《Now & Forever》


 Now and forever

    I was waiting for him¡ªmy blind date. I waited for him for so long at the cafe but he didn¡¯t come. And I am glad he didn¡¯t show up that day.


    That one day, made my whole life turn inside out. And it goes like this...


    It''s been a long time since I arrived here. My date was supposed to arrive before 9. It¡¯s getting close to 11:30 now. Where the hell is he?


    I looked outside the window. It was raining lightly. I could see people running, trying to find shelter. Thankfully, I arrived at Myrtle¡¯s Cafe before the rain started.


    I never liked blind dates ever in my life. I like to date someone I know. I have never been lucky in my entire life, so depending on luck to find a perfect partner for me is a complete no-no. But my family and my best friend didn¡¯t like the idea of me being single for a very long time. They think I¡¯ll become a monk.


    I looked down at my dress. Beautiful ruffles were cascading down my long floor-length gown with beautiful flattering pleating at the waist. My mom chose it for me today but it has become useless now. I wish I had brought my coat instead of this stupid shrug. It''s good for nothing.


    ¡°You need something?¡± A voice brought me back to reality.


    I looked up and found my neighbor Josh was standing near the table, looking down at me. I can see in his eyes that he is as shocked as I was.


    ¡°Josh?¡±


    ¡°Hey, Elly.¡±


    ¡°You work here? I thought Daredevil¡­¡±


    ¡°Yup. I used to work for Daredevil. But then I thought I am not a biker guy so better look for something that suits me more.¡±


    You could be reading stolen content. Head to Royal Road for the genuine story.


    ¡°You don¡¯t have to be a biker guy to work there, Josh.¡± I looked at Josh¡¯s shoulders and it had a tattoo of a motorcycle. Every member of the Daredevils has a tattoo on their shoulders. That¡¯s the sign that the person belongs to Daredevil''s club.


    ¡°Yes but I am more of a business guy.¡±


    ¡°Then become a member of Millionaire¡¯s Club. Pax knows..¡±


    ¡°Oh. Okay.¡± He took a mug of coffee from the waitress passing by. ¡°I hope you won¡¯t mind, Ginger.¡±


    She looked at me and smiled. ¡°Got it. You are lucky today, Josh.¡±


    I could see he was getting impatient. Did I do something wrong? I loved Daredevils so much maybe because Daredevils and Millionaire¡¯s club members cannot stand each other.


    ¡°I was watching you for so long. It looks like you are tense,¡± he asked.


    ¡°My date didn¡¯t show up.¡±


    He began laughing.


    ¡°What are you laughing at?¡±


    He shook his head. ¡°You were waiting for more than two hours now. Do you know that?¡±


    Oh, dear. Nope. I shook my head. I should have chosen to stay at home instead.


    ¡°How did you go on a blind date? I never knew you were into this. How a small-town girl got suddenly interested in these things.¡±


    ¡°You think a small-town girl cannot go on a blind date.¡±


    ¡°Nope. You said so yourself. That''s the reason why you rejected me?¡±


    ¡°I am sorry. That was seven months back. People change.¡±


    ¡°So if you have changed then I would like to tell you that I am not. And my offer is still open.¡±


    We have been living in the same building for a very long time. We did have some moments in the past. But never thought it could get this serious.


    I looked away from him and towards the door. ¡°I think I should call him. He must be stuck somewhere maybe.¡±


    Josh shook his head. ¡°If a man likes you, he will come to you no matter what. And you have seen that personally.¡±


    I remember numerous times when we have decided on a date, Josh has always been there before my arrival.


    ¡°So at least coffee?¡±


    At least? What does that mean? Is there something more?


    ¡°What if he comes?¡± I asked.


    He bent down and said, ¡°Then tell him, you have a date for now and forever.¡±