73 days. It had been 73 days with me and Danish dating. And those 73 days were filled with nothing but happiness, laughter, sweetness, warm hugs, Whoopee dates, movie nights and no kisses. Yeah, no kisses as I was still a bit dubious about it. But the thought of his lips on mine was enough to build a foreign feeling down there...

Danish was the sweetest, romantic and also the most annoying guy I had ever met. The way he ruffled my hair, pinched my cheeks, bopped my nose, hugged me from behind and kissed my cheeks despite my death glares, the way he found time for me... Also, I got a new nickname. Sunflower. Saying I was not his shorty anymore and that I brought positivity in his life, I became his sunflower. Under the cringing, I obscured a smile whenever he called me Sunflower. I liked it.

As days passed, I was coming out of my cocoon and became comfortable with expressing my feelings. I now hummed to Danish calling me baby, that brought a smile on his face. I didn't hesitate to hold his hands in public and tell anyone that asked that we were dating. My phobia didn't come as a hindrance between me and Danish anymore.

He even tried making me call my mom saying that it was not good to hold a grudge against the one who gave me birth. He said that she deserved a second chance nevertheless, as she was feeling bad about not being there for her only daughter. But me being the me, always stopped him from talking some sense into my thick fucking skull. 

I knew that Danish was absolutely right about it but the thought of calling my mom just because someone said so and not because I felt from within appeared nonsensical to me. I didn't turn my nose up at him. I had interpreted what he said and stored it in my system, which made me make the decision that I would call my mom one day. Danish didn't say anything related to my dad as he disliked him, just like me.

Danish was with me, giving strength to break down the wall completely and making sure that I would never ever think of building it up again. He had seen all sides of me. He had seen my lowest of lows and highest of highs. All it took for him was 73 days to read me like an open book. Well, it was because I let him, as I trusted Danish wholeheartedly. 

It wasn't easy for me to trust him as I did. Every night, after bidding goodbyes and receiving a red heart emoji, I would ask myself whether I deserved this. I would stay awake till the clock struck three or past with a duvet over my head, thinking about this love, this affection, this care and this guy. Everything seemed so unreal to me because Danish was just too good to be true.

Everytime I saw him, let it be in flesh and blood or virtually, I feel charged and euphoric. He would shoo away the dark heavy cloud that lingered above my head and replaced it with rays of hope, compassion and love. Giving me space and time, he never failed to put a smile on my face and to be there for me when I needed him. I had been single for an awfully long time because of my phobia. And when I was overcoming that fear, I had a guy that any girl would wish for. I had Danish Rivera with me. 

I'm falling for him, falling deep and hard.

I'm in love with him.

I love Danish. 

Other than us, many things happened within 73 days. Lily's dad finally called asking about her and their unborn grandchild and they even paid her a visit. They met Andrew and were happy with their daughter's choice. Her parents suggested she should move in with Andrew, but since Andrew had to go to work and would only return in the evening, Lily and Andrew said that it was best if she continued staying with us. Lily was now 5 months pregnant and her baby bump showed up, so she opted for studying from home. Andrew visited her daily and they were already a family. 

Zinnia moved on from Amy. And all thanks to Sandra for helping her, being there for her. And talking about Sandra, she got that job of data entry operator at Mr. Rivera's company. It was a decent job that paid her enough to pay her bills. Finally, my prayers were being heard as I could see a small spark between Zinnia and Sandra. 

»»---------------------►

"Hang this over there," I said, handing over a folded printed banner to one of my classmates by pointing at the arc. 

My department was hosting a film fest and I was the coordinator. It had been hectic with studying, being the editor of college newspaper and the fest. There were some last minute preparations but my bad luck decided to strike at that time as half of my class decided to bail on us. But Danish was there to alter my misfortune into devil's own luck by helping me and my friends out. He was actively present all the time, along with a few from his class he called, and helped us in setting the seal on last preps. 

"Baby, can you help me?"

I turned around and saw Danish with long black and red satin strips tangled. He was struggling to get his hands out of those strips that were loosely tied. I chuckled at his state and beckoned him with two fingers to come closer. 

"Such a klutz," I said, undoing the knots. 

"Oh, you're the one to talk! The one who still waits for her boyfriend to wipe off the coffee mustache," he retorted to which I laughed. 

After untying and freeing him from the knot, I said, "Dan, thanks for helping us out. I was really worried about the programme when I came here this morning and found out that half of the douchebags of my classmates decided not to show their ass up."

