The Last Waltz

As the party slowly began to wind down, the band slowed down the tempo, till there was all but one more song to play. Those present either made a beeline to the buffet, or to the exit. The night of revellery was slowly drawing to a close coming to close, no longer young.

He sat there in his tux with his bow tie untied and button loosened, sipping his final drink, the last one for the road, wondering if he should go or should stay. His friends were at the bar getting higher than the Empire State. Should he wait for them, or leave them to their highness.

And as he finally rose to leave he caught sight of her, sitting by herself, all alone and shy, elegant and beautiful and forlorn, a beauty not in the conventional sense. Throughout the night he had seen many would be suitors being shot down, given half a chance. He wondered if he should ask her to dance? What did he have to loose? This was last song the band would play, it was now or never, nothing lost, nothing gained, nothing could possibly happen over a dance, he thought.

So he gathered all the strength he could muster, and walked towards her. She saw him approach, and gave a faint but shy smile. And as he put forth his hand to ask her for a dance, all prepared to be shot down, she put her hand in his, and whispered “I thought you would never ask!”

For a moment he was stunned. He stood there frozen to the floor with an odd look on his face, did she actually say that? But then he gathered himself and led her to the now deserted dance floor of the ballroom. Taking her by the hand, he pulled her close to him, holding her by the waist, as she arched her back. Holding his frame they got in hold, she the painting, he the frame. He slowly but firmly guided her. And so they glided across the dance floor as if floating on air. The world around them disappeared in a blur, as they twirled, and elegantly moved across that dance floor. They rose and fell with the music, with the rise and fall of the beating of their hearts, every breath which they took. In those moment the world ceased to exist. It was just the two of them and the orchestra playing, as they waltzed elegantly to the last waltz.

And as the song reached it crescendo, he wondered if it was possible to fall in love with this lady, who through the night was shooting down would-be suitors, not even giving them half a chance. He just wanted the music to go on so that he could continue to the waltz this beautiful creature. Though the world around them was all but a blur, he was sure all eyes were fixed on them, but it didn’t matter, all that matter was here and now. He just wanted the orchestra to continue to play, the last waltz to last forever.

But as the music wound to a close, she gracefully curtsied to him and smiling thanked him for the dance. Leaving him on the dance floor, she made her way to the exit. He stood there, watching her leave, his heart heavy, and his mind in whirl. It was all over now , nothing left to say, just a hope that the last waltz last forever so he could fall in love with her a bit longer.

Trouble and Her

As he got off the boat he breathed a huge sigh of relief, glad that that part of it was over. Lesson learned, he and the sea didn’t go too well. He shuddered at the thought that they both would be in close proximity for the next couple of days, if he could make it till then. Damn being spontaneous was tough, never ever would he try to be spontaneous again.

As he collected his backpack he noticed her get off the sailboat and kiss the sailor. She was same female that was holding up the ferry on the dock and who had missed the boat because of her carelessness and delayed everyone else. How did she get here so fast? Some girls have all the luck. He was so busy looking at her that he didn’t see the bag in front of him, and so tripped and fell, hurting his knees. He sat there biting his tongue refusing to howl out in pain, but he did let out a couple of expletives. But she didn’t even notice him, typical of girls like her, the popular ones. When the pain finally subsided he hobbled off to the enquiry box (if you could call that one). He purchased a map and made his way to the nearest hotel. He booked a room and spent the rest of the day in hotel  icing his knees and ordering room services.

Next day he took a rusty old jeep on rent that was one accident away from falling apart. Apparently they didn’t have cars on the island, just two wheelers, which he couldn’t ride to save his life. So in the end he had to rent out this dilapidated jeep. He made a note of the places that he wanted to visit, which was not much, and was on his way. But before that he had to stop over for a quick bite.

He found a quaint little cafe just around the corner but then the service had a lot to be desired from. The service was slow and the waitresses were sloppy and took forever to take his order and to top it all one spilled water all over him. And it was her again. Why did bad things happened when she was around. He infuriated and asked for the manager. When he didn’t get the response he wanted he stormed out from there.

If things couldn’t get anymore worse, it began to rain and the jeep didn’t have any cover, so he was soaking in the rain. And then without any warning the jeep began to smoke and came to a halt. Apparently engine had overheated. How ironic, an engine overheating in the rains. That’s it, he thought, that was as spontaneous as he could get. He was going to get this monstrosity up and running, take the next ferry off this island and the next flight from the mainland and back to his structured ordered life.

The rain didn’t relent, so he got off and tried to wave down passing vehicles to get a lift to the nearest house or shop from where he could call for help. As luck would someone did stop, but to his dismay it was her. He would rather stay out in the rain then get on a bike with her but then he had no other options as he began to shiver and knowing it would be detrimental if he continued to be out in the rain. So reluctantly he got on the bike with her.

