To Infinity and Beyond

Until we meet again

Mark's POV Continued...

As the evening progressed, my beautiful blind date continued to mesmerise me. Even her small reflexes screamed elegance. She was a natural.

I was surprised how come I was so lost to not notice a girl of her grace during my trip to Vancouver. The fact that she was Britney's cousin seized my senses a bit. If anything goes wrong, the damage could be severe.

Britney was Emma's close friend, but through years we had all become one solid unit. Emma's clan seamlessly nailed their ranks in my life, and I was scared to complicate things or risk my bond with any of them.

Alice and me together, on a date, through tinder, sure was not an easy territory to tread on. Irrespective, my heart stood in consent and felt secretly glad that Rose set this up.

I had to be careful with this. I tamed my mind and decided to take it slow.

While dilemmas of all shape and kind clouded my head, soon the server got our dinner and was now spreading well-dressed dishes neatly across the table. He gave us a soft smile, wished us a good meal and left.

"Wow. This looks delicious. It's my first time to this place, even though I do not live far from here." Alice took a serving on her shiny white salver.

"Oh, yes. I forgot. You are from Vancouver, right?"

"Yes, I moved in almost two months back."

"That's recent. So how do you like the city? Do you feel homesick?"

"Sometimes. This place is nice, but I miss my family, especially my mom. I am glad at least I have Britney and Max here, else I would have felt quite lost." She stated simply after putting a fork full of spaghetti in her mouth.

"I am sure, Alice. Moving places is never easy. Especially when I know Vancouver is like a paradise. I was amazed by the beauty of that place. But trust me, if you stay in NYC long enough, you will fall in love."

"Even though that sounds enticing, I think I am done falling in love for now. I would rather date the city and keep it casual for the time being." Her words were nonchalant, but her eyes said otherwise. She gave me a deep intense look.

For a minute, I doubted if she was talking about the city. We both held each other's gaze, unknowingly a dangerous game rolled between us; we dared each other to blink, to submit.

Although I met this woman for the first time today, I knew it in my very existence, that this wasn't the last time. To break the dangerous loop, I decided to respond in a friendly tone.

"Sounds like a good plan. If you need anything, feel free to reach out. I will be happy to help."

"Help with what? Falling in love? Or keeping it casual?" She raised her eyebrow and gave me a playful wink.

"How about counting on me to help you settle with whatever your heart desires?" I replied after regaining my composure. Her spontaneity made me flinch.

"That's a decent proposal. Consider me in."

We both finished our dinner, and even though Alice quite insisted, I paid for our meal, and together we left the place.

It was quarter past ten.

The weather was calm now, exhausted and withered, after the parade of heavy sprinkles it scored today. Lush green exteriors surrounded the restaurant, and the moment we stepped out, a moist earthy fragrance of the serene flora filled our nostrils. We stood under the tranquil sky, scanning the beauty of this magnificent night.

"Alice, only if you feel comfortable, let me drop you home?"

"Umm yes, actually would you mind walking me home instead? It's hardly ten minutes on foot from here."