When I thought one word would make Rima stop picking me up to and from work, I'm undeniably wrong. Her blue car was parked in front of my house and I know she's waiting for me to come out so she can narrate her list of alibis and excuses and whatsoever so she can bring me to work. I appreciate the efforts but I don't want to send out the wrong signals. She probably misunderstood what I said or what I was trying to do. All furious at seven in the morning, I mustered up the courage to march outside and confront her.
"I thought what I said was clear last night?" I knocked on her car window. She let it down as she flashed me her brightest smile. Rolling my eyes at her she started her monologue.
"I really understood what you said. It's just that I ran an errand around here and thought why don't I pick you up since we go the same way to work. Might as well take advantage of the chance too." She can be persistent. Shaking her off would be difficult on my part. I sighed my surrender and rounded the side of the passenger seat. I already felt bad for reprimanding her thoughtful gestures but I know I did the right thing by warning her away from me. Someone will get hurt. I have to choose from me and her.
I heard her flip the door locks open. Careful with words, I trod safely. "So how was your morning?"
"I already had a hot coffee cup and a bite of bread. But if you are hungry we can stop by the coffee shop near your office." As if nothing happened, she offered.
Within the twenty-minute drive, nobody said another word. It was a whole new level of awkwardness for me and Rima. Still, she was all smiles while I was pouting in stress.
"Thanks. This should be the last, you know?" Reminding her as I close the door behind me. She just sent me a wink on my way.
The day went through like a breeze with all thoughts parading in my head. Forgetting my lunch was as easy as typing a one-page document. I was immersed in work while my brain is working on other things. Thankfully there were a few to no distraction as I spent nine hours without leaving my chair.
As I was leaving the office, I remembered that I also skipped my other fifteen-minute break. I entered the coffee shop right across the building to grab a quick lunch/dinner.
"One turkey sandwich for takeout." I told the young and cute server behind the glass counter. She smiled sweetly and I couldn't stop myself reminiscing how it was for me back when I was still working behind the same counter and studying at the same time. I felt proud that I could do it with very minimal assistance from my parents and a little some from my aunt.
Turning to leave with a sandwich on one hand and a hot drink on another, I bumped onto the next customer spilling my drink on her. I was so embarrassed but somehow thankful for her strong hands that gripped me, preventing the whole drink to spill all over us.
"I'm sorry, I was not looking." I reached for the paper towels on my back and was about to give her some so she can dry her blouse too. She started to speak.
"No, it was my fault. I was so eager to get my order that I was already too close leaving you no space to move." The familiar voice said. I suddenly don't want to respond. I even don't want to look up to her. I just wanted to hurry my way out and probably I can spill the rest of my drink on her head too. She must've realized who I am too cause the silence grew heavy between us. She stilled like I did and in a very soft voice she said, "Sorry."
She has apologized for a lot of times already. I heard that word too many times but I can't find it in my heart to fully forgive nor recover. Making a scene here in this coffee shop won't help. I do not want any attention to myself and I don't want that my emotions are put under the spotlight. I looked away and pretended nothing happened and made my way out praying that no one would stop me. I may have prayed a little later because I felt her hand back on my arm once again.
