I hate horror movies.

Ever since i could even remember. I hated horror movies as it put the fear of god on me. Ironic as the usual case in movies is that it’s filled with demonic entities which god doesn’t like very much from my perception. But hey who am i to say which movies god doesn’t like or not?

But I’m getting sidetracked here. Horror movies are the epitome of Human insanity in my view. The whole purpose of movies like those is to scare the living daylights out of anyone who has watched them and it did a bang-up job when i watch horror movies. Usually not of my own free will, by the way.

I’m not insane enough to watch horror movies voluntarily, as I can admit, that I’m not even embarrassed about it. I fear watching horror movies. It spikes up my heart rate to ungodly levels, activating the area of my brain that deals with fear and cranks it up to the max level output possible.

I still remember back when i was a child. Whenever my families watched horror movies on the T.V. I always had a trusty pillow to bury my face in whenever something scary came up, and to this day i still have that pillow lying around in my room. And i am not getting rid of it anytime soon.

Granted, even though i hated/feared horror movies, i still watched shows that contained some amount of horror related materials. Which includes shows about bigfoot or any supernatural beings like bigfoot. I loved those shows as a kid, peak entertainment in my opinion.

Yet i still hated horror movies and you’ll never see me watching horror movies out of my own volition. Well… That is, until now.

A smiling person appeared on the screen. She was in a white room, grinning eerily at the person in front of her. I kept my guard up from any unwanted jump scares, yet that smile was enough to make my guard utterly useless. I tried to bury myself in my seat but failed, as it was just enough to fit me. Maybe i should’ve brought my pillow just in case.

While i was being put the fear of god in me, Lorelai looked at the movie with Rapt attention as if nothing in the world was enough to disturb her concentration. It was clear as day that she was enjoying the movie. And just as i was about to say something to Lorelai, i coincidentally had my eyes on screen in that moment and the lady that was previously smiling was now dead as her neck was sliced, blood gushing out as if a dam broke.

If I’m not wrong, there was some sort of dark entity that was in there in that room, reflected by the mirrors plastered on the walls. My heart raced as if it was a car in the Daytona 500. My fear receptors blew sky high that seemed to be refusing to fall anytime soon. God damnit.

I held Lorelai's hand to feel the warmth it was giving off even in this cold room, i closed my eyes simultaneously as i preferably don’t want to be jump scared any time soon. Though chances of that happening are almost zero. The movie was still starting last i recall.

“Malik, you okay? Your pale as a ghost. Don't tell me you’re actually afraid of this movie.”

The moment i heard it, i was about to act tough and say that i was only resting my eyes, and that this movie was nothing to me. Iv seen scarier things. But that thought passed as one, i hate lying to Lorelai, and two, my mind was in chaos trying to think of a response.

So i just responded instinctively.

“Yup, you bet.”

“Uh hmm, yeah i did not know that.”

Lorelai had a puzzled expression on her face when she heard my response. She doesn’t know because i thought that it was not that big of a deal. I didn’t think that her knowing was necessary to improve our relationship with each other. But that thought was erased because of what she said next.

“I see. Oh well, let’s just move to another movie, I do love horror movies, but if you’re scared of it, then it can’t be helped.”

Oh, wait, she loves horror movies. I didn’t know that. Well shit.

“Ah no, it’s not necessary, were already here so we might as well finish the movie.”

I said with a gentle expression on my face, though it took every will power i mustered to be able to say it. I do indeed dislike horror movies enough to not even watch it voluntarily, but my hate for it isn’t enough to make Lorelai not watch a movie she wants to see.

“Malik, your expression might fool other people, but not me. You don’t have to force yourself to watch this because of me, you know. We can always watch another movie together, its no big deal.”

Lorelai said with a soft smile on her face. After she said it, she grabbed my hand as we left the showing, yet as we were living there was another jump scare, judging by the reaction of the people inside. But i didn’t have the time to think it through.

I was more preoccupied with Lorelai leaving a movie that, by my guess; she was looking forward to watching for god knows how long. So why? Even though i dislike it, ill agree if it means her being happy.

After we got out of the theater, i asked her why she left, i did agree to watch it with her.

“Malik, don’t be silly. We’re on a date. Which means that both of us should be happy together on this day, not just one person. And you forcing yourself to watch that movie might be sweet, but you’re not ultimately happy to watch it. It’s understandable. I do want to watch the movie, but if it means that we both can’t enjoy the movie together, then there’s no point in watching it.”

