Battle for Love: Dionysus and Akila's Unexpected Journey

"I love you," I said.

She looked at me from across the table. Her blonde hair was tied up in a messy bun, and her green eyes were sparkling with joy.

"I love you too," she replied, smiling.

I reached across the table and slid my hand into hers. She gripped my hand tightly and leaned forward to kiss me on the cheek. Her lips were soft and warm, sending shivers down my spine. I felt as if I would melt right there in the middle of that crowded cafe. But there was nothing I could do about it - no one wanted to see a grown man melt right there in front of them. So, I shook off the feeling and returned to enjoying our lunch date together, in private.

"You know, I've been wanting to take you here since we met," I said. "I just didn't think you'd like it."

Akila smiled again. It was a smile so beautiful that it made me forget about everything else in the world for a moment - including ordering our food. But then, she spoke: "Why didn't you think I'd like it?"

I paused for a moment before answering: "Well... This place isn't really known for its food." She giggled at this; it was such a sweet laugh that I couldn't help but smile myself. After a moment of silence, however - when all that could be heard was Akila's gentle laughter - she finally responded:

"What makes you think that? Of course they make great food here!" Her eyes danced with mischief as she said this, and though there was only one meaning to her words - she meant something entirely different than what was implied - I knew exactly what she meant. A smile crossed my face as well, and I turned back towards our food on the table while trying to suppress the heat rising to my cheeks; my cheeks which were undoubtedly turning red with embarrassment and excitement by now.

After some time had passed, our food arrived at last - steaming hot plates of spaghetti bolognese for me, and a delicious-looking pastry for Akila - filled with whipped cream and covered in chocolate sauce; her favorite kind of pastry. Smiling once more at each other, we began eating our meals; Akila first, then me - never taking our eyes off of each other for even a second! The sound of her chewing filled my ears as if from far away; somehow making me feel even more nervous than I already did around her! When she had finished half of hers - just as I had finished half of mine - she let out an audible sigh of satisfaction before grinning at me again; her grin so brilliant that it made mine seem dull in comparison! Again, goosebumps rose all over my body as she held my gaze; this time much longer than before! And after another moment or two of silence, during which neither of us said anything or took our eyes off of each other's faces... We both spoke simultaneously:

"I love you!" We both said simultaneously as soon as we were done speaking, nearly giving us both heart attacks! My face went red once again (though for an entirely different reason this time!) but Akila just laughed again; giggling hysterically until tears began rolling down her cheeks! It wasn't long before we were both laughing uncontrollably... Such a good laugh! So much fun! And yet somehow still incredibly romantic... Such an unlikely couple we seemed to be with each other! Two people so different from one another... Two people who shouldn't have liked each other at all! Yet somehow... Somehow they did! Somehow they fell in love with one another... And now they couldn't imagine life without the other one! Not even for a single day! Not even for a single hour! And now that they had found each other... They would never let go. Never ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever!!!