So the story went on like that, ever since I started playing the dating app and swiped right on a match a pretty boy, short wavy hair, sprawled on his bed, eyes half-lidded, not like he meant to take the photo at all but more like Sleeping Beauty waiting for a prince's kiss.
At first I didn't get it. I typed messages but never got a single reply. Thought maybe he was talking to someone else and almost gave up.
But then, out of nowhere, came blurry, cropped, messy photos sent to me every single day.
I even showed them to Grandma.
And so our strange, undefined "something" dragged on for months. I liked the guy's profile from the very first glance, but not rushing into being boyfriends, not forcing love too fast that made it feel pure, romantic, good. At least for someone patient like me.
One day, Grandma got so sick she couldn't be cared for at home anymore had to stay under the doctors' watch.
The loneliness, the ache, the free time… it all added up. And somehow I don't even know how—a location got shared from that dog. Yeah, the dog. Don't ask me how. But suddenly I had his house pin.
So I bought flowers, got in the car, and drove.
Stood outside the gate forever before I dared to press the bell. First time in my life doing anything like this. My heart was hammering, thump-thump-thump.
Through the not-so-high white fence I scanned the yard: a small one-story house, fruit trees about three meters tall, some space for dogs to run.
Grass a little overgrown, though.
Crrrk—Squeeeak…
The door inside creaked open. I flinched, tightened my grip on the bouquet.
…Huh? A dog.
But not just any dog a big fluffy Siberian husky, just like the ones Grandma loved. Fierce face, long fur, cool as hell.
Was it gonna bite me?
Woof!
Nope. It barked in greeting. Despite the looks, its vibe was goofy, just like Grandma's favorite videos.
It was the only one coming out, no human in sight. Which meant…
"Booboo? Booboo, is that you? Remember me Kind, the guy who sends you pictures every day?"
My brain clicked the pieces together fast. I whipped out my phone, opened the chat filled with nothing but pictures, and showed it to the dog.
Anyone passing by would think I'd lost it.
But me? I liked this big dumb husky more than anything right then.
The black-and-white dog stared at the phone like it understood and then it did something that floored me even more.
It used its front paws, neat and quick, to unlock and swing open the front gate. Like a person.
…Being invited inside by a dog, that's not too weird, right?
I followed it in. Didn't even need to touch the gate myself.
The house was plain, barely decorated. In the living room: one TV, one long black sofa—
and sticking out from the far end, a pair of pale, slender feet.
Thump-thump-thump-thump!
My heart kicked back into overdrive. This house didn't just have a smart dog.
That was him. The one from the photos.
I crept closer, every step slow. The roses in my hand slick with sweat.
Gulp.
I swallowed so loud Booboo turned to look at me.
Could you blame me? The guy on the couch he was in home clothes I'd never seen. Normally in the pics he was always in pajamas, proper top and bottom.
But now? Just a baggy oversized shirt, hanging low, neckline wide enough to show… pink tips.
And when I first saw those pale legs I thought, holy shit, did he forget to wear pants?
But no it was boxers, just hitched up high on his thighs.
He lay there so still, but my heart nearly burst out of my chest.
Thud!
Booboo smacked his paw right down on the guy's head, hair scattering everywhere.
I froze, wide-eyed. Not used to violence like that.
But these two? Looked like it was normal. Maybe it just meant they were close. Really close.
…