The Fifth Date

Chapter 27

“I’ve got you, Juls.” My mind had it on repeat.

Your smile. It constantly replayed on my vivid memory.

Your hand.  I still felt it on mine.

This was your effect on me. Every single night, I return to my lone self in my room, but your presence still lingered just like the smell of coffee inside the café. You’re that alluring aroma that wafts through the dull air and awakens every muscle and bone in me. What have you done? And how did you do it?

It was late afternoon and I just got out of work earlier than the usual. My supervisor was on leave and there was nothing to actually work on since he decided that I shouldn’t do anything because I always mess things up. I still hated him and obviously the feeling’s mutual. After spending the entire day, making coffee, answering phone calls, and doing absolutely nothing, I head out to the streets to catch the bus. You told me to meet you outside the café at 5pm before we parted ways yesterday.

It was going to be the last, I thought. I couldn’t stop myself from fidgeting with my duffel bag as I got off the bus and walked towards the café. Everyone was busy hailing a cab, waiting at the bus stop, driving their car just to get home and rest. I, on the other hand, was meeting someone. And it was quite unusual that it wasn’t going to be my soft comfortable bed back at the apartment at this hour. I was going to meet someone. And it might be the last one.

I was going to meet you.

Our fourth and last date.

As I turned the corner, I saw you outside the café. I just had to stop. I had to. You were wearing a brown coat and denim blue jeans with brown boots. A smile tugged on the corners of my lips as I took sight of the blue scarf that I’ve always loved since the first day I met you which was lazily hanging on both of your shoulders. Beautiful blonde hair hid beneath the brown knitted beanie, wisps of them were falling down your forehead. You were leaning against the red-bricked wall with brows furrowed and red lips pursed. You were in your own world as you continued sketching on your notebook that I haven’t seen since the day we started dating. It was then that I realized how I missed those moments when you were just sitting in front of me quietly as I watched you indulge in your own world. I didn’t want to disturb you so I just watched you. I could do it all day and still smile like an idiot.

You were never a bore to me, the way you tilt your head once in a while, the way your eyes squint, the way your brows furrow, the way you lick and bite your lower lip after every short stroke on your notebook, and just completely the way you are—you were quite an interest in me. How I wish I could stop the time and live in this moment. But I couldn’t, since you had turned your head towards my direction and waved at me.

“Hey!” You called out as you started trudging towards me sliding your notebook and pencil back in your bag.

“Hi.” I quietly replied, still rooted on my spot.

“Is there something wrong?”

I shook my head.