Theo's POV
As I approached her table, I felt a mix of excitement and nervousness. The thought of striking up a conversation with Lina again, in such a casual setting, was both thrilling and daunting.
"Livana?" I called out softly, not wanting to startle her.
She looked up, her eyes widening with recognition. "Theo? What are you doing here?"
"I could ask you the same thing," I said with a smile, pulling out a chair across from her. "Mind if I join you?"
She hesitated for a moment, then nodded. "Sure, have a seat."
I sat down, my eyes taking in the small camera on her table. "So, do you come here often? I've never seen you at this café before."
Livana laughed, shaking her head. "Not really. It's my first time here. I just needed a change of scenery after a long jog."
"That's funny," I said. "It's my usual spot. I come here to escape the chaos. Seems like we both needed a break today."
As we chatted, I found myself genuinely enjoying her company. It wasn't just about photography or music—it was about who we were outside of our professional lives. I learned that she loved exploring new places and had a knack for finding the best hidden gems in the city. I shared my own love for spontaneous adventures and quirky experiences, and we laughed over our mutual appreciation for little joys in life.
"So," I said, trying to sound casual, "what's something you've always wanted to try but haven't gotten around to yet?"
Livana's eyes lit up. "I've always wanted to take a cooking class. I love trying new recipes, but I think it would be fun to learn some new techniques from a professional."
"That sounds amazing," I said, genuinely interested. "I've always wanted to try my hand at painting. I can't draw to save my life, but it seems like it would be a great way to unwind."
Her laughter was infectious. "Maybe we could swap classes. I'll help you with painting if you help me with cooking."
I grinned. "Deal. But if you're ever up for more exploring, I know a few spots around town that are worth checking out."
Livana raised an eyebrow, clearly intrigued. "Like what?"
I thought for a moment, then said, "How about a walk around the park? It's a nice place to relax and chat. And who knows, maybe we'll stumble upon something interesting."
She seemed to consider it, then nodded. "That sounds great. I'd like that."
With a sense of excitement, I stood up, ready to extend our time together. "Let's go then. It'll be nice to get some fresh air and continue our conversation."
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Lina's POV
As we left the café and stepped into the crisp morning air, I felt a sense of anticipation. The park was a perfect setting for a more relaxed and personal exchange, and I was looking forward to discovering more about Theo—and letting him discover more about me.
As we strolled through the park, the bustling city noise seemed to fade away, replaced by the calming sounds of rustling leaves and distant laughter from children playing. The path we followed was lined with blooming flowers and tall trees, casting dappled shadows on the ground.
Theo and I walked side by side, our earlier conversation about our passions having seamlessly transitioned into more personal territory. The park provided a relaxed atmosphere, making it easier for us to open up and share.
"So," Theo began, glancing at me with a curious expression, "what's one thing people might not know about you just from looking at you?"
I laughed softly, thinking for a moment. "Well, I'm a bit of a thrill-seeker. I love trying new things that push me out of my comfort zone. I once went bungee jumping on a whim while on vacation."
Theo's eyes widened in surprise. "Bungee jumping? That sounds intense. I would have never guessed you were into that."
I shrugged with a smile. "I guess I like surprising people. What about you? Any hidden talents or hobbies you're passionate about that most people don't know?"
Theo hesitated before responding. "I've always been into cooking. It's something I've been doing since I was a kid. It's my way of decompressing after a long day."
"Cooking, huh?" I said, intrigued. "That's pretty cool. Do you have a signature dish?"
Theo grinned. "Actually, yes. I make a mean lasagna. It's my go-to for special occasions or when I want to impress friends."
We continued to chat, sharing stories and anecdotes about our lives. As we reached a picturesque pond in the park, Theo suggested we sit on a nearby bench. We watched as ducks paddled across the water, their movements graceful and serene.
"You know," Theo said, his tone thoughtful, "it's nice to have moments like this. Just being able to talk and enjoy the company of someone without any pressure."
I nodded in agreement. "Absolutely. It's refreshing to have a genuine conversation away from the hustle and bustle of our usual lives."
As Theo and I continued our stroll through the park, we came across a small vendor selling colorful balloons and snacks. A young child, no more than five years old, with a balloon bobbing above their head, looked up at us with wide, curious eyes.
"Are you two on a date?" the child asked, their innocent gaze shifting between us.
Theo and I froze for a moment, then burst into laughter. I shot Theo a playful look, and he grinned back, clearly enjoying the moment.
"No, we're just friends," I said, trying to suppress my giggles.
The child's face scrunched up in thought. "But you're walking together and talking, like a couple!"
