On her way inside, Nami was met with the dirty dishes piled high in the sink. She hated seeing a mess so disregarding them till morning was out of the question.
Thanks to Luffy, there were no leftovers. She scraped the bones in the nearby bin and hummed a happy tune. Water filled the sink and she set to work. When she came upon Luffy's plate, she huffed a sigh and shook her head with a smile. It was licked clean. If he liked her cooking that much, she wouldn't mind cooking for him again. She just needed the opportunity.
Now that the kitchen was spick and span, Nami turned the lights off and checked in on Nojiko. For some reason her lights were still on. To her surprise, she found her up playing games on her phone.
Her sister looked up as if Goda had sent her an angel.
"Can you get me a glass of water?"
She tried her luck but it wasn't working and Nami leaned against the door frame with folded arms.
"Please?" Nojiko rolled her eyes.
That's more like it.
When Nami returned, Nojiko had out a deck of cards and without question Nami secured a spot on her bed and got comfortable. She loved a good card game especially when there was money involved.
"Whatever happened to going to bed?"
Nojiko shrugged, "Changed my mind." She lifted the cup to her lips, " Thanks for this by the way."
"No problem."
Nami looked through her cards and thought about the best possible way to win her $40 back. If she could win more that would be divine.
"So remember when I said that I would take a gap year after school?"
"Yeah?"
"I've decided to find a job."
Nami's eyebrows disappeared into her hairline.
"What about college?"
Nojiko had decent grades but she didn't want to be chained to school any longer. High school was great and all but she wasn't the biggest fan of homework and exams etc.
"You know me better than that, Nami. My plan is to save up enough money to one day buy a plot of land to help mum with the orchard she's always dreamed about."
Nami grinned. Never thought her sister was the type to plan ahead.
"Mum has no idea. I want it to be a surprise."
"That's great, Nojiko. Is that what you really want to do?"
Her sister never talked much about dreams or aspirations. She was a more go-with-the-flow kind of gal.
"I love mum's oranges more than anything and other people ought to know what real oranges taste like. Not that crap they sell in the stores. Her oranges will be famous. Mark my words. I don't mind sharing mum's dream. I know it'll take some time..."
"But you'll get there," said Nami and Nojiko beamed, grateful for the push.
She took another sip and watched Nami play another winning hand. However, she had no reason to fear. She was sick of waiting. It was about time her sister spilled the beans.
"How was it?"
"How was what?" Nami stopped and looked up from the cards she gathered.
"The sex."
Nojiko wished she had a video camera seeing Nami swallow hard and her skin was void of colour. She wasn't breathing and her eyes were wide and unmoving. The thought of money went straight out the window. She couldn't believe her ears.
"Wha-t?"
"Lat night something felt off. So when I went to check on you, you were gone. It was pretty late too. You didn't even walk with your phone. You were with Luffy, weren't you? Last thing I remembered you saying his dad was out of town. So how was it?"
Nojiko smirked. She had Nami in the spotlight. It wasn't everyday you would see Nami losing her cool. Not like this.
"Does mum know?"
"No."
Nami deflated in relief.
"Not yet," said Nojiko almost laughing seeing her poor sister stiffen back up again.
"So?"
"Nothing happened."
Nojiko frowned. She couldn't tell if she was lying or not.
"Honestly?"
"Honestly."
"So what really happened?"
"We went over to his place, spoke a bit and ended up falling asleep."
"You expect me to believe that?"
"I'm telling you the truth and besides, Luffy isn't interested in things like that."
"Did you guys talk about it?"
"Not exactly..."
i
i
About a month ago...
Luffy, Nami and the rest of the gang were all hanging out at Sanji's place. It was the place to be for obvious reasons.
On that day and to no surprise, the cook and the swordsman got into an argument. Zoro accused Sanji of being pathetic. According to him, the cook was obsessed with women and still hadn't lost his V-card. Sanji offended and embarrassed grabbed the swordsman by the shirt and a fight ensued. Now that the topic of sex was in the air, everyone quieted down and looked Luffy and Nami's way.
Sanji was first. He deemed Luffy to be a lucky bastard through and through. With a lit cigarette between his lips he said, "Nami-san, if Luffy is forcing you to do anything you don't want to do..."
