4 years and 9 months of being together made him sure that she is "The One." Yes, he knew it in his heart that somehow they are meant to be together.

Ryan always finds it unfair that Jasmine wouldn't even give him a kiss. Not insulting, he was too understanding for that. Just...unfair. Besides, they have been together for almost 5 years.

"It's just a kiss, sweety." He would say.
"Every couple we know is doing it." He would add after seeing that the look on her face didn't change.

They met at school. They were high school's beloved sweethearts. Even during those age of raging hormones, hot girls weren't his cup of tea. He just isn't that kind of guy. Back when almost all the girls change boyfriends like they change clothes, Jasmine just sits there and reads her books. The cute, sweet, conservative bookworm caught his eyes. She's the kind of girl a guy would proudly bring home to his mom. Boy did he fall for her. And as luck would have it, she was head-over-heels in love with him too.

Perfect, just perfect. Almost. Turns out she is really conservative--inside out. Over the years they were together she has managed to keep her head above her shoulders and ruled out anything beyond holding her hands. This he obeyed patiently. Everyone they knew thought they were the perfect couple, for her loyalty and heart and him for his understanding. Yes, she was almost perfect, they were almost perfect, except maybe for their petty squabbles about that single kiss she wasn't prepared to give.

He couldn't even kiss her on the cheeks. Ryan was getting tired of being a 'good guy' and just holding her hand. He is a man after all.

4 years and 9 months with his first (and hopefully last) real girlfriend without his first real kiss. Impossible? Not. And so a few months before celebrating their 5th year, he found himself in a party with the old crowd, tipsy and having the time of his life, kissing, technically making out with Georgina the hottest girl in high school.

Too bad he forgot Jasmine was also invited. Even his heart was broken when he saw her teary eyed just standing behind them. He won't forget that moment, that look she gave him. Was she hysterical? No. She was calm so he wasn't prepared for what happened next.

She slowly walked forward, leaned and kissed him. At last, he got what he wanted. That single kiss. Only, he wish she didn't. He knew she wasn't ready. On top of it all, she felt her pain. It seemed like forever. When he opened his eyes, she was smiling, bitterly and said, "You got what you want. Now we're over."

It took him that to realize it wasn't just a kiss. It wasn't about playing hard-to-get and playing conservative. It wasn't just about love. It was about loyalty, patience and respect.

It was 4 years and 9 months since he last saw her. Seeing her again since that fateful day reminded him that she was the one. The one who got away.