WILL I EVER SEE YOU AGAIN?
Standalone
Interactive
I glanced out of the café window; it looked the same as it did every day before this. The sun hit it in the usual way it did every Wednesday at 10:34am. I knew this because I always worked the Wednesday morning shift. Every day, even if it wasn’t a Wednesday I spotted the usual people, the regulars if you will. However sometimes I would find my gaze landing on someone new, someone different.
Two weeks ago to the day I found I had woken up on the wrong side of the bed and was not feeling up to a full day. My eyes scanned the usual people sitting with their lattes, coffees or other caffeinated beverages. I tightened my apron as I heard the door ding open. I glanced at yet another familiar face and smiled as they took their same seat. I asked them if they wanted the usual and of course, to scared to get out of their routine they agreed.
I made my way behind the counter, grabbing a mug and pouring it full of hot black coffee. As I did so I took a deep breath, wanting to feel revived before glancing outside that café window across the street. My eyes fell onto a man, tall and board with like hair; one hand in his jacket pocket, the other waving goodbye to someone before he began to cross the street. I watched, transfixed and almost in awe as he made his way towards the café where I worked.
Suddenly remembering the coffee in my hand I headed back to the table I had just left. The ding of the door caused my heart to leap as I set down the mug and the costumer thanked me. I dared the look up and when I did this man already had a smile waiting for me, I mimicked him unknowingly and watched as he cocked his head at one of the booths to the side. He seemed to be asking if he could take a seat so I nodded before turning away to tend to some of the other people, knowing some of their beverages needed a refill and their plates needed to be snatched up.
I found myself nervous as I soon started for the stranger sitting in the booth. I had never seen him around here before, or had I? He looked familiar but I swore the images flashing in my head didn’t pair with this café in particular.
“Well hello,� He spoke as I approached, a wide smile on his face.
“Hi there, what can I get you today?� I asked, my voice a little shakier than usual.
“Hmm, I think I’ll try something different today.� He said with that smile still stuck on his face.
I’ve been replaying this day in my head for the past two weeks and still his eyes are just as and his smile still as charming. He stayed with me all morning and afternoon, keeping me company. I hadn’t a clue why or what made him do it, but I did know I was very happy about it. This memory however was starting to bring about sad feelings, ones of wonder and let down. We never exchanged names, let alone numbers or emails; he had left in a rush after someone called him. I left it at maybe sometimes you need a perfect stranger to come into your life, if only for one day to prove to you that even though you don’t want this day to go on, it has to and for good reason.
My friends teased me about him; perhaps he was imaginary or my guardian angel. I laugh it off, playing along but really I was effected by his absences. Why did he have to do this? Come so willingly into my life and my world for those few hours before just up and leaving. Did he think I didn’t want more? That I wasn’t hooked in the way he laughed or sighed after that first sip of his drink.
People think love at first sight is a lie, and maybe it is but I swore for that one day I believe in every word of it.
One of the regular’s call of goodbye caught me off guard and pulled me back into the present. I waved with a small smile and let my eyes fall back outside across the street, no sign of him. I had to stop doing this, I had every ounce of hope that he would find a way to come back, but my mind kept telling me my heart was playing me around.
A couple hours later the girl, Sandy, working the next shift came in to start. We talked lightly for a few minutes before I went to the back to change my top. I searched through my locker and found the top I wore here and quickly changed, all the while in a complete spaced out state. All I wanted was to see him again, to see that smile face to face and just to know his name.
Part of me thinks I’m crazy for even thinking of the word love without knowing his name, but so much of me wanted to hold on to the aspect of a fairy tale. I was doomed to fall because of this and fall hard.
I waved goodbye to Sandy and walked out of the café, the bell dinging and echoing as I left it behind. I shoved my hands into the pockets of my jacket wanting to shield them from the cool breeze.
About half a block away I noticed I had left my house keys in my locker. I felt my shoulders drop in frustration and spun around to walk back to the place I had just been. My eyes scanned the surrounding areas, what made me think I’d see him today? If he hadn’t come back by now he probably wouldn’t. However I couldn’t help it even though I was setting myself up to fall.
I reached my work and glanced once more across the street in the direction he came and left me two weeks ago. I pushed open the café door, the smell of coffee filling my nose and the bell ringing above me.
I paused suddenly as a familiar voice I longed to hear caught my ears, and the back of a tall broad bloke with like hair hit my gaze.
“Uh, she’s got hair to here…� He motioned as I watched on stunned.
“But you don’t know her name?� Sandy smiled at him with amusement.
“No I don’t, I’m an idiot.� He mumbled and shook his head. “Listen I know she works here, it was two weeks today in the morning when I met her. She has eyes that look kind of yellow in certain lights. She’s about up to here on me; please just tell me her name.� He pleaded and I felt like I was in a dream, could this really be happening?
“Well why don’t you ask her yourself?� Sandy asked as she suddenly noticed me.
“That’s what I wanted to do but she isn’t working-“
“No she’s not, but she is here standing right behind you.� Sandy grinned and he seemed to pause. I held my breath and he finally turned to me and our eyes met, his wide smile appeared as his cheeks started to become red.
“Hi,� He waved lamely and took the few steps towards me.
“I didn’t think I’d ever see you again.� I confessed feeling a little overwhelmed.
“I know, I’m really sorry. I had to go away for two weeks but I’ll explain that later, can you please tell me your name?� He asked eagerly, his words coming out quickly but slow enough for me to understand.
I laughed and nodded, “My names .� I smiled.
“, I’m .� He grinned bringing his hand up to brush my hair away from my face, letting out a slight sigh in the process. “You have really soft hair.� He went on causing me to laugh.
“Thanks,� I let out, my whole body tingling as he stepped closer, his hands grasping my arms.
“You’re welcome pretty girl.� He said softly before leaning towards me, his lips catching mine in a kiss that made you just want to melt. I guess falling doesn’t always have to mean you crash and burn; some of us are lucky enough to have someone catch us when we fall.