Arshi FF:AFTER YOU:Chap 7 pg 42(23th March) - Page 8

The meeting was a success and I was satisfied with the teams presentation. To nab this particular corporate contract would be of big profit for my Solar panel business. My two assistants have done an appreciable job with the detailed presentation. They did not leave a single stone unturned to make this meeting a success. And even, though, I had a few more points to check with them, I let them take an early leave.

Before, I head back for the office, I decide to pick up a coffee. The wending machine on the floor seemed out of order and so I decided to walk and pick up coffee and a muffin for myself. I saw a Starbucks right across the street but, I had the urge to have something more basic, something from the local mom and pop bakery that I had crossed on my way to the meeting. The European style exterior along with the Bay window looked tempting. Since it was a block away from where I stood, I decide to take the walk till the end of the street. It was a nice, rustic bakery decorated in a European style with neat rows of flower boxes that stretched along the shop exterior. It looked quaint and unique among the corporate buildings. And thats what I like so much about this city, San Francisco, so eclectic, so unique in its beauty.

I go up to the counter and order a double cappuccino and looked around to find a place for myself. The only seat that seemed empty was the single seat at the picturesque bay window. It had a beautiful yellow orchid pot kept at the centre of the round table. I walk up to the small round table and wonder why is the best seat in the coziest corner left for the last! The coffee came in a pristine double walled porcelain cappuccino cup. I don't really remember drinking coffee with such leisure in a long time. I don't remember last drinking cappuccino. I am stiff double macchiato guy. But, maybe I will turn into a cappuccino guy, if this is how they make it, I smile. I took a sip and let my senses feel the delight of the frothy liquid. I got up to finally order the extra large cinnamon and blueberry muffin. After, paying for the order when I turned to get back to my seat, I saw someone peeping though the bay window right at my coffee.

The fellow was wearing a long brown oversized quilted jacket, over brown chinos, boots and a grey plaid muffler. What a tiny petite fellow I thought? His face was covered by the over sized hood and its fur lining. And this hands were cupped around the eyes, looking straight at the coffee, with a sad frown on the face.

Instead of walking towards my coffee, I turned back and pay for 2 suspended coffees. Something stopped me from going to my table. I feel hesitant and bad for the person cold, hungry soul outside, maybe he needed a hot cup right now. It was already late fall and the weather does get unpredictable around here, I mused. By, the time I went out to call him, he had disappeared.

I hurried back to my now turning cold cappuccino and scrumptious muffin, but my eyes riveted towards the window, where a few seconds ago, the fellow stood staring at my coffee. There, in a disappearing condensed vapor, I see a fast disappearing heart and within it written in clean capitals, MINE!!'. Startled, I kept looking at it, till it faded away. I finished the last crumbs of the muffin and gulped my coffee, but for some unknown reason, I did not feel like leaving. I decided to sit there for a while wishing that fellow to comeback. But, he did not and I did have to get back to the office. What does Mine' mean? Does it have anything to do with me? Am I hallucinating? Damn!

The following week, I had another meeting set up with the same company to discuss how we could move forward with the expansion plan and how to draft the contract. I realize we would have to sit for few more such meetings before we could agree to sign on the dotted lines. As, the meeting got over, I found myself back at the coffee shop. This time I decide to check the name, Elysian Bakery'. I pay for my coffee and two suspended coffees, thinking about the stranger at the window. I am puzzled at my own reaction. Why I feel so strangely inquisitive about a mysterious stranger? Why am I so concerned? I meet strangers and often more strange situations very day, but it has never bothered me at this personal level. Why, does this fellow staring at my coffee making me feel so disconcerted?

I am surprised to find the same place vacant while every other table was taken. The orchid pit still there. I move the orchid and wait for my cappuccino to arrive. The barista gives me a weird look when he comes with my porcelain white cup of frothy cappuccino. I was so lost that I would have almost missed the silhouette on the window. I see, its a girl, with pink ear muffs and tinted riding glasses, I couldn't make out much of her. But, the way she looked will be etched in my memory. Her eyes were intense and alive. Then, she did that right in front of me. She blew hot breath through her mouth and wrote in capital letters MINE'.

There it was again. And why was she writing it? Now, I knew one thing that whatever she meant for directed at me, but what did she mean by it all? So, I get up again and rush to talk to her. I only see the back of her riding away in her silver bike.

My second encounter with the beautiful stranger, leaves me restless and I cant push those intense eyes from conquering my thoughts. I want to know the reason behind those imprints, and those piercing eyes. And, I want to know the color of those eyes. Are they, green, hazel or chocolate like mine? Those eyes were speaking to me and I want to know what they are saying.

I did not have the chance to get out of my office commitments for the next two days. But these two days, I spent constantly thinking about those beautiful eyes and why she wanted me to be hers! Is that what she meant or what else could it mean. But why? I wanted to know more. More about her and what she was saying - to me!

So, the next day, I go back but instead of the cafe I decide to wait across the street, in the Yogurt bar Frozen Yogurt' for her. I knew I would be able to recognize her. And, I did. She walked up to the cafe, stopped to smell the flowers on the window sill and peeked inside. I saw a smile creep up when she saw the table empty. And then she just walked away. I was surprised... what was she doing? My curiosity grew by Minute. But, I had to get back to the office and so decided to be back soon.

I could not think about anything else the entire day. Every coherent thought went back to those intense hazel eyes. Those doe eyes that looked directly at me while she wrote, Mine'. Did she mean me or is it my illusion? Damn, I have to see her again.

So, the next day I found myself back to the same spot waiting for her and she did not disappoint me. There in front of the bay window, she stood peeking through the glass. I instantly, crossed the street, stealthily went behind her and whispered in her ears. Hey!! Mine.'

She jumped in shock and stumbled and the next thing I know, she was in my arms. She had her eyes closed in shock and held on to my forearms. After which seemed like a century, she slowly opened her eyes hesitantly. She raised her lashed to look at me. It was her. Time stood still as I looked into those beautiful hazel colored doe-shaped eyes. Her eyes had widened and she looked back at me in dazed shock. I noticed the beautiful flecks of amber in the hazels of her eyes. Fiery passion.

As I held her time stood still. She made no attempt to move while I held her and looked into those mesmerizing eyes. Then, she licked her dry lips and my gaze shifted at her lips. Pink buds.

She looked heavenly as she lay in my arms. So close to me, I could almost feel her heartbeats or was it a shiver. The wind was playing with her fringes that kept coming in front of her eyes and she kept blinking at me but still making no conscious attempt to move. And I just continued holding her. Admiring her.Her face was angelic and she looked like a delicate porcelain doll. My lips automatically said the words that had kept me awake many a nights since last week.

Mine!

Chapter 4

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