It was raining. I entered the cafe disgruntled. The stupid rain had wetted by library book. And my date was running late.
So here I was drenched with murk and water expected to dry off and sit in some corner reading a wet book as my date would make a late entrance. I headed straight to the counter to order a coffee. I saw no one. I yelled, “Will I have to make my own coffee?” A boy got up from under the counter and smiled apologetically, “Sorry. I will make one for you. What would you like?”
I forgot what I wanted. He had twinkling puppy eyes and his lips wore a warm smile. His words seemed like a song that I didn’t want to end. He looked into my eyes intently waiting for me to speak.
I wanted him. I wanted him to keep on talking to me.
“I would like one hot chocolate.”
“And would you like some toasties to go with it?”
I wanted to say, “Whatever you say.” But I said, “Yeah cool.” Okay now keep talking. I asked, “Will you get the coffee at my table or do I…”
“No worries, I’ll serve you coffee myself.”
I fidgeted wanting to make some talk. He noticed and said, “By the way the washroom is that way.”
I took off my jacket and dried my hair with some of the tissues. I let them be a little dry to maintain the wet look. Then I looked at my face. It looked fine.
image courtesy: attitudetofood.com
I came out and ditched the corner table and sat on the centre table so that I could see the cute coffee boy as I ‘pretended’ to read my wet book.
The cute boy came and served me coffee. As he placed the cup on the table I noticed I was smiling all along. I wiped the silly smile not wanting him to notice. But he did and smiled and went back to the counter.
Just as I had sipped the first sip and let the warm chocolate melt in my mouth and picture the boy’s face I heard the voice, “So sorry for keep you waiting. It started raining all of a sudden and I couldn’t find a cab. And then the phone lines were jammed and..”
I sighed, “Its okay. I understand.” I would have been okay if she hadn’t turned up at all.
The rest of the date I couldn’t help noticing the cute boy stealing glances at me even as my date went on blabbering about her day and her shopping spree.
I was bored. Bored of pretending. But I wasn’t ready yet. Not ready to face the world. And not ready to see the world accept me the way I was.
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