#Afictionalstory

“Sorry, I opted for this,” with grace, her voice acknowledged, something I hadn’t given much attention to. My eyes stare, leading to nothing. Her mannerism is a pouring of discipline. How foolish! I try to understand emptiness instead of creating words to know why I am here.

My openness is bright. My mind wants to get acquainted with this serene spirit.

“It is fine by me, don’t mind. The realisation has just hit.” I smile with a gratifying intensity. “What you like is even better than my regular,” I state. “Wow, is that your regular?”

“Anything wrong with tea?”

“Oh, no, sorry, I didn’t mean to offend you.”

“It’s okay, Iclearly get you. We all can’t like the same thing. You are sitting in the presence of an understanding gentleman,” breaking the ice.

“ Getting back to the busy part,” vivid curiosity in a lady manner embodiment like a thin garment stitched with a keen eye.

“Mostly work,” my response is calm and recollected… Now I know it won’t be tea the next time I ask,” said with a grain of humour. I keep lightening the mood: two strangers trying to know each other.

“Have you changed your mind? We are still open,” she reminds me of the invite. The same enthusiasm she had at our first meeting.

“Not to say no to the invite but I have lengthy work hours… I am afraid, no,” smoothening a rejection as I gently pour tea into a white floral cup.

“It all stands as I said it, if you change your mind,” she will not give up on trying to get me in, which is odd because I do not see it happening.

©Joeln