Nami's peeled away from her plate of double chocolate cheesecake. "Eh?"
"What are you talking about Sanji," Luffy asked.
It was evident the idiot couple didn't follow.
Zoro was the one who revived the topic of relations and Nami nearly chocked on her fork full or cake.
Luffy tilted his head and placed a hand under his chin in deep thought.
Nami swore her heart was stuck in her throat.
"Haven't you guys done it already," asked Usopp.
"Nope."
Luffy reached for Nami's cake. He ate his a long time ago and wanted more. Out of everyone in the room, it was she who got the biggest slice. Nami however smacked his hands away with her fork.
He of course missed his friend's gaping stares.
"Why not? You guys have been together for how long now?" Usopp counted his fingers. Luffy and Nami had been together for almost a year now. Some couples wouldn't last a week before doing the deed.
"I'm not interested in stuff like that. Are you Nami?"
Nami felt the stares. "Not really."
"It's Luffy we're talking about here, you guys," said Zoro.
Everyone agreed. All their days knowing Luffy, he showed zero interest in women like that. Treated all the same regardless of what they had lurking in their pants.
"One day though." Everyone twisted their necks. "Stuff like that is for when you get married, right? So I'll wait till then."
"Marriage is just a construct, Luffy. Not many people go that route nowadays." For some reason Zoro was super talkative that day.
"Yeah. They just do it."
"Why?" Luffy folded his arms. He really wanted to know.
Sanji helped him out. Chopper in the mean time was coming back from the bathroom. The oblivious future doctor ignored the tension in the room and ran over to savour the rest of the cake he asked Usopp to guard with his life. The reunion was sweet.
"Some do it because it feels good or because of uncontrolled passion."
"Marriage is old school. To some, it's just a piece of paper. The world is a lot more free now than it was years ago."
"But isn't marriage a commitment? A promise to share life together, going through highs and lows. I think it's important so for that reason I'll wait."
They couldn't argue with that.
i
i
"So you're telling me that nothing happened?"
"That's what I've been saying this whole time."
"You swear?"
"I swear on my life."
"But you wanted to."
"I don't know what you're talking about?"
Nojiko raised a brow. Her sister's response was faster than the speed of light. She saw something change in Nami's eyes and the minute she broke eye contact Nojiko had her figured out.
"I saw how you guys looked at each other tonight. You especially. Guess that saving yourself for marriage thing isn't working out for you, huh?"
As expected, Nami took her leave and slammed the door on her way out. Not that Nojiko cared. Pushing her sister's buttons was her job and she laid back on her pillow and resumed her game for a job well done.
i
i
i
Nami stomped her way to the bathroom, clogged the tub, turned on the hot water and dumped it with bath salts. She was initially going to have a shower but in light of what just took place, she wanted to relax and boy did it do wonders.
Once her hair had been blow dried, Nami tied it loosely in a bun and laid on her side staring at the wall. She tossed and turned only to flick back on the lights. Sleep refused to steal the show and Nami felt her bad mood returning ten fold.
i
i
Luffy's eyes hooded awake and he dragged his ringing phone off his nightstand.
"Luffy?"
"Hi Nami."
"Did I wake you?"
Luffy yawned. "Yeah. But that's okay." One glance at his clock indicated that it was pushing 12:00am. Nami didn't usually call so late.
"Sorry about that. It's just that I can't sleep."
"Well let's talk then."
"About what?"
"Anything."
"Okay." Luffy heard the smile in her voice and he sat at the edge of his bed with a smile of his own. Almost bittersweet.
"I spoke with my daad tonight. We rarely get to talk so I'm glad he takes the time out even though he's busy all the time."
"You really look up to your dad, huh Luffy?"
"Yeah."
"What did you guys talk about?"
"His trip. He brought back a bunch of snacks so I'll give you guys some. He said that I can share. I don't think there's a place in the world my dad hadn't been to, Nami."
"I bet he has the coolest stories."
"He does but most of the times it's work related."
Luffy rambled on and on but Nami was content with hearing his voice again.
"I want to talk to you about something important, Luffy." Nami bit her lip. "Is tomorrow okay?"
