"What are you doing after work?"
All thanks to Nathan, I was by now, mentally drained from the ride back to the office. Word of us being a couple spread throughout the building. Nevertheless, I was grateful for the company's contract. Just thinking about the histories of my childhood fully displayed to the public would have irked me.
"I have to collect dad's birthday cake at Batterbomb's." I replied, reminded of my mom's instructions before I left for work. It was funny how the day felt longer than usual.
"Alright, I'll see you later then. Wait for me in the lobby at 5." Before I could protest and reject the need for his escort, Nathan's long strides sent him strolling out of the office within a matter of seconds.
"Ahhh...young love..." I had gotten used to the teases from Quinn. Somehow, it feels a little more endearing, especially in a place like this where many had their heads stuck either to papers or metals and machines.
I shot a look of disapproval with a slight hint of a cheeky smile before sinking into my seat as I thought about the event that took place several minutes before.
-Flashback-
With the end of lunch hour, the bus stop was packed with office workers trying to clamber up the vehicle, just so that they would not miss their ride. The act of pushing amongst the bodies of people, some drenched in sweat while others, still possessing that faint perfume on their shirts, led Nathan and I to be separated. With him pushed to the front, I quickly gestured for him to get on the bus, with the assurance that I will follow suit.
"Miss, do you think that you can help me with my groceries?" As seen from the fine streaks of grey hair was an elder, dressed humbly and looking well beyond her years as she pushed her cart, trying to get onto the bus.
"Sure!" Though I was now at the end of the line, it was clear that there was plenty of space left on the vehicle. However, it came to my concern that someone was holding up the queue. Tiptoeing and gazing far ahead, I saw the back of Nathan who looked like he was having a debate with the bus captain, taking out a few things from his pocket before putting them back again. There was no doubt that he was having a little trouble.
"I'll be back." The senior gave me a warm smile and a few nods before I hurriedly squeezed through the crowd and got onto the bus, uttering 'excuse me' to every person I passed.
"What's going on?" I turned my attention to the bus driver. From the look of his scrunched-up moustache, it was evident that he was a little irritated with Nathan.
"This young lad is trying to make a fool out of me! When I told him to tap his bus card on the machine, he attempted to give me his credit card. When I said that that wouldn't work, he attempted to give me a cheque. A cheque!" The captain cried out, staring at Nathan incredulously. "Don't you carry change around, boy?"
"I don't use change," Nathan spoke coolly while keeping his chequebook in his coat.
This man never ceases to amaze me on just how fluent he is in calling others poor.
By now, a few angry grunts and cusses could be heard. It wouldn't take long before we had an angry mob on our tail. Touching my temple with the ends of my fingertips, I felt a dull headache about to surface.
"Alright alright." Exasperated, I fished out my only bus card, handing it over to Nathan before instructing him to tap it on the sensor while I returned to help the elderly move her trolley up the bus.
Soon after that tiny hiccup was cleared, I handed my fee to the captain before joining Nathan as we stood side-by-side, swaying in accordance with the movements made by the bus.
"Hey, you." Nathan spoke, to a burly and ruffian-looking individual who seemed to be someone that had the capability of snapping a tree trunk in two. "You should let the senior have your seat."
You idiot! Do you fear no death?!
I grabbed Nathan by his arm and hid my face behind my hand, just in case the man before us decided to go berserk. Meanwhile, the same lady that I helped, looked indifferent to the scene unfolding before her as she gazed up at Nathan, then to the other man.
As I contemplated the options of jumping out the window to using Nathan as a full-body shield; Nathan on the other hand, appeared as one who was dipped in ice-cold water amid a raging fire.
"What did you say?" The man who was now standing from his seat responded with a dead eye, as if he were ready to swing his fist. Standing a few inches taller than Nathan, his bulging muscles and brunette hair that had been tied up into a ponytail, added a massive amount of ferocity.
Keep your mouth shut if you want to live!
"I said, that you should let this old lady have your seat."
The legs that had been trembling the moment the man revealed his full physique, threatened the sweat to accumulate on the palms of my hand.
Murmurs were heard on the bus as all eyes were locked on the current situation. The man looked around before staring back at Nathan who was still maintaining eye contact.
"Fine. Have it your way." The man replied, "this is my stop anyway." I heaved a heavy sigh of relief as the man exited the bus before snapping my head towards Nathan who seemed oblivious to what just happened.
"Why are you staring at me?" Nathan asked. "Does me taking the bus appeal so much to you that you're unable to tear your eyes away?"
"You're impossible."