Now the rain began to pour making it dangerous to continue any further. They took shelter in an abandoned stable. He began to shiver uncontrollably. Fearing that he would catch hypothermia, she started a fire. But somehow his shivers didn’t quite subside down so she came and huddled beside him. He hated being the damsel in distress (it bruised his male ego) but it seemed to work. So when she asked his to take off his wet shirt, he reluctantly complied.

This seemed to work as he began to breathe normally and his shivering had finally died down. Now he noticed that she  was the one shivering, so he put his hands around her waist and pulled her closer. She put her head on his shoulder and he was grateful for his presence, her touch, her warmth. For the first time, since he got on this island, he felt nice, he felt happy.

Instinctively he looked at her, she was leaning towards him. He felt drawn towards her, his breathing slowed down, filled with anticipation. And without a second thought, they kissed, letting their burning passion ignite a flame, setting the night on fire.

A Rainy Night

The moment she set foot on the dock she knew this was the place for her, this was where she was meant to be, this was the place where she could spend the rest of her life here, if that was ever possible. She paid her handsome sailor with a kiss and promise to dine and sail with him the next time he sailed to the island.

She spent the rest of the day going around the city, exploring it, taking in what it had to offer. This was her adventure, this was her life, and she wanted to make the most of it. She wanted to soak it all in, enjoy every moment, soaking in the culture, tradition, cuisine of this little island that she hoped to call home. The air was fresh, and the smell of this quaint little town left her feeling intoxicated, light headed and dizzy with a sense of elation.

But then she was very aware that she couldn’t live on love and fresh air alone. She knew that very soon she would be down to her last penny. Once more she used her charm and secured a job as a waitress and with it lodging. So she was set, ready to live life on the island. And yes she could sing too. What more could she want.

She had no qualms waiting tables but was not very good at, after all her only experience in waitressing was helping serve drinks at her friend’s party (if that could be counted as experience). So she muddled up orders, found it difficult to navigate through patrons while balancing trays with orders, often mixing up orders, spilling orders, in short not doing a great job. 

The patrons were often cheery, and didn’t mind her clumsiness, willing to give her chance (also they were enamoured by her charm). That was until she saw him seated at his table, complaining about everything. Typical city dweller, she thought to herself (but then so was she) but she was nothing like him. 

As luck would have it, she tripped and spilled water on her (thank god it was just water and not anything else but then she wouldn’t have mind if she spilt something else). She apologised as she tried to wipe off the water, but he was too furious to listen to her apologies (in fact, she didn’t care). He spoke with the manager, and when he didn’t get his way, he stormed out. She breathed a sigh of relief when she saw him leaving, she managed to dodge a bullet. The manager didn’t reprimand her, just told her to be careful of such finicky customers. 

That night as she closed the cafe and left for the day, it began to pour. She wore her windsheeter and got on her bike (which she had rented) and was off. It was pouring steadily, not too heavy, quite manageable. As she made her way she saw headlights and someone frantically waving their hands to get her attention. As  she got closer she saw that the same obnoxious fellow from the cafe. She had half a mind to let him suffer in the rain, for his rudeness. But she saw him soaked to the bone and shivering, and took pity on him. She wasn’t quite the mechanic, did all she knew. But when that proved futile she offered to drop him to the nearest house or shop, from where he could call help. As she rode carefully the steady rain had now become a downpour making it difficult to ride, affecting visibility.

Finally, they had to stop and take shelter in what looked like an abandoned stable, waiting it out, waiting for the rains to pass. She noticed him shivering uncontrollably so she quickly searched about for anything she could get a fire going. When she was finally able to start a small fire they both sat next to it trying the best to keep warm, but their wet clothes made it difficult. He was still shivering, so she snuggled up next to him hoping their body heat would keep them warm. At first he flinched, was taken back when she snuggled next to him, but then he relaxed. When she suggested that he remove his shirt and let it dry, he was initially hesitant but did as she said. She removed her blouse and sat there in her underwear.

They huddled together before that fire and it seemed to be working. Heat from the fire combined with the heat from their bodies provided the warmth they needed. She lay her head against his shoulder, and he put his around her waist and pulled her closer to him. Out of of nowhere she felt drawn to him. The person who had earlier repulsed her was now attracting her and she was powerless to this attraction. She leant forward till she could feel his breath on her face, she could feel his body close to hers, something awaking, like the passion she felt within her. And as she slowly moved closer to his face she felt his face draw closer to hers, and then they kissed, setting the night on fire.

Could I have this Dance

As he slowly took a bite of his pizza, he smiled at the person sitting opposite to him, who was engrossed in the conversation, who caught his eye and smiled back at him. 

