I'll wait for you (Dayasco)

The text

The city lights flickered through my apartment window as I made my way through the door, my heart still pounding from the encounter I'd just had. I'd never felt so flustered and excited after a first date. Well, technically it hadn't been a date. I'd walked out on my actual date, leaving the guy at the restaurant with his mouth half-open in shock, but judging by his attitude I'm sure that couldn't have been the first time he'd been walked out on.

But then, Daya had come along. The tall waiter with his kind eyes and a disarming smile. He'd been so kind, so attentive, so genuine. He'd given me the pink cowboy hat, just because he could, and had given me his number so he could make sure I got home safely.

Butterflies fluttered through my stomach as I recalled our conversation we'd had while I waited on my Uber. He'd listened intently to my ramblings about how awful my date was, horses, and my passion for writing. He'd seemed genuinely interested, asking thoughtful questions and actually listening to what I had to say, unlike my date.

I slipped into my pyjamas desperate to get out of that suffocating dress, my mind racing as I wiped off my makeup and tied my hair up into its usual messy bun. I longed to tell someone about my evening, to share my excitement and nerves. I picked up my phone and dialed my sister Irene's number.

'Irene, you won't believe this,' I exclaimed, my voice laced with a mix of laughter and disbelief.

I recounted the entire tale, from my disastrous date to the unexpected connection I'd felt with Daya. Irene listened patiently, her laughter echoing through the phone.

"Bosco, it sounds like you have a crush," she teased. "And from the way you're describing him, it sounds like he might have one on you too."

My heart skipped a beat. "Do you really think so?" I asked, my voice barely above a whisper, I trusted Irene, I knew she wouldn't steer me wrong. She was the protective sister I'd always needed.

"Girl, he gave you a cowboy hat! Who does that unless they're smitten?" Irene replied.

I giggled. "I know, right? It's just... I've never felt this way about someone before. Especially not someone I met on a night that started with such a disaster."

"Well, maybe this is the universe's way of making it up to you," Irene said. "After all, you did deserve a happy ending after that date from hell."

I paused, staring at the piece of paper Daya had given me. His phone number was written in bold letters, its digits dancing before my eyes. I wanted to thank him for being so kind, but I couldn't shake the feeling that my words would come across as too forward or presumptuous.

I hesitated, my finger hovering over the keyboard on my phone. Then, after taking a deep breath, I began typing.

"Hey Daya, it's Bosco, the horse girl from the resturant. Just wanted to say thanks again for being so nice tonight. I really appreciate it. Especially the cowboy hat, it's being hung proudly on my bedpost!"

I reread the message, nervously debating whether it was too much or not enough. Finally, I hit send and waited with bated breath for his response.

Minutes ticked by, and the phone remained silent. I started to worry that I'd scared him off, that my excitement had been misplaced. "He was working Bosco, he's probably still working" I tell myself over and over, trying to speak his response into existence.

Just as I was about to give up hope, and try get some sleep, my phone buzzed. I snatched it up and read the incoming message.

"No problem, Bosco. I'm glad you made it home safely, And you looked great in that hat."

A surge of joy coursed through me as I stared at the screen. He hadn't been put off by my enthusiasm. In fact, he seemed to appreciate it.

I sent a quick reply, thanking him for the compliment. Which he then replied quickly back to. The small compliments and thank yous for the evening soon turned into full blown conversation, we spoke about where we were both originally from, and what had brought us both to Seattle. Our family situations, our hobbies. The hours passed so quickly they felt like minutes, before long it was 2am. "I'm gonna try get some sleep, but thank you so much again for tonight." I clicked send and put my photo down beside my bed, eagerly awaiting his reply. My hand shooting down to pick up my phone when my phone buzzed again, "goodnight Bosco, you're so welcome you were the best part of my night. I'll talk to you tomorrow."

As I drifted off to sleep that night, a smile crept across my face. For the first time in a long time, I felt a glimmer of hope for the future. A future that might just include a tall, handsome waiter with blue eyes and a kind smile.