Always You

I was stunned and I can't help myself but laughed at what happened.

"Hey, did you check your horoscope for today? I will not be surprised if it's really your luck today to bump someone." I blurted out instantly.

"Well, I can't help it." He said while smirking.

"Ahmm, I have to go. Bye" I said immediately because I don't want to stay any longer at the restaurant. My eyes are ready to close on its own.

"See you around." I heard him saying.

It was just a brief encounter. I did not think that we will see each other again so; I just nod at him to answer him politely. I am not snobbish but I am not really friendly. My parents always told me not talk to strangers and since we were not really acquaintances, it is okay just to nod at him.

I went home directly. I am renting a place near my workplace to avoid being late because I am not a morning person. I washed my face and went to bed. My body feels so heavy and I slept instantly. I forgot to turn on my alarm; luckily I woke up just before lunch time. I have a 2PM class for my second subject for today. I really have to hurry or else I might miss a surprised test; I took a bath not bothering to eat lunch and went to school.

"Cath, what did you do earlier?" I asked my seatmate.

"Why are you absent? Don't tell me you don't know we have an exam?" she said to me with wide eyes.

"I really did not know. Gosh, minus points." I said gloomily. Our professor was so strict that every exam is important. I was so dejected that I did not see her teasing smile.

"We went to party last night. Though I was ready to go to school earlier, I end up sleeping in my bed. So, what's covered in the test? Can I request for a retake?" I explained and immediately inquired to her; I am ready to ask our professor to let me take a retest.

"Nah, I am kidding." She said while feeling pleased by my reaction. She really got me there.

"Anyways, I'm glad. Thanks, do we have the topic for the group presentation next week?" I asked her. We end up talking until the class ended.

I just have a 3 hour class this afternoon but I still have to get my book at the library for the presentation next week so it's already dark when I got home. My head still hurts however it is now bearable.

While walking on a small street near our house, I suddenly remember that I didn't eat lunch today. There's a food park near our place so I decided to just head there to eat dinner.

After I ordered my food, I went to sit on the table near the window. I got my phone ready to play while waiting for the food but I suddenly felt someone's watching me. I look suspiciously on my surroundings and stunned to see a familiar face.

"Can I sit here?" he asked while smiling.

I did not react immediately, I thought to myself, "It's really not nice if I will reject him since he let me share his table earlier this morning, "Yeah, sure." I said as I looked up to him.

I noticed that he had a confused look but it vanished instantly. Maybe I was wrong.

"By the way, Axel." He said to me stretching out his arms ready for a hand shake.

"Ali." I answered and took his hand. It's not a big deal to make new friends since we are already sharing a table.

"Do you eat here often?" I hear him asking. Maybe since we were both waiting for our order, and he's bored that's why he decided to talk me.

"No, I don't eat here often." My answer are short and quick so to avoid the awkwardness I got my phone and started playing.

"Ma'am, here's your order." the waiter said.

Finally! I am so hungry that my brain is already not working. I need to replenish some energy.

After a few minutes, a saw the waiter walking towards our table holding the same food that I ordered.

I looked at him and said without thinking, "Excuse me, I already got my order. Maybe it is for another table."

He smiled at me and answered, "Sorry Ma'am, it is not for you. It's for him."

I was so embarrassed; I realized I am not alone today and to think we both ordered the same meal.

"Sorry, I thought you made a mistake." I said straightaway. To hide my embarrassment and not make the situation more awkward, I continue to eat my food.

"I am so ashamed. Ali, don't assume just because he is holding the same meal." I told myself. I instantly blushed at the thought of what happened. You can see a visible reddish tint on my ears as I looked down on my food.

I didn't get to see the smile on Axel's face; he really wanted to tease Ali but decided to just stay silent. There's a mix of emotion on his eyes, happiness, sadness, regret but it instantly faded.

We both stayed silent for a while. Maybe because he felt that I do not want to talk so he respected it until we both finish our meal. When I looked up to him and will say goodbye, his phone rang.

"Hmm, looks like someone sent him a message." I stayed silent and glanced at him not knowing that I am now staring at him. Although, I am always wary, I have a feeling that he is not a bad person. I don't know why but I felt at ease with him. There's a feeling of familiar vibe that I can't explain. I don't usually talk to strangers but now that I am talking to him, I'm confused. At the back of my mind, I really don't mind talking to him.

While I am occupied with my thoughts, I didn't notice that he finished answering the message and looked at me with a frown and asked, "Is there something on my face?"