Fleeting Moments With You

003

Sheepishly scratching the back of my neck, I walked towards her, but I only caught her attention when I pulled the seat across her. She glanced at my direction and I flashed a smile as I asked, "May I?"

She nodded but then asked back with a teasing smile, "I thought you were going out to break girls' hearts?"

"Let's just say that my Casanova-self decided to take a break tonight," I replied.

She knitted her brows with the smile still lingering on her lips as she said, "Should I be thankful in behalf of those women whose heart are saved for the time-being?"

"Nah," I shook my head. "It's their loss."

"Cocky," she snickered.

I chuckled in return before saying, "I was kidding. You actually look lonely here and as your new found friend, I've decided to accompany you."

"Who said we're friends?" she asked with another mocking grin.

"After making me take all of your pictures, don't tell me that we aren't," I faked a complaint.

"Hmmmm," she hummed before beaming once more, "I'll think about it."

I playfully rolled my eyes at her as I scoffed while she laughed again in return. I found myself grinning with her as I stared at her eyes that became crescent slits. When her laughter subsided, she sighed and mumbled, "But seriously. I beg to differ from what you said."

"Are you seriously not considering me as a friend, or at least a potential one?" I widened my eyes at her but she shook her head again with another charming smile. This girl's hobby might just be smiling.

"No, not that," she waved her hand too. "I mean, I'm not lonely right now. I prefer to call it... being in solitude so no pressure for staying."

I laid my head on my hand as I whispered, "But I want to stay with you."

She imitated my gesture as she whispered back, "I should remind myself to be careful around Casanovas who smooth talks naturally."

I smirked in return but then my gaze fell down to the little black notebook resting on the table. I could see little scribbles on it, and I found myself tilting my head as I tried to read her handwriting. She seemed to have noticed my actions because she quickly closed it before I could read further.

"What's that?" I asked.

"Nothing," she smiled but pulled the notebook towards her protectively. She gave out a nervous chuckle as she added, "Just a journal. That's all."

Quickly redirecting the conversation, she asked me, "Do you want some coffee? The inn offers them for free."

"Sure," I responded figuring out that I needed some booster to keep me awake. In a split second, she got on her feet and not long after, she had another cup of coffee in her hand which she had gladly offered me. I smiled as I took a sip. The taste of bitterness lingered in my mouth, but my curiosity was still with that notebook. However, I noticed how she became fidgety that my centre of attention was still with the black notebook that she was now clasping. Sensing that if this continued, she'd go anytime soon, I tried to strike another conversation in order to lift the tense atmosphere.

"So when did you arrive in the Philippines?"

She seemed to have relaxed as she answered, "Two days ago. I stayed in Manila for a day then travelled to Puerto Princesa. I rested for half a day then travelled here. I arrived just last night."

"Hmmm," I hummed and nodded as I take another sip. "So how did you find the place?"

And the conversations seemed to flow just naturally.