Morning Bus Rides

6th Stop-One Whole Day

The heavy feeling from last night's squabble with Marlene didn't go away the next day. Leo woke up and found that his wife left earlier to go to the marketplace. He tried not to let that bother him as he got dressed, ate breakfast, and left for the bus station.

The moment he stepped in the bus, he instantly saw Dana sitting by the window. "Hey, Leo, I saved a seat for you." She motioned to the empty spot  beside her. Leo sat down quietly and the bus proceeded on its journey.

Throughout the trip, Leo was silent. Dana instantly noticed his morose demeanor. "Hey, anything wrong?" she asked.

Leo forced a smile as he replied at Dana. "Nothing. I just didn't slept so well last night."

"Must be work-related, eh?" Dana trailed off as she looked outside the window. Then she turned to Leo with a wide smile on her face and said, "Hey, let's cut together!"

Leo look astounded. "What, you mean you won't go to school today?"

Dana nodded smilingly. "I'll only do this for once. Just call in sick to work today and be with me. Are you in for the ride?" Her excitement was hard to conceal.

Leo thought for a while, and then said, "Sure, I'll join you in that ride!"

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Leo and Dana went down at an uncertain place, making it sure that it was far from the university and Leo's workplace. Leo used a telephone booth to call in sick to work today, and afterwards, they began exploring the city together.

It was a part of the city that they haven't been to. They began strolling along a street filled with small stores, selling things ranging from kitchenware to clothes and foodstuff. The two unlikely pair looked at the odds and ends found, and then decided to have some snack at a hole-in-the-wall coffee shop. They found out that it served really good coffee, and Leo thought he should return there once again. But with whom? There lies the question once more of choosing between Marlene and Dana.

Since when did Dana became a part of the picture?

Since he met her at the bus stop, she never left his mind. It was bordering between infatuation and a blooming romance that he want to happen, but never found the courage to admit it to himself, more so with her.

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The rest of the day went by smoothly. They ended up at a bench in some tiny park. 

"I'm glad I cut classes today," Dana sighed smilingly. "Sorry if I was a bad influence to you, Leo," she apologized sheepishly.

"No, not at all," Leo replied. "It's the first time I ever cut work. I never cut classes back then."

"Wow, you're such a good boy!" Dana told him admiringly. She ruffled his hair and Leo turned away laughingly.

"Now I'm as bad as you are, Dana."

"I've always wanted to do things for the first time, to get that rush and that feeling. Afterwards, it's up to you if you learned from it if it was a mistake, or something that you will always cherish," Dana mouthed off thoughtfully.

A silent moment fell between them. They just sat there, staring around and feeling the cool breeze blowing.

Then Leo happened to look at Dana, silently admiring her beauty and lovable candidness.

Without warning, Dana leaned towards his face and kissed him on the lips for a short while.

Leo was taken aback, speechless. A mixture of delight and dread came over him.

"I want the first guy I will kiss to be you, Leo," Dana revealed. Then she stood up and said, "I have to go now. Bye." With that, she retreated and walked away.

Leo just remained as still as a stone on that park bench.

That kiss sealed the deal with Dana and his hidden feelings for her.

But is she worth giving up his comfortable life for?

Is she worth leaving Marlene?

And most of all, can he ever forgive himself if he hurt her and Marlene as well?

(to be continued)

A/N: Sorry for the shortness. It feels like a writing prompt. Wait for more. Thank you.