At A Single Glance - Chapter 2

Chapter 2

7 A.M., my alarm clock kept buzzing. The sound really irritated me, but it did the job, of keeping me awake that is. I got out of bed, kept my eyes shut while the morning rays blinded me for a while. I woke up with a heavy head, felt a bit dizzy and could not remember how I got to sleep last night. I went to the kitchen, turned on the faucet and washed my face and sat down. It felt sort of a hangover after drinking a case of beer, but that was not the case. I looked around and noticed my pad was a mess, my television was left on and the kitchen looked filthy, not to mention my laundry at every part of the pad. I’m glad it was the weekend, it was a busy week and apparently I had no time for my chores. After I had my brief rest, I stood up and started the day cleaning.

My name is James Alexander Howlett, a banker, single and independent. After I finished my degree at Luxembourg College, I got a job at Beckon Bank Inc. as an accountant. I never really noticed the years went so fast. Recently I stayed at a pad and about two kilometers from the bank and been there for about four years. I never really thought about this job, I just wanted to work to have my own money to spend, my own place and my own personal space. I like my job, and the bank gives great benefits and recently I lived in content. I don’t always go out with my colleges, it’s not that I don’t want to but I don’t want to waste their time, and mine as well, to argue where to go and what to do. It excites me to go anywhere without any intention of planning and any specific direction, well, sometimes. Usually I go to places where I could get ideas, opportunities, information, and new things, and those places would be the libraries, the market, malls and cafes.

After a hard day of brute cleaning I sat at my couch, sweaty, tired and famished. It was quarter to twelve and my stomach took control and growl. And then it hit me, I was at the pizza shop last night and I can still smell that jasmine scent after she left. I closed my eyes and for a moment and recalled everything about her, her smile, her eyes, the way she tucked her hair behind her ear. Something reminded me of her, or was I still in my fantasies again. I looked forward to meet her again, hopefully this time it would be formal. Again I was back after traveling through the field of my fantasies and opened my eyes. I turned up the volume of my radio and went for a cool shower.

I was reluctant on cooking and felt for just a quick bite before I’ll spend the afternoon at the groceries looking for the week’s food supply. When I was out of the shower, all dried up, cleaned and dressed, I took a small bag and went out for a quick lunch at the local fast food near the pad. It was almost two o’clock in the afternoon when I arrived at the mall for my groceries. As usual I had no list and no specified budget; I just had my mobile phone and opened the calculator menu to keep track on how much I will spend and to match the cashier’s register, an old habit of mine. Commonly I prefer fresh products like vegetables and fruits, new delivered livestock, seafood, and breads. It took me about two hours before I finally decided I had enough and went straight to the counter while pushing my loaded cart. I seemed to forget something and kept thinking what I’d miss. I passed the detergent section and recalled I need a deodorizer for my shower. I stopped for a while and choose my scent.

It seemed weird but before I realized it I kept on murmuring the word jasmine over and over again. I got a Glade scented gel with a jasmine scent and I suddenly paused for what it seemed to be absurd. Was I really obsessed of seeing her again? Soon after this I’ll become a stalker and be arrested. I hold a grin in my face and started to smile and went on to pay, lightly talking to myself. There were two carts ahead of me, so I spent my time checking some messages and emails on my mobile phone when suddenly a cart hit me from behind. I almost dropped my phone and there were groceries falling from behind. The woman apologized and quickly grabbed her things and kept saying sorry over and over because she slipped. I helped pick up her groceries and tried to take a good look at her because her hair covered most of her face. She said thank you and apologized again. I stood up and turned around while she was still busy looking for something. I looked at my cart and searched for my deodorizer, it may have fallen over because a jasmine scent was overflowing.

I noticed it just beside my left holding bar so I took it out of the cart and searched for any cracks or some sort of damage. It seemed okay so I put it back and pondered. I can still smell a jasmine scent; I have no idea if it’s cologne, perfume any scented products. I thought to myself that I was on Fantasy Island and assured myself that the scent came from the aisle where I picked my deodorizer, so I turned around. It was her!

At A Single Glance ... Chapter 1

Chapter 1

It was one rainy night, the sight and sound of thunder and lightning alternately dancing at the pitch black sky with intense winds and people rushing for cover. I stop by at the mall thinking of something to eat before going to settle for the night. I stop by at the pizza shop, glancing at the menus which most I already tasted. So I ordered the usual then, a large pepperoni pizza and a large glass of soda. I waited for my meal at the corner spot of the shop, looking outside the glass window for the rain to stop. I thought it would be a long wet night if ever decided to go straight home. I only had with an old umbrella which i thought would easily break if ever the rain would pour that hard. I sighed and sighed over and over again, thinking what am I doing here. I checked my watch, it was seven thirty in the evening, thirty minutes before the shop would close, and the rain didn't even subtle.

Ten minutes after I ordered, my pizza was ready, a pan pizza covered with cheese and spices, slices of pepperoni and garnish. At that time I forgot all about the rain, what can I say, I was hungry. Twenty minutes passed, I was about to finish my meal when the door opened. I was drinking my soda when i saw her passed the door and went straight through the counter and ordered some take out. She wore a short black leather jacket, a white tight shirt ,black jeans and dark blue tennis shoes. She carried a small purse and an umbrella. Five minuted passes and she finished ordering and went looking for a spot to wait for her take out. She sat next to my table at the right and kept on looking at her watch.

Somehow I could not finish the soda i just had, a while ago I was so thirsty and could go for another glass. No matter what I do I still manage to keep my glance at her, I felt awkward and embarrased if eventually she will notice me staring at her. Her long hair shines as she lightly move, she had only her blush-on, a light lipstick and a jasmin scent. Her eyelashes were slightly curve, and she wore pearl earings and a silver wrist watch. I could see her warm smile all the way from the counter as she ordered. Yes, I was staring at her for quite some time and did not notice how long I was holding my soda.

Suddenly, the service staff called her number and immediately she stood up and rushed through the counter. They talked for a while, she was pointing at some of the menus and beverages, and just before she was about to leave she tucked her hair behind her ears and smiled. At a single glance it was the most beautiful sight I ever seen. Her hair was set perfectly as she touch her ears exposing her pearl earings, her smile formed a light dimple as she carefully turned around and said goob bye. My eyes followed her as she went outside the pizza shop, she opened her umbrella, waived her hand and called for a cab.

I was still holding my soda and got back in the real world after that sudden rush of fantasy. The shop already started to close so I quickly finished my soda and got up. But still, I was curious about the woman I saw so I ask the staff she talked with. The staff said she was a regular customer, always buying take outs mostly late at night just before the store would close. I said my thanks and rushed through the door and went on to find a cab. It was approximately nine minutes when I reached home and I was still thinking of her, maybe just maybe I would meet her again ...