Your Presence Is My Present

28-year-old unmarried Jack had only one choice to find a life partner: a date. Just a blind date and he could possibly meet the person he'd spend his future with, as his friend had recommended.

Jack had always been a shy guy and had never dated a girl in his entire life. Though he had many crushes on different girls, he never had the courage to tell them. But now, he really needed to take a step forward, or he might spend his whole life alone.

His eyes were telling loudly, that he was nervous. He stood before the cafe, holding a small gift in his hand. It was a box of chocolates. He had bought it for the girl, whom he was going to meet, Emily. He didn't know much about her, but he wanted to make a good impression.

Before entering the cafe he took a deep breath and looked around. He walked into the cafe and sat at a table, waiting for the girl.

He had been looking forward to this moment for days. He hoped she would like him.

A few minutes later, the door opened. Jack looked up. A girl walked in, looking around. She had long brown hair and bright blue eyes. She smiled when she saw him.

"Hello, Are you Jack?" she asked with a soft smile.

Jack smiled back and stood up, "Yes, and you're... Emily."

They shook hands and sat down at the table. Jack didn't forget anything about the past; four years ago they both were in the same class for six months, The English class. And he had a crush on her too. And how could he forget, he still remembered the day he was going to tell her but he did not have enough courage.

They started talking. At first, it was a little awkward for him. He did not know what to say but managed him. Emily seemed quiet too.

They both ordered coffee.

Jack thought for a moment. He thought, "She must have forgotten me, and it is obvious, that four years had passed, but she used to sit next to me. Though I never talked to her and always tried to hide myself before her."

“Should I tell her? Or should I pretend like a stranger?”

Emily asked, "So, what do you do for a living Jack?"

Jack blinked, pulling himself out of his thoughts. He had been staring at his coffee, wondering whether he should bring up the past or keep the conversation light. Emily's question gave him a chance to continue the conversation.

"I... I have a bookstore. It's not an exciting job, but it pays the bills.'

Emily smiled. "That sounds interesting to me because I love reading."

Jack felt comfortable. He said, "It's not glamorous, but I like it. What about you?"

"I work at a small IT company." She said.

As they continued talking, the conversation started to flow more naturally. The initial awkwardness faded away, replaced interests and easy smiles.

Jack began to relax, and he noticed Emily seemed more comfortable too. She wasn't as quiet as he had been when they first sat down.

Jack took a deep breath and decided it was time. He couldn't hold it in anymore.

He was going to say it and at that moment, Emily said, "Jack I want to tell you something that I can't hold inside me anymore now."

"Jack, you have forgotten that four years ago we were in the same English Learning class, and we used to sit together."

Jack looked up in surprise, his heart racing. Emily's words hit him like a cold wave. He had been about to reveal the same thing, but here she was, saying first.

"Wait," Jack said, blinking. "You remember? I... I was thinking about telling you that too."

Emily smiled, her eyes sparkling with a mix of surprise and amusement.

She said, “How could I forget? You were the best student in the class, you always sat in the back corner, I had tried to talk to you many times, but you always ignored me.”

Jack felt a sudden rush of warmth. "I remember that," he said quietly. "I wanted to talk to you so many times, but I just... I never had the courage."

Emily smiled softly, "I always thought you were a bit shy, I liked your quiet nature."

Jack chuckled nervously. "I was too afraid of saying something wrong. I always thought you were way out of my league."

Jack's heart skipped a beat. He had spent years wondering if Emily had ever noticed him if she had even given him a second thought. And here she was, telling him she had felt the same way all along.

"Wow," Jack said, trying to collect his thoughts. "All this time, I thought you never noticed me."

Emily shook her head. "I didn't notice you. I always wondered why you never spoke up."

For a moment, they both sat in silence, the weight of the past hanging in the air between them. Jack felt like he finally understood everything.

Jack said, "I was a big stupid then, Emily now please forgive me for those days, and let's start our journey with a new beginning."

Giving the chocolate box to Emily, he said, "It is a small gift as an acceptance of my apology."

Emily took the box. She looked at the chocolates, then up at Jack, her expression softening. "You don't need to apologize, Jack," she said gently. "I understand now. And I'm glad we're having his conversation."

"Thank you," he said quietly. "For being so understanding."

She nodded."Thank you for finally speaking up, Jack."

She opened the box.

“Jack, you're so sweet! You brought a present for me, but I have nothing to give you in return.”

"Your presence is my present," he said.

"Hey, you remember it, the teacher used to say it always in class”

They both laughed and enjoyed the taste of chocolate. He felt it was the sweetest chocolate he had ever tasted.