What Lorelai said made me ponder on what it meant. I guess it is true that when you’re on a date with someone, both of the people involved should be happy spending time together and to forsake the happiness of another for the other individual, well it’s not really a date anymore, is it? A situation where both people can spend the time together instead of only one person enjoying it. Sounds reasonable.

“But are you sure? I mean, it’s pretty obvious that you been meaning to watch this movie for a while.”

“its really fine Malik, i can always watch it another time. And spending time with you is a better choice.”

Lorelai had a bright grin on her as she said it, and it indeed also infected me to smile with her. In a moment, we forgot all about that fiasco and moved on with our day.

We walked the bustling streets together as we got out of the movie theater. With our hands clasped with one another, we walked slowly to savor this serene moment. Side by side, we travelled to various places in the city, sometimes watching a street performer play the piano.

This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

As we watched the women play a tune on the streets, i felt that Lorelai had a sudden urge to play along with her too, but she seemed to be too embarrassed to come and join the woman. And so i walked up to the lady and asked if Lorelai can join her as she played a piece.

Surprisingly she agreed, and i invited Lorelai to come play the piano with her. A little embarrassed at first when i asked her, but she agreed in a short while as the allure of playing the piano was too much for her pretty head.

She played Scheherazade by Rimsky-Korsakov as the tune travelled through the air and into the ears of the nearby people. Time seemed to have frozen while she played the piece, making it look like she was a lone fairy playing a tune in the inn a serene lake. She might have not known this, but this piece was one of my favorites to listen to.

Maybe it was fate that i met Lorelai, and here she was playing one of my favorite classical pieces. Hearing the music it made me fall into a world of enchantment in my head, and in that world was me and Lorelai playing a song for me. It made me remember the first time she played the piano in front of me.

It was only a few days ago i found out that Lorelai could play the piano. During our walk inside the hospital was where i found out. In one of the rooms, there was a piano displayed there for some reason, since last time i checked this was a hospital and not a music school.

Nevertheless, Lorelai might not have minded it as she sat down to play the piano. She asked me what song i wanted to hear, though surprised that she knew how to play. I just said that whatever you play ill enjoy.

And so she did play a song as she played one of the songs in four seasons by Vivaldi, Spring. She played it with an utmost skill that i thought there was a professional piano player in the room. It calmed down the chaotic mind i had full of resentment and anger towards Bradley, and replaced with a tranquil mind. Liken to the raging seas being calmed down and raging no more.

It was in that moment that i liked Lorelai more than ever, i thought that i couldn’t like her more, but apparently it wasn’t so as it reached new heights iv never seen before.

Back to reality, she finished playing her piece and what follow was a string of applause coming from the crowd. The sound of clapping reverberated to the air, making Lorelai blush and gave an embarrassed bow to the crowd. I even heard the women who owned the piano tell Lorelai that she was really good.

She couldn’t take the incessant compliments anymore and came back to me, burying her head in my chest as i could feel the heat on her face. Even though she was acting all embarrassed, i felt that she was extremely happy with what she did, and so i couldn’t help but also be happy with her.

“You were fucking awesome Lorelai.”

“Thanks Malik…”

She unburied her face in my chest as she had a beaming expression as we looked at each other. It put a smile on my face seeing that Lorelai was enjoying herself today. And so we headed off to more places together.

The next place we went to was a café. We were pretty hungry from all this running around and so we wanted a bit to eat before continuing.

We opened the door and saw that the people here was quite a lot. Some people were on their laptop while having coffee while some were reading a book as they had coffee. Iv been here before as i often went to this place to read my book and have a coffee.

The atmosphere was quiet and serene, with no one making unnecessary noise to bother the other customers. The room even felt somewhat cozy yet cold to just by entering the place. Overall i love this place as it’s a place i frequent quite a bit.

“I deadened know you go to this place.” said Lorelai with a puzzled tone.

“Yeah, i go here sometimes to have a little me time. It’s a good place.”

“You do? Strange, because i also go to this place sometimes.”

“What a strange coincidence. How come we never met here?” i replied with apparent confusion on my face. If I met her here in this place, the sooner i could be with Lorelai, though i don’t know for sure we would end up together.