Theo leaned down to the child's level and said with a wink, "Well, we're definitely having a great time. But I guess we're not a couple—yet."
The child pondered this for a moment before giving us a thumbs-up. "You should be! You look like a nice couple."
Theo chuckled and playfully patted the kid on the head. "Thanks for the compliment. We'll take that as a win."
As the child wandered off, clutching their balloon and smiling, I turned to Theo with a smirk. "Well, I guess we have the kid's seal of approval."
Theo laughed, shaking his head. "Not a bad endorsement. Should we start telling people we're a couple now?"
I rolled my eyes, smiling. "Only if we want to confuse more kids."
Theo grinned, and we continued our walk, both of us still chuckling over the unexpected but amusing encounter.
Our conversation drifted to lighter topics as we enjoyed the peaceful surroundings. We talked about favorite movies, travel experiences, and even exchanged funny childhood stories. There was a natural ease between us, a comfort that felt rare and special.
"Hey there!" the vendor called out, waving a bright red balloon. "Care for a balloon to remember this beautiful day?"
Theo and I exchanged amused glances. The vendor's energetic sales pitch was hard to resist.
The child who had just asked if we were a couple was now eyeing a blue balloon with a hopeful expression. The vendor noticed us watching and stepped over with a friendly nod.
"Buy a balloon, make your day special!" he said, holding out a couple of options. "How about it? Perfect for a memorable stroll through the park!"
Theo looked at me with a mischievous glint in his eye. "Do you want a balloon, Livana?" he asked, playing along with the vendor's sales pitch.
I laughed, shaking my head. "I'm good, but thank you."
Theo then turned to the vendor with a smile. "I'll take one, please. Let's see which one suits my friend here."
The vendor's face lit up, clearly pleased by the sale. He handed Theo a vibrant purple balloon with a flourish. Theo turned to me, holding the balloon out with a playful grin.
"For you, Livana," he said, his tone light and teasing. "Consider it a token of our stroll."
I took the balloon with a grateful smile, feeling a little silly but charmed by the gesture. "Thank you, Theo. This is unexpectedly sweet."
The vendor waved us off with a cheerful "Have a great day!" and we continued walking, the balloon bobbing cheerfully above us.
Theo glanced at the balloon, then back at me with a grin. "Guess we're officially 'balloon buddies' now."
I laughed, feeling a warm sense of connection. "Definitely a memorable way to end our walk."
As we made our way toward the park exit, the balloon adding a playful touch to our walk, I couldn't help but feel that this light-hearted moment was a perfect reflection of our growing friendship.
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Theo's POV
As we neared the park exit, the late morning sun cast a warm glow over the path. Livana and I exchanged smiles, both of us acutely aware that our time together was coming to an end.
"This has been really nice," she said, trying to savor the moment. "Thanks for inviting me out here."
"I'm glad you enjoyed it," I replied, my smile softening. "I did too."
We reached the entrance of the park, where the city's hustle began to intrude upon our quiet moment. There was a brief pause as we both seemed to hesitate, not wanting to say goodbye just yet.
"I guess this is where we say goodbye for now," Livana said, her voice tinged with reluctance.
I looked at her, feeling a mix of emotions. My mind raced, knowing that this was the moment to act. I took a deep breath, summoning all the courage I had gathered during our walk.
"Livana," I began, trying to keep my voice steady despite the flutter of nerves. "Before you go, I was wondering if I could ask for your number?"
She looked at me, surprise and pleasure lighting up her eyes. "My number?"
"Yeah," I said, feeling my confidence build. "I'd really like to keep in touch. Maybe we can continue our conversations or grab coffee again sometime."
A smile spread across her face, and I felt a wave of relief and excitement. "I'd like that."
With a mix of joy and relief, Livana took out her phone and gave me her number. "Great. I'll text you soon," I said, my smile widening.
"Looking forward to it," she replied, her voice carrying a hint of anticipation.
As she walked away, I watched the purple balloon bounce above her head. She looked backed with a hopeful smile, my heart racing. I waved goodbye, and she waved back before turning to leave in the opposite direction. As soon as she was out of sight, I took a moment to let the reality sink in— I had finally taken the chance I almost missed.
I looked back in the direction Livana had gone, feeling a rush of excitement and nervous energy. I was filled with a sense of promise about what lay ahead. The park had been a perfect setting for us to connect, and as I watched the spot where she had disappeared from view, I couldn't help but feel a thrilling sense of possibility. There was something undeniably promising about our budding friendship, and I was eager to see where it might lead.
Determined not to let this opportunity slip away, I pulled out my phone and began crafting a message, ready to continue our connection and see where our conversations might take us.