kisses [drafts, 15 Jul 19]

They always make it a point to watch how a man treats other people. From waiters to children to their own mother, it doesn't matter how much he spoils you or treats you like a princess. It speaks more than enough if he is unkind to the rest of the world.

I've seen him angry, at strangers blocking our way or stopping suddenly, making us crash into them. I've extracted that anger myself, teasing him to a boiling point. But he has never lashed out at anyone apart from a click of the tongue. He has never retaliated, just closing his eyes and taking a slow, deep breath that is enough for me to get the message.

I have been in his house and out with his parents enough times to see how he treats them. On the first dinner, I watched him lay out serviettes and cutlery for his family. His mother had laughed that he is never like this, suggesting that it was just for show because of me.

When we first met, he told me that his mother is first in his heart, followed by his nephew and his dad. I'd listened to him go on about his nephew but watching them together was a different story. The kid was so shy hiding behind his mother's back, until he ran to his uncle and jumped onto his lap. Even now he is always looking at me wearily, but never hesitates to wrap his arms around him and kiss him.

He is like me, with a general dislike for kids; but it is adorable when he smiles at videos of babies on social media, softening his voice to coo at them. Even with the power his mother and I have, both of our pleading isn't enough to make him stop smoking, so him mentioning that he will give it up after having a kid is a big deal. It just melts my heart to hear how much he wants his own.

But what makes the wonder is how he has changed me. Before, I would grumble and groan when my mum asks a simple task of me. Before, I would never glance twice at a child even if one was staring me right in the face.

Somehow amidst my hatred for people, I chose the son who kisses his parents on the cheek, who makes funny faces at kids and smothers his nephew with pecks.