There was a cool breeze in the evening air, making the cafe the ideal place to be. Not to mention that their seats faced the park giving them a wonderful view of the people who were unwinding in the park, some by themselves, others with friends or family, enjoying a cool evening in the park. 

The cafe was slowly filling with the regulars patrons, and some new faces. It was that time of the evening where the cafe was the place to be. The waiters were busy taking and delivering orders, dodging each other, weaving their way through the mired of patrons.

He focused his gaze on him and continued to nod as he spoke, trying to take in what he said. He admired his youthfulness, his beauty of his face, he admired his exuberance of youth. He felt drawn to him, sucked into his orbit, addicted to him. It also reminded him of the difference in their age, there in lay his biggest concerns.

They had met on a dating app. His friends had warned him against the young ones who they felt were immature, inexperienced, eager to please, moody. But sex was not what he was looking for so he responded to the taps and pings irrespective of the age, trying not to let any sort of biases get the better of him, trying not bring in the questions of labels. In a way he was glad he did that.

They had been chatting with each other for a while, been out for coffees, chats, lunches and movies. But their age differences kept him in check, kept him from falling for the handsome youth who currently sat in front him. They shared everything with each other, heartbreaks and failed romances, ill fated dates, dates that ended well, dates that were a disaster. They chatted about their lives, studies and work, shared the annoying, ironical and the downright amusing incidents that happened to them. How he hoped that something would click with every date, how he was totally in his head.

He felt comfortable and safe in sharing his life with him, and that was what drew him. But he knew while he had all his life in front to experience it, to make the most of it, time was not his side. He yearned for stability, he yearned to settle down. Why should heterosexual men be the only one to be able permitted to have a family, to have children, why couldn’t a gay man have the same? Why only celebs could adopt kids, have kids of their own? 

He never did consider himself as closeted man but he didn’t feel the need to announce himself to the world. It was his choice to live the way he chose to, and he  loved it that way, he didn’t feel the need to say it out loud, announce his sexuality, his orientation. Those who needed to know already knew about it, and he never denied it when asked about it. But he did feel uncomfortable when friends unknowingly passed insensitive and phobic Comments.

He was so lost in his thoughts, he didn’t know he was asking him something.

He sheepishly nodded his head and smiled at him. 

He clearly remembered the first time they met. He was hesitant to meet at first, but finally when they met he felt as ease. He made it clear about the age issue. But despite all the walls he put up he felt drawn to him. He wondered if he could get over the age block. Could they work? And how was he even pondering these thoughts. But he knew all the walls that he had put up, were now melting, his defences were crumbling down. He was scared of getting hurt cause he had been hurt and broken before that left him bruised and damaged. 

Yet here he was, despite all his defences, falling for the man sitting opposite him. Like a moth to the flame, he felt drawn towards him, leaving him with the only possible outcome of being burned. But despite all his doubts, he wondered why he felt this way for the man before him? Should he give into feeling and risk it all, or should just let it go, for the best? He always felt happy and nice being around him, he felt a sense of well-being, he felt safe and secure whenever they were together.

Just then, a familiar song began to play, the one he had heard before, the one that such a big part of growing up years. And that moment he stood up and took his hand, pulled him close, till their bodies touched and swayed in unison, he began to slow dance to the music. He didn’t care that the people stared, he wanted to be in that moment. And as the song played on, he found his answer.

Could I have this dance

For the rest of our lives

Would you be my partner 

Every night

When we’re together 

It feels so right 

Could I have this dance 

For the rest of my life

He lent towards him till he could feel his breath on his face, he could feel his body close to him, he could see that look in his eyes. And those luscious lips tempted him. He pulled him closer and kissed him, kissed him passionately. He didn’t care of what people said or what they talked, he knew he had to give love a chance.

Many years, and many dates later, they once again found themselves dancing together, in front of their family and friends, after they made vow to be each other. And as the song played, he rested his head on his chest, he could smell the top of his head, a smell which intoxicated him. He kissed on the forehead and then on the lips, continuing to dance, knowing that he had to give love a chance.

I'll always remember the song they were playin'

The first time we danced and I knew

As we swayed to the music and held to each other

I fell in love with you

Could I have this dance for the rest of my life?

Would you be my partner every night?

When we're together it feels so right

Could I have this dance for the rest of my life?

Strangers in the Night

He saw her from across the room, seated at the bar, slowly sipping her drink. Her angelic appearance made her seem out of place in this bar that was slowly filling with office-goers, men and women worn-out from their daily routines, who had come to unwind, and a few to drown their sorrows. She seemed unperturbed by the crowd around her and kept to herself and her drink.

