Rhythm (10 page)

“Surprise, I guess?” she initiates.

“Yeah. Definitely, a surprise.” I beam at
her. “This is by far the best gift and surprise I received.”

“See? Told ya,” Lola interrupts, unable to
hide her mirth. “Happy birthday, Grant. Enjoy.” She pushes Rhy and
closes the door.

“Aw,” Rhy says dramatically. “That’s rude,
L.”

I laugh. “You’re beautiful, Rhy. I love your
new look.”

She waves a hand. “No. This is not my new
look. This is just my look for your 20th birthday.”

“Well, I’m touched, my princess. Thank you
for giving this much effort.”

She smiles, proud at her surprise. “Shall
we?” she asks.

I nod.

Rhythm

Lola’s right—dressed up Rhythm is an amazing
surprise for Grant. I make a mental note to thank L later.

“I believe we should celebrate your birthday
somewhere else,” I tell him as he drives to our destination.

“Where? The cliff is a great place.”

“Yeah, it is. But I want to go somewhere you
and I haven’t gone.”

He asks curiously, “Are you thinking what I
am thinking?”

“What are you thinking? Because I think you
are thinking what I am thinking.”

He plays along. “I think that we are thinking
the same thing. Are we?”

“Okay. Stop. Stop the truck, Grant.”

He stops, stepping on the break abruptly.
“What? Why? You’re making me nervous, Rhy.”

“Here,” I hand him a pen and a paper.
Thank goodness I always have those.
“We will write what we
are thinking then we’ll fold the paper. We’ll open it when we
arrive at our destination, wherever it is. Game?”

“The prize?” he asks, expectant.

“Nothing. I just want to know if we are
thinking the same.” I grin.

“And if we are?”

“Then I’ll be happy.”

“But if we’re not?”

“No worries. I’ll still be happy.” I beam at
him my assurance.

He gives me a look that says, “You are
one-of-a-kind-weird girl. “Okay. I’m game as long as you’ll be
happy either way.” He writes something, folds the paper, and keeps
it in his pocket. “Done. Now, let’s celebrate.”

He drives silently, looking for clues if
we’re on the same page. He’s nervous. “Look. If you don’t want
where I’m bringing you, just tell me. Okay? Be honest.”

“Okay,” I approve.

As he parks, I contain my emotion. I don’t
want to tell him anything yet.

“Rip? Just tell me,” he pleads.

I nod then continue to walk.

When we’re inside, we take our seats.

“Give me your paper.” I open my left palm,
asking for his paper while giving him mine. “Let’s open it in 3, 2,
1 . . . go.”

I don’t check his answer because I know it
already. Obviously. I just watch for his reaction, and I’m
delighted with what I see. He’s smiling from ear to ear as if I’ve
given him another gift. “You really want to go here?” he asks
without hiding his exhilaration.

“Yes. Why, is there something wrong?”

“This is not your thing. I’m worried you’ll
hyperventilate or something,” he jokes.

I laugh. “Well, maybe I will.”

He looks at me apprehensively.

“Love, I’m kidding. It’s
just
an
expensive restaurant. Besides, this is your treat, right?” I
giggle.

“Right.” His enthusiasm is quite evident. “By
the way, red is great on you, and the dress. I think any color of
any dress will look great on you.”

“Don’t be used to my appearance, Grant. This
has a curfew.”

“Like what time?” he asks seriously.

“Like midnight.”

“Oooh. We have a Cinderella here.”

I laugh. “Order for us, please?”

He nods then signals for the waiter.

He orders foods that I haven’t eaten in my
entire life, and I wouldn’t dare enumerate them even if you ask me
because (I’m being honest here, don’t laugh) I don’t know what they
are called. I’m not even sure if it is a food or a gold, what with
the price and the presentation. I even have this inner battle if
I’ll eat it or not. I think it’s good for food photography
purposes, not eating purposes.

Anyway, I try hard to be at ease and not
worry about how uneasy I am.
I am doing this for Grant
. I
remind myself.

“You okay, red?” he asks, giving me a new
nickname.

I blush. “Yes, I am. Let’s devour these
gold.”

“The what?”

I cackle. “Nothing.”

