He glanced at his watch, the hands ticking by the minute, slowly irking him. The thin scratches on the watch glass screen, the small peelings on the brown leather watch handle never really bothered him, despite his friends aggravating urge to replace a new Patek Phillipe watch for him. He never knew why he was emotionally attached to the old dusty looking watch. The change of jazz music in the small bustling cafe awoken him from his distracted thoughts. Seated facing the window in the right inner corner of the cafe, he adjusted himself comfortably into the black plush cushioned seat while looking at the busy road ahead of him. He have always loved this corner of the cafe, not only due to the isolation from everyone, but also, the silence gave him ample time to focus on his untreated emotions and thoughts deep inside his mind. The laptop screen in front of him was left unattended while he waited for what is to come ahead. He could hear the deafening ticking sounds of his watch, the dragging of shoes from the frequent movements in the cafe, the constant 'ding' sound of the bell situated near the entrance door indicating people entering and leaving every few minutes. But yet, nothing really interest him. He only anticipated a smell, more specifically, a fragrance.
As he was people-watching by the glass window, various vehicles passed by swiftly. He could feel it, his pulse quickened, his left hand is gripping the thin metal pen tightly and his frequent leg movements below the small table, due to his nervousness, which is not helping him one bit. Why was he feeling this way, in fact he has been to this place a million times - even known as the cafe's regular customer now. He realized maybe it wasn't due to the small, hidden place he was seated at. Maybe he was afraid of what lies ahead, the uncertainty. He felt nervous, rather scared of not knowing what will happen. If only he could foresee the future, maybe then he won't be as afraid as now. And then, the pen he was gripping so tightly, dropped to the table while he briefly looked at his watch. 9 pm, the time showed.
'Ding', the bell from the entrance door of the cafe made a sound, sharp and loud. With his back facing the entrance of the cafe, he looked at the atmosphere outside the street through the glass window. He anticipated a small movement. The smell of light fresh lilac flowers overtook his senses. He turned his head to the side slowly, desperately calming his nerves to a notch.
"Hello", a soft voice filled his ears. His eyes interlocked with those pearly, brown eyes. The lightly shaded eyebrows, soft strands of jet black hair tucked behind her ears, rosy filled cheeks and light muted pink lips against the pale fair skin. The cafe’s hustle and bustle faded away, leaving him with only his thoughts - and her. She was just like how he remembered, soft and dainty but filled with fiery determination hidden behind those deep brown eyes.
He slowly stood up, few inches taller than her, glanced down at her and said,
"Hi, haven't met you in a while. How are you?"
He cleared his voice after the question and smiled softly at her. She smiled back, though not a whole wide smile like she always conveniently do. He knew why. In fact, the thought has been gnawing at the back of his mind bit by bit. He tried everything to distract himself - going out with his friends, doing extra work in his office, going to the gym daily, but nothing, not even food, could fulfil his bothered thoughts. The thought of her occupied his mind for the longest time.
"I'm doing okay, thank you for asking. The florist shop has been busy due to the upcoming Valentines Day, but I'm coping well. I've always wanted this so the crowd was manageable at the very least."
She spoke, with a slight pause between her words. Adeline Garden - her well kept, quaint florist shop right across Eden street, few kilometres away from this cafe. He knew how much that shop meant to her, she loved growing flowers just as much as selling them, hence the idea of her own florist shop. The shop was filled with fresh roses, lilies, tulips, quirky wrapping papers and everything else. The first time they met in the florist shop, the numerous cup of coffees they had in this very cafe, the long walks along the Eden street, her laughter that filled his ears, the wind in her hair while they walked down the snowy cold pavements of Eden, her dreams of being a florist which she shared with him, he remembered all of it - all too well, like it all just happened yesterday. But, in real time, that was 2 years and 4 days ago, to be exact.
“Good to hear that you’re coping well with the busy days in the shop. Corporate life has been pretty mundane for me so nothing new for me. Coffee and packed egg sandwiches have been my saviour throughout my repetitive days in the office.”
