Just seeing that look on her face, I want to give her the whole world.
Rose looks so beautiful it makes my heart race. I can feel every beat like a drum in my ears. I’m scared that if she hears it, she’ll know how much she affects me.
Before meeting her, I didn’t know just how strong and powerful love is.
Ever since I’ve fallen in love with her, my world rotates on its axis a little crooked. Everything seems different and new.
And she’s changing me too.
Rose slowly drags me along with her to the entrance area that is bright and open. Her eyes take in every single detail while mine are locked on hers like a hawk.I don’t want to miss anything.
I quickly buy us tickets and check us in.
We pass by a lot of gift shops that have sea creatures themed things like stuff toys, t-shirts, mugs, jewelry and so much more.
I cast a glance at my girlfriend, checking if she is interested, but she is busy assessing the inside of the building with a huge smile.
My fingers tighten around hers, making sure there’s a firm grip that won’t let her get lost as we weave through the eager, loud crowd.
“Wow,” Rose breathes, her voice hushed as we step into the expansive hall. The air is cool and thick with the scent of saltwater. Around us, small tanks glisten under the soft blue light, each one containing a vibrant world of fish — colorful, darting between swaying plants and smooth rocks.
She slowly walks over to the tank nearest to us, and bends down to look at the fish.
We’re surrounded by people with noise floating all around us, but a quiet descends on me as I stand next to her and watch the tiny creatures as they leisurely swim by us.
Then we move along to the next tank that has shrimps scuttling through the calm, translucent waters. Their bodies are adorned with bright colors and they look amazing as they weave around the rocks and algae.
For a split second, I sneak a glance at Rose and get mesmerized with the way the blue light paints her face like a gentle caress. Then, a soft smile carves up on her face making her look breathtaking.
My blood races, a steady thrum beneath my skin, and I hold my breath.
She lets out a playful giggle, and I hear it so clearly and precisely in a room that is packed with people, because to me only she exists. Only she matters.
From there, we move from tank to tank, and my eyes stay fixated only on her. She laughs, smiles and giggles. Not knowing I’m storing all those sounds in my head to listen to later.
We follow others as they enter the dim tunnel and an immediate hush falls over. The air goes quiet and the world turns blue as if we’re trapped underwater in a glass cylinder. A lone Manta Ray nears us above and Rose shifts closer to me. Not taking my eyes off it, I let go of her hand and wrap my arm around her waist, bringing her closer to me.
She inhales sharply, when the Manta Ray glides over the top of our heads, unbothered and disinterested in the pair of eyes staring at it with sheer bewilderment. Its shadow falls over us and I pull her closer as we both watch it holding our breaths.
“Oh my God,” she whispers.
“I know,” I mutter.
She meets my gaze with a smile. “That wassoexciting.”
On instinct, I lean down to kiss her, but retreat at the last moment.
For fuck’s sake.
I have to wait till the end of the date.
Something else catches her attention and she slips out of my hold, grabs my hand and drags me deeper into the tunnel.And I let her.
Pressing her face against the cold glass, she gapes at the massive sharks that glide around gracefully. They move with such confidence and ease as if they own the waters around them. Rose seems hypnotized by them.
As we move down the long tunnel, more Manta Rays swim over us and we crank our necks every time to catch a mere glimpse of them.
“Look, Heath,” that’s all she says before she’s tugging me to the right. Turning to me, she shoots me the biggest smile I’ve even seen on her. “Jellyfish!”
