Midnight Phantasm

حبيبي

"It's snowing again."

"I thought you said it's sunny?"

"Yeah, 5 minutes ago. It's snowing again now."

"Typical London. God, I miss that place."

"Come here then."

I used to adore long distance phone calls. It makes you feel like you're talking to your favorite person as if they're right beside you. But I think it sucks now. It reminds you that you can always be with that person at the same place and at the same time but you both chose not to be. Whether or not you can do anything about it, it is plain torture the moment you realize you're not with them.

"I miss you," I said in a whisper, trying my best not to let anyone hear at the bus stop.

"I miss you, too."

I extended my arm, trying to get a snowflake in my palm. "I want to see more of snow. I wonder if it's snowing in Paris."

"When are you coming there again?" You ask on the other line.

"In three months. My cousin's still finalising the date and itinerary. I can't apply for the visa if I don't have those."

"That's a lot of work to do."

"I know, but it's going to be worth it."

I stood up from the bench as I saw my bus approaching. I could have walked my way home but it's freezing cold outside. My clothes are not thick enough to keep me warm.

"Then after that maybe we can spend a weekend there," you utter as I boarded the bus. What? I quietly exclaimed on my mind. "You know, just roam around and see the sights. Go shopping. Eat out. Have fun."

"Babe," I sat and took a deep breath. "You're getting a lot of ideas again."

This man can sometimes be impulsive, just like how I am, but your thoughts are way too extravagant than mine. I mean, as a woman, I wanted to see how far you can go professing your interest in me, but damn you always manage to surpass my expectations.

"I'm asking you out on a date, babe." See? Told ya.

"A date?"

"Yeah."

"In Paris?"

"Yuh-uh."

"Yuh-uh." I mock and rolled my eyes at the same time. This is ridiculous... but sweet. A date in Paris? How romantic could that be?

"If we ever did that, that would be—"

"Crazy?"

"Sick!" I can hear your excited voice from the other line. Wallah, you make me excited too. The thought of us going on a date in a foreign place with no one who can recognize us, it's thrilling.

We could grab a fresh croissant at breakfast, hang out at noon time in front of the Louvre, and have a romantic dinner overlooking the Eiffel Tower! It's just amazing, babe. To top that off, my boyfriend can even speak fluent French. Can this be any sexier?

You let out a sigh. Even if we have these plans, it doesn't change the fact that we're so far away. It's painful, I know, but we will have our time. We just have to keep our patience in place.

"I miss you so much."

"I miss you, too."

"We'll go and find a way for this to work out."

"We can do that."

"I'll come to you."