I've never really been the kind of person to believe in silly things like fate and love. I've always held science and the pursuit of knowledge as the truly important things in life; and I stand by that belief to this day. Fate though, I've finally figured out the power behind it. It all started my first day back to D.C.
Just off the plane from Montreal, I can't believe I'm back in DC. It has been years since I have set foot on American soil, and if it wasn't for the INCREDIBLE job offer, I wouldn't have thought twice about never returning. XxSighxX at least its spring. D.C. is at its best in spring, I've always thought so.
Finally out of the airport, I grab a taxi to my new place. Thank god for pre-furnished or I would be done for. Arriving at my new home, I glance at the children playing double Dutch, laughing and enjoying the good weather. I might just like living here. My town house is nothing special, but when my real estate agent showed me the pictures, I knew I needed to have it. There was an old world feel to the facade, with its original hard wood door and wrought iron door knocker; I can't believe this little piece of heaven is mine. If outside was beautiful, the inside was a work of art. Hardwood floors, sunlight pouring in the windows and highlighting the off white crown molding and buttery yellow walls. I can't help letting out a quiet, breathless "Home". There is such a feeling of finality in that one statement that I can't help but think that this new living space, job, life is part of a very bright future.
After un-packing and airing out the house a little , my stomach is growling like a wild animal. Hungry and ready to rediscover DC, I change from my travel ware into my favorite pair of hip hugging jeans and a black Doors t-shirt I had found in a hole-in-the-wall shop on St-Catherine Street in Montréal.
Grabbing my favorite leather jacket, some killer boots (I know I have a hundred pair, but they are so practical) my wallet and keys, I'm out the door.
This is the perfect time of day for a walk. It's that part of the day, right after dusk before it gets too dark out and the sky is stained beautiful pink and purples. I'm aware that the cause of these colors are due to light hitting molecules in the atmosphere and bouncing off in all directions, but I can't help but admire it.
After walking 15 or so minutes, I come to a little Chinese restaurant called Wong Fu's. It looks like exactly what I need. Sliding up to the counter I take in the relaxed atmosphere. "Here you go" the man behind the bar says as he hands me a plate of the most amazing smelling food I have ever encountered. "I'm sorry? I haven't ordered yet?" He smiles at me and hands over some plum sauce to accompany the egg rolls that I'm staring at hungrily. "Enjoy" he says and walks away. Taking my first bite "Mmmmm..." is all that I can say. I know this is a place I will defiantly be coming back to.
Finishing my amazing supper, the man behind the bar then slips me a coffee and a scoop of vanilla ice cream with apple sauce. "You must be a mind reader" I tell him. His only reply is a smirk as he walks over to a man who just sat down a few seats over from me on the counter.
I watch as he asks the man behind the bar, "Sid" he calls him, for something to eat. Never saying exactly what he wants, he too is brought a plate. I must say that his cheese noodle dish with chicken, which looks amazing. I sit there finishing my dessert while observing the man next to me out of the corner of my eye. He is pretty tall at 5'11, inches taller than my 5'6. There is just something about him that I cannot stop staring at. His longer brown locks have me itching to run my fingers through it, and the meticulous way his hands move as they weild the cutlery is mesmerizing. Yet what draws me in most is the cloud of innocence that seems to envelope him. He gives off such a feeling if sweetness that I find myself wondering if he could ever be interested in me.
Gathering up as much courage as possible I turn to him and say "Hi". He looks at me for a moment as if contemplating me and puts his utensils down. He returns my greeting with a simple "Hello". His voice is not exactly what I expected. There is a tenor to it that I found very appealing. "I know this is forward of me" I say timidly, "But I'm new to DC and was wondering if you knew any good café's in the area". Okay, it was a lame way to start the conversation, but it was the only thing I could think of. He looks at me with a slight tilt to his head, as if trying to decode my request. "The Royal Dinner is the only one I've ever really frequented in the area" he says in a very measured voice, giving me directions to his café of choice. After he relay's the information I've asked for, he starts to turn away returning to his meal, but I stop him and blurt out "If you're not too busy, would you consider meeting me for coffee tomorrow?" He pauses and gives me a questioning look. I can't help but wonder if he thinks I'm insane, a perfect stranger taking up his time. "I'm not sure what the social custom is concerning meeting for coffee" I don't quite understand what he means. "I'm not sure I know what you mean about the social custom?" He seems to be a bit nervous with his answer. "Is this coffee meeting a social meeting where you hope to become friends, or is it an acknowledgement of some sort of sexual attraction where you hope to enter in an intimate relationship with me?" I turn red but answer that it would be closer to the latter. Deciding to be as upfront and frank as he was I tell him that "There is something about you that I find most attractive, and I know it is forward of me, but I wish to get to know you better on a more personal level in hopes of becoming romantically involved". For a moment I don't think he is going to answer me, but his lips finally twitch upwards and he says that "I would very much like to meet you for coffee then". I exhale, realizing I had been holding my breath waiting for an answer.
"Great! I'm Alisha by the way, Alisha Black"
"Zack Addy" he says with a slight smile. Yep, I'm definitely going to like being back in DC!