Is This Really Happening?

This is Dupont Circle - the "center" of gay DC. No, the center of gay DC is not my apartment, contrary to popular belief. I took this picture with my phone on the way to work almost a year ago. It was also winter back then. But, that winter has long been gone. It was cold and dreary. This year, winter has been kind and warmer much like everything else. This winter is love.

***

"You wanna do brunch?", my neighbor asked. 

I had just finished yoga and was already starving. Eating was a brilliant idea. Eating with the neighbor whom I think I like sounded like a better plan. I quickly took a shower and, in my head, planned an outfit change before I meet him up at his apartment at noon. He was still in the gym too anyway. I had enough time.

"Sure.", I texted him back.

As I walked home after changing into my "back from the gym" clothes, I planned what I was gonna wear. I needed something brunch appropriate that looked good but also did not scream like I was even trying. It had to look effortless but still well put together. Somehow he had that effect on me. It felt good.

I decided to go for a striped shirt, skinnier jeans, sneakers and a light jacket. It was after all a mild winter's day and the sun was up. As I walked out of my apartment, I caught myself smiling. It has been a couple of days since I had last seen the neighbor - and a week since we last had brunch. It was the fourth weekend in a row that we would be meeting for a meal. 

Two knocks and he opened the door, still half-naked - something I have seen so many times already. I smiled. He has that effect on me too. Seeing him makes me smile and feel all so tingly inside. I tried to hide my excitement. I cannot appear to be that Asian. I can't be all too excited over a white guy whose mere smile makes me melt inside. I am such a girl.

We later found ourselves at this new Asian rice bowl store near the circle. After we got our orders, we started walking towards the Circle. 

"Oh-kaaay…", I said to myself.

I was not quite sure where we were really going but if he was thinking what I was thinking, we were gonna be having brunch at the Circle. O-M-G. Never in a million years did I think that I'd ever find myself in the Circle brunching. Not in the "dead of winter" and not with someone I sorta kinda liked. I was gonna be one of those couples. O-M-G. No, I did not think it was tacky. In fact, it was, dare I say it, quite romantic. 

The sun was up, the sky was so clear, and it was not chilly. It was not winter as far as I was concerned. And everyone else seemed to agree. There were couples everywhere - gay or otherwise. There were kids running. There were guys with their dogs. Then there was us - my neighbor and I. We were seated by the fountain in the middle of the circle having brunch. It was as perfect as perfect could be - and we were not really even trying. At least I was not.

We found ourselves laughing over silly things - the kid whose jacket looked like a rug, the white girls, the deformed Asians. It was so easy, effortless even. I found myself staring at him - memorizing every curve of his face. I paid attention to his smile - pink lips, his perfectly aligned teeth glistening in the sun.  His green eyes just gently showing through his sun glasses. When a gentle breeze blew through the park, I caught a whiff of him; he smelled really good.

At that moment, I felt something I haven't felt in a very long time. It was my heart telling me that this might be it - the life I've always wanted. My head kicked my heart. My heart brought out a samurai and diced my head into pieces. I was brain dead. This was it - the moment I have long dreamed of - a perfect day with someone I actually liked, a guy who could genuinely make me laugh, intimate moments and meaningful pauses, and a bowl of Asian fusion rice.

I am happy. 

P.S. Okay, you can throw up now. Haha.