Story
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We've all got stories, so here's mine to tell.
I'm not fond of coffee or tea parties. It's never been my forte; probably because I work in a café at the corner of East Southampton's restaurant. The Cowherds is it's name, situated on the south coast of England-just a few miles from University of Southampton.
I must tell you the name Cowherd repulses me, especially because the name tag next to my left boob reads Sharmine and right beneath it is Cowherd. Someone once called me Cowherd unbelievable! I hate cows, heck I even don't even drink milk; those sentiments were nothing less rebuffing.
As if being five foot three isn't short enough, I'm half dark skinned in a country full of whites. I was out of sorts with funds; nobody told me that full scholarship doesn't really cater for all expenses. But then again, I must have been naive. With a tough economy and life subtlety growing hard;Cowherds would do anyway, after all, it was close enough to juggle work along with campus studies.
"Sharmine, aye?" The gentleman asked raising an eyebrow curiously at my oblivious state. Okay, maybe I was enamoured if not lost in his shimmering emerald eyes.
"Oh my I'm truly sir-" I mumbled, flustered.
"It's o'right." He said.
"May I take your order." I asked nibbling foolishly on my pen.
"Two cups of hot tea will do." He said gruffly rubbing off the cold on his muscled white polo shirt. I scanned around the vicinity but couldn't tell if anyone was joining him anytime soon. Otherwise, it didn't make sense he was ordering two cups of tea at once. Queer gentleman, I thought.
"Coming up in five." I said with a warm smile before I left to fetch his order and was back a minute earlier. I advanced towards his table cautiously, nervous even, as he stared intently at me.
"Sit down," He said.
"Excuse me?" I asked baffled.
"Please, have a seat." He replied.
"Don't humour me, unless of course you wish to see me out of a job." I reiterated simpering yet my facial features remained stern, he shrunk in his chair.
"I can't have both cups at ago."
"Well, you ordered them both you should enjoy them sir. Now if you'll excuse me; I have other tables to wait on." I grumbled, agitated if not piqued by the smirk on his face.
"Pardon me if I offended you, I got two cups of tea hoping you'd seat and share one with me." He glozed.
"What made you think I'd agree?" I asked. "I mean do you even-"
"Sharmine, I'm the son of the owner of this place and every evening I come here, sit at this corner and hope you serve me but I always get waited on by someone else." He expressed fiddling.
"You realise you just admitted to being a creepy stalker?" I gasped astounded by his confession.
"No, I-I..." He stuttered.
"Are you only interested in me because I'm half white?" I asked a little nettled by the thought.
"No, of course not. I have a liking for you and I promised myself to buy you a drink if you ever got to wait on me." He explained.
"Really?" I shot my eyes at him tucking a lock of my hair behind my ear only to hide the flush on my cheeks. "Thanks sir I'm flattered, but surely this is highly inappropriate-" I said.
"Why?" He cut me short.
"Because I'm a student, and we aren't of the same class." I said.
"Don't, don't say I'm rich, that notion is repulsive." He said. "Plus, I'm also a student at your school just a year ahead. So would it really hurt to share a cup of tea with me?" .
I looked down unsure on what to say, slowly people cleared out, it had gotten late. I opened my mouth but quickly shut it embarrassed, from the compulsive gaze.
"Sharmine?" He inquired. "Have I upset you by any chance? " He whispered. "How about I ask you out properly." He said shyly.
"Look here-"
"Paul," he informed smiling.
"Paul, I'd have considered but I'm rather tired and still have a test to study for, I must be on my way back to my hostel." I grumbled fumbling around.
"Allow me to drop you off then, it'll be disdainful for me to leave you walking alone in the dark." I hadn't anticipated him to be nagged.
"You should know Paul, I always walk myself to the bus station daily. You needn't worry; I'm much a grownup." I said, dismissive of his offer as his intentions remained unclear.
"I agree you're a brave and beautiful lady, nothing would ever change that." He blathered rather nervously.
"Why should I trust you?" I asked.
"Why shouldn't you?" He said.
"Because I'm that sort of girl; who doesn't musple trust for temporary gratification." I murmured to myself before conceding to his persistent good will.
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"That's my story, and I was Paul's first major crush turned love." I narrated.
"She skipped a lot to our story." Paul complained tickling the back of my neck, I chortled slapping his hand.
"Really dad? C'mon mom tell me more." Our thirteen year old girl nudged, curiosity in her eyes; all ears waiting for more.
"Remind me again what brought us to this conversation?" I asked flustered and my daughter chuckled amused.
"I wanted to hear the story, from your perspective mom." She replied beaming.
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A/N:
Hey guys hope you enjoyed the read:) your comments will be appreciated truly.
@shirsha