“Well let it be, we’re together now aren't we?” she said with a smile on her face.

“We are and will always will be.” i responded with a hint of something else i don’t know in my tone.

Lorelai blushed a little at what i said, giving a smile that gave an entirely different meaning to what it usually means. Though i don’t know what it means for now.

Regardless, we continued off to find a seat here. We did a fine one, but it was far off into a corner in the café. but we didn’t mind it as it means more privacy to us. Lorelai stayed at our table since we didn't want it to get stolen by other people, while i set off to order our food.

I went up to the cashier and ordered; a cup of Caramel Macchiato for Lorelai and a cup of iced coffee for me. Gazing towards the assortment of snacks in the Menu, i spotted that there was a slice of strawberry cake available and so i ordered it for Lorelai. She once said to me that she liked strawberry cake so i do believe that she will love this one.

I didn't order any food for myself as Iced coffee was enough for me. In a short while, they served our order as i thanked them and payed for it. Then went back to our table.

I grabbed the Caramel Macchiato and gave to a Lorelai with shining eyes along with the slice of strawberry cake as i could tell from her expression that she was almost salivating from it.

“Malik! You got me strawberry cake, thank youuuuu!.”

In her rush of excitement, she pulled herself close to me and gave me a kiss on the cheek. Maybe she might not have realized what she did as i stood frozen in place, not knowing what sort of expression to give. In a split second, she knew was she just did to me, her face turning red as a rose and pulling back to bury her face in her hands.

The sight of an embarrassed Lorelai was so cute in my eyes, and instead of also being embarrassed in the situation. I just took in the view of the abashed Lorelai, clasping both of my hands together on the table and leaning my chin against it.

I didn’t say a word as i just smiled and observed Lorelai turning more embarrassed as the seconds pass on. Eventually, she unburied herself from her arms but instead looked down at the table and took small sips from her caramel macchiato.

Putting the slice of cake in front of her, she said nothing while she grabbed the fork and took a bite of the slice of strawberry cake. She seemed to have enjoyed, her expression showing that she was over the moon for it.

Her previous beet red expression was gone in an instant as she started savoring the strawberry cake. I said nothing as i took in the sight while i drank my iced coffee. As she ate more and more slices, her expression brightened little by little until it seemed that she had forgotten what she just did.

“I’m sorry that i kissed you all of a sudden.” She suddenly said as she gave the last slice of cake to me. I looked at the cake for a while but i didn’t eat it. I pushed it back to Lorelai and said.

“There is nothing to be sorry about Lorelai, i mean, isn’t it normal for couples to be this affectionate? And it’s not like i hated it, anyway.” i replied with a tender smile on my face.

Lorelai looked overjoyed when i said it, though i don’t know if it was because of that or was it because i gave back the slice of cake to her. Nevertheless, she picked up the fork and ate the last slice. The moment she ate the cake and was distracted, i pulled forward to her and gave her a kiss on the cheek in return.

She stood frozen in place from the shock of receiving a sudden attack, her face turning beet red and not knowing what to do.

“Eat your cake Lorelai, you might choke on it if you don’t chew.”

I said, with a teasing tone in my voice. She looked a bit grumpy about what i said but chewed the cake anyway, maybe a bit mad but also embarrassed because of what i just did. Enjoying the pouty Lorelai, i drank my iced coffee as i tasted the caffeine of it sliding down my throat mixed with the coldness of it. Delicious.

It was only after a while that i managed to placate the pouty Lorelai, that we managed to leave the café with our drinks in hand. We walked together with our hands held but with also our drinks in hand, with occasionally taking a sip as we talked about various things.

Various things include what our favorite movies were, what do we do on our oft times and what we do for fun. We only talked about trivial things really yet it was what i felt was one of the most important things we have to talk about. It’s the little things about the person that form the whole of them.

Eventually the topic of values and ideals came up, and i was honestly pretty nervous talking about it. I don’t exactly have the most popular beliefs relative to the modern age. I was worried that my values were incompatible with Lorelai and i was forced to break up with her. Having a relationship with someone with differing ideals is a recipe for disaster, in my opinion.

But thankfully, maybe due to fate, that we actually have the same ideals and politics. The moment i found out, my likeness for Lorelai reached a level that i myself do not know.

Now what was it called again?