A DATE WITH A BOY

A DATE WITH A BOY - SILVIA FENECH 

It’s five o’clock in the morning, but you can sleep no more as your first thought, the one that woke you up, reminded you that today is the day you are going to meet HIM! Your heart starts racing out of sheer excitement, your eyes can no longer shut, your legs feel restless… and your happiness is such that you cannot help but smile.

He is so cute - with his blonde and fine hair, his strong muscles, his cool glasses which seem to highlight the blue of his kind expressive eyes… You love him so much! And he surely is the best thing that has happened to you. You are already savouring the happiness that his friendly, warm smile transmits once you get closer to hug him! He might bring you a little flower, which he just picked from the side of the road, as he did the first time you dated him…or as happened the last time you met, he might give you another small piece of paper on which he wrote his feelings for you. All treasures that you keep in your special box, in your room, on your shelf… the little blue box with pink polka dots. Your favourite one.

​He is the person that has understood you best. He is the person who does not complain or tell you to mind your behaviour when you laugh out loud in formal situations… the person who appreciates you for who you are, and enjoys the same food… he is the one who does not care if your language is not always articulated clearly, because he also, at times has the same issues… and he is the one who cries with you when you are sad. Such an amazing person, that you wonder what you did to deserve such a blessing! He chose you! Of all the other beautiful and fascinating girls from your group, he set his eyes and his heart on you, and never turned away. 

The real, deep truth is that you want to marry him, and be able to share the rest of your life with him. There you go… it is all out and clear, now. That is what you would really like to do: wake up in the morning to have breakfast together, share cosy winter evenings in front of a good movie, hold his hand and offer him advice when you see his worried expression, cook together …at the end, aren’t these the things that all couples dream of, and that all your cousins and sister enjoy?

Mum said that it is no easy feat. Dad said that we first need to both find a job before we can even imagine living together. My sister went to live with her boyfriend only one year after they started dating… and John and I have been dating for three years now! We cannot meet freely, as she and her boyfriend used to. We need to wait for our weekly social club, or else we need to ask to accompany our parents to the city centre and while they do the shopping, John and I spend a bit of time on our own, enjoying an ice-cream on a bench, while we watch the ducks in the pond and fill each other in on all the things that happened during our days apart. Nothing extraordinary some would say, but to me, it means the world!! We cannot get our driving licence… so we always need to ask for lifts... Mum said that the social club will soon teach us how to use a bus, so that we can be more independent and, sometimes, meet up without having to ask our parents. My best friend has a driving licence, but we cannot have it, they said.

Anyways, I still want to marry John! That is my greatest desire. The first thought as soon as I open my eyes, and the one that cuddles me to sleep. I told mum yesterday, but her face looked worried. She spoke about the need for other people to be involved and live with us if we get married. She said we might need some help in our everyday chores. I don’t mind if somebody else has to come and help us, in our house, as long as I can stay close to my man.

My parents always spoke to me about this special extra chromosome in my DNA which I and my other friends from the social club have… and I have a feeling that it is the cause of our not being allowed to live alone and to drive, and why we have as yet not found a job. My parents always told me that it is a blessing. It is what has always made me so special from the very beginning… but if this is what is not allowing me to go and live with John, I am not so sure I want to keep it. This is what I told my parents yesterday, when for the millionth time, I asked them when I could go and live with John. My father answered that I will always have my special trait, but that in this world, there are many other people who also have something special, which is maybe like an extra chromosome in their heart. Thanks to them, hopefully, one day, John and I will be able to make our dream come true, because there will always be somebody ready to help us get around, either by offering us a lift or teaching us how to use a bus; help us to find a job and live together. 

I think daddy is right. He has always told me the truth, and I am sure that he will be right this time round, too, but I can’t help but feel frustrated at times.