Frida regained control of her feet and straightened up, tightening the grip around her black purse. She was so immersed on her thoughts that she totally lost track of space, walking in automatic and thus totally unaware of the people around. But my, my! She could not quite believe it. Frida frowned, keeping a distorted smile full of confusion. "Benny... I... hi," she chuckled, still in shock.
"Hey," he showed a full-teeth smile. "Watch out. Are you alright?"
"Yes, yes. I am." Her right hand was still on his chest. Frida quickly stepped back and cleared her throat. How was it possible to run into him three days during the same week? Such fortuity resulted in almost unnerving. "I'm sorry. I didn't notice..." She pointed at the floor.
Benny shook his head. "Do not worry. I was distracted, too." Frida nodded and looked further, then to her feed, not knowing where to put her gaze. Benny became aware of her hesitation and jumped to the rescue. "What a surprise. Are you following me or something?" He teased. Frida looked up at him with wide eyes and her mouth turned into a tiny circle when she pronounced an "oh", a gesture that sent a funny feeling through Benny's chest.
"No, no." She laughed. "Being a stalker is not part of my list of abilities, believe me."
"Maybe you should consider it."
"You think?" She rolled her eyes and giggled. "I'm here because I'm going to take painting lessons."
He raised an eyebrow. "Oh really?" She nodded enthusiastically. "That's great! My sister runs this place, actually."
"For real?"
"Yeah! I came to visit her."
"Wow... funny coincidence."
"I know, right?" Benny tilted his head and put his hands inside the jeans pockets. "How long have you been taking classes?"
"It's my first day, in fact." She explained.
"Ah, truly?! That's great, welcome then."
"Thank you." She smiled shyly, even felt heat in her cheeks. "I've always liked painting but It's my first time enrolling in lessons. So, I'll see what's up."
"Good luck, then."
"Thanks again."
"You'll see you'll love it."
"Do you think?"
"For sure! I myself enjoy art very much, although I am not very talented when it comes to paints and canvases, I've never been." He shook his head and smiled; Laila tried more than once to get the best of him by teaching him her techniques, but Benny gave up upon discovering that he was not gifted with that ability, although he did love to sit in the back of Laila's studio and watch her work. Nowadays, those were the most beautiful memories he had of his mother.
"Nobody is born taught. Who knows? Maybe you should give it another try." He shrugged and she continued. "I'm going to find out if it's really my thing, too. Although it's more of a hobby, for sure."
"I might consider it." He slowly nodded. "And now I wonder what's your thing."
"Well..." She chuckled nervously. Why did he ask such personal questions? But over all, why did she always react the same way? The way he looked at her, the way he focused only on her, the way he seemed genuinely interested... it made her blush, it made her feel good, seen, and after several years those were new feelings, she wasn't used to them. "Gardening." She replied after a couple of seconds.
"Gardening? That's quite... unexpected but interesting!"
"You think?"
"I do. I don't know many people who do gardening, not to say nobody."
