Love's Tempo

First meeting?

Patrick's POV

My last student for the day couldn't make it so I was off early from work.  Saturday's the busiest day since it's the weekend so kids have time to take their drum lessons and probably their other extra-curricular stuff.  It's been a particularly exhausting week since I just started teaching again.  I still need to get use to the rhythm of working again after a long hiatus. 

I decided to walk around the A****ta Center to check on some music stores.  It has been a while since I went there and I would use some inspiration. It's always been great to be in the middle of the store filled with various musical instruments.  For me, it feels rather therapeutic.  I sometimes try out some of the new ones, and if they allow me, even the expensive ones - those that I know, I can never afford.  

I stopped by J* which is probably the biggest store in the area, and I couldn't help myself from trying out their new display from P***l.  I asked the attendant if I can and they agreed. I have my drumsticks with me at all times, so I brought it out to start playing. 

I decided to do a drum solo that Steve Gadd played at the Leverkusener Jazztage in 2013.  Normally, no one will be able to talk to me or distract me whenever I play.  It's as if playing takes me to a different world where it is just me, my instrument and my music, nothing else.  But then I saw her.  For some reason, it felt like a dream. I felt like I have seen her before but not sure where, but maybe I really didn't.  She entered the store and watched me play.  She's wearing denim shorts and white button down long sleeves that she rolled up to above her elbows.  Her long dark hair, freely flowing down her shoulders. She isn't wearing much make-up that gives her a rather refreshing effortless look.  She is pretty without even trying, and a casual air about her.  I tried to focus on the music that I am making but for the first time, it became rather challenging to do that. 

Then she started speaking to me when I got up from the drum throne.  I was too busy looking at her face, trying to recall where I met her that I could not seem to understand what she was saying.  I saw the look on her face when I didn't answer her question and when she probably realized that I am not a*****e clerk. I saw how her face turned red when she looked at my shirt and found out that it's different from what the clerks are wearing.  It's only then that reality seem to click in and I was able to regain consciousness.  

I tried to play cool and introduced myself. I held out my hand to shake hers and relieved that she accepted it.  I tried to remain calm and collected and to act as normally as possible as I held her hand.  I guess, she didn't notice that I wanted to hold her hand longer than I did.  Anxiety has started to creep in but I know I have to stay sane so I can at least, have another chance to see her.  Then she asked me to play for her. Almost automatically, I thought about It Had to be You.  Nothing that fancy but just chill and... romantic?  

So I started playing and she seemed genuinely appreciative.  When I was done, I helped her in purchasing the set that I used in the demo and accompanied her while she waited for her ride.  I almost offered coming with her to her house but decided against it.  She may have been friendly but there's a level of aloofness about her.  Someone with her guards still up even if she presents a friendly facade. I decided to just offer her my service and gave her my card, since she said she purchased the drumset without any actual drum knowledge.  I found it weird to make such a significant purchase over something that she hasn't even started doing but I guess, she must be loaded. 

I helped her and the driver put the set in the car and watched her as she left.  Hoping that she will reach out to me and hoping that it will be soon.