Grant

I’ve been worried about Rhy since I parked in
front of this fancy restaurant. I know that she’s not a fan of
these, but I’ve always wanted to bring her to one just to have the
feel of having this kind of date.

I could not hide the bliss that I felt when I
read what she wrote on the paper.

Let’s celebrate somewhere
expensive (i.e. fancy restaurant). ;)

Seeing her now, containing her unease, I
can’t help but feel overwhelmed. She’s definitely doing this for
me.

“Thank you for everything, Rhy. This is the
best birthday so far that I have,” I admit.

“Why, what was your past birthdays like?”

“Happy, but this is extra special. You are
the best gift given to me. I love you, Rhy.”

“I love you, too, birthday boy.” She smiles,
and I laugh so hard because her two front teeth are covered with
chocolate. The only food she indulged herself without hesitating is
our dessert—a chocolate fondue.

Being with her is easy and light. I want to
spend the rest of my birthdays with her. I look forward to more
years with her.

I can’t believe I am this blessed. Thank You,
dear Lord.

Rhythm

I am so not aware that I am capable of
handling a relationship. I barely let anyone enter into my life, so
I wasn’t expecting that I’d be able to survive two years with
Grant.

I cannot get all the credit why Grant and I
have what we have now. Grant’s effort in sustaining this
relationship far exceeds mine. And of course, above all else, we
have God in our midst.

Christmas is near and Grant asked me to go
home with him in Pennsylvania to spend the holidays there. I
agreed, of course. I did not go home with him last year because I
wasn’t ready yet, but now, I am more than ready.

Finally, I will meet the rest of the
Petersons, and I couldn’t hide the excitement as I pack my
things.

“I’m happy for you, Rip,” Lola tells me as
she helps me in packing.

“Thank you, L. I’ve never imagined this would
happen to me.”

“You deserve it, you know. Grant is such a
wonderful blessing in your life. He turns your world upside down,
and he definitely adores you.”

I am touched by what she said, although I
know those things already. It feels amazing to be reminded once in
a while how blessed I am to have Grant in my life. It magnifies
what I already feel.

“You think they’ll like me?” I ask for an
assurance, though Grant assured me that they already adore me even
before they meet me in person. I asked him how is that even
possible, and his only answer was his drop-dead gorgeous smile.

“Rip, they’ll be crazy not to,” she
confidently declares.

I hope Grant and Lola are right.

“I’ll miss you, L.” I hug her. This is the
first Christmas we won’t be spending with each other since we met.
I am a bit hesitant to go with Grant because of her, but she
insists that I need to go. Besides, she says, she wants to go home
and spend Christmas with her family. She didn’t go home for the
past years because she didn’t want to leave me. I always told her
to go, but she always fought her argument and always won.

“I’ll miss you, too, Rip. Be safe, okay? And
enjoy. I love you, Rhythm.” She wrapped me in a tight embrace once
again.

“I love you, too, Lola.”

Grant knocks once, opens the door, and lets
himself in. “Oops, sorry. I didn’t mean to interrupt your moment,”
he teases us when he sees that we are being emotional.

I laugh. “Are we going?”

“When you’re ready.”

“I am. Merry Christmas, Lola. Love ya.” We
hug each other once more.

“Merry Christmas, Lols,” Grant teases L.

Lola pouts then redeems herself with a smile.
“Merry Christmas, lovebirds. Be safe.”

Grant waves at her, picks up my bag, and
leads me as we leave.

Grant

This Christmas will unquestionably be extra
special. This will be the first time my family will meet someone
special to me because Riley never agreed to go home with me. She
said that it’s not yet time for us to reach that point, and I
respected her decision. I was disappointed at that time, though.
They were all looking forward in meeting her, but I am never been
more thankful to Riley than I am now. At least I can tell Rhy that
she’ll be the first girl I’ll bring home, and for me, hopefully,
the last.

“Want to know a secret?” I smirk at her.

Her forehead creases. “What secret? I thought
we’ll be honest with each other at all times?”

“I’m not talking about
that
kind of
secret. I didn’t tell you this before because I don’t want to
pressure you, but I think I should tell you now.”

“Okay. You’re making me nervous, Grant. Come
clean with it.”

