She started to feel a flutter of nerves. She remembered how she had stumbled over her words when they had briefly spoken at the party, her cheeks flushing as she tried to make a good impression.
Now, seeing him again sent her heart into a wild dance. She quickly averted her gaze, pretending to be engrossed in the menu, but she could feel their eyes on her.
"Hey, isn't that Eva?" one of Dunsin's friends finally said, pointing in her direction. Upon hearing, she became unsettled as she felt a wave of embarrassment brush over her.
Dunsin turned to look, and their eyes met. He smiled—a warm, genuine smile that made her stomach flip. A feeling she couldn't make sense of. Without hesitation, he stood up, leaving his friends in mid-conversation, and walked toward her.
Eva's palms grew sweaty, and she fidgeted with the strap of her bag.
What would she say? What if she embarrasses herself again?
Just as he reached her, she took a deep breath, trying to calm her fast-beating heart.
"Hey, Eva, right?" Dunsin said in a smooth and inviting tone.
"Uh, yeah! Hi!" She responded in a voice that was slightly higher than usual. "It's great to see you again."
"Likewise! I was just thinking about how we didn't really get a chance to talk at the party," he said, leaning casually against the wall. "Mind if I join you?"
"Sure! I mean, if you want to." she stammered.
She gestured to the empty chair at her table, trying to appear composed.
Dunsin sat down, his presence seemingly comforting.
"So, what brings you here today?" he asked.
"I'm trying to catch up on some studying," Eva replied, glancing at her open textbook. "But honestly, I'm not sure how much studying I'll get done with you here."
He chuckled, and that alone made her smile.
"I promise I'm not that distracting. What are you studying?"
"Psychology." She said, her confidence growing as they spoke. "I'm really fascinated by how the mind works and how people interact with each other."
"I know right! I'm actually minoring in psychology." Dunsin said, leaning in slightly. "I find it really interesting too. What do you want to do with it?"
"I'm not entirely sure yet," she admitted, feeling a bit more at ease. "but I suppose I'd like to work in counseling or maybe even research. I just want to help people, you know?"
"Such an inspiring noble cause." His eyes bulged with admiration. "You seem like someone who genuinely cares about others."
Eva felt her cheeks flush at his compliment.
"Thank you, but I try my best."
As they continued to talk, Eva realized he was not only charming, but also incredibly down-to-earth. He shared stories about his own experiences in college, his love for hiking, and his passion for music. They laughed over shared interests, and Eva felt a connection forming between them.
"So, what do you do for fun when you're not buried in textbooks?" Dunsin asked, leaning back in his chair, his gaze fixed on her.
"I love to paint," she said, with her eyes lighting up. "It's a great way to express myself. I usually spend my weekends at the art studio on campus."
"Really? That's amazing! I'd love to see some of your work sometime," he said sincerely.
"Maybe I'll invite you to an exhibit." She suggested boldly.
"I'd like that." He replied, a smile spreading across his face. "I'm always up for new experiences."
As the conversation flowed, Eva felt her initial nerves dissipate. They shared stories about their families, their dreams, and even their favorite movies. With each passing moment, the world around them faded, leaving only the two of them in their little bubble.
After a while, Dunsin glanced at his watch, and a hint of disappointment crossed his features. "I should probably get back to my friends soon, but I really enjoyed talking to you, Eva."
"Me too." She said, feeling a pang of regret. "I didn't expect to have such a great conversation today."
Dunsin smiled.
"You know, I've been thinking about how I'd like to see you again. Maybe we could grab coffee sometime, just the two of us?"
Eva's heart raced at the thought.
"I'd love that!"
Just then, a loud burst of laughter erupted from Dunsin's friends, drawing his attention. He glanced back, then turned to Eva, wearing a serious expression..
"Before I go, can I ask you something?"
"Sure." Her curiosity piqued.
"Can I kiss you?" He asked in a low and sincere tone. "I just… I feel this connection between us, and I don't want to leave without knowing what it's like."
Eva caught her breath. The moment hung inbetween them, charged with anticipation.
"Uhm…yes." She whispered, her heart pounding very fast.
Dunsin leaned in slowly, giving her a chance to pull away if she wanted. But Eva found herself leaning closer, her eyes fluttering shut as their lips met. The kiss was soft and tender at first, a gentle exploration that sent sparks of electricity through her body.
As they pulled away, both breathless, Dunsin's eyes sparked with delight.
"Wow! That was…that was incredible." He said in a rather inviting tone.
She nodded in agreement.
"Yeah, it really was."
"I should probably get back now," he said reluctantly, glancing at his friends again. "But I'll text you, okay?"
"Definitely." She said, unable to wipe the smile off her face.
Dunsin stood up, his eyes lingering on hers for a moment longer before he turned to rejoin his friends. As he walked away, Eva felt exhilarated. She had come to the café for a quiet afternoon, but instead, she had found a connection that felt electric.
Eva sat back in her chair, her heart still beating. She couldn't believe how quickly everything had unfolded. With a grin still on her face, she took a sip of her coffee, savoring the moment. The world around her felt lighter, filled with spontaneity.
As she packed her things and prepared to leave, she couldn't shake the feeling that this was just the beginning. She had faced her nerves, embraced the unexpected, and taken a leap of faith. And for the first time in a long time, she felt alive.
With her heart full of hope, she stepped out of the café, ready to embrace whatever came next. The autumn leaves danced in the breeze, and she knew that this was just the start of something beautiful.