A certain sweet experience

I hadn’t look forward for the trip home, dreading the 8 hours journey through the suburb areas of the east coast. It wasn’t the scenery I loathed, for I had ardently enjoyed my trip going back and forth through the states before - I was driving on my own, singing out loud to the maximum volume of the radio station and cussing freely without offending anybody to whom I intended for.

It was the cruel incumbent requirement of sitting still on my number 1A seat, right behind the bus driver, the limitation of not being able to speak out loud to my desired judgment, and the restriction on my singing needs - despite my actual ability (or, inability) to sing.

Rather pessimistic, I vowed to myself not to have any expectation for the journey - I shall be content with the passing of time until I finally reach home.

Until he climbed aboard and sat beside me.

I was working on my sudoku puzzle, with the TIME magazine on my lap - two actions which I know would immediately drive any man my age away. Learning from my personal experience and close observation of my community members, I realize that seriousness and maturity is not very popular in the romance industry - which, believe me my readers, I am one expert at.

Stealing a quick glance to my left, I made a full first impression of his physical appearance - striped t-shirt, jeans, a pair of boots, and a backpack. I scrolled down through my interpretations - already working, slightly settled with himself, but not confident enough with how his life’s heading so far.

He picked up his phone, and talking rather sweetly to the caller - taken, I decided. I smiled to myself, returning to the singing of Michael Buble in my head. I could easily ask his destination, and his name and what he’s doing. Because despite my introvert nature, I approach stranger rather easily as I willed. But given my recent miscalculated events with not one but three guys, I pushed away the thought of even trying.

(Now, I am NOT going to write about my one pathological need of making a version of my perfect guy out of every man I met)

So passed half of our journey with me from time to time leafing through the magazine, working on my puzzle (I managed to finish two sets), and singing casually to my phone. I walked pass him with difficulty as I was rushing to the restroom and him still sitting rather sleepily on his seat, and we had exchanged a quick stare while buying drinks in the restaurant, obviously checking out on each other.

Why, you cannot deny nature - opposites do attracts. Man and woman - the ultimate yin and yang.

So on the next half of our journey, he began our introduction by offering me his set of sweets - which unfortunately I am not a fan of. But I had returned his kindness with simple questions - of his destination, his job, and the place where he studied. A quiet guy, and definitely not a sweet-talker - but suited enough for my casual interest. He made a comment on my lack of east coast accent, and I had happily explained the twist of my nationality and birth place. Talking and talking, rather relaxed and unfazed, we laughed, and receded back to our silent self to enjoy the rest of the journey.

Carefully, we managed to avoid the dangerous waters.

He had to part at the earlier destination, and both of us sighed with relief at the obligatory separation - as if there was a silent pact between us, we are not going to tread the unthinkable. So, as he jokingly invited me to join him and I declined his offer with a laugh - we said our goodbyes.

We did not exchanged names, more so our phone numbers.

Reaching home, I stepped out of the bus with a smile on my face, triumphantly rejoicing the success of avoiding the temptation to create another chapter of disaster in my life.

This one, this story, this journey - is going to be the sweet filler.