3rd October 2015

I remember that day vividly.

It was in autumn.

The autumn came with regal ease content to arrive with slow grace. I watched as the leaves gently fell on the ground in a way as if a boat sailed onto the shore.

It was windy and I sat on a wooden bench beside the tree mesmerised by the beauty of nature.

I held my sketchbook close to me, clasping my fingers on the edge of the pages to prevent it from fluttering by the small gusts of wind.

The only sound that could be heard was the scribbling of my pencil on the soft pages of my sketchbook. The sharp edges of my pencil glided across the pages smoothly and I concentrated on the swift strokes to not notice the presence of another person in my vicinity.

Then I saw her.

Cute glasses adorned her adorable face, her slender brows wrinkled in concentration as she immersed herself completely in a book. Her eyes followed each and every line as she bit her rosy chapped lips whilst imagining the characters of the story I presume.

She sat on a wooden bench across mine and the calm gentle breeze made the hem of her dress flutter. She had wavy blonde hair which was half tied up while the rest cascaded down her broad shoulders.

Feeling my gaze upon her, she gently looked at her surroundings and noticed my presence. Although I was embarrassed about getting caught by her, I couldn't look away from her.

She didn't look at me with any sort of hatred or annoyance, just with a lot of curiosity. Avoiding her inquisitive stare I managed to focus on my drawing which I almost forgot about.

The sketch turned out to be quite good and I was happy with the outcome. I was hoping to try and get her number or at least know her name but I knew my shyness would get in the way and destroy all my self-confidence.

Sighing to myself, I stood up gathering all my stuff and picking up my bag I looked in the direction where the girl was sitting before just to see no one.

Disappointed, I threw my bag over my shoulder but just before I could move, a small hand tapped me on my back.

I turned around in surprise as my eyes met with the beautiful girl from before and I felt my heart leap in my chest.

Up close I could see her ocean blue eyes which reminded me of the stormy skies above the deep ocean and I could get lost in the depths of her sea forever.

However, as I was too invested in my daydreaming I did not notice her fingers in front of my eyes snapping me back into reality.

"Hey, there mister. You forgot your wallet over here." Her soothing voice was as sweet as honey.

I looked down to see that indeed her fingers were wrapped around my wallet and I noticed her tarnished fingernails digging into its cover.

"Thank you very much hahaha."

That awkward laugh was veeery unnecessary and embarrassing and I mentally facepalmed myself.

"I saw you staring at me." Her eyes held mischief and she gave me a playful smile as she witnessed my horrified expression.

I didn't think she would expose me like this.

"Uhhhhhh... Yeah" I gave her a sheepish smile.

"Don't worry I won't tell anyone." She whispered while grinning at me.

I could do this. I gave myself a pep talk in my mind and confidently gave out my hand for a handshake.

"Robert."

She looked a little surprised at my gesture as she might have concluded with our little interaction about my shy behaviour.

Nevertheless, she put out her hand towards me and gently grasped my hand before shaking it firmly.

"Emily."

▪▪▪

4 months later

Around four months had passed. I got to know Emily a lot better and we became quite close to each other. We both kept each other company.

I learned that her parents were on the other side of the world, unlike mine who were only two hours away from my apartment. She lived quite close to my apartment in a penthouse along with her roommate. I learned that she did not have any friends and had troubles with her roommate most of the time so she came by my house asking if she could stay over.

Of course, I wouldn't say no to her.

Not that it would matter to her anyway as she would barge in my apartment along with her cat wanting to sleep over at my house.

She bought the cat a month ago and asked me for name suggestions. In the end, she decided to name him 'Taco' inspired by the popular meme of the taco cat.

Very original.

"I think he likes you." Emily said to me one day when the feline decided to purr against my leg dragging his whiskers up and down my calves.

"Not as much as I like you though." I whispered low enough for her not to hear as I wasn't sure if I wanted to scare her away by confessing my feelings.

I was currently sitting on my couch in front of my television as I waited for Emily and Taco to come for watching a movie with me as planned. I wasn't sure why I included the damn cat but I considered him as a part of my life.

The doorbell rang indicating that they came. I fixed my hair as best as I could and ran around fixing my apartment once again before I opened the door to witness the most beautiful girl I ever laid my eyes upon.

"Hi." I said breathlessly as I took in her appearance. She amazed me in many ways and I felt myself falling for her more and more as days passed. She gave me a coy smile and nudged her nose in a way as if asking me to move so as to allow her inside the house. I did not notice the cat strolling in my apartment as soon as I opened the door, moving towards my kitchen as if he owned the house.

I moved aside and let her in before closing the door and helping her take off her coat.

"You seem rather cold." I noticed her flushed cheeks and red nose.

"Yes, of course, it is January. What do you expect?" She said as we walked towards my kitchen.

"Would you like some tea?" I asked her and she nodded her head.

As I prepared the tea, I watched her glancing at me occasionally.

"What is the matter, sweetheart?" I didn't understand where that nickname came from but as soon as I was about to apologize for it, I noticed her blushing.

Oh my goodness. Did I make her blush?

Me?

No way. Whatever.

I saw her eyes looking everywhere other than my face trying to avoid my gaze.

I placed our cups on the counter beside her and poured the hot water into them.

"I was thinking.... Since I just got a promotion at my work... There is a small party at my office." She said hesitantly. I listened to each of her words carefully nodding my head as I put the tea bags into the cups.

Emily works in a nice company with a good salary as far as I knew. A few days earlier she received a promotion and we had celebrated her success by watching movies at my house and drinking and dancing along to music all night. We got very drunk and ended up sleeping on my couch. Thankfully it didn't end up being awkward in the morning.

"The employees were asking me to bring a date with me so.... I was wondering if you wanted to come with me?" She looked at me expectantly while I stood there with my eyes wide as saucers.

Me? As a date with my dream girl? I was almost going to pass out then and there when I remembered that I had yet to give her an answer.

I turned around to hide my wide grin from her and took some cookies from my kitchen cabinet.

"Sure." I shrugged my shoulders and said to her as nonchalantly as I could while on the inside I was feeling butterflies in my stomach.

"Great! Just remember to dress nice okay?" I nodded my head trying to hide my massive grin at her excitement.

We both had a nice time watching movies and talking whilst having tea when she told me that she had to go home as she had a lot of work to do.

"I am sorry Robert but I have to go." She told me before I told her that it was fine.

I went to the door holding a sleeping Taco in my arms. She put on her coat while I stroked the cat.

"Thanks." She said while taking the cat from my arms.

I smiled at her and before I could open the door to lead her outside, she gently pushed me against the door with the cat squished in between us.

I looked at her in surprise when she kissed my cheek and whispered goodbye to me before I moved away to let her go.

I swear if she was a star then I might as well be an astrophile.