Nothing But Time

It was their first date. Sitting there in that small café, both of them were pretty uncomfortable. What was worse was the fact that it was far too obvious. Neither of them knew how they were supposed to break the ice. Both Ronald and Jasmine knew they had to do something before the awkwardness went out of control.

“Uh… Nice weather right?” Ronald tried.

He watched as Jasmine just nodded. Still no word. ‘Not good,’ he thought looking out at the ocean. The tides were coming in strong today. It was such a waste sitting in the café on this fine summer day.

“So, well, umm… Would you like to take a walk down the beach?”

She nodded again. Ronald helped her up and they walked out the café door. Her brown wavy hair swayed in the ocean breeze. She looked absolutely majestic in the white dress. Kind of like an angel or a bride. They walked on the warm sand amidst the sound of seagulls and children playing.

A small child came running and knocked Jasmine into Ronald. She instantly froze and backed off. Her face flushed and red. She seemed really uncomfortable with the small bit of accidental interaction between their bodies.

“Are you okay?” Ronald asked worried as he watched her.

“Umm… I’m really sorry but I’m kind of uncomfortable with physical contact. You see, I suffer from a condition called Haphephobia,” she explained calmly after taking a long breath.

Ronald just nodded as he remembered that they had talked about it before. They started walking again.

“So, you refrain from any contact whatsoever?” he asked calm as the breeze.

“Not really. I don’t mind being touched by people I’ve really come to know. Like my parents and sister are fine,” she replied.

“I can’t imagine. Must be tough.”

“You don’t mind?” she asked surprised.

“Not really. I mean, we all have our fears right?” he responded. “To be honest, I’m very scared of insects touching me. Especially cockroaches. Those critters just give me the creeps.”

She laughed.

“Really? Afraid of cockroaches. People don’t tease you?” she asked between bouts of laughter.

“They would if they knew. I try to keep it under wraps. Promise to keep it a secret?”

Ronald felt a lot better when he saw her laugh. It meant that the awkwardness was slowly fading away and that she was opening up. Meeting online and then deciding on going on a date, both of them knew it was going to be difficult.

“Cross my heart and hope to die,” she said smiling.

It was almost sunset when the two sat down on a rather uninhabited area on the beach. The sunset was beautiful. The red sky in all its crimson glory was magnificent.

“I never thought I was capable of being with someone,” she said shyly resting her head on her knees.

“Neither did I. I have a huge problem with understanding relationships it seems. Or rather, maybe I understand them far too well,” he sighed looking into the sunset.

She turned her head to look at him.

“Do you believe we might work?” she asked.

“Honestly…” he paused before continuing. “I don’t know. But I want to find out.”

“Me too,” she said moving her hand to slightly touch Ronald’s.

It surprised him so he turned to look at her. He could see that she was blushing. Her cheeks were cherry read with shyness.

“Umm… baby steps,” she said smiling.

He smiled back as he interlocked his fingers with her.

“I’m in no hurry,” he said recalling how perfect it all seemed. “We have all the time in the world.”