Sudden Encounters

at the internet cafe

Tap. Tap, tap. Click, click. Tap, tap, tap.

The mechanical sounds ring into my ears. I don't mind; it's more distracting when I have the headphones on with music. I couldn't study well with that. The mechanical sounds from numerous computers, along with casual talks, banters and curses all blend together in this one building called "The Internet Hub".

Yes, I study and can study in an internet cafe, and a gaming kind of internet cafe at that. I don't know, the typing sounds calm my nerves that helps me focus on my schoolworks. I do have a computer at home, but it's so suffocating in my room because it's plain, quiet and empty. I tend to overthink in quiet rooms (except if I'm really tired or very sad) and it's not really a good thing for my mental health. I only use it when I need the printer.

All is well for me here - a comfy chair for my back, nice lighting for my eyes, and a promo for my wallet (Php 10 for 2 and a half hours). Though I'm really wondering; I don't think I have dirt in my face, nor do I look like some green, one-eyed alien that's trying to blend in with the humans. But there are these scrutinizing eyes - using its utmost ability in trying to barge in through the very windows of my soul (yes, I am exaggerating) - that's bothering me.

I don't know why the cubicle dividers here are so short that we can already see the eyes of the person at the opposite cubicle. But yeah, here it is, and it's ruining my peace at my own cozy cubicle. I tried to avoid having contact with his eyes ever since I've realized that he's staring at me, and let me tell you, it's very hard. I already have the prediction, that when our eyes meet the bomb of awkwardness and dead air will explode in a matter of milliseconds. I've been chanting different prayers to different gods in my mind just so it wouldn't happen. And I guess... it's working?

His gaze leaves me, his eyes ever so focused on the monitor. From the looks of the different colors of light flashing on his face, he seems like he was playing. Well, of course he would - I mean, this is an internet gaming cafe, right? Which I shouldn't be in the first place. But who cares?

The first thing that catches my attention is his hair. It's thick, wild and unkempt, a bird could live there with its chicks. But it's luscious and very ochre. I'd possibly have fun dishevelling that kind of hair. Brows aren't friendly, eyelashes are outwards, eyes are dark, round and keen. Dark circles are under his eyes, implying that he play games even until past midnight. No, he isn't good-looking, he was definitely handsome.

Wait, he's not staring at me because he likes me or anything, right? Maybe he's judging my whole being right now, thinking I'm pathetic for doing my schoolwork in a gaming cafe. But he doesn't even know what I'm doing, right?!

Oh no, I'm losing my focus. I return my gaze to the monitor. This is bad, I need to finish this as soon as possible...

And now I feel the weight of his stares once again. Hurray.

I really need to tell him off.

I close my eyes and sigh, mustering all the courage I can get from my systems and say, "C-Could you please stop staring?"

He looks at me directly in the eyes, not saying a thing. In a matter of seconds I break the eye contact-it was too much for me to bear. I glimpse at him for a while, and what I saw made me frown.

The stoic statue is chuckling under his breath.

What the heck?

I stare at him, weirded out. "Um..."

He keeps his eyes onto the monitor, but his cheekbones were rising, indicating that he's smiling. "I'm sorry." Then he says something I don't quite catch, because he's kind of whispering.