She saw him from her seat at the bar, ruggedly handsome, not all primp and manicured as most of the guys in the room. She felt an awkwardness when she caught his gaze looking her way. She was surprised that he didn’t try to look away on being caught. Her heart almost fluttered, if it could flutter, when he got up from his seat and walked towards the bar, in her direction.

“Is this seat taken?” He asked. She opened her mouth to say something but words seemed to have deserted her. Instead she could only muster a polite nod. He placed his drink on the bar and took the seat right next to hers, making her feel even more nervous.

“It’s surely a crime that a beauty like you should be seated all by herself,” he said nonchalantly. Although she felt it corny, she took no offence to it. He radiated a smouldering masculinity that she had seldom seen in other men. Once again she opened her mouth to say something but couldn’t muster herself to speak. Once again words seemed to have deserted her. “Why am I so tongue-tied?” she asked herself, “Why can’t I just answer him?” Ignoring her awkwardness, he continued, “But then you are a lady who wouldn’t care whether or not others gave her attention.” He said with a smug smile.

These words caught her unaware, causing something inside her melt. She took a deep, silent breath, to compose herself and get a grip of her thoughts. She finally spoke, “People see what they want to see,” she said in a low voice, almost a whisper, “and I don’t think I am what they would like to see. So let them see what they want to see, and I will see what I need to see”.

He smiled, once again causing her to melt a bit more, but by now she was more composed. “Touché!” he said, “Well said! So let’s drink to that.” Saying this he lifted his glass, clinked it against her, and took a sip of his drink.

“You don’t seem from around here?” She said, gaining the confidence to have a conversation with him, “What brings you to this side of town?” He once again took a sip of his drink and smiled at her. “Well, I am what you call an out-of-towner”, he said swirling his drink, “in town to meet someone who needs my help.”

“Wow! That must be one lucky lady to have someone like you to come to her rescue,” she said with a sly smile. He shifted his haze from his drink to her face, once again causing that same giddy feeling that she felt ever since he came to sit next to her at the bar. “How do you know that the person I am to meet, needs rescuing?” he said arching his eyebrows, “and what makes you think that this person is a woman?”

“Well, you could call it a woman’s intuition,” she said, trying to sound as cool and calm as possible, trying not to show the effect that he had on her. He laughed at her response, “Well then, I will drink to that, to a woman’s intuition”, he said taking a sip from his drink, “who I will meet, only the night will tell.”

And so began a conversation, a source of companionship for those brief hours. People who looked upon them would have assumed that they were good friends, never releasing that they were strangers to each other, brought together by coincidence and some harmless flirting. As the night wore on, the crowd at the bar began to lessen as the patrons slowly made their way home to crash into their beds, in deep slumber, to retire for the rest of the night.

He leaned towards her and whispered in her ears, “let’s get out of this place before we become the only two souls left in this bar.” Saying this he took her by the hand and lead her on. She couldn’t protest or even ask where they were going, she was so enamoured and captivated by him, he had put her spell on her she was compelled to follow. She didn’t want to protest, didn’t want to know where they were going, she just followed his lead.

They walked down cobbled streets that were mostly deserted, except for a few passed out drunks fallen on the streets. They passed a group who were all lost in singing some bawdy song, often way off key, and some few other souls who were hurrying home for the night.

They came to the fountain that formed the centre of the city, which was lined with cafes, most of whom were deserted, closed for the night. They sat on the bench that overlooked the fountain. Somewhere out of a tavern a melody softly drifted out.

He stood up and gently took her by the hand, pulling her close to him. She could almost smell him, an intoxicating, divine smell. She could feel herself falling for him, falling into a deep abyss she felt she couldn’t find her way out. But was she capable of falling in love, she wondered.

He pulled her closer to him, now she should almost feel his breath on her face. At any moment their lips would meet and sparks would fly setting free the passion that was so long held back. But before their lips could meet, he smiled and instinctively, she put her head against his chest. Putting his hands across her waist. Holding her, he slowly moved her to the tune that wafted out.

They were two strangers in the night, two lonely people, wondering what were the chances, they’d be falling in love before the night was through, whether love was just a glance a way, a warm embracing dance away. Anyone who happened to looked upon them would have assumed that they were lovers out on a clandestine meeting, two lonely souls who found each other in the night. Little did they know that they were just two strangers in the night. They continued to slow dance until the music slowly faded away, as it had started.

Now it was her turn to whisper into his ear. She stood on the tips of her toes so that she could reach his ears. “Let’s move from here,” she whispered. But instead of following her lead, he said with a mischievous grin, “Where are you taking me?” “Don’t worry it’s a beautiful place and you’ll be safe, I won’t harm you”, she said teasingly, playing along with his mischievous way. “Isn’t that my lines?” He said with a mischievous smile. But he didn’t protest, he just followed her.

