Destiny's Ring

Chapter 1: First Meeting

It was a rainy night. I was standing in the waiting shed, glancing at the road, from time to time, waiting for my bus. I can't see much since my glasses started getting foggy due to the rain. However, I can't remove it, or else, I won't be able to read the labels on the bus passing by me. I don't want to miss my bus. It was already 9 pm and the night was cold. I'm not wearing a thick sweater to shield myself from the cold, it's just my plain old white fitted crop top and high-waist black pants. All I can think of is to go home and lay on my not-so-soft but comfy bed.

As I removed my glasses for a moment to wipe out the fog, a man stood beside me. I guess he was also waiting for a bus or a ride like me. I couldn't see his face clearly because of my blurry vision, but I could tell he was a man due to his build. He was tall, a lot taller than me. I could tell, even with his thick jacket, that his body is also good... er, good as in someone who goes to the gym often.

He removed his black jacket and that confirmed my assumption. He really has a nice body.

What am I even thinking?! I probably looked like an i***t staring at him when he broke the silence.

"Here," he handed me his jacket. I was stunned and did not even have the time to react or say something.

C'mon, say something!!! I must probably really look like a weirdo right now... and a p*****t on top of that.

I can feel him staring back at me. I can't say for sure, since I still have yet to wear my glasses again. All I know for sure is that he is now facing me, staring back is just a feeling. I don't know why, but for some reason, my heart won't stop beating fast. Am I sick? Nervous? This is definitely not related to love... is it? I hope not. A lone star wouldn't have a chance.

Ting!

We're both distracted by the notification on his phone. He glanced at his phone for a moment, then faced me again, "Take it, my ride is just around the corner," he insisted.

This time, I was able to respond. "Ah, no. I'm fine," I smiled lightly to somehow prove that I was fine even though I was barely able to stop myself from shivering. He looked away for a moment, then back at me again.

"Then I'll just leave it here." He placed the jacket on the bench behind us. "But I suggest you take it," he scanned me from head to toe, "you're shivering." He noticed! I blushed because I was embarrassed. I thought I had it. I thought I was able to fake it. What a fool!!!

I looked down to avoid his gaze. I cleared my throat and immediately wore my glasses, looked back at the jacket, then back at his face. This time, my heart beat faster.

No words can describe how handsome he is.

I blushed, this time not due to embarrassment. It was something different. Something I'm not familiar with.

After 2 minutes, his ride arrived. I don't know what kind of car that was but it looked expensive...

He nodded at me before heading inside the car. When the car was out of my sight, I picked up the jacket, contemplating whether I would wear it or not.

After debating in my head for a good minute, my bus arrived and I immediately went inside. When I was already in my seat, that was when I realized the jacket was still in my hand.

It's not like I still have a chance to drop it off on the bench where he left it, so I decided to wear it. His perfume that lingered in his jacket hit my nose—the smell of mint. It smelt really good for no reason. And before I turned into a complete weirdo, sniffing the jacket, I decided to distract myself with my phone.

As I turned on my phone, I was bombarded with different notifications. All are negative, not even one positive text message or a question asking how my day was. Notice of schoolwork deadlines, payment dues, and a rejection letter from one of the part-time jobs I was eyeing.

3 rejections in a week... and yet it was still Wednesday, the middle of the week.

I turned off my phone and just stared at the droplets running down the bus window—betting which droplet would reach the bottom faster.

I was home by 10. The heavy rain slowed our travel since the roads became slippery and a lot of people were rushing home, afraid that the rain would be heavier as time passed.

I took the jacket off and hung it on the clothing rack beside my bed. After that, I went straight to the bathroom for a warm half bath. It has been a long day... and a boring one. It was just the typical thing of me going to class, passing my requirements, then finding a part-time job that I could apply to... in case I wasn't accepted in any of the other six part-time jobs I applied for.

As I was lying on my bed, I stared at the jacket that was hung on the rack. Well, at least I met that nice guy. Probably the only good thing that happened to me this day.

If we ever meet again, I will give the jacket back to him along with my thanks. Then maybe... we could be friends.

I laughed at my own trail of thoughts. There's NO WAY that is happening. I must be insane. I scoffed before sitting up and doing some of my homework.

Being a graduating student sucks.