The Puzzle

There! I catch a glimpse of a loud blue Hawaiian shirt, accompanied by a familiar smile carelessly tossed over his shoulder… evaporating like dew on my car’s windscreen. Mentally, I have an itch that begs to be scratched. Where have I seen him before? When? Who is this charming mystery man?

Later — amid the lunch crush — the same dark curls brush broad shoulders, barging to the front of the queue. Annoyance pricks… rapidly replaced by bemusement. Our gazes meet. Can it be? Rudely, he elbows his way past me... Good riddance! It just shows how wrong I could be…

After work… finally, a few precious moments to myself. No! Surely not! There — browsing bookshelves of Best Sellers — familiar eyes shyly meet mine. Devoid of recognition. I mentally give myself a shake.

Fine! It’s not like we’ve ever been introduced… and after lunchtime's ignorant encounter, do I even want to meet him? Maybe.

Embarrassed, I beat a hasty retreat… cursing my overwrought imagination.

He invades my dreams — sunny one moment, stormy the next, chased by a gentle summer shower.

Dawn arrives late. I stumble into tomorrow… exhausted. I stagger into the day.

Ebony curls taunt me at every turn. My sole sighting is not a pleasant one. Mr Suave snootily struts by… disdainfully tossing cash at the barista as he grabs his coffee and stalks out.

Strolling home via the lagoon… a familiar figure quietly tosses bread to the ducks… bashfully apologises when his playful pup slips his lead and bounds across to me. He seems so sweet, absentmindedly patting his dog who gazes adoringly up at him.

No! I sternly remind myself of his brusque rudeness earlier in the day.

Cracks appear in my resolve when Late Night Shopping stars Prince Charming — a gracious sweep of his hand — offering his place to me in the crowded checkout queue. I stiffen my spine…

Crazy! You won’t fool me! Too often, my lunchtimes have been marred by the Real You!

Hours grow into days and turn into weeks…

He’s like oxygen… everywhere! A blustery blast at noon, an afternoon zephyr, a fluttering flurry in the evening.

Enough!

I lie in wait, in a puddle of shade, by the tranquil lake… nerves nipping anxiously, fingers tap-dancing on the wooden bench.

Deep breaths. In. Out…

He’s always most calm in this setting… this time of day.

I need answers!

Uncharacteristically, he strides impatiently along the path, puppy straining against the lead. It breaks free, tearing excitedly across the park towards the road… and stops by... the amicable version of him!

My double vision… trebles! Three of them! Mr Sunshine calls to them from a car parked at the curb. Dog and the duo, bundle briskly into the car.

Mouth agape, I stare as they depart.

As the soft rumble of their car fades, only the faint smell of exhaust fumes lingers.

That… and my smile.

*

Inspired by one of the 100 flash fiction prompts I came across as a result of Rachel Deeming’s story below! Thanks Rachel.