this time i'll get better

chapter 45(1): him

"Is this seat taken?", he asked.

Perplexed, I pull my right earphone down and stare at him.

He looks at me and I am tongue tied.

"Yeah sure- I mean, no it's not taken. Sorry.", I replied.

"Great because I have been looking for a seat for the last 3 carriages.", he replies.

He placed his sling back at the top compartment. Pulled out a notebook and a pen and sat right across me. He had a really worn notebook. Perhaps he had been journaling for a while.

I stared at him of what he was doing that I am oblivious to him staring back at me.

"You know, it's rude to stare."

Again, he broke the silence.

"The book has been through a lot, but as long as it still can serve a purpose, I'll use it."

"Yeah, I'm sorry. It's just I am just amazed."

"It's okayy, I'm just playing with you. Stare as you will."

"No, no. I won't."

I glance over the window seeing that we had departed for Dublin.

Giving one last goodbye to the countryside as I return to my boring, mundane life as an accountant. I really thought I might have experienced some sort of miracle or even a small event that could change my life. Perhaps another day.

I pull out a mental health book I had bought but could never find the time to read it.

"The Overthinking Cure, huh? That's a great book."

I slowly drop my book to meet his eyes.

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to disturb your reading."

"No no, it's fine. You've read this book?"

"Yes, it indeed cured some of my overthinking."

I smiled.

"Well perhaps it will help me too."

Then again, silence. Just the sound of the engine rumbling and the clacking of the wheels on the tracks.

Even though the book hides his face, I can hear the rustling of his pen and scratches of when he writes something wrong.

"I'm Ony. Short for Onisuke."

I dropped my book, looking at him staring at me. As if he had been staring through my book and directly into my eyes.

"Lily."

We both shared a smile.

"Are you traveling?"

"No, I'm going back to reality of working on Monday.", I leave out a sigh.

"What about you?"

"I am on a trip to find myself actually. Similar to you, only that I am beginning to start my trip and yours is ending."

He sips his tumbler.

"What are the chances. A cycle."

"Yeah, what are the odds."

"I'm sorry to pry, but are you a mix?", I asked.

"The name gave it away, did it?", he laughs.

"Yes and I'm a bit curious to know."

"Well, indeed I am. My dad's Scottish and my mother is Japanese. My face looks like I'm from North London but my name's from Shibuya."

"Yeah, but it's pretty."

"Well that's a first. Nobody really paid attention to it. Let alone compliment my name. Yours are too. Lily. Your parents must have liked that flower."

"I had never asked them that. But I like how they named me that since I'm an avid Harry Potter fan."

"Ah yes, Lily Potter. In most cultures, the flower lily means a sign of purity, love and-"

"-And rebirth. You're really well-knowledgeable."

"You have to be even if you're part Asian.", he laughs.

I laughed too and try hard not to make myself seemed racist as well since I understood the joke.

"It's okay, I wouldn't judge if you'd laugh. Life's not that serious with me."

And here it began, an encounter so uncanny, I myself could not believe.