CIXOT EVOL

THE CONVERSATION

There was no immediate connection or strong feelings; it felt flat, unlike some past encounters. As they talked, the patient interrupted the flow of their conversation."Can I ask a question?" he said. Penn nodded casually, "Sure."The patient asked, "Have you ever been in love?"The simple yet deep question changed the atmosphere. Penn, thoughtful, reflected on her past experiences before answering. She was momentarily taken aback by the directness of the question."Yes, I have," she said, her voice heavy with past emotions. But the patient wasn't done. He then asked, "How did that turn out?"Penn, searching for the right words, replied simply, "It turned out just right."

The patient, tuned into the emotions, asked, "Have you ever loved someone but felt like they didn't love you back?" This question made Penn pause and think before she answered honestly, "Yes, I have."Her admission hung in the air, creating a connection between them. Penn, still dealing with her own memories, thought about the pain of unreciprocated love. The bitterness of investing time and emotions into a relationship, only to be betrayed, lingered with her.As her patient lay on the therapy bed, Penn shared openly, "It's exhausting, and putting in all that effort only to be cheated on is a terrible feeling."In a surprising turn, the patient jumped up and clapped, agreeing enthusiastically. "Yes! That's exactly why I'm here," he said. His excitement surprised Penn, and with a laugh, he added, "I think you need to see a therapist too."

Their laughter echoed in the room, creating a shared moment of connection. As the laughter faded, they decided to finish the session. Penn, still processing the unexpected events, assured the patient, "I'll write down the days you can see me. I'm in the office four days a week. I'll email you the schedule. Let me know which day works best for you."They ended with a warm hug. As they said goodbye, Penn felt the day's weariness settle in. Once the door closed, she sighed deeply, feeling the weight of the day's challenges. "It's been a long day," she thought, wondering about her career choice and feeling a quiet longing for change.At 17:56, Penn finished the last of her emails and paperwork. Hungry and too tired to cook, she called an Uber to take her to a gastropub, a place filled with memories from her graduation celebration.

Entering the gastropub, she felt the warm lights create an inviting atmosphere. It was quiet, likely because it was midweek. The place had a mix of light and dark tones – light brown wood floors and ceilings. Lights hung gracefully above the bar, casting a soft glow that added to the calm vibe.The bar had dark brown chairs and a light brown wood countertop, creating a nice contrast. Circular tables with short grey chairs were scattered around, giving a relaxed feel. Penn decided to order food to go and took a seat at the bar. While waiting, she treated herself to a drink. After a sip or two, she moved to a quieter spot, choosing a low seat where she could observe the room unnoticed. To her surprise, she spotted Chris. She felt a mix of wonder and curiosity, realizing he seemed to come here often. Their unexpected encounter added an interesting twist to the evening.

In the quiet gastropub, Penn enjoyed her drink, surrounded by familiar and new scents. From her discreet spot, she noticed a woman deep in a lively conversation, unaware of everything around her. Right on cue, the waitress arrived with Penn's food. "Penn Moore!" she called out. Penn raised her hand and collected her meal, eager to discover the tempting flavours in the containers. Hungry, Penn opened her takeaway, enjoying the savoury aromas. As she got ready to leave, with the hustle and bustle around her, she called an Uber with a few taps on her phone. The five-minute wait felt like a brief pause before heading home.

However, just as she was heading towards the exit, a sudden tap on her shoulder stopped her.Startled, Penn jumped, the unexpected touch surprising her. She turned around, looking for who had tapped her. The lively conversations and clinking glasses now felt charged with new energy. In that surprising moment, she found herself in Chris's arms, her head resting against his chest. Realising the unexpected hug, she quickly pulled away, apologising. Chris smiled gently, his smile gracing one side of his cheek, warm and welcoming.In a chivalrous move, Chris offered to drive Penn home, but she declined, saying her Uber was just minutes away. Chris, not bothered, chuckled . "But you're having dinner with someone." Penn muttered something under her breath. Chris asked, "What did you say?" Penn replied, "I was just wondering if the waitress had put extra sauce in my takeaway bag." But that wasn't the real reason.As the minutes passed, the Uber arrived. Despite her initial reluctance, Chris took her hand and guided her to his car. A silent agreement was made, and Penn, though hesitantly, got in. The engine started, and they drove towards her studio flat.

Upon arrival, Chris offered to walk her to the door. Hesitation lingered in the air, but eventually, Penn acquiesced. The short journey to her door unfolded, the key turning in the lock as she opened it. Standing at the threshold, Chris gently inquired, "Can I come in?" Penn, turning to face him, felt a gentle breeze as his hair brushed against her forehead. His whispered question, "Why you never called," hung in the air, unravelling the threads of an unresolved mystery that seemed to weave through the tapestry of their interactions.

Love is what makes the ride worth right - Franklin.P.Jones