UNTIL DAYLIGHT

8

8.

Often the best encounters

are the ones you are not looking for:

They change your life.

I looked in the mirror more than once to see how I was dressed. What if it's too much for a simple coffee? I wanted her to like me, so I had to use my best tactics. I opted to wear a pair of jeans and a green shirt, leaving the first buttons open.

"Where are you going like this?" Asked Andrea throwing himself on my bed, putting his hands behind his head and his legs crossed.

"To have a coffee .." I murmured, arranging the buttons.

"Polished? No, you hide something from me!" He exclaimed amused. "Milla?"

I turned to Andrea and he opened his arms: "How am I?"

"You didn't answer me .." he sat up. " Are you OK! "

I nodded and smiled, satisfied.

“Do you think introducing me to her like this is crazy?” I asked.

“Warn her, smart.” He laughed.

"I don't have her number .."

"It's not Milla then!" He clapped his hands: "Great Andrè! Anyway, No .. she just hopes to find her available."

I shrugged. "I'm going, see you tonight!"

"Don't mess up, Mirko!" Andrea exclaimed as I left my room.

***

I took the car and walked towards the b & b. I was hoping that she would like to see me, even if I had not warned her but, unfounded, a promise is a promise!

It had become so strange with Milla, and I was annoyed when she called me to see her. Yet, if they would have told me a week ago, I would have made a mess to see her, even with her!

But things can change, and what we believe to be that something that fills our heart is almost never true. You are convinced only by not looking the right reality in the face!

When I first looked Alessia in her eyes, I had the feeling of being in a new world, different from the one I was in a few minutes before. I liked the way she repelled me, and maybe that was what drew me to her, like bees with honey.

When someone catches you, she really does; you feel it on your skin, in your heart, and in her head.

I parked the car, and headed for the door, at the same time she opened it.

"Mirko? What are you doing here?" He asked with a raised eyebrow.

"I came for that famous coffee," I said, smiling at her.

"Oh yeah .. The coffee .." she looked around, and then fixed her gaze on me: "I don't think I can make it for today .." she murmured.

"Don't listen to her, young man! Yes you can!" The old lady behind her raised her thumb, laughing.

"Nina!" Alessia called her, snorting.

“A promise is a promise, baby.” I lit a cigarette.

We looked at each other for a long moment in the eyes. God, it was nice to keep eye contact like that. It was as if our eyes spoke for us, and words are useless in that case!

"I'll change and I'll arrive, then .." She smiled and I nodded.

“Of course you can see that you like it.” The lady came next to me. “Even a blind man would understand that, young man!” She exclaimed.

I felt embarrassed but smiled. Who knows if she too understood it ..

***

We were in the car and I did nothing but look at it every time I stopped for a red light. At that moment I was happy that they were there!

“What did you do beautifully today?” I asked her.

What a stupid question ..

She smiled, "I work, and then I helped Nina clean up! And then you came!" She exclaimed looking at me. " And you? "

“I practiced this morning, then I went to the bar, and night off.” She smiled at her. " I wanted to see you.. "

"Ah .. um .." she looked embarrassed, and I liked that.

“Shall we go to the cinema?” I asked.

"But .. Weren't you supposed to offer me a coffee?"

"Soon it's dinner time, we'll have coffee again." I pointed her there, hoping she would accept.

“Of course you're smart!” She started laughing. "Ok, go to the cinema!"

***

We were sitting in the back rows eating popcorn. Every now and then I could touch her hand, and I found her eyes pointing to mine, and a smile on her lips, shy.

I wanted to kiss her, and I didn't understand how I was managing to keep myself from not doing it. I moved closer to her, still looking for some contact.

“Do you like the movie?” He asked to break that awkward silence for her.

"I would say yes .." I stretched out her legs.

“I like your shirt!” She said she.

She then she had noticed my clothing! A sense of pride flooded me and I winked at him.

She smiled and went back to watching the movie.

“Of course you snore a lot!” I started making fun of her. She glared at me, but still laughing. "I mean, have you been paying attention the whole time, and you fall asleep at the end?"

"Look .. It was a hiccup!" She tried to justify herself.

"It was nice to spend this afternoon with you, Mirko .." she murmured later.

"Me too! I haven't felt so good in a while .." I whispered.

She stroked her arm softly, and I focused my eyes on her hand, then back up to her eyes.

She felt that first night feeling, I had to kiss her. Instinctively, I took her face in her hands and walked over to kiss her.

It was a risky gesture on my part, which led her to leave quickly.

She had a confused expression around her face. She looked at me, and I sat straight on the seat:

“f**k!” I blurted out.

"Mirko I'm going, goodnight .." she got out of the car and I remained there, motionless, in silence.

I looked in front of me: how much would this gesture have cost me?

Would she have wanted to see me again?

I started the car engine and drove away. I had to go home, punch the punching bag, and tell myself I was just a f*****g i***t!