Honestly, she doesn’t have to tell me that
she’s nervous. It’s quite obvious. Her arms are already red because
she has the habit of pinching herself when she’s anxious.

“Stop pinching yourself, and I’ll tell you,”
I calmly tell her. She stops. “You’re the first girl that my family
will meet.”

She frowns, a sign that she doesn’t believe
me. “Riley?”

I shake my head. “We didn’t get a chance to
reach that point.”

“Other girlfriends?” she says, putting
emphasis to the letter
s
.

“You’re my second.”

She thinks for a moment. When it finally
sinks in, she smirks.

“Are you smirking, Isabelle?” I laugh at
her.

“Yes. Why, is there any problem with me
smirking?” She challenges me.

“No, none at all.”

“In that case, tell me more secrets so that
your family will like me.” She’s been asking this question ever
since I asked her to go home with me, and I always tell her—and
will tell her again—that, “They already adore you, Rip.”

“I don’t believe you, Peterson. They haven’t
met me yet, and I doubt that when they do, they’ll like me. Maybe
they will tolerate me but not like.” She pouts.

“Wanna bet?”

“Bet? Are you sure? Because I’m quite
confident, you know.”

“Then we’ll bet. What if you win?”

She thinks, her forehead creases.

“So?” I ask after she doesn’t answer right
away.

“Wait, I’m thinking hard here,” she says. She
looks like someone who’s taking the board exam. After contemplating
a while, she says, “Okay. If I win, I’ll get to drive the truck on
our way back.”

“No way, Rip. You don’t even know how to
start it, much more drive it.”

“Teach me how, then. Please?”

I shake my head.

“Oh, you think I’ll win the bet, don’t you?”
She scowls.

“I’ll win.” I sigh at her poor self-esteem
and add, “Okay, deal.”

She smiles triumphantly. “Your bet?”

I think for a moment. I want to grab this
opportunity to bet on something important because I know I’m going
to win. “If I win, let me hold your hand.”

“What? No! We have rules, Grant.” Her answer
is just what I expected, but I have to make her agree with it.

I calmly tell her that, “I know. Please don’t
think that I am taking advantage. I just want to hold your hand
just once, Rhy. I’m not asking to hold your hand every minute of
every day; it’s just one time.
If
I win.”

She’s in a panic mode. I can’t blame her, but
I hope she’ll agree.

“Once? And that’s it?” she asks
reassuringly.

I nod. “Once. I promise.”

“I don’t know, Grant. This is huge for me.
Can’t you think of anything you want if you win?”

“Looks like you’re confidence that they won’t
like you is fading, babe. Nice.” I smile smugly.

“Whatever, Grant. You’re messing with me,”
she covers her anxiousness with irritation.

“Deal?” I wait for her answer patiently.
“We’re almost there, Rip. Deal?”

She doesn’t answer for almost a year—no
kidding.

I stop the truck. She looks at me. I look at
her. We do the staring game until she gives up.

“Fine. Deal. Just
one
time, Grant.
One. Time.”

I smile at her, do the triumphant jump in my
head, and continue to drive.

Grant

“Grant, I—”

“No, Rip. No backing off. Win or lose, I
still love you. And you love me, too. That’s what matters.” He
smiles his sweet smile. “Besides, we’re here, my love. Ready?”

Her face is white as snow because all her
blood has left her. She’s not ready.

“No, Grant. Can you go inside to check on
them, if they’re in the mood? I’ll just prepare. I’ll be ready in a
while. Go—”

“Rip, Rip. You’re shivering.” I try to catch
her attention. “It will be fine, love. We’ll go inside together.
I’ll be by your side, babe. You may hold my hand if you want to . .
.”

That catches her attention.

She glares at me. “I can do this, thank you
very much. Besides, they’re humans, right? They’re just humans.
They won’t harm me. They can’t harm me.”

I laugh at her loud ludicrous thoughts.
“Wait. Didn’t I tell you I’m a vampire? No?”

“Stop playing with me, Grant. Help me ease my
nerves.”

I contain my humor and try to help her.
“Okay, sorry. Just think about Bill.”

“Why would I think about him?”

Bill is our schoolmate who has the power to
make Rhy laugh other than Lola and me. “Remember when almost all of
his classmates made a prank on him in the cafeteria?”