I Quit Thinking

CHAPTER 5 : PAULO'S POV

PAULO
The Wavelengths

"How about this." The lady on the store introduced me to another black espresso machine, a wireless one. She begin saying the parts and what's them about but I find it not suitable for me. My roommate had that before back in New York, it's irritatingly slow.

"I'll take the first one we tried on that side you first showed me." I walk across the half leveled appliances table and shelves, stopping on a pretty built black & silver machine with the exact height I need. "This is the one."

"K."

My head unsurely turns to my side. I open my mouth to ask the lady but she leaves me before I could even have an answer to her K. The next seconds, a man in a same size as mine appears to my side. He's carrying a large box and a tape.

"One second, Sir." He says, detaching the machine on the shelf and carefully placing it in the box before taping all the sides of it. "Nice choice, huh. Let me bring this-"

"I'll take care of it," I made a slight laugh to make the conversation lighter. "Do you know where could I get the perfect strong? I'm new here."

"Oh-Coffee beans. I'm not from here, I'm sorry, I don't know."

"No, it's fine, thanks." I turned around carrying the box in my arm.

"But, I'm sure I know someone who could give you the best choice." He hops on my side, joining me walk on the counter.

"You're taking me to it?"

"Why not. For someone who is also curious, why would not I. Just give me a minute to catch you up outside." With that, he runs back and disappeared inside the staff's door.

◕

"She'll be here." Miguel said as we stopped on a block near my apartment's street. "She crosses this exact side everyday. Not sure if she'll be home late this time."

"I can wait." I assure him. "Or we could try this shop while we're here, have you given it a try?" I suggest while we both eye the one we're facing across the road, Kelly'$ Table Top. Green and Gold. Not sure if it's pretty much the same with the others from down there.

"I haven't.. yet. They said they're new. But, okay c'mon man."

As we both jog to enter the shop, a lady steward quickly offered us a flyer. Miguel politely ignores it and I did the same. We ended up ordering the usual espresso and hops out immediately, bringing ourselves back on the other side of the road which is a wall with it's blocks painted in yellow, unnoticeably.

"Does she always works late?" I ask, finishing the cup which I find quite strong. "I'm living just right there on the corner. Your bus might leave soon if she's still occupied."

"That's what I'm also thinking."

Miguel and I had a little chat when we're just on our way here. He told me about being transferred here in Hana, travelling forty-five minutes from their hometown everyday. He also shared that he's a full time baker and manages the department store at the same time where I bought my....... where it is?

"Where the hell I left that box?"

"I didn't notice you're not carrying it." Mig stood straight, taking up my whole presence as we both process the situation. Glancing left and right. "You are very fucked now,"

He faced the now shadowed track down the sideway and I followed him. We scanned the area, the corners and the space behind the wall where we are standing. I could catch him laughing but I'm dead serious I'm carrying it as we got there. Damnit.