Again, they made their way through deserted streets, pass drunken people and down a street that led them out of the city. They walked for a while till they came to a small park (if you could call it a park) that overlooked the sea below.

She sat down on the grass that was damp from the night’s dew, and pulled him down with her. He sat down hesitatingly, at first worried about spoiling his clothes but in the end he sat beside her. She put her head on his shoulder and together they stared at the point where the sky met the sea, admiring the view that was in front of them.

“This is indeed a very beautiful place,” he finally said, breaking the momentary silence that had come between them. “I had told you so, and see there’s nothing for you to be afraid of,” she said, continuing to tease him. “I have been coming to this place as far as I can remember. It is a place I am most at peace. I have always felt that this is the place that gave me birth, and this is the place I would love to rest for all eternity.”

Once again there was silence between them. But it was not an awkward silence, just a silence in which two souls were enjoying each other’s company, grateful for each other’s presence. She continued to keep her head on his shoulder, grateful for his presence. He in turn put his hand around her waist.

“Where do you think souls go after they leave their earthly dwelling?” She said, half expecting him to give her a, “are you mad or what” look. But he continued to stare at the sky and thoughtfully responded to her. “There are many things that happens to a soul once it completes it dwelling on earth. It all depends on what you believe in”, he explained. “Some believe that once you complete your journey here on earth, you become a star in the sky, shining down on your loved ones you have left behind.”

“I remember that”, she said melancholically. “I remember my mother telling me this. I believed her as a child but as I grew older I felt this thought to be plain silly. But I am a lost star trying to find my way home.”

He gave her a quizzical look, but then smiled gently. “Do you remember, I told you that I felt that this place gave birth to me,” she said softy, as if revealing a deep secret, “and this is the place where I want to spend the rest of my life?” Then taking a deep breath, she continued, “This is the place where I met my end.”

She expected he would think of her as a crazy fool and just leave her and go. But he continued to sit next to her, showing no signs of making a run for the roads.

She took courage from his continued presence. “I met my end at this very place and ever since I am trying to find my way home, a lost soul in the dark”, she said softly, hoping he would understand what she was trying to tell him.

He turned to her and pulled her closer to him. She could feel his breath on her face almost causing her heart to beat faster, that’s if she still had a beating heart. This was not the reaction she had expected, but would take it any day. He whispered to her, “I know who you are my dear,” he said with a smile, “I’ve known who you are all along. I am death and I am here to take you home.” Saying this he pulled her closer to him and their lips met and kissed her passionately. There was a burst of light and in the night sky a new star was born.    

When the Girl meets Man... and a series of beautiful misunderstandings

As she finished unpacking the final box she felt sharp hunger pang. It had been a a very busy morning. The movers had delivered her stuff last evening and she had spent the entire morning unpacking and arranging and rearranging. She was so caught up that she had forgotten that she had taken a very light breakfast and now was suffering the consequences of it. She knew there was nothing in the house and would need to go down for a quick bite before she could continue with the task which she had set for self.

She stepped in to the bathroom and splashed some water on her face. She surveyed herself in the mirror. A part from the weariness that she felt from all the packing and unpacking and shifting, there was no toll on her features. She was still the pretty, athletic 25 year old who refused to acknowledge her attractiveness, who considered herself a big dork. 

She dabbed her face with a towel and quickly fixed her hair. She made a note to herself that she needed a haircut. She hated her hair getting messy and the summer heat was just getting it matted from the sweat. 

She put on the a fresh tee that she had kept for drying and stepped out of the bathroom when she heard that familiar annoying sound of the leaky faucet of the kitchen sink. She had asked the society to send someone to fix it but no one had come as yet. She could stop by the society office on her way down and insist they send someone.

As soon as she was out of door she saw him there, fixing something on the door of 3A. Age had been kind to him. His salt and pepper hair and stubble just added to his allure. Even wrinkles added to his raw masculinity. He had his tool belt strung on his waist and had a posterior to die for. Maybe this how they felt, she thought when she started to feel flush, referring to those Mills and Boons heroines which she had read in her growing years.

She finally shook herself and willed herself out of her daydream. She tapped him gently on his shoulder. “I know you’re busy. But I’ve recently moved into flat 3D and have a leaky kitchen faucet. I have informed the society but they have yet to send someone to fix it. So if you aren’t too busy could you please come over to fix it.”

She waited for a while for him to react. He gave her a bewildered look at first but then smiled and said “I will be there in a while.” As she walked towards the lift, she turned around to get a glimpse of him one more time. She quickly shifted her gaze when he caught her staring at him, giving her a smile once again.

