Little Steps of Faith

The Meet

THE MEET
It was a Friday. I was happy.
Any other day I wouldn't have been
But it was a Friday, so I was happy.

I was bored and so I went out.
Any other day I wouldn't have,
But I was bored so I went out.

It was sunny and here I was basking in the sunlight.
Any other day I wouldn't have
But it was a beautiful day.

I was practically dancing, with a goofy smile on.
Any other day I wouldn't have dared.
But I was happy, so I did

I smiled at everyone I met, greeted too.
Any other day I wouldn't have dared
But I was happy, so I did.

"You must be in a really good mood,"I heard your voice before I saw you.
Any other day I wouldn't have spared you a glance.
But like you said, I was in a good mood, so I smiled.

Your returning smile sparkled, showing off your dimples.
"Are you always like this?"
"No," I responded, knowing what you meant by 'this'. By now I was walking slowly.
"Good!" That surprised me but not for long. "I'd hate to be seen with someone who always gives her attention to others." That drew out a laugh.

"So where to?" You asked.
"I don't know." I grinned. "I was happy and bored so I just came out."
You looked at me like I had spaghetti on my head instead of hair. "That's a weird combination," you said. I only smiled and said I knew. We were on the sidewalk, unconsiously stopping when the light turned red, as though we had in mind to cross.

"I'm going to the beach," you pointed to yourself. "Wanna tag along?"
Any other day, that would be incredulous to even imagine.
But I felt spontaneous. "I'd love to."

We crossed the road to the bus stop where I thought we were going to catch a cab. Instead, you led me into a shop where you seemed to know the keeper. It was obvious from your greeting.
"This is..." your hand was out toward me.
It took a while before I realised you were introducing me and I had to say my name."Oh erm...Heidi," I supplied.
"And we're going to the beach," you completed, giving me a knowing smile. "Can I borrow your motorbike?" you ask your friend.

"What? You didn't think to ask me first?" I was slightly peeved.
"What, are you scared?" you asked.
"Of course not."
"Then? I just thought you would like it."
I sighed. "Never mind." I just didn't like that I barely knew you and you had assumed something that was right about me. I love motorbikes and I want to own one as soon as I can afford it.
Any other day I wouldn't have dropped the issue so easily. But I was quite excited so I did.

The ride to the beach was just as I expected. Exhilarating. Wild. I couldn't help letting my hair loose and closing my eyes. There were no helmets but I didn't really care as I held on to you tightly all the way.

We had a lovely two or three hours by the sea, you and I.
By the time we were leaving it was five-ish.
We walked and talked and laughed on the beach.
You in your worn out jeans and fitting t-shirt with Converse sneakers, me in my not-so-worn out jeans and loose KISS ME QUICK BEFORE MY BOYFRIEND COMES t-shirt.
Oh, I know! Wasn't it so befitting for the occasion!

And while we were talking and walking you gave me a knowing smile and said, "You know I know Heidi isn't your name, right?"
It was so out of the blue, you got me. "I was that obvious?"
You looked ahead into the skyline. "Or maybe I'm just good at reading people." I could see hints of a smile as your dimples played hide-and-seek with my eyes before you turned to face me. "You can be Heidi for today, and I'll be Peter."
I raise my eyebrows in a question. "Does that mean it's not your real name, too?" But you just laughed and run off, leaving me to try and catch up with you.

We drew symbols in the sand and played a guess game . We spoke about lots of things, things I had no idea I even knew. But you were so wise, I thought. I couldn't have matched your reserve of knowledge...from literature to religion, politics to business to entertainment to ordinary life... I loved to watch and hear you speak.

I almost didn't realise when the sun begun its descent. We were sitting in the sand. Well, on a blanket(I don't know when or how you got it); me wiggling my toes and examining my painted nails, you leaning back on your elbows, admiring the view, I guess. It was that lull in conversations that I hate so much and I was figuring out what next to say.
"You know I know you had no plans of coming to the beach earlier, right?" I said calmly. I noticed you body rock gently with mirth before it erupted into full-blown laughter.
"Lemme guess," you responded. "You're a good judge of people, too?"
"Yes, not forgetting good judge of clothing," I said. Again, you laughed before the lull settled...

"We should get going." My dismay at your words was visible, I knew but I go with it. I took a cursory look at my watch and exclaimed: "Omg, where did the time go? You're right, we should get going." I don't think I meant a word of it. You stared at me intently for a bit before nodding, rising and helping me up.

The ride back was more solemn, I could feel it. I asked that you drop me off at the traffic light. That was where we said our goodbyes. "Thanks for inviting me," I started. "I had a nice time." You only nodded and showed off your dimples once more. I stood there for a bit, hoping, but when it became evident you weren't going to take my number, I smiled, said goodbye and turned to leave. "Say thanks to your friend from me, for the bike," I added as an afterthought.

When you called out "Wait a sec!"... Well, I did.
"Let's do this again. Next week, same time?" That was a shock. My response was a bit unsteady, although glad.
"Oookay... So dyu take my number or I take yours?"
"No numbers," you say. Huh? My confusion must have showed on my face. "Listen, today was really fun for me and I just want us to keep the magic undefiled, you know."
I liked that, but I didn't get how that connected with exchanging numbers.
"Let's do this the old fashioned way. No numbers, we only arrange a meeting and stick to it."
Ooo, now I liked the sound of that. Reminded me of my days in high school, meetings with the crush and all.
"Okay, how would this work?" I ask feeling excited.
"For starters, how about we meet here, same time next week?"
I explained that I took the day off from work that day so next week I would be late. We settled on 5pm, at the bus stop where we were right then.

* * *

When I came out of my house - correction, my father's house that morning, I had no idea how my day was gonna turn out. Now I had a week to mule over the events of that day and try planning or predicting how next Friday was gonna go. I was so looking forward to it.