BESO! Or beso?

The protagonists of novelas love with great intensity and passion. I watch as they run into each others arms and embrace. The sound of violins and guitars exploding through the television set and increasing in volume as Luis Alberto brushes Maria’s cheek with his fingertips. Maria’s lower lip then trembles with desire. They gaze into one another’s eyes - watery and filled with longing - and whisper te deseo, no puedo mas, BESAME!. They finally kiss, a passionate, lust-filled, amorous BESO!. They caress each others backs, gently tug tresses, and rub on each others booties. The passion between Luis Alberto and Maria is so intense and thrilling that it moves the audience - watching from their love seats and sofas at home - to tune in each and every night.

We all want to feel this dramatic and electrifying spark. We all want to end up with someone we desire so we can feel the heat that allows lovers to romp around the grounds of Central Park during a hot summer night. That fiery chemistry that tempts two lovers to fondle one another while grooving on a dance floor or while sitting in a movie theater. I have felt that passion in all my past relationships. It was instant with Kurt - the first man I fell head over heels for. All Kurt had to do was tickle the small of my back and my skin would fill with goose bumps and my body would tremble. It was even instant with George, my now friendly ghost. Though he wasn’t my type we clicked, and I could never understand how their was such passion between us. How someone who was so different from me could turn me on by simply kissing the back of my knees.

It was no wonder I was looking for the same kind of passion with Ivan. I was hoping to feel a spark that could transcend our relationship from platonic to romantic. That’s why I went to Ivan’s apartment the night after our friend’s birthday party. I wanted to explore the connection I knew we were both feeling. But I was hesitant the entire night. Instead of making myself comfortable on the couch beside him, I sat away from him, on a chair, in front of his computer desk. Instead of going in for a kiss when he walked me back to my apartment building, I gave him a quick hug and a peck on the cheek. But the next morning I laid across my queen-sized bed and pictured Ivan and I together. I closed my eyes and imagined what it would feel like to have Ivan’s arms around my petite frame. My body tingled a little. It could actually be nice. Then Elijah’s face appeared, interrupting the lovely fairy tale forming in my mind with a new man. My eyes shot open and I shook my head as if I had water in my ears. Maybe that’s what I needed, a quick shake, a smack on the head, a bold and unpredictable move to rid me of the memory of my relationship with Elijah, a relationship that had officially ended a year prior. I jolted out of bed, decided to take control, and made plans to see Ivan again.

Later on that night, I found myself walking back to my apartment building with Ivan. My heels clicked against the pavement as Ivan and I filled the silence with honest conversation.

“I really like spending time with you,” he said.

“Me too,” I replied.

I really meant it. He was the only man who always managed to stimulate me mentally.

“This has kind of caught me off guard,” he said.

I nodded, looked up at him and smiled. We turned the corner and walked down the hill toward Audubon Avenue. The cold wind hit my face and I shivered. Ivan raised his left arm away from his side and I hooked my arm onto his, finding warmth inside his coat pocket. The background music began. The violins harmonized with one another, overlapping as if in a round. The guitars played in a staccato manner, quick and short, filling my heart with anxiety and anticipation.

We were finally in front of my building and I knew I had to do something. I had to find out if Ivan and I could love intensely and passionately, like the Luis Alberto’s and Maria’s of Telemundo and Univision. I moved closer to Ivan, wrapped my arms around him, and softly kissed his lips. One small peck to test my feelings and comfort level. Ivan then grabbed my waist and brought me even closer. His lips parted. He kissed me. It was happening. I soon pulled away and immediately realized there was something missing. The heat, the spark, the fiery chemistry was missing. I gave Ivan a peck on the lips goodbye and turned away quickly to open the door. I knew what had to be done. I knew I wanted the entire package. This Maria would have to wait for her own Luis Alberto, because we both deserved to have the heat, the spark, the fiery chemistry, the connection, that BESO!