Later that afternoon, after she had completed unpacking and had satiated her hunger, she heard a knock on the door. She opened the door to find him standing in her doorway. He was still wearing his tool belt and looked hot like hell. Her heart skipped a beat, did a back flip and began racing. So this is what they must have felt, she thought, when they saw the handsome handy man, once again referring to the heroines in those romantic novels.

“So where is this leaky faucet?” he asked her. She led him to the kitchen and pointed to the sink where the faucet was still dripping. He immediately went to work. She couldn’t help but stare at his well shaped ass as he bent over the kitchen sink. He seemed to be struggling with tightening it. “Why don’t you use the larger tool that’s in your pants”, she said innocently without realising what she had just said.

This caused him to squirt water all over himself, getting his tee all wet. He raised his eyebrow and gave her stare and then began grinning. When she finally realised what she had just said and went red with embarrassment. She apologised profusely and offered him a towel to dry himself. They then broke into peels o laughter.

Finally when he fixed the faucet, she offered him cash for his service, he refused to take it. “That wouldn’t be necessary”, he said, “I stay down the hall in flat 3A, so if you need any help you can always ask me.” He gave her his most dazzling smile. She thanked him and closed the door and couldn’t help but be delighted. She knew she was smitten and smiled goofily like a teenage girl. Just then there was a knock on the door again.

“That was quick” she thought to herself as she opened the door. But it wasn’t him, just another man. “Hi! The society sent me to repair the faucet which you had complained about,” he said. For the second time that day she felt embarrassed about what she had just done.

Later that day, she made her way down the corridor to apartment 3A. She gently tapped on the door and waited with baited breath. She was not sure what she was going to say but one thing for sure, she was embarrassed with what had transpired earlier in the day. She had come to apologise for her folly and with a peace offering.

He opened the door and once again her heart skipped a beat, did a flip-flop and began to race. For a moment she did not know what to say, she stood there with a goofy look on her face. “Hi,” he said, finally snapping her out of her foolish thoughts. “How can I help you? I hope the leak has stopped and the service was up to your satisfaction,” he said with a smirk on his face.

Once again she went red with embarrassment. She finally blurted out “Why didn’t you tell me who you were? Why didn’t you stop me?” “For starters you didn’t give me a chance to tell you this,” he said, “and secondly how could I refuse such a beautiful lady.”

“Good Lord he’s flirting with me again,” she thought, “could he get even more better.” “I am no beauty, but I really am grateful for your help. One of my friend gave this wine bottle as a house warming present,” she said holding forth the wine bottle that she had in her hand. “As I am not much of wine drinker, I would like you to have it as a small peace offering, a thank you for coming to the rescue of this damsel in distress and I am not going take no for an answer,” she said with a mischievous twinkle in her eye.

“Since you have given me no choice, I will accept this but on one condition,” he said smirking, “If you would join me tonight for dinner. Nothing fancy, I am making meatballs and spaghetti, and I have been told that I make a mean meatball. So what do you say?” 

“I think that would be perfect,” she said delightfully. “Then it’s a date,” he said, “I will see you at sharp eight. Don’t be late I may just start without you,” he said with a grin. She couldn’t help but return his grin with a big smile. This was probably best thing that happened to her the whole day, the best thing that happened since she moved in.

She couldn’t wait for it to be eight. She couldn’t decide what to wear. She didn’t want something too casual. She wanted to look sophisticated but not too aloof. She wanted to look appealing, but not too desperate. She didn’t want to seem like she was trying too hard. She finally settled on a blue jean and her favourite crop top.

She couldn’t wait for it to be eight. She didn’t want to be late, but somehow time seemed to go by really slowly. “It’s not a date,” she kept telling herself, “just dinner to get acquainted with the new neighbourhood,” as if she was trying to convince herself. She knew she was smitten by him, she liked him, and hoped he felt the same way too. At least that was she felt, if she read the signals right.

She quickly took a shower, put on the clothes she had selected and applied some light make up. At exactly eight she made her way to 3A. She could hardly wait to get to spend time with him, to get to know him, smell him all over again. She couldn’t wait to feel her racing heart pounding against her chest. Was it possible to feel this way for someone who you had just met? She knocked the door and waited with baited breath. 

The door opened but the person behind the door was not him. Instead it was this stunning woman, who was more closer to his age. “How can I help you,” she asked. “I came to..” was all she could muster herself to say. “Oh yeah, you must be the new neighbour,” she said. “Your handyman is in the shower and will be with us in a short while. He told me about the whole incident and we had a good laugh about it.” She said much to her growing embarrassment. “I can’t wait to hear more about you over dinner.”

