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He shot a furtive glance at his watch. 9:08 pm. She should be up and about anytime now. The street lights above shone brightly, casting faint shadows of people scurrying about.
The loss of both his parents at a tender age had created a void deep within him -an emptiness that never really filled in. Life had been a bit too early in throwing its hurdles at this young man. He had a small group of supportive friends and an empathic aunt who had helped him through back then. However, he chose to remain secluded and kept to himself most of the times. As an assistant librarian, his salary comprised a meagre sum, enough to let him run his daily errands.
There, at the District Library , he had come across a brunette- a young girl in her late twenties. She worked in the administrative section. The two of them had known each other for a little more than a month. Though their conversations were usually brief and detached, her mere presence opened up a fountain of emotions within him. Soon, he had amassed the courage to ask her out, to which she consented.
In a few minutes, she materialized from among the crowd and strode over to him. Together, they walked into the restaurant. It was a decent place, impeccably lit and with a low ceiling. At some places, layers of buff paint peeled off the walls. The waiter ushered them to a table at the corner and they settled into their seats. She was dressed modestly, yet she seemed extremely intimidating.
They skimmed through the menu and ordered two bowls of dim-sum soup and a few starters. The Pretenders' I'll Stand By You was playing softly.
And when the night falls on you, baby You feeling all alone You won't be on your own I'll stand by you....
"Ah ! How I love this song!" she exclaimed.
"Yeah indeed," he chimed in, "it's one of my favorites!"
And how appropriate the lyrics,she added mentally. She had fostered a much deeper affection for him throughout.
They discussed their favorite singers and songs and discovered that they had similar tastes in music. Gradually, the topic of their conversation drifted from casual talk to personal aspects. During the main course, he shared with her a few happy memories he had with his parents when they were alive.
It was exhilarating. Never had he found himself being so open with someone. With every corner of himself he unfolded, with every part of her mysterious self she unraveled, they knew that they'd found someone more than just a friend-a soul mate perhaps.
Occasionally, he'd try to fish something out of his pockets and would then seem hesitant.
"What's the matter ?", she asked curiously.
"Uh huh, n..nothing,"he stuttered, trying to sound reassuring.
She wasn't contemporarily beautiful, but she exuded an air of grace and elegance. In his hazel eyes, she could see a glint of loneliness and a yearning for love. His pale face and the dark patches beneath his eyes spoke of sleepless nights and desperate times.
After sometime, he paid the bill and they exited the restaurant. They bid each other goodbye and parted ways.
On his way back, he reached into his pockets and slipped out an engagement ring. "On another date," he breathed. Though he was sure that she wouldn't put him down, he was now convinced that he needed to take his time.
Once home, he gently placed the ring into his drawer, letting out a sigh.He'd always had a decent roof above his head.
That day, however, for the first time in years he felt that he had finally found home in the truest sense of the term.
