She tends to fall in love with ideas. Occasionally, people. A lot of time with the ideas of people.

Could be due to her professional background or defense mechanism, but she just have to put things in boxes; asses stuffs, ask questions, mapping things, reevaluate— so that she stay grounded and maintain a clear perspective, ensuring her thoughts remain unclouded by narratives that only exist in the back of her head.

They say “if they love you, you’ll know.” She chuckles, “How?”In the textbook, it directs you to question and observe, so here she goes: a written note with at least 50 questions of what she would ask on the first three dates, all memorized.

Observation is a funny phase. How can both parties agree to travel together, yet one party expresses hesitations about (considering) commitment afterward? One party invests thought and keen observation into the other’s preferences, only to discover the other was unaware of her likings or habits. Halfway out, halfway in. Girls' math might be like 'I might lack sufficient data points' or 'This might not be his love language.' Her metrics may be ready, but generosity (re: lack of boundary) might lead her in the wrong direction.

There was time when she dismissed the notion of compatibility. Twin flame? Perhaps. Compatibility? Peculiar. Why should two individuals raised differently share a baseline?

There was time when she kept her guard up while crafting seven chapters of fanciful tales about how the relationship would evolve, just based on whimsical ideas. She believed in the concept of fairy-tale love but remained critical of reality; occasionally struggling to discern the difference.

Then, amid the chaos of her mind and the carefully constructed frameworks, there came a shift when she least expected it, in the moments not defined by checklists or scrutinized gestures.

Moments when not that she asked, but he sensed the unspoken, traced the contours, and always walk the talk with strokes of genuine affection.

"Ah, this is what compatibility means," she learns.

He anticipates her needs before and as she voices them. In those moments, she realizes that true compatibility isn't solely born out of compromise but stems from an innate understanding surpassing preconceived notions. Being empathetic shows real intelligence.

And even with more questions thrown like when she wanted to know, does he see the sun casting its golden glow on her, even among shadows?

when her energy wanes, does he still find her reflection beautiful?

in mundane moments, when solitude weighs heavily on her shoulders, does his love blossom like a quiet, resilient flower?

when vulnerability unveils her true hues, not just the vibrant joy he once fell in love with, does he find beauty in the raw authenticity of her being?

Not that she asked all of the above — and more.

But he answers. Each time.