am not sure what to say, and second, I am not sure of what to say, and third and final but not the least, I AM NOT SURE WHAT TO SAY! My brain is about to explode! I am still lost for words!

I didn't know that this event, can develop, this quickly. I mean, I know he said it many times in his messages. But to actually hear him say it. With his voice raspy with emotion, seeing his expression as he said it. His eyes glinting with hope. His lips moving. Confessing, declaring, admitting, revealing, bringing it out to light. It's different. It feels different. It's like a strong feeling of happy excitement and elation. It feels thrilling. I feel exhilarated. My heart seems to answer to him.

I can hear the fast beating of my heart and I wonder if he might be hearing this, too. I am not sure but the way Ash is gazing at me, looks like he's in wonder himself.

Under the starry night, in the crisp night air, Ash revealed his feelings to me. I didn't know what to do with it, but it feels like he put a spell on me, I couldn't take my eyes off him. His eyes held me hostage. There is this some kind of pull from him. I stood there gazing at his blue eyes, expressing strong emotion. His eyes must be secretly communicating with mine. I don't know. I'm not a mind reader, nor an eye reader, if that even exist but somehow I feel it. That pull, that power, I feel it strongly.. whatever it is.

It feels like everything is in a stand still. Nothing matters except me and him. After what feels like an eternity, standing there with him, Ash smiled confidently. Did he find the answer he's looking for, by gazing into my eyes? I've got no idea. He didn't say.

"Let's go." he said, holding my hands.

Walking side by side, swinging our hands together, looking at each other from time to time, smiling like we found a secret only the two of us knows. After a while, Ash led me to the concrete footpath, we shook the sands off our feet and put our shoes back on.

We continued walking and before we know it, we're already home.