Chapter 3: Testing Limits

Jake stared at the ceiling, replaying Sam’s unexpected words in his head. ‘It’s a date.’ Had she actually just said that? Sam, the indomitable Sam, had agreed to go out with him. Forget about asking for a date. He hadn’t even dared to think about her romantically. While her beauty and appeal were undeniable, only someone with a death wish would dare to look at her.

He felt like he’d just survived a particularly intense game of Russian roulette. “Ignorance is bliss, they say,” he muttered, echoing Thelma’s frequent warnings about the dangers of curiosity. “There’s a fine line between courage and stupidity,” he reminded himself, recalling Vikki’s playful teasing whenever she tried something daring. It was only after he’d navigated the bizarre conversation with Sam unscathed that he truly understood the wisdom of those words. He recalled the story of a soldier who had walked the minefield without even knowing it. Now, he could feel the same tremor of belated realization, the same chilling awareness of the danger he had unknowingly traversed.

Jake groaned, burying his face in the cushion covers. The realization was finally sinking in. This was really happening. Sam had agreed to go on a date with him. His heart fluttered at the thought, but he quickly pushed the giddy feeling aside. Now was not the time to lose focus. It was time to get back to work and start planning the perfect date, or at least, the least disastrous date imaginable with Sam.

The first thing he felt was a wave of betrayal. He half-expected Vicky to refuse him, and he would have been okay with that. But no, she had gone overboard with her prank, a cruel act designed to embarrass him with no regard for his feelings or the consequences for Sam. While he could accept the fun-loving and flirty version of her, this callous disregard for his emotions was deeply repulsive. It felt like he’d been hit by a particularly well-aimed mud pie. “Sometimes, the best-laid plans go awry,” he thought, remembering Sam’s words of wisdom when one of his makeshift structures had collapsed.

Sam had always been an idol figure for him. She was the kind of person he strived to be. Not even in his wildest dreams would he have considered himself her equal, let alone dare to pursue her. ‘Cupid works in mysterious ways,’ he had read once. He chuckled at the thought. Guess he should thank Vicky after all. If not for her outrageous prank, this miracle would never have happened. Now, he just hoped Sam would not make this planned date a wrestling contest.

Of course, this was only the first hurdle. Sam had agreed, yes, but that didn’t mean she could just coast along. He had to make this date ... special. Forget the tired old movie-and-dinner routine. Sam deserved better than that. He knew her well enough to know she’d rather spend a quiet evening at home than endure the crowds. She would appreciate a more private setting and a personal touch. A challenge accepted.

But what to do? Sam was ... well, Sam. She was incredibly easy to please, which ironically made it harder to impress her. She was always engaged, always learning, always pushing herself. What could he possibly offer that would truly capture her interest? It was a difficult question, and he felt a bead of sweat trickle down his temple.

Then he remembered the day he’d shown her the grafting technique. Something he had learned and experimented with as a kid. She took her time to ask questions while her eyes sparkled with a childlike curiosity. By the end of his lesson, she’d mapped out an entire year’s worth of grafting experiments. He had realized the depth of her intellect that day—the way she could completely immerse herself in something that intrigued her. No wonder those army guys had no limits in pursuing their goals. Sam was truly an inspiration.

There was still a week before the big date, and Jake started making plans. He wanted to take this opportunity to the next level. He vowed to impress Sam with the same determination he had seen her apply to every challenge in her life.

Jake just hoped he wouldn’t end up as another one of her experiments, albeit a very nervous and slightly terrified one. “Embrace the chaos,” he whispered, echoing Vicky’s frequent mantra, and a sense of calm washed over him. He would face this challenge one step at a time and enjoy the ride.

Sam was pacing in her room as she replayed Jake’s words in her mind. “If you want me to forget it, then be it, but I will not pretend that I never confessed my feelings to you.” His sincere and trembling voice echoed in her ears. She had seen men cower in her intimidating presence. She had expected him to apologize profusely, but he had stood his ground and faced her. He didn’t salvage the situation with empty platitudes. Rather, he challenged her strength and authority without flinching.

She remembered the look of fear and determination in his eyes. He was a young man, still finding his footing in the world. He had exposed his soul to her. He had faced his fears of rejection and being judged and ridiculed. He had chosen honesty over convenience and courage over cowardice. She saw a reflection of her father in him at that moment: a man who always stood by his convictions no matter the cost.

He had touched her heart, and the prospect of their date didn’t seem so daunting anymore. In fact, it seemed rather exciting. A strange calm washed over her as she returned to her room. Like an unexpected tranquility in the eye of the storm. She could finally analyze the whirlwind of emotions swirling inside her.

A warmth spread through her chest, a feeling she hadn’t experienced in years. It was a feeling of admiration, of respect, of something more. She had always admired strength, resilience, and unwavering integrity. Jake had displayed all those qualities in his own way.

“Honestly, Dad,” she confessed to the portrait of her father, “I think I’ve been sleepwalking through life. Following the rules, ticking all the boxes ... it’s been a bit ... predictable.” She had pretty much stayed away from any kind of emotional entanglement. It was Jake who had managed to open her deeply buried emotions. He had triggered those conflicting emotions that wreaked havoc on her mental peace. Though she had to admit, it was an exhilarating feeling.

Her father, Henry, was a force of nature, both in his personal life and in his gallant army career. He’d followed his heart and met every challenge head-on. She recalled a funny incident from her childhood. She had gone on a camping trip with her father when she saw a big monkey near their tent. She had run back inside, yelling for her father in a panic. Henry had walked out of the tent, not with a look of concern but with a mischievous glint in his eye. He’d then proceeded to have a starring contest with the monkey, much to her mother’s dismay.

She had expected a big fight between her father and the monkey, but it never happened. They circled each other for a while, pretending to jump at each other, but they both were only eyeing each other down. Fast forward five minutes, and the monkey was sitting beside her father like they were old buddies. They were sharing the bunch of bananas he had scavenged from the jungle with her dad. They even seemed to be having a conversation, albeit in a language only they understood.

“You know, Dad,” she mused. “I think I’m going to channel my inner monkey. A little bit of chaos never hurts anyone.”

What would her father say to her now? He would very well say, “Do what you want to do, girl.” She smiled and whispered to the portrait. “I will do what I want to do, Dad.”

With a chuckle, she pulled out her greenhouse plans. The date was still a few weeks away, and there was a lot of work. If he wanted to date her, he had better meet her expectations and standards. She left her room with a mischievous glint that mirrored her father’s own and a sudden urge to test Jake’s limits.

Unknown to Jake, he was in deep trouble now. He thought he had asked her out on a date but had no idea what he had unleashed.

“Bring it on, Jake,” she whispered. “I’m ready to play.”

Jake played smart and used both his bike and phone to finish the mapping of the land. Sam’s absence helped him keep his wits together, and he finished his pending work fast. With no new tasks assigned for him today, he experimented with things that Sam might like.

He meticulously cleaned every inch of the old barn. Sam wanted to reuse the structure as a storage space, but they had not planned this task yet. He took the initiative to plan the storage to the best of his understanding, keeping in mind every idea Sam had shared with him. He was determined to make everything perfect.

Jake was not sure if Sam would like his ideas, but he knew well that she would appreciate the initiative. As a bonus, he also ensured the space was clean and neatly organized, just the way Sam liked. His muscles ached from yesterday’s workout, but he had learned his lesson well. Nothing worked better on sore muscles than more training.