She felt crushed when she heard this. So there was a us for this dinner. Who was this lady and what was she doing here? Why is she crashing what should be a perfect evening? “Well I actually came to say that I have to take a rain check on dinner. I have been called in for some urgent work and wouldn’t be able to join for dinner,” she lied. “Could you please apologise on my behalf.” In a way she was grateful that he was in the shower, she wouldn’t have been able to look at him and lie to his face. She felt crushed as she made her way back to her apartment, felt like a fool for getting ahead of her own self.

“Who was that?” He asked from the shower as she shut the door. “That was your neighbour. She said she wouldn’t be able to make it for dinner, something about some urgent work that has come up,” she said. “That’s bad”, he said a hint of disappointment in his voice, “I was actually looking forward to it.” He got back into the shower. 

She felt shattered, almost sobbing through the night. The next day she poured her heart to her best friend who had come to visit her. “Girl it looks like you’ve fallen head over heels for your handyman,” he said teasing her, “Who knows that may have been his sister.” “How I wish she was but I don’t think so,” she said. “From what you’ve told me about him, he seem quite the guy. Are you sure he’s straight otherwise I could try for him. I hope you don’t mind the competition,” he continued to tease her. “What competition? Looks like I am already out of it,” she said with a sigh, “But be my guest. And I think he’s pretty straight.” “Girl you need a drink and some R&R,” he said with a big grin, “Let’s go get you a drink.” “So early in the day?” She complained, “but hey, I could do with one. Let me grab my coat and we are off.”

As they made their way down the corridor and to the lift, there he was standing outside his apartment all suited up. She could swear that he looked more handsome than he already was. 

“Hey”, he said, acknowledging her, “so sorry that you couldn’t make it last night, I was really looking forward to it.” She could die a thousand time she heard those words. “Me too! But then work’s work and you can’t run away from it,” she said, trying not to look at him. “That’s too bad, you missed a wonderful dinner. So where are you two heading?” 

“Ouch!” She exclaimed in pain from the nudge that her bestie gave her. “Where are my manners,” she said and paused for a while as it contemplating her next words, “This is my boyfriend Drew, and we were just on our way to check out the roof,  heard it got one awesome view,” she said while clinging on to Drew’s arm. “Hi I am Drew and it’s nice to meet you... wow that’s one strong and firm handshake,” Drew said admiring him. “Well we better be going, we don’t want to keep you away from your work,” she said while pulling at Drew’s arm who continued to admire him. “Hope you like it, it’s one of the best in the  neighbourhood,” he said with a smile on his face, “and hey, hope my ex didn’t give you any problem last evening. She has a way of dropping by unannounced and making herself at home. Well Drew it was nice meeting you.” 

Saying this he went into his apartment and closed the door leaving her gaping. She looked at Drew who gave a look in return. Once again she managed to assume wrongly and mistake the entire situation and shoot herself in the foot. “Why does this always happen to me,” she complained to Drew, who pulled and hugged her as they made their way down the stairs.

Later that evening, she once more found herself standing in front of apartment 3A. She knocked once more and hoped that it wasn’t opened by some strange unknown lady. And it seemed like her prayers when he was the one that opened the door. “Boy he looks so irresistible,” she thought.

She couldn’t help herself but to just have a go at it, “I am so sorry,” she said, “This has all been a series of misunderstanding and bad assumptions. The truth is that I like you, I like you a lot l, and have been doing foolish things, saying foolish things like would you like to grab dinner with me tonight.” 

“I would like that,” he said, catching her totally unaware. “You would like what? She said sounding a bit lost till she realised what he was agreeing to. “That... wow... awesome... then it’s a date.” She blurted excitedly. “Well wouldn’t you have to ask your boyfriend first, I am sure he’s not going to like it,” he inquired. “Oh he’s not my boyfriend. It was just something I said to make you jealous.” She said coyly. “Thank God then,” he said, “he seemed so...” “Gay,” she said interrupting him before he could complete what he was saying, “yes he is and he actually fancies you. So tonight at eight. So that’s a date.” “It looks we are,” he said with a smile. “Then I’ll see you at eight and please don’t be late. I’ll text you the address of the restaurant,” she said excitedly as she made her way back to her apartment.

That evening she wore the best dress and reserved the best seats at her favourite restaurant and ensured that she was there before time. Then she waited for him arrive. She waited and waited for him to arrive but there was no sign of him. She checked to see if she had texted him the right address and then checked to see if there were any message from him. But there were none. She waited and waited till she realised the inevitable, she had been stood up.

Dejectedly she made her way back home. She thought of stopping at his door and check if he was alright but she couldn’t get herself to do that. She just walked by his door and went to her apartment. That night sleep didn’t come to her easily. All she could think of why didn’t he not come? Did she do anything to offend him? There was so many thoughts running through her mind refusing to let her sleep.

