18 What Is Love Without a Kiss? Friday, 14 February 2020

Apollo dated several girls in high school and college. He wasn't the popular type who went to parties, or had many friends to be with, or had many girls swooning over him. He was fairly attractive, decent, and a cool preppy dude who often wore white plain shirt, cargo pants, and fila running shoes. Apollo only did what he felt like doing without having to succumb to peer pressure, unlike most of the teens back in the day, or even during the present time. If someone invited him to a party, nobody would know if he'd actually show up; maybe he would, maybe he won't. He was an introvert and an extrovert - an ambivert to be exact. He either had moods when he wanted to stay home, or moods when he wanted to party and hook up with a girl.

The last girl he dated was Shelley – she was the petite blond waitress that Betha met at Samgyeopsal. He couldn't exactly remember if it had been more than a year when they ended up in Leslie's Toyota Prius Prime (which Gab borrowed) at maybe two in the morning after a long drinking session at Dulcimer with Gab. Up to this day, Apollo hadn't told him that he and Shelley had drunken sex in his sister's car while they both left him asleep on the table with his hair dangling on a fish dip. It was just one of those one-night stands.

He had two girlfriends when he was in high school and three girlfriends in college, but they weren't serious; each relationship only lasted between one to three months. It wasn't because he sucked at relationships or that girls didn't take him seriously; there was just no chemistry with anyone he met…until he met Betha.

That Christmas Eve when she literally slept with him, he woke up shocked with Mrs. Rodriguez cleaning his room. To his relief, Betha had already left. If his mom had seen her, she would surely think they had sex when unfortunately, they didn't. They just slept because he couldn't even kiss her. If he did, he would die and who in the world would want to die after kissing their first love? Yes, Apollo realized that same night that he loved her. Or he probably loved her the first time he saw her. As cheesy as it sounded, it was love at first sight. Although he only confirmed it that Christmas Eve.

Today was Valentine's Day. He woke up before "Believer" by Imagine Dragons played at four in the morning; it was one of his favorite songs, so he had set it as his alarm. He never needed an alarm to wake him up because he was an early bird, but he still wanted to set it up every day just to be reminded of the time. He quickly showered, something he didn't normally do before his running routine because he was just going to sweat, and he would rather take a shower after his workout. But then of course, he had to always smell good for Betha, like she always smelled good for him.

Every time he recalled her scent, it triggered a desire that he couldn't do anything about. And because of that, he bought Betha a strong perfume he hated. He was never a fan of strong scents because his nose was quite sensitive. Any strong smell repulsed him, so maybe his growing desire to kiss and do many other things to Betha would stop if she wore a perfume he didn't like.

By 4:30am, Betha opened the door, surprised to see Apollo sporting a white outfit just like hers. She was wearing a white top Nike City Sleek with matching cycling shorts; her outfit was specifically designed for women's trail running; her shoes was also a Nike. Apollo wore white sweatpants, white lose shirt, and white Fila Capture running shoe. They were mesmerized at each other for having worn an all-white outfit at the same time.

"Wow, I guess we're on the same wavelength." Apollo uttered, scanning Betha from head to toe. Betha smirked at his comment. "You look gorgeous."

She looked flattered. "Gorgeous? I think you meant sporty 'cause that's the idea."

"You look gorgeous in a sporty all-white outfit. Now, I know why you introduced yourself as Nike when we first met. You sure love the brand."

She shook her head. "Nope. I told you that Nike is the Winged Goddess of Victory. And that's how I came up with the name, not because of the brand. Have you forgotten already?"

"Oh yeah. Now, I remember. Right. It doesn't have anything to do with the brand." Apollo responded as Betha closed the door behind her.

"That's right," she said.

They walked to the corner of the road and started doing warm-ups: eight counts of inward and outward hip rotations, forward and backward arm circles, walk-outs, deep reverse lunge to knee raise, and squats. While doing all this, they continued their conversation.

"You never did tell me why you had to hide your real name. You only said it after Gab and I accidentally saw you transform into a banshee."

"Because anyone who knows my real name has the ability to see me transform and hear my wailing. And that is despite the grey cloak that was supposed to conceal my ear-splitting ugly shriek. Remember when nobody else heard me in the fitting room, but you did?"

