The goodbye that broke me

I knew that there was something very unique about me that other eyes were too blurred to see.

I leaned against the door of the cab, my gaze drifted out of the window. My mind was blurred with thoughts

The Romeo and Juliet kind of love kept recurring In my head. But no, my love story was the reverse.

I had to control myself because I promised myself that I would never cry whenever I ended a relationship with any man . But for Liam, it was different, I saw myself cry that night when he walked out on me at the restaurant. That was a relationship of 4 years ruined by a needless misunderstanding.

My eyes were heavy with tears that night When I heard Liam say,

"We're done."

I thought he was joking at first, not until he asked for his ring, and stormed out of the restaurant. This was barely 2 months after he proposed to me.

I went out of the restaurant that night sad, tears dripped off my eyes.

Liam has just been very childish, but by the way there's a light at the end of the tunnel for me.

I had gotten to my destination, it is the mall where I came to get some stuff for myself. I tucked my hand Into my purse and brought out an old Note and handed it to the cab man and stepped out of the cab.

I walked into the mall, my Mind racing bitterly.

"Excuse me, ma'am" the mall security guard said.

Different thoughts ran through my mind,

"Can I have that bag?"

"Its mine and you have no right to talk to me like that by the way, besides I'm just coming"

I think he has just mistaken me for one of those unfortunate Mall thiefs.

He just had to let me go.

I trudged through the crowded mall. I had a long list of errands to complete before meeting my friend for the dinner. I stopped over to grab a coffee, I felt overwhelmed by the chaos around me.

The mall is a sea of faces. I noticed a flyer on the bulletin board that a local artist's charity event is happening tonight, but that is not what brought me here.

My creative juice flowed, I imagined the possibilities. Maybe I'd even get to showcase my art someday. I tucked the flyer into my bag.

My eyes met one handsome man, tall and strong, with a masculine presence and an easy smile that commanded attention. But it is his eyes that truly caught my attention: warm, charming, and kind, they seemed to sparkle with a hint of mischief.

As I kept staring, our eyes Met.

I won't lie, this guy is my spec, he literally had all the physical features I look out for in a guy.

The way he tucked his hands into the pocket of his hoodie is so cute.

As I continued my shopping, I stumbled upon a luxurious clothing store. The mannequins were dressed in designer outfits, I felt out of place, but my eyes lingered on the beautiful displays.

I glanced up from the rack of spring scarves and froze: there he was again , the guy with the easy smile and that charcoal-gray hoodie. Our eyes met for the briefest instant before he wandered off toward the food court.

****

As the sky was draped in soft gray clouds I ducked into Page Turner's Bookshop, which was just a favorite kind of escape when the world felt too loud. The bell above the door gave a gentle chime as I stepped inside, the smell of aged paper and coffee grounds wrapping around me like an old sweater.

I wandered aimlessly at first, just I allowed my fingers graze over book spines until a friendly store clerk offered a recommendation

"a novel by Jennifer Weiner". I took it gratefully and headed toward the cozy reading corner near the magical-realism shelves, hoping a few chapters would help chase away the stress clouding my mind.

As I settled into the cushioned armchair and I cracked open the first page, I heard a familiar voice, low, thoughtful, and just loud enough to stir my attention.

"...Her books always remind me that chaos can still lead to something beautiful."

I looked up, my heart skipping.

There was the guy I met at the mall

He was just a few shelves over, he held a book in one hand and sipped a cup of the store's signature chai. His presence was casual yet magnetic, I was completely off guard.

That time, it didn't feel like a coincidence, it felt like something was drawing us into each other's orbit.

I rose, I tried to seem nonchalant, holding up her Jennifer Weiner book.

"Good taste in emotional rollercoasters?"

"I hope you enjoyed your novel?"

" yes sir"

That comment hadn't been my crush after all. Someone else entirely is speaking

"Crazy me....." I thought it was this my newly found Crush that asked, but I lied though I had barely read this book.

It's the store clerk again.

I just wanted this guy to notice that I was here again.

My face flushed hot. My stomach twisted. God, I thought it was him talking.

Hi!!!!, I wave Foolishly with a flattering smile

He didn't respond. He wasn't even looking my way.. Embarrassed, I quickly buried my head back into my book, pretending to focus, even though my heart was now racing for all the wrong reasons.

Maybe I just overreacted, I avoided another glance in his direction. I tried to shake this off, but my mind kept replaying, the way my pulse had leapt the moment I heard that voice.

I forced a laugh, just to break the awkward silence. But the truth was, nothing was funny. I was just trying to shake off the sudden tension. My eyes remained fixed on the book, but my mind wandered, I wondered what he thought of my awkward attempt to lighten the mood.

I lifted my gaze from the pages and I realised he had gone. The room felt hollow without him. Wait..... this is a stranger I had just met him earlier today and I knew nothing about. He hasn't replied my greetings to start with by the way. I gathered my belongings, and returned the book to its shelf. Silently I walked lightly toward the door. "Ouuuch!!!"...