There! I catch a glimpse of a loud blue Hawaiian shirt, accompanied by a familiar smile carelessly tossed over his shoulderā¦ evaporating like dew on my carās windscreen. Mentally, I have an itch that begs to be scratched. Where have I seen him before? When? Who is this charming mystery man?
Later ā amid the lunch crush ā the same dark curls brush broad shoulders, barging to the front of the queue. Annoyance pricksā¦ rapidly replaced by bemusement. Our gazes meet. Can it be? Rudely, he elbows his way past me... Good riddance! It just shows how wrong I could beā¦
After workā¦ finally, a few precious moments to myself. No! Surely not! There ā browsing bookshelves of Best Sellers ā familiar eyes shyly meet mine. Devoid of recognition. I mentally give myself a shake.
Fine! Itās not like weāve ever been introducedā¦ and after lunchtime's ignorant encounter, do I even want to meet him? Maybe.
Embarrassed, I beat a hasty retreatā¦ cursing my overwrought imagination.
He invades my dreams ā sunny one moment, stormy the next, chased by a gentle summer shower.
Dawn arrives late. I stumble into tomorrowā¦ exhausted. I stagger into the day.
Ebony curls taunt me at every turn. My sole sighting is not a pleasant one. Mr Suave snootily struts byā¦ disdainfully tossing cash at the barista as he grabs his coffee and stalks out.
Strolling home via the lagoonā¦ a familiar figure quietly tosses bread to the ducksā¦ bashfully apologises when his playful pup slips his lead and bounds across to me. He seems so sweet, absentmindedly patting his dog who gazes adoringly up at him.
No! I sternly remind myself of his brusque rudeness earlier in the day.
Cracks appear in my resolve when Late Night Shopping stars Prince Charming ā a gracious sweep of his hand ā offering his place to me in the crowded checkout queue. I stiffen my spineā¦
Crazy! You wonāt fool me! Too often, my lunchtimes have been marred by the Real You!
Hours grow into days and turn into weeksā¦
Heās like oxygenā¦ everywhere! A blustery blast at noon, an afternoon zephyr, a fluttering flurry in the evening.
Enough!
I lie in wait, in a puddle of shade, by the tranquil lakeā¦ nerves nipping anxiously, fingers tap-dancing on the wooden bench.
Deep breaths. In. Outā¦
Heās always most calm in this settingā¦ this time of day.
I need answers!
Uncharacteristically, he strides impatiently along the path, puppy straining against the lead. It breaks free, tearing excitedly across the park towards the roadā¦ and stops by... the amicable version of him!
My double visionā¦ trebles! Three of them! Mr Sunshine calls to them from a car parked at the curb. Dog and the duo, bundle briskly into the car.
Mouth agape, I stare as they depart.
As the soft rumble of their car fades, only the faint smell of exhaust fumes lingers.
Thatā¦ and my smile.
*
Inspired by one of the 100 flash fiction prompts I came across as a result of Rachel Deemingās story below! Thanks Rachel.
About the Creator
Angie the Archivist ššŖ¶
Labradorās personalityšāš¦ŗā¦ attention span of a gnat! š
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