"Right. Right, I remember. I also think you've already explained that before. So that means even my mom will be able see and hear you."

"Yes."

"Wow. We'd better be careful then."

"Of course. Now, let's start running."

"Well, before that. I think you should put this inside first." Apollo was referring to her place as he took out the gift-wrapped perfume that he bought the previous day.

Betha took it with a surprised look. "I didn't know you were the thoughtful type."

"I'm not. But this is the first valentine's day and I wanted to give you something. Happy Valentine's." He said, looking a bit embarrassed.

"Thank you," she said with a sweet smile.

Apollo didn't expect that she would unwrap it in front of him. "Oh no, don't open it yet." But it was too late because Betha already did.

"Wow. Cool Waters." She didn't look pleased. "Thanks."

"You don't like it?"

"Nah. It's fine. Thank you."

"You don't like it."

She looked at him and was about to say something, but she hesitated.

"It's okay. Tell me if you don't like it."

She let out a sigh. "Well I really appreciate the gift. But the truth is I hate strong perfume. In fact, I never wear perfume. Only mild cologne and rarely. If you smell something from me, you're definitely smelling my lotion."

"Oh my God. Me too. I hate the smell of that thing. It's too strong," he answered with disgust in his tone.

She looked confused. "What? Then why in the world would you want me to wear it if you hate it?"

He was taken aback by the line of questioning she just threw at her. There was no way he could back this up. She'd be mad if she ignored the question, but she might be mad if she knew the reason, too. Either way, she'll be mad so might as well just tell her. "I'm sorry."

"Sorry for what? You didn't answer my question." Betha's eyebrows collided. She may be starting to get irritated, but it was hard to detect through her voice because she didn't sound condescending, only inquisitive.

Apollo stroke his hair. "Can I tell you later? We haven't even started running and it is Valentine's Day. I don't want to ruin it."

"But I can't wait, Apollo. Tell me now."

He let out a heavy sigh.

"Well?"

"I'm sorry, Betha. I didn't know what to get you. And I've been going out of my mind recently." He paused and stroke his hair again.

"I'm listening." Betha didn't look mad. Instead, she was attentive.

"It's just that every time I'm with you, I have this longing. I mean. I'm a man, Betha. I have desires. We've been together for a while. I mean. It's not that long, but I've always wanted to kiss you. And sometimes, I want to touch you. But I know I can't kiss you. And I can't touch you without kissing you. Or I can't do anything else without kissing you because I want to kiss you every time I'm with you, every time I smell you. So, I thought that maybe if you wore something I hated, I won't be able to think about it and it'll be easier for me." He was out of breath when he said the last sentence.

Betha looked sad and at the same time appreciative of Apollo's effort. He was a man after all. And she wanted to do the same things he wanted. "Apollo…"

Before she could continue to say anything else, he said, "I mean. What is love without a kiss, right?"

Her lonesome face was replaced with a big smile. "You love me?"

"Isn't it obvious?" He said, sounding a bit awkward. "Of course, I do."

"But this is the first time you're saying it."

"I know. I do love you. But we gotta do something about this no-kiss thing or I'll go crazy."

"Okay."

"Let's talk to Leslie, she's the most resourceful person. Even things that couldn't be found in books could be available somewhere and Leslie is the only person who could figure that out."

Betha chuckled. "Okay."

"Okay?"

She nodded. "Okay."

Apollo smiled. "Let's start running then."

"I'll put this inside first. I won't use it, but I'll keep it." Apollo nodded as she smiled and quickly brought the gift inside her place.

She was back in less than a minute and Apollo was surprised to feel a peck on his right cheek. His eyes grew big like an owl's and his jaw seemed locked. "I love you, Apollo," she said.

He almost fainted. "You could've killed me, but can you do that again?"

She kissed him everywhere on his face and he savored that blissful moment. "Who said kissing's only on the lips? I can kiss you all over. Just not here." She brushed her fingers to his lips, and he quivered.

With dreamy eyes, he wet his lips. "I guess I'm fine with that. Now, I think I have all the strength to run."

Betha laughed. "Let's go!" And she did. Apollo followed her, still with his dreamy eyes.