"So I've been told."
-End of Flashback-
Lesson learnt: No matter how poor you are, opt for a taxi than a bus when travelling with his royal highness.
I was drained from that encounter. And to say that I was productive for the past 4 hours, would have been a huge lie. However, it was lucky that I had finished most of my tasks in the early morning, as such, the remaining time was spent with me sorting the remaining orders slowly while taking frequent trips to the pantry. Usually, I would be one of the last few to leave my desk, but today was one of those rare days where I clocked out the minute it struck 5.
"See you tomorrow!" I stuck my head into the tinkering room, bidding the couple who were amid a work in progress, farewell.
"Bye Av!"
"See you soon!"
They both said in unison before returning to their work. Looking at the pile of folders on their workstation, it seems that they would have to pull an all-nighter. By the time I had reached the lobby, Nathan was already standing in the middle of the crowd, bowing his head in response towards the workers who were expressing their respect to him as they shuffled out of the building.
"Shall we go?" Nathan asked, extending his hand towards mine. The passers-by looked on with curiosity, probably wondering who the mystery woman was. Taking his hand, I eyed the people that streamed past, before returning his gaze.
"Uhmm, are you sure?"
"Pay no attention to them." My eyes widened at his answer.
Pay no attention to them.
Was what Nicholas uttered to me. It felt like it was only yesterday when he held my hand, ignorant of the stares of others when we were back in the carnival.
"Nathan." I pulled back, prompting him to halt in his steps as I remembered the exact words I spoke to him.
"What?"
"You look exceedingly handsome today."
The dilation in Nathan's gaze was unmistakable. Somehow, it felt like he remembered, like he was there at the scene. His lips drew into a smile, one that was warm and loving as he drew me closer to him, leading me to his car. This time, the pain and ache that I often felt in my heart whenever Nicholas came to mind, was no more. Rather, it was replaced with a mellow one, just like how the sun shines at the end of a winter's day, melting away the cold as summer embarks, springing forth the flowers in the meadow.
Perhaps it was just the issue over Nathan possessing the same face as Nicholas. But, it has been a long time since I have felt this way; that same romantic love was welling from within once more. Deep down, I prayed that it was finally here to stay.
"Wait a minute, where are we going? We're supposed to collect the cake." I protested after seeing Nathan took a wrong turn.
"Already did." He replied, pointing to the back of the car. Turning around, I saw a box of pastry and a bottle of wine laid on the cushioned seat.
"And the wine?"
"It's just a little something from me to your dad. I'd like to thank him."
"Thank him for what?" I asked. I was certain that Nathan had never met him before, so I didn't know what sort of gratitude he was intending to pass.
"For bringing you into this world." He chimed, making sure that he saw the look on my face as he said those words. To his satisfaction, that simple answer caused me to giggle as I lightly punched on his shoulder upon his cringe response.
"Okay smarty pants, eyes on the road."
As soon as I said this, Nathan reached for my hand while looking ahead. Intertwining them, the heat from his fingers warmed mine as he placed them on his lap. His broad hands reminded me of the same security that I once felt with Nicholas. It was one that I will never ever let go.
A ten-minute drive back to the house seemed like a snap of my fingers as I compared it to the morning commute. Pulling the car to a stop, Nathan murmured for me to wait before rushing to my side, opening the door before ushering me out. Retrieving the wine and cake from the passenger seat, he passed it over to me before standing still, as if waiting for me to do something.
"Thank you."
"That's all?" The sulk on his face brought out a chuckle from me. Since he stood a head taller, I gestured for him to bend a little lower.
"What is it?" I continued the same gesture, waving my hand in a downwards direction.
When he had finally reached a height that was to my satisfaction, I gave him a quick peck on the cheek before pulling away, ready to walk to the house. However, the sudden grip on my arm prevented me from doing so.
"Wait, what? That's it?" He exclaimed, with a look of disappointment and a small pout forming on his lips.
"How about you try again. This time, aiming it right here." Nathan pointed towards his lips before hiding both hands behind his back, bending down once again with his eyes close. With the sun setting and skies painted in the colour of a lovely mix of yellow and orange, I beheld the scene before me. If this were a movie, it would be one of those that could perhaps become an iconic scene that one would remember despite the years to come.
His long lashes and bow-shaped lips made me long for a touch. Leaning in, I closed my eyes, eager to feel the softness of his lips against mine. Inching closer, the smell of him and his breath caressing my skin sent me into an overdrive; an overdrive that was abruptly cut short.
"Honey, who is this?"