Danish smiled and came closer. Taking my hands in his, he said, "I know you were stressed as fuck and that's why me and my friends decided to help you guys. The rule of only journalism students can do all the work is just bullshit. Don't worry, you guys aren't alone. You aren't alone, Elka."

I smiled as he gave me a long kiss on my forehead, making my blood run all the way to my cheeks that formed a tint of scarlet. We turned our heads hearing a cough from the side and spotted Clay that had a smile plastered on his face. 

"Lovebugs, later. We are in a crisis!" he exclaimed to which we laughed. 

"Shut the fuck up, you hypocrite! I saw you sucking the sweet life out of Amy when Elka told you to set out the entry tickets," Danish threw back. 

"What?" I asked to which Clay became nervous. 

"Uhmm...I have to go, some preps. Bye," he said and vanished into thin air. 

"Ok. I have some things to take care of. The programme will start any time soon. I'll see you later," I said to which Danish smiled and nodded his head.

"See you later, sunflower."

»»---------------------►

Around 4pm, after two shows, day one of three of the film fest was over. It went really well, more than I expected it to be. Teachers appreciated me and my crew telling me it was very well organized. Thanks to Danish and his friends who showed a big heart to help us at the last moment!

As I came from my classroom, I saw Danish waiting for me at the college entrance, his bag slinging on his shoulder and hands tucked inside the pockets. As soon as he saw me, he opened his arms and welcomed me into a tight hug. 

"I'm so proud of you, baby. The programme was amazing and so was your welcome speech," he said after retreating from the hug. 

"Thanks," I said, smiling to which he pinched my cheeks. 

We walked towards the parking lot and saw Zinnia waiting for me along with Amy near my car. As I was about to walk towards them, one of my teachers called me from behind and motioned to go near her. Saying that I would join them, Danish walked towards Zinnia and Amy while I went to my teacher, who handed me a file of paperwork that should undergo some editing. Internally rolling my eyes, I collected the file from her. 

My steps towards my car were halted as a voice called me from behind, again. I turned around and saw Clay with a woman that was smiling brightly. They closed the gap between us, standing in front of me whilst I looked at the woman and returned a smile. 

"Elka, this is my sister, Candice," Clay introduced her as she extended her arm out for a handshake. 

"Nice to meet you, Elka. Have heard a lot about you," she said and looked at Clay to which he rolled his eyes at her. 

I chuckled seeing him before saying, "Hi, nice to meet you too."

"She came from the USA yesterday. She said she wanted to say hi," Clay said to which I nodded and smiled at her. 

"You study there?" I asked.

"Yeah. I am doing Masters in Philosophy."

"Wow, that's nice. You were there from the first year?"

"No, I graduated from Whitecliff University in Auckland and then joined A.T University in the USA."

"Whitecliff in Auckland? Danish was there for seven months," I said as I remembered the university name.

"Danish?" Candice asked. 

"Yeah, my boyfriend."

"Oh, I knew a Danish when I was there. He was a freshman when I was a junior," she said.

"Oh, really? Then you may know him. Wait I'll call him," I said as I turned around and called Danish. 

I saw him walking towards me smiling but his steps slowed and smile dropped as his eyes fell on Candice. He walked closer to me reluctantly and this didn't go unnoticed by me. Candice looked at Danish with a frown between her brows, which made me and Clay frown as well. 

"Dan, this is Candice, Clay's sister and Candice, this is Danish, my boyfriend," I introduced them to each other. "She was in your college at Auckland. Have you seen her?" I asked Danish to which he shook his head while looking somewhere else. 

His actions were so weird that made me lose my grip around his waist.

"But I know you, Danish Rivera," Candice said, making me look at her. "I know you very well. Well, who doesn't?"

I looked at her and then at Clay who was also shook like me, making us on par. I didn't even have the slightest clue of what was happening as Candice was shooting daggers at him while Danish avoided those by looking everywhere except me and her. 

"Elka, I think it's time to go," he said, taking my hands in his and ready to take leave. 

"Ye-yeah, ok. Candice, it was nice meeting you." 

"You too, Elka. Stay safe and be happy. You deserve the best," she said, smiling at me and taking a glance at Danish again. 

Danish tucked me to which I nodded my head and went with him towards my car. 

From college to home, all I could think was about the expression on Candice's face when she saw Danish and his weird actions. It was evident that he was nervous and fidgety when he came face to face with Candice. 

"I know you very well. Well, who doesn't?"

Her words kept nagging my mind all the way home, making Zinnia's blabbering inaudible. 

Is Danish hiding something from me? Something I must know about him?

You just made the worst mistake
And you'll regret it, darling
'Cause once you give and then you take
You'll only end up wanting