“You came with a lot. We won’t eat everything,” I state as I pull out a bar of chocolate. She looks radiant in an orange dress, carrying a basket of bites and beverages. “You should be starving,” she speaks openly. I have been seated here waiting for her to arrive. It has taken her an entire hour to get here. My patience was wearing thin. I kept looking at the birds and throwing stones in the air. “Why did you take so long?” I ask as she sits down, laying the basket on the mat. “I had a nail appointment that was longer than expected,” she replies whimsically. “You should be upset. I am sorry.” “Pretty nails,” I deliberately lighten the mood with a compliment. “Thank you” she replies with a smile. “Next time, I will have to make better arrangements,” she says with her right hand, picking an apple. “I am hungry,”. I admit while nibbling on a piece of chocolate.”There you go,” She hands over a pack of cookies.

I tend to think of life as a vicious game. Only time is our best ally. Wasting time makes you a loser. A moment is lost: something precious fades. We live at the mercy of fate. They say everything comes at the right time: does fate conflict with time? What would have happened if she had come in time? I ponder. “She wasted my time… Why did I let it go? Is it because I love her? I am just a kind?”I ask myself. “Alfred… Your mind seems to have transcended to another planet,” she states candidly. “For a minute…” I admit as I wait nervously for a response. “It should be about us. Is anything the matter?” ” Let’s just eat,” I state plainly. “If you say so,” Jackie says while eating the last potato chips in a bag. “I worry about you,” “Worried?” I pause with a lot of curiosity. She yearns to know all about me. “You don’t have to worry. I am fine,” l assure her. 

©joeln