Of Distance and Longing Hearts

Her

I walked toward a cafe near my neighborhood and decided to spend my afternoon reading in the quaint place.

As I've gone and ordered, I took a sear near the windows and opened the book that I brought with me, staring off from where I left off last. My focus solely on the book when suddenly a man approached me. I was shocked but I feel that he meant well. He introduced himself and I did the same and offered the seat across me.

We talked for hours as if we have been acquainted for long. He loves to write while I love to read. He takes interest about nature and music. He plastered a small smile while talking about his hobbies and I find myself charmed by it.

I never thought I could stumble with someone who could brighten up my day that fast.

As I arrived home, I immediately shared my day to my sister and kept babbling more than usual. She gave me a look which I could not decipher but I did not mind. I went to sleep thinking if I would ever see the man again and hoped that I would. I know I fancy him a lot even if I just met him today.

The next day, I met him in the cafe nursing a cup of coffee. I approached him and we talked about our lives such as families, work, interests, dreams, and plenty more.

I learned a lot about him. He grew up in a family of four consisting of his parents and a younger sister. But tragedy struck them when he was just returning from his best friend's place in another town, he saw his own town burning down. He ran straight to his house hoping his family was safe but found it caught with fire. In a moment's daze and without thinking clearly, he ran straight inside the house to save his family but as he almost reached for the door, someone grabbed him and prevented him from going in. That's how he became an orphan at a young age of 10. I cried when I heard it. Seeing my tears, he wiped them away and said I should not be wasting them over things that has passed and cannot be undone. He told me that I should smile more instead. So one last whimper, I gathered up myself and gave him my best smile and hugged him.

After a few meetings in the cafe, we decided to go somewhere else. He brought me to the amusement park. I knew from there that he hated rides that are always spinning around. He won me many stuffed animals from the different games. I bought us cotton candy but he refused saying he hated sweet things.

Another time, we went to a bookshop. I bought a book which my friend recommended. It was a tragic love story, my favourite genre. I asked him if he published and was surprised when he said no. I have always thought that he had at least a book and that I secretly wished to buy his book. He explained that he was a writer but he worked as a journalist before coming to this town. He honestly admitted that he was starting a book and hoping that it would become published one day. I gave him encouragement for it saying he was a great writer but he kept on denying the fact. I did not push him further but mentally wishing for his dream to come true.

With my book purchased, we sat down on a bench and I read to him all afternoon. He commented that he loved hearing my voice. I blushed by did not give him any reply.

A few times, we would go down to the gallery and looked at the exhibits. He knows I appreciated arts and its rich history. I study them in fact. I took up photography as my major.

On sunny days, we would stroll on the central park and enjoy the peaceful moments. I brought my camera with me one particular day. I told him I wanted to take his picture to remember this day by. He refused saying he does not want his picture taken. But I was stubborn and kept on persuading him endlessly in every chance I can get. After some time, he finally relented and let me take his photograph. I positioned my camera towards him, took note of good angle and lighting then captured the moment through my lens. I was very happy. I took a few more candid shots of him after that.