valentine

I was dressed in a shirt and jeans... smart casual or something like that... was still presentable though.... i waited for her with a single long stemmed rose in hand... the petals were a deep maroon colour, not those gaudy looking bright red ones or laughably light pink ones either.. mine looked classy... and there she was, approaching me with a small smile, already caught a glimpse of the rose, so no surprises there.... before she says anything, "this is for you, happy valentines..." her smile grew deeper and it was infectious as i shyly smiled as well.... feeling semi-embarrassed and yet happy at the same time.....

I put out my hand for her to hold and we then made our way through the crowded streets to the restaurant which i had made a reservation.... "Hi! Welcome and happy valentine's day!" said the waitress chirpily... we were shown to our candle-lit seats and we looked at each other rather shyly.... i looked around, and all the other couples were just sitting around, having their meals, but not really having conversations.... it was quiet... and i began to understand why it was so.... the usually eloquent me had nothing at all to say.... the cat got my tongue, so to speak....

The glass of champagne helped alot as i ventured a little conversation using the alcohol as a centre-piece.... "I love alcohol" i said.... what a dunce.... that was something i shouldnt have said... who likes a self confessed alcoholic and all the problems which comes with it.... " i love alcohol too!" she said with a grin.... all was well and i took a few steps away from the edge of the cliff....

Dinner was mediocre, nothing fantastic.... but the ambiance was really nice though.... im sure she enjoyed it... looking around the little restaurant.... at the decor and the mirrors which hung at a weird angle..... it was.... nice.... having finished desert, i paid the bill and we went on with the night... then it suddenly occurred to me... how am i going to negotiate my way through having a cigarette? i was dying for one already, having not smoked since i met her.... what was i going to do... what was i going to say? what if she was one of those people who ABSOLUTELY HATED smokers? oh no... oh no... oh no....

"hey... don't u want to have a cigarette? i know u smoke... and im fine with it... so go right ahead..."

I swear to you, i heard an angelic chorus singing from above, and she was positively glowing magically... yes i am exaggerating, but u get what i mean don't you? she gave me her arm and we walked back towards the crowded mall.... cigarette in one hand and an angel in the other.....

So we walked around for abit.... i suggested a number of things to do, but it seems she doesnt really want to do anything else... just walking and talking... she told me she had to get home early, because her dad was "extremely worried" about her going out with a boy on valentines day... ya sure... i understand the angle he was coming from... i mean... i would get worried if my daughter wanted to stay out till 2-3am with some boy on valentines day.... she said that she wanted to take a bus home, and would like if i could accompany her home....

The bus ride was rather eventful... we managed to get two seats together and the bus wasnt particularly crowded... we talked, we joked and we laughed... i guess that having a conversation like this beats going to a movie or some other cliched things to do when u are a couple...

The quiet walk towards her house was really really nice.... i cant think of another adjective to describe the walk.... it was simply nice.... given that the weather was a little warm...... "this is where we should part ways" she said as she held my other hand as well.... in my mind i thought to myself.... "go tim! this is the moment!!" i looked into her eyes and smiled my little smile.... she grinned back at me.... as i stood closer to her, she closed her eyes......

and time stood still for a moment......