Though tomorrow is never promised, Nami woke up well rested with a smile tattooed on her face. Daylight, sun and the sound of birds leaked in her room and she kicked off her covers and began her routine. One glance at her chosen outfit for the day was all the push she needed. Her mental list was to make the bed, eat breakfast,get ready for the day ahead then last but no least: Luffy.
i
i
Monkey D. Luffy stood outside his house and after checking his phone for the fifth time, his vision went black. Someone had their hands covering his eyes and Luffy snickered. He didn't have to guess who it was. Was super impressed she was able to sneak up on him like that.
He turned to her grinning face and a beam of cuteness shot right through his heart.
"Morning Nami."
Her arms cirss crossed around his shoulders and she gave him two pecks on the lips taking Luffy completely by surprise.
"Morning."
She released a low giggle at his surprise and before attempting to steal another, he heisted her up. Her legs found themselves around his waist and Nami's sandaled feet dangled in the air.
"Put me down, Luffy."
"No."
"You can't be serious. What if somebody sees us?" She looked around frantically. Coincidently, there was no one in sight but still.
Luffy's hold loosened and Nami gasped and crossed her legs around his hips.
"If you try dropping me again, you're dead."
Her boyfriend cocked a brow and as soon as Nami realized the tango they were in she snorted and laughed.
He tried again to grind her gears and Nami all giddy laughed even more.
"Stop."
Through her happy tears, Nami caught Luffy's eyes on her mouth and with nothing to lose, she gave him what he wanted and kissed him.
"You're the biggest idiot that ever lived." Her lips connected with his again. "Do you know that?"
"Yeah."
She kissed the stupid smile off his face and without planning too, it deepened. Nami moaned softly and shuddered at the feel of Luffy's parted lips gliding smoothly over hers.
Their ears filled with the smacking so much so that they didn't even know exactly when and how long they got company.
A sound clearing of throat broke the spell and Nami and Luffy pulled away. He was unfazed and she on the other hand wanted to die.
"Hi guys. What are you doing here?"
"We wanted to surprise you with a soccer game in the park," said Usopp displaying his ball.
Sanji was off to the side disgruntled and tried with great difficulty to get his lighter to work. His last cancer stick fell out his mouth earlier in shock.
"Is it okay to look now?" asked Chopper and Zoro gave him the A-OK.
He could not believe those two idiots did that in broad daylight. That is what closed doors were for, for crying out loud!
"Nami and I were on our way there. Let's go!"
Speaking of Nami. Luffy did a 180 degree turn so everyone could see her but she hid behind her hand.
"We can still see you, Nami," Usopp teased, "You guys must have been super happy to see each other, huh?"
'Shishishishishi'
Again, Nami wanted to die.
At the park, Nami took a seat on one of the benches and watched as the guys decided on who was going to take on the various roles in the game.
Luffy suddenly looked her way and jogged over to join her. She regarded him quizzically; he was wearing the headband she gave him.
"You said you wanted to talk about something important?"
"After the game."
"No. You can tell me now."
Nami saw the guys start without him.
"Did you tell them?"
"Yeah, I did."
Nami smiled to herself. Here she was thinking that he forgot.
"You know coming September, I'll be in my final year of High School. Then when the year is done, I'll graduate and will begin my time at Weatheria University.
"I know."
"Do you remember the day I went to visit my mum's friend?"
"No."
"It was the day we shared our first kiss."
Luffy remembered now. And he smiled knowingly and scratched the back of his head.
"Well she agreed to let me stay with her and her husband. Her name is Lola. That's a five hour drive from here and once I get on my feet, I'll find a part-time job and would be able to rent my own place for the rest of my time left at Weatheria.
Luffy looked at her curiously.
"What I'm trying to say Luffy, is that... this next chapter of my life is very important to me."
"So all I have to do is support you."
Nami's eyes slowly widened and stung. To say she was at a loss for words was an understatement.
As reassuring as his words, Luffy took her hand and tugged her over to play with everyone. She didn't plan on participating but they all had the time of their lives.
Moments like this, with the guys, with Luffy, Nami wanted them to last. She made a family of them and loved each very, very much.
Although their time left together was short, Nami badly didn't want it to end.
To be continued...
