Penny stopped the car on Koothrappali's street. She opened the package Leonard gave her before leaving and put on the heart-shaped locket that was inside. She let her hand linger on it for a few seconds and sighed. She knew that inside was a picture of Leonard yet she did not feel like opening it. She was on the verge of crying when her phone started vibrating.
"Oh, this is from Leonard, he is ready for boarding." In a lower voice she added, "Gosh, how I miss him already."
Then she turned to me. "Sheldon Sweetie, I have to go check on Raj for a sec, I just wanna make sure he is fine after what happened yesterday. Please wait for me in here, I won't be long."
"All right, Penny but don't be too long, I have to be home by 7pm, you know tonight is laundry night."
She headed towards Koothrappali's house. I could tell by the tone of her voice that she was on the edge of crying. I never thought I'd say that, but I understand her feelings. Leonard, her boyfriend, who also happens to be my best friend and roommate, just left for Europe for 4 months. Leonard is going there for a research trip on the North Sea with Stephen Hawking's team. I can't help but feel jealous, yet at the same time I am somewhat very proud of him. Despite my constant teasing, I know he deserves it because he is very good at what he does; even though his field of work is only in Experimental Physics. But overall the thing is I am going to miss Leonard. He is my best friend, my roommate, my main confidant. Four months alone in our apartment is going to be quite an ordeal for me. But I know him, and I am quite sure that he asked Penny to keep an eye on me. And I intend to keep an eye on her too. Now that she and Leonard have definitely grown closer, that trip has arrived at the worst of times for them. Oddly enough, I can understand it now that Amy and I have finally reached a new milestone in our relationship. I cannot even fathom what it would be like for me if Amy were to leave, even for a short period of time.
I met Amy exactly three years ago, in the weirdest circumstances. Indeed, if I had been told that some day, I would have to thank both a hidden dirty sock and an online dating site (and both Koothrappali and Wolowitz for that matter) for meeting my perfect mate, I would have never believed it. But no matter the circumstances, there is now an Amy Farrah Fowler in my life.
I cannot explain clearly what happened when we first met, but for some reason it clicked immediately between us, as it had never before with anyone in my whole life. And from that moment on, all the things that I took for granted began to change bit by bit. I had grown accustomed to the idea that there was no one like me in this world. I had never felt the need for female companionship, so I went to that coffee place that day with no expectations at all-the very reason my meeting with Amy was such a shock. Against all odds, after the first few words we exchanged, I felt the need to invite Amy for a drink; I had to know more about her. We talked for hours at that table. Then we exchanged our phone numbers and we kept text messaging each other on our way back home. For the next four months, we emailed, tweeted, and texted. And that is how it all started between us.
Amy and I share a unique connection. Her intellect is on a par with mine and we were at first equally repulsed by social or physical interactions, which has changed a bit as Amy is getting more and more comfortable in that area. Until now, my relationship with Amy has been moving forward at a pace that I am quite comfortable with- most of the time. But I think it has been a little too slow for Amy. Though, she is constantly waiting for me to be ready for the next move and I am very grateful to her for that. For a long time, I claimed endlessly that Amy was just a girl who is a friend until one day, I realized that I might be losing Amy to another man if I kept on refusing the obvious; the obvious being that I had feelings for Amy and wanted her to be my girl, and no one else's. And from that day on, I have not entirely dismissed the idea of adding a physical aspect in our relationship in the future. Firstly because I know that is what she wants. And secondly, because I am not that sure anymore that I am opposed to the very idea.
"Sheldon! You will never guess what just happened!" Penny was finally back at the car along with Raj. The dark streaks running from her eyes down to her cheeks obviously indicate she had been crying, but at the moment she was the opposite as she sported a grin. She sat behind the wheel, and an emotional Koothrappali sat next to her.*
"Good evening Rajesh. Penny, if you think I will never guess, it is pointless for me to try, isn't it?" I replied, still distracted by my own thoughts and definitely not in the mood to play games with Penny.
"Raj can talk to me! With no booze! We have to go back to my place; I sent a message to the girls to meet them there, so we'll see if he can only talk to me or to all of us! I did not tell them why though, so please Sheldon, don't say anything to Amy before she gets to my apartment."
"I hope it works with all women! But I like the idea that you were the first one, Penny!" Raj said.
Look at Koothrappali. He has now solved a lifelong issue that has been crippling him in the relationship department. How I wish my own issues could be solved. All I want is to be a normal boyfriend to Amy.