AngelaI was short of breath as I made my way out of the cafe, it was as though I had participated in a thousand mile marathon. I was determined to leave with as much composure as I could gather, to exhibit some form of bravado. My right hand clutched onto my tote tightly, but my other hand went up to my eyes instinctively, trying to wipe away the fallen beads of salt-laced moisture. The very tears that I kept from flowing before the conversation with her even started.
It was much easier than I had imagined it though - sitting down and having a civilized conversation with someone I would have loved to hate, yet couldn't bring myself to. The words came to me rather naturally, like I had rehearsed them for twenty times the night before. Rehearsed, I had not. Debate, I did. There was an ongoing debate playing out in my head ever since I decided to let this little meeting happen.
Of course, I could have argued that it wasn't my place to say anything. It really was none of my business, after all. I didn't have to tell her. I didn't have to let her know. Her being, of course, Diana. She looked surprised -a little taken aback, even- when I told her everything I knew. Matter of fact, I was still more than a little surprised at myself too.
I didn't do it out of the goodness of my heart. Believe me, I am not nearly noble or kind enough. I really did like James, a lot. But if it was one thing that I've learned all these years, it is that some things cannot be forced. Especially when it comes to feelings. I smirked, amazed at the thoughts I came up with. 'When did spoilt Angela learn to grow up?'
I walked and walked for what seemed like hours, and finally half stumbled onto what looked like a path in a park. I could hear the faint laughter of children and barking dogs in the far distance, hidden in plain view by the tall trees along the pathway. Nature, greenery. Just what I needed. 'A little fresh air would do my head some good,' I thought to myself.
I must have been pretty focused on getting my self-recommended dose of pure oxygen because the next thing I know, I was sitting on the gravel, amidst the pebbles and sand. To say I was disoriented was probably an understatement, I literally had the wind knocked out of me. I must have sat there for a minute or two before I noticed a hand reaching out for mine. I looked up to see a guy around my age, he was staring at me with a look filled with apology and concern. His handsome face was familiar yet I could not place him. Where have I seen him before? I definitely would be able to distinguish his face in a crowd. Hmm...
"Are you alright?" his voice rang through the humid air, subsequently bringing me back from my memory sorting.
I nodded quickly.
He continued to let his arm dangle in front of me, probably thinking I was a lunatic for not getting up by now.
I contemplated for a spilt second before deciding to grasp his hand, he pulled me up and I proceeded to steady myself.
"Ouch!" a sharp pain pulsated up my arm. I had scraped my elbow in the process of breaking my fall.
I am continually amazed by my stunning grace and elegance.
"I am so sorry, I didn't see you when I was turning the corner there," the kind stranger said as he pointed to what looked like the end of the path.
"It's okay, I didn't see you either," I felt bad as well and was half apologizing to him.
He lead me toward a bench and sat me down.
"You're bleeding," he made a rather trivial statement, as if he was making a mental note to himself.
He then produced a handkerchief from his pocket and proceeded to hand it to me. "Here, use this,"
"Don't worry about it. I'm fine," I assured him and managed a smile.
"No, at least use it to clean up the wound a bit,"
I was not in the mood to argue so I just obliged and said thanks.
He, on the other hand, was looking like he didn't know what to do with himself now as he sat beside me. I gave him a quick sideway glance and came to conclude that he was obviously out for a run, he was clad in a sweatshirt and a pair sneakers.
In an attempt to break the silence, I decided that I should at least introduce myself.
"Um. I'm Angela, by the way," I uttered, a little awkwardly.
It's not everyday that you meet someone you literally 'bumped into'.
"Oh, nice to meet you. Rather unfortunate we should meet like this though," he smiled easily. "I'm Marshall, for the record I'm not usually this careless,"
We spent the next ten minutes or so chatting. I would have continued the conversation had I not remembered that I was supposed to be elsewhere. My father was going to disown me if I show up late for another one of his important dinner parties.
"Goodness!" I cried as I noticed what time it was already.
"What's wrong?"
"I've got to run," I grabbed my bag as I continued, "It was really great meeting you though, Marshall,"
He laughed and said, "Oh, I don't know about that. You got yourself hurt in the process,"
We said goodbye hastily and I marched towards the exit of the secluded park. On the way out, I realized that I still had his handkerchief with me. I stopped in my tracks and waved the piece of cloth at him. He was still sitting on the bench, leaning over and fixing his shoe laces. I was about to give up and leave when he looked up. He seemed to understand my gestures well enough as he yelled for me to "Just keep it!"
I examined the now slightly bloodstained handkerchief, and ran my finger across a little embroidered letter M on one of the corners.
'I'll return the handkerchief to its owner,' I thought to myself as I hailed and got in a taxi. Only later did I remember that I had no way of contacting him. 'One day.'
-Rachelle-
