Edwin P.O.V.
The rest of the week was pretty much routine in our lab and nothing really exciting happened that week….but then came Saturday.
I was incredibly nervous the first half because I want to make sure that my next date with Jasiri would not end up like the first one. Eventually when the time came, I picked up Jasiri from her building, and on our way, I think we even stopped at the same parking lot for her to transform. We went to the tea place, and we chatted for a little bit. So far the date seems to be going well and nothing awkward has happened yet.
"...and that's how my friend accidentally yanked off a handle from the Red Line