Around the early morn, while it was still dark outside, she heard a beep of a new text notification. It was a message from him asking if she could meet him on the rooftop, if she was awake. She thought for a while before responded back with a Yes. She put on a tee, tied her hair and groggily made her way to the rooftop.

He was already there, staring at the cityscape in front of him, while he waited for her to respond, waited for her to come. The view was indeed beautiful with sounds from the street below as the city slowly stirred from its slumber. But all this was lost on her cause all she wanted to do was to find out why? What went wrong?

He turned round to face her. Though he tried to appear to be calm but there was pain in his eye. Even in all this she found him heartbreakingly beautiful. There was so much she wanted to say to him, to ask him, but words seemed to have deserted her. There was an uneasy silence between them.

“I don’t know where to start, and I don’t know if you’ll forgive me for what I did,” he finally said, breaking the silence that was getting unbearable, uncomfortable, that was threatening to choke them. “But I did come to the restaurant on time and through the window I saw you sitting there. You looked so breathtakingly beautiful. I knew that I would be the envy of so many men. But then I saw something that scared me. I saw me. I saw my reflection in the windowpane and I  realised our age difference. While I am at a point in my life I would need stability, you  are discovering love. You will have a number of opportunities to experience love, for me that would not be possible. I worry of hurting, of hurting you if things were to go south and as we we stay in the same building, on the same floor, things could get very awkward between us.”

He paused for a while just to study her expression, her reaction, before he continued, “For this I don’t think we should see each other. I don’t think things would work between us. We would only end up hurting each other, and I am scared of hurting you. I am not getting any younger and I will only disappoint you. I am so sorry, but I needed to say this before it’s too late.” 

“No”, she muttered, finally breaking her silence. “No I didn’t agree with you! You don’t get to decide for the both of us”, she said sternly.

“But...” he began to protest before she cut him off before he could complete what he was trying to say. “It is totally unfair of you to assume this even before things have started. I am aware of the age differences and I am aware of the pitfalls of this but I really like you and I am willing to risk it all. I am scared too of things going south. I am aware that the importance of relationship may be different for the both of us but it is wrong on your path to assume what I want, you are wrong to try nip things at the bud when you have not even given it a chance to take root.“ she said trying not to choke, fighting by the lump that was welling in her throat.

“I may not know love like you do but I would love to learn love,” she said growing ever more confident and sure, “and we all deserve to be loved. I don’t know what the future holds for me, for you, for us, but I am willing to take a risk on it, I am willing to take it one day at time. Are you willing to do the same?” She asked him.

He slowly looked at her, studied her face. A smile slowly broke across his face releasing him from the tension he had felt all night. “I would like that,” he said with a big smile on his face.

“In that case, let’s start from the very beginning,” she said, reciprocating his smile. “I am Grace,” she said, extending her hand to him. “... and I am Will”, he said as he reached out to grab her hand and pull her to him. Before she knew it their lips met and they were in a passionate embrace.

And as they stood there all enveloped in passion, dawn broke and the sun rose basking the world in its gentle morning light, signalling the start of a new day, a new bond, a new relationship.

The Farm-Boy and the Girl in the Cotton Dress

He fell in love with her the moment he saw.   She in her cotton dress, dancing in the wind, as she passed by. She was this beautiful creature that God had created at leisure and with care.

He had known her since they were little. They studied in the same school, however never talking to each other cause of an age old family feud that kept them away from each other. But that never stopped him from swooning over her without letting her know. 

He dropped out of school to tend to his family’s land while she continued her education, even going to the city for her studies. He was all caught with his farming but oh how he loved and missed her. He always felt that for her he didn’t exist as she was always surrounded by her friends, never truly acknowledging him.

Years passed by and the ancient feud was all but forgotten. She came back to tend to her ailing parents. She still wore her cotton frock that would dance in the wind as she passed by. She was even more beautiful than he had known her. 

He lost his heart all over again. But he didn’t have the courage to tell her. He always wondered if someone so well educated and beautiful could love someone like him, a simple country bumpkin.

One day he finally found it in himself to talk to her. He approached her and introduced himself. She initially was taken aback and looked at him with surprise. She listened to him attentively as he explained to her about the feud that had kept them apart, and then he told her how he loved her.

He paused and tried to study her reaction,  wondering yet again if someone like her could love someone like he. She finally looked at him smiled, and with that smiled began their courtship. She knew who he was, had seen and known him all her life, it was just his shy nature had kept her from befriending him. 

Their courtship was initially met with resistance but finally things fell in place. Come spring, the following year, they were married and started a family of their own, putting an end to the age-old feud. 

And so their love story came to be known about the young farm boy and the girl in the cotton dress.