ALONE IN THE CITY

 As Crystal walked along the crowded street. No one looked at her. These people were as noiseless as a deaf man in the church. They didn’t even jostle her as they moved past. Everyone seemed to glide around her. 

She started worrying that she was disappearing, becoming invisible or more like a ghost. The impulse to hold anyone to talk and confirm her doubts was fierce but the irrational fear that her hand would slide through them, proving her theory was holding her back.

Her eyes fell on the building she had just left. There was no denying, she loved her job, but the city was sucking her very soul. 

Funny, considering since a teenager, she had wanted to leave her tiny hometown in Michigan. Break free from the chains of small-town life, where everyone knew everyone’s business and had nothing better to do than gossip about it.Now she had her dream job and was “living-it-up”…all alone in a city with over a million people.

Across the street, were the cafes. Happy Cup was just one of few along this street, not only they had the best latte she’d ever tasted but also the lady running the place was very kind and welcoming.

Pulling the door, she inhaled deeply, letting the aroma of roasting beans and quiet conversation wrap around her. She ordered her usual and told her usual evening lie that life was great. 

Blowing on her steaming drink, she idly wondered if everyone living in big cities told that story at one point or another, or if it was only her.

Taking her favourite spot in the corner of the café, she snuggled into the  armchair next to a large window and pulled her current book from her bag. Tucking a foot under her while sipping coffee, she settled into her favourite part of the day, the hour of reading before heading home to her empty apartment on another busy street. 

She fell into the story, letting her worries and melancholy slip away until the sensation of someone’s eyes on her pulled her back to reality. Her gaze scanned the cosy coffeehouse, only to fall on a man at the nearest table to her. He was watching her intently studying either her book cover or her boobs.

As soon as their eyes met, he shook his head quickly and said, “Sorry. I swear I was trying to figure out what book you were reading.She doubted him as hardly ten percent men are interested in the romance novel. Still, she lifted the book. Seeing the book cover his eyes lit up and said, “I’ve read it. It was interesting.” 

She thought either he was trying to impress her or was making fun of her. While she was busy in her thought process, he grinned and replied “I take it you don’t believe me. I’ll read anything with a character-driven story.”

“No. Not really,” she replied, unable to stop from returning the smile, but she was still sceptical, and asked the main character’s names. He told her. Hell, he had read the story. She was impressed and asked, “What makes you pick up a romance, instead of say, a thriller or horror story. Many of those are also character-centred.”

He replied pointing with his coffee cup to the chair next to her “Oh, I read those too. And honestly, I read mysteries the most. Getting her permission to move to chair next to her, before continuing he told her his name was Adam, “Sometimes I also need a story where I know everything will work out.”

She couldn’t help her laughter while replying “I bet.” His cheeks flushed, barely visible under his light scruff, drawing attention to his appealing smile. Her gaze moved to his playful eyes. He was very handsome. 

As the conversation continued, his subtle, relaxed body language told her he really didn’t care what others thought of him or his hobbies. That was an admirable quality. Adam was confident to do what he pleases without regard to society’s pressures. She liked that, and him. 

Although, talking with Adam was akin to a sweet symphony. They fell into a comfortable silence, sipping on their coffee. He broke it a few minutes later, saying, “What chapter are you on?” She replied,“Sixteen.”He waggled his eyebrows. “Oh, nice. The next chapter is, um, interesting.”

After a few minutes of silence, he asked,” Is this your reading spot?”She replied, “Yes, this is my reading spot. I like to stop here on my way home from work.”

The thought of going to her empty apartment depressed her. Moving away from her hometown had taught her she wasn’t good at making friends. No one would be stopping by or calling. Only solitude was there to give her company. 

At least here she was around people. She didn’t want to leave. It had been so long since she had a fun conversation face to face with a person that didn’t revolve around work.

After taking the last sip of her latte, she said, “It was wonderful talking to you, but I need to get home.”Adam looked outside. She followed his gaze. The buildings were cast in heavy shadows as the sun had nearly set. 

"Yeah, I should go as well.” He sounded as disappointed as she felt, and found it lifted her spirits. As they stood and made their way to the exit, Crystal worried about coming off as too forward, or worse, desperate if she asked for his contact.As though he read her thoughts, he replied, “We both come here in the evening, what do you say we meet up here and read the books picked by the other together. No genre is out.”

 

A giddiness filled her that she hadn’t felt in a long time. She smiled and said, “Unless working late, I almost always stop by here before going home.”His cheeks flushed again and he said, “Great! Bring your book ideas with you. See you tomorrow.”

The table vibrated as the cell-phone rang. Crystal opened her eyes and found herself sitting on her work desk. She had dozed off. She looked at her watch and saw it was 13 minutes past 7. She packed her stuff and left her building.

As she looked back at her building, she remembered her dream. She went to the same café, ordered her latte and took the same seat. The waitress came to her with her coffee and said,” It has been months since you came here. How’s your husband, Adam? Are you guys back in the city?”.  Crystal replied,” It has been 2 months since he has passed away. I am moving back to my hometown soon, so I came to visit where it all began before leaving the city.” Hearing Crystal, the waitress said,” I am sorry for your loss. Adam was such a kind and warm person. Please feel free to come anytime if you are in the city.” Crystal nodded.

After drinking the coffee, she took out her cell, looked at the wallpaper and said, ” Without you, I am alone in the city.”

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