She laughed softly, her head tilted back slightly, upon his light comment on egg sandwiches. All his friends knew how much of a passionate egg lover he is. He can have eggs for breakfast till dinner, no questions asked. She remembered his love for eggs. He smiled while looking down at his polished black pointed corporate shoes, with his hand tucked in his suit pant pockets.
“Well, glad to hear that nothing really changed for you either.”
He stopped smiling, looked up slightly and peered at those brown eyes momentarily after those words from her. Nothing really changed? He beg to differ. Something changed, in fact, everything changed ever since he knew her. Ever since he knew the existence of those brown eyes just across the Eden street, he willingly accepted her consuming every empty part of his mind. No doubt in his mind where she belong in his life. The sound of her clearing her throat distracted him from his inner intrusive thoughts of her.
“I could say so. How’s your family doing?”
He looked at her longingly, wishing for the clock to move as slowly as it possibly could, just so he could spent a few more minutes with her. It didn’t matter if he was standing since earlier and even if his feet hurt him, he is fine, as long as he could get a whiff of the soft sweet lilac smell from her. He didn’t want to be anywhere but here, at this hour, near her.
She took a moment to ponder before speaking.
“My family is doing well and healthy, Grandma June is getting better, thankfully. How about your family?”
With his hands still tucked in the suit pockets, he nod and smile softly upon hearing the good news. He knew how much Grandma June meant to her and he’s glad she’s doing better than before. He couldn’t see her crying again because of Grandma June’s uncertain health conditions. It breaks his heart seeing her cry. He felt a strange tug in his heart when he realised how she could fill up his whole heart and yet has the full capability to break his heart, all at the same time. He knew all along how immensely strong she would affect him, but he didn’t care. She could affect him however she wants.
“My dad has expanded his oil business into Sweden, so I’m moving there soon to help him with whatever the business needs.”
Her big doe eyes flickered slightly upon his words on moving to Sweden. He knew. He wanted to laugh at how good and composed she kept her feelings. She kept it all in too well while he was struggling to keep himself composed. His breath trembled slightly after stating those words like it was meant to be a secret from her but at this point, he would rather be honest with her. Now, he remembered. He remembered why he couldn't keep Adeline all to himself. There he said it, Adeline.
Two worlds apart, two different souls, two different paths of life. Now he remembered why he could never ever have Adeline. She was like fresh air, a new cup of coffee, and everything he never seen or feel before. She was stuck in his mind like an imprint engraved deeply with no way out. But, she wanted the ordinary, small life in Eden because all she ever knew was her family and her beloved Grandma - while he had this overwhelming fame and legacy to carry on after his successful Father's breakthrough in the oil business. She was really good at keeping her feelings at bay although he knew that at some point in their lives, she loved him for who he is.
"You're still wearing the watch I bought you from your last birthday, you must have really adored it all these years."
She peered down at the watch, comfortably snugged on his wrist with the slight peelings. He rubbed his neck with his other hand, looked down and smile silently from her witty comment.
"Well, I've gotta go. I promised Grandma June that I will be coming home soon with some fresh baked bread for her. I'll see you on another day, hopefully, before you leave to Sweden."
She smiled at him briefly and rubbed his arm softly. He was never an affectionate type of man but he loved the soft affectionate reassurances she gave him, even if its just a touch. And there she was, making her way to leave the cafe before the day gets darker. He glanced at her soft black messy braids and her pink ribbon flat shoes she always loved to wear. He finally managed to take a deep breath of relief and sat down while grasping on the couch handles for support. He was lucky that she decided to drop by the cafe today. He have been going to this cafe for weeks- maybe months, in hopes of stumbling into her. He knew how much she stayed away from this cafe ever since they stopped talking because this place was all they ever knew and no one knew him here enough. Atleast now he knew why he really loved this watch, even if it gets old and dusty, if this is the only thing that can make him feel closer to her, he would wear it till his deathbed.
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