52: Endearment part 2

“Oh, like how my parents named me?” He snapped his fingers. “Brilliant!”

“I recall it was: Milleno, Ashrin, Ashandrino, Drinille…”

“So, you were into this? You just never told me.” He winked at her.

“Wha-” her cheeks flushed. “Do you want this or not?”

“Okay, okay, calm down,” he scoffed. “Ashleja, Millandrino, and Aleash. Hmm… anything you prefer to call me from one of them?”

“I don’t know why, but all of it sounds quirky to me. More of a casual name than an endearment.”

“Couldn’t agree more. Apart from that, I want to call you with cute names.” He gently squeezed her right cheek.

“Stop it. People are looking at us.”

“Ash, Ashy… Asmille… Milly, Mille, Mile…Mine… Eureka!”

She got startled by him. “What is it that you need to yell?”

“Oops, my bad. I came up with a romantic nickname for you.”

“That was fast. As expected from someone who came up with 15 survey questions in an instant.”

“Do you wanna hear it?”

“Well…” she averted her eyes from his. “Like I have a choice. I would still hear it when you start calling me by a strange name.”

He held her shoulders to look at him. “From this day on, you are my Ashmine.”

“Ash what? Ashmine… Where did that come from?”

“The Ash came from the first three letters of your name. And since you’re officially mine, I combined Ashmille + Mine = Ashmine!”

“B-Bold of you to assume I’m yours!” she rolled her eyes.

“Hey, aren’t you? You didn’t like it?”

“I’ll only become yours officially if we get married, okay?”

Drino blushed. His face felt warm. He didn’t realize that Ashmille, the tough girl, could charm him so effortlessly. It seems that she didn’t even try, yet Drino fell head over heels for her. She was just being her usual self, independent, smart, reserved, visionary, but he couldn’t help but be drawn to her.

He gulped. “Alright, I’ll make you Mrs. Montezales, my Ashmine.”

“Eh?!”

“You heard it right. Don’t challenge me… or I’ll make you officially mine even faster.”

“What a smart guy…”

“You’ve chosen one. Deal with it.”

“I-I don’t mind being called Ash-Ashmine by you.”

“Alrighty! That wraps it up.”

“But I don’t know what to call you yet.”

“Come to think of it… my name is harder to make an endearment with because it sounds too masculine and harsh. We’re lovers, so it should sound sweet, soft, and playful. In fact, I didn’t like it at first when you called me Alejandrino in college because. You sound distant, and I feel like you’re mad at me. And I don’t want that.”

Ashmille squinted when she saw his puppy eyes. How can this guy be adorable and annoying at the same time?

“Aha!” Seeing those puppy eyes gave her an idea. “You’re Ino from Alejandrino or Drino. I shortened it further to Ino. Inu means dog in Japanese. Plus, you’re giving a Golden Retriever dog energy, but in a human form.”

“Do you only see me as a dog?” he sobs and pouts. “Not even a normal human being. Does that put me below humans? I’m not even a stranger to you.”

She dabbed at her forehead.

She didn’t know that giving a romantic nickname to your boyfriend can be as stressful as this. What’s more is that this is a big deal for Drino. It’s funny how he’s taking it seriously because it means so much to him. How can this famous influencer and talented entrepreneur, who has persevered through numerous struggles, be this needy over a trivial thing?

“It only means you’re that special to me. You’re not a stranger, not a human being, not a dog… but someone whom I can be comfortable. You’re someone I can fully rely on, despite my fierce façade that I show everyone but you. I tend to forget to build my walls because, in the first place, I don’t need to as long as I’m with you. You made me feel safe enough to embrace my soft side in a world where I always had to be tough. You brought out the part of me that has been hiding and longing to be liberated. You could say, you being my other half cannot be measured enough by a simple endearment. I guess that’s why I’m having such a hard time with my endearment to you.” She gave him a relieved smile, hoping her words went through.

Ashmille has said what her heart wanted to say. She might rarely open her feelings to anyone and speak lengthy speeches about her romantic feelings, but she finally did it with Drino. Although she’s not as outwardly expressive as Drino, she’s gradually revealing this side of herself because she trusts him.

Drino looked at the sunset. It’s so beautiful that it added a dramatic vibe to their view. It is colorful. A range of blending warm shades of red, orange, and yellow with the calming coolness of pink, purple, and blue.

“Look, the world is celebrating with us in these magnificent skies.”

“You think so?”

“Hm,” he nodded, saying yes. “I can hear them cheering for us with colorful hues like confetti.” He held out his left hand to her. “They’re rooting for Ino and Ashmine.”

Ashmille smiled. She extended her right hand for him to take.

“Wait,” he removed her face mask.

“No-”

“I want to see the face of what’s mine.”

She blushed.

“Time will come when you will no longer wear this.”

“I’ll wait.”

Drino wanted to take advantage of their time being free here in a foreign country where Ashmille doesn’t have to wear a face mask to conceal not only her identity but also their relationship.

They continued strolling together while watching the sunset. The day might have ended today, but they are looking forward to the coming days they will spend together.

Before plunging onto his bed to rest for the night before the incoming flight back to their home country, he scanned his camera to see the beautiful pictures he had taken.

He started giggling while viewing Ashmille’s smiling and stolen photos. His heart skips a beat when he sees her in the camera.

“Argh, so cute,” he muttered.

After that, he reviewed the videos he recorded in his GoPro to see if he had covered everything he wanted for his vlog about his day one Mexico tour.

He stopped watching his recorded videos when he discerned that his camera captured Ashmille’s smiling and happy face, while his GoPro recorded her crying and sad face.

Drino first caught Ashmille teary-eyed when both of their families approved of their romantic relationship. They both felt emotional about the warm blessings they received from their parents.

The second incident occurred when a gust of wind kicked up some dust, which found its way into her eyes and began to water them

Third, was when she savored the flavors of the dish from the bustling Mexican eatery. The heat suddenly intensified, creeping up her throat and bringing tears to her eyes.

The stress of being in a foreign country, combined with the shock of having her phone stolen, led the tears to fall quickly to release her fear and frustration. She also struggled to compose herself when she was harassed by the local men.

She wept when she got pressured to officially enter Drino’s spotlight. It is a whirlwind of chaos, a symphony of noise, and an open book display for all to read. Contrary to the private, simple yet peaceful life she has and wants. The thought of sacrificing her cherished life has made her anxious.

A few tears streamed down her face when she was delighted that they settled their love quarrels in Mexico before coming back to their country after the trip. They learned that they could create their own little world wherever they go.

Both of his devices might have witnessed Ashmille’s joyous or sorrowful expressions, but only his eyes saw both of her expressions and could discern their meaning.

He teared up because he’s glad that he could grasp what she was going through. He could read the emotions behind each face and understand the full depth of what she was feeling.