“How is my baby girl?”

Johann asked Janine with the widest smile he could give. That certain kind of smile that even though you’re not in the best mood of the day, you will be. You have no choice but to be.

Janine smiled back as she fixed her earphones and positioned her iPad in a better angle. Yes. Johann is not in Korea. He’s abroad to finish his Master’s Degree in Architecture. He was there for a year and he is expected to come back home after another year.

It was hard – being in a long-distance relationship but Janine and Johann are doing everything to make it work. It’s pure hard work but every simple sacrifice is worth it.

Maybe Absence really makes the heart grow fonder.

And that’s why even with each passing day that they are away from each other, their heart and love for each other is not wavered. They are sure about it.

“I’m good.” Janine replied. “I just miss you.” She added, smiling.

Johann smiled softly. It was not as wide as his while moments ago because he somehow feels sad that he’s not there for his girl. And he misses her too. More than Janine’s even known.

“I missed you too.” Johann told her. “Do you want me to fly now and get to your side?” He asked sweetly. On second thought, he would. He would do everything for Janine.

He believes that she is his destiny. He worked his ass out just to make Janine his. Of course, she is his destiny!

Johann courted her and her parents who are in the province. He used up a lot of effort just to make her parents agree to make him her boyfriend. He almost ate fire because Janine’s parents are strict when it comes to love lives. Especially since they were still in college that time. Janine’s parents want her to study hard and avoid all distractions available.

Johann was one big distraction. He knows that. But he did everything just to make Janine and her parents agree. He promised to himself that he would never be a distraction for Janine. In fact, he was influenced by Janine. Ever since he became her boyfriend, he always has study sessions with her. Whenever there are big exams coming up, they would study together even though they are not in the same course. He was in Architecture. Janine was in Business Administration.

When he comes to think of it, there are a lot of differences between him and Janine.

He came from a well-off family. Janine’s not that poor but she was not that rich too. Her parents own two fishing ships in Busan. Johann’s parents own an estate company.

He likes to party. But he stopped 3 years back when he started dating her because he didn’t want her to get mad at him for partying. For that, he didn’t just make Janine happy – even his parents. Janine’s a good influence to him. That’s why his parents like her that much.

“Why are you not prepping for school yet?” Janine asked him.

The annoying thing about this long-distance relationship is time. Janine’s in Korea. Johann’s in New York. And there’s 13 hour difference.

When Janine’s sleeping, Johann’s going to school. When Johann’s home from school, Janine’s going to work.

They never had a long talking time together. They only have weekends. When Janine’s off and Johann’s got no class.

However it is working. At least there is still communication.

That’s what Janine’s being worried of.

What if they can’t talk to each other in a day? It would kill her. It would make her paranoid. Who knows how hot those girls in New York are? What if he sees some pretty girls there and decided to leave her for them?

No! That can’t happen.

That’s why no matter how hard it is, Janine’s trying to still look pretty for him. Even though he tells her that she’s beautiful no matter how she looked, she still puts effort on her beauty. She should and she couldn’t fall behind those hot New Yorkers.

“My class is in 3 hours.” Johann replied and smiled. “I woke up early just to talk to you longer.” He beamed.

Janine smiled widely. When Johann is like this, she couldn’t help but want him to come back home now. As in this instant. But she knows, he couldn’t. And she couldn’t tell him to come back soon because that’s not what a good girlfriend should do.

No matter what happens, she should always support him. It’s his dream. She should never hold him back from what he wants.

“Stupid.” Janine beamed back. “You should be resting though. I know you’re stressed out in school.” She told him in all honesty.

For Janine, it’s fine if she’s the one who would effort more. It’s alright if she’s the one who does more in this relationship. Because in the first place, she was willing to do everything for Johann.

Johann has never done anything to her but to be perfect. When they were still in college, Johann would always walk her to class even though his building is at the other end of the campus. He would always pick her up and drop her off if he could. He would always give her surprises even at ordinary days.

Johann is the perfect boyfriend any girl could wish for.

Gentleman, sweet and caring. Johann has all that. And he’s sincere. When he tells you he likes you, he really does. When he tells you he would do anything for you, he really would.

That’s Kim Johann. A man with a word of honor.

“I am stressed, I must admit.” Johann replied and Janine narrowed her eyes on him. “But when I see you, every stressor disappears.” He beamed at her.

Janine paused for a moment and blushed. Even with those 3 years of being together, she still have this sparkly, jerky and loading feeling when Johann tells her a sweet pick-up line.

That’s one of the good things in their relationship. The spark never disappears. It’s as if they have not been dating for 3 years. It’s like they just dated last night. Yes, that kind of feeling.

Johann chuckled as he looked at Janine’s expression. He finds her beautiful even when she loads like that. Even when she looks stupid, she’s still the most beautiful woman in his eyes. Inside and out. Yes, that’s Janine for him.

“Geez, I want to go home right now and hug you tight. I miss you so much.” He told her sadly. Because he really does.

Janine smiled. “That’s why you should study harder so you could go home sooner.” She replied, cheering him up. “I’ll be right here, waiting for you to come back.” She added.

Johann smiled and sighed. “And I really want to kiss you right now, you know that?” He beamed.

Janine chuckled. “Too bad.” She teased. But the truth is, she wants it too. Johann, right here with her, cuddling during the cold nights. Oh! How that would be a dream come true for her.

Johann wrinkled his nose. “When I get home, I would kiss you for a freaking whole week. Nonstop. Remember that.” He warned her.

Janine chuckled. “We’ll see that, Johann Kim.” She beamed.

Johann scoffed. “Yeah. We’ll see how swollen your lips are when I come back.” He replied. “And don’t tell me I didn’t warn you.” He smirked.

Janine laughed. “Oh, Johann Kim!” She mused making Johann laugh at her.

“I love you, baby girl.” He told her.

“I love you too.”

How can there be a relationship as perfect as this?

Considering it’s a long-distance relationship.