Since it’s Nanowrimo month, I’d like to share an excerpt of what I wrote last year with you. I didn’t participate this year, didn’t expect November would come this soon. I wasn’t even finished with last year’s story — talking about procrastination huh?
It was a scene from a cafe, a coffee moment shared between two people, a story not too well edited 🙂
A cafe caught June’s attention as she crossed the street over to the next block. It was a quaint cafe with the name — Paradise Lane — little fluffy wings sticking out from the signage. Perhaps spotting the cafe was a sign for June, without hesitating she made her way over. She thought of having a taste of the metropolis.
Having ordered her favourite latte with extra cream and a sweet bagel to go with she chose a spot next to the window and placed her tray on a seasoned wooden table. Tucking in she took a sip of the caffeinated drink. Heavenly is how June felt as the hot liquid trickled down her throat. Munching on her bagel she stared outside at the people walking by. Their pace were fast moving unlike her town where people took their own sweet time to get from one place to another.
Finishing her last bite she gleamed a familiar figure walking past the window. Her eyes followed the figure and to a guy pushing open the entrance door. June gasped. The appearance of Michael was the least she expected.
Michael walked up to the counter and was apparently ordering his cup of coffee. June noticed the barista girl swooning over him as he leaned on the bar and selected his beverage. It was not hard to fathom why because June was bedazzled too. He wore his usual outfit, a jumper and matching jeans, but there was an air of difference this time. His jumper was in a shade of blue so snowy it made him looked glorious on a pair of darker jeans.
At the back his hair fell perfectly in shape framed a profile too prominent not to stare. She didn’t remember seeing Michael in this way before. It was as if June fell into a dream where everything around her faded into blurriness and her gaze fixated on him.
Giggles broke her dream, she traced the sound to her far left and saw two girls sitting on the couch with muffling excitement, stealing glances in Michael’s direction. She knew that she shouldn’t eavesdrop but couldn’t help it. She strained to hear what they were talking about yet all she could discern was words like cute, oh my god, talk to him… She gave up on listening to their conversation.
Michael need not have to wait long because the barista girl made sure that his coffee was the top of her priority. He lifted the cup from the counter and made his way towards June. She could feel her heart beating faster as he narrowed the distance between them.
Michael placed the cup on her table and pulled the chair. His gaze fell on her as he sat down and wrapped his hands around his red cup.
June blushed fiercely as she could almost feel the burning stare of the barista and the two girls whose eyes followed wherever Michael went. She looked down on her empty bagel plate, her fingers flicking the crumbs. She didn’t know what to say.
“June.” Michael spoke softly.
At that instant June realized she missed his voice dearly. She lifted her head and looked at him. It was funny how two days of separation seemed like ages, June looked at him like she had just met a long lost friend.
“Michael.” she whispered his name. The casual glances of the girls faded off, the atmosphere of the dim lights dissolved into background. They were wrapped in their own world.
Not in a lifetime Michael have thought that he would say these but he finally uttered the words. “I missed you so much.” he has said it, succumbed to his own feelings. And most importantly he wanted to convey what he truly felt to the only girl who mattered to him.
June’s eye widened, she felt a twitch in her heart. Those were the words she secretly yearned for but now that he had finally said them she didn’t know what to make of it. She kept silent as if saying anything would break the enchanted spell she was under.
“I’m so sorry for everything that had happened. Now that I have the chance, I would not let you go again, would you hear me out?” Michael’s tone was earnest and his apology sincere.
June nodded and after what seemed like eternity she spoke “I’m sorry too for what I did, I was being childish.” She confessed “There were so much doubt I put on myself. I tried to escape from all of these but then I realized that I can’t run away from the truth.”
Michael’s hand glided across the table and clutched June’s hand. “I shouldn’t have pushed you too hard.”
“It’s alright, I knew why you did it.” How could she hold anger towards him any longer? His assurance and his longing for her had erased it completely.
“From now on I would guide you with all I could. You’re never alone in the quest to find your true purpose.” He squeezed her hand “And I promise that I’ll be by your side to shield you from all the darkness.”
“Promise?” June finally smiled.
“Promise.” Michael nodded.
The warmth of his hand made her feel secured and understood that she would be in safe hands. A heavy boulder lifted off her chest as she finally opened up to him knowing that he felt the same way too. There was a tiny thought of uncertainty whether their future would work out but at this moment she chose to ignore it. She wanted to hold on to Michael for as long as possible and not let doubts get in her way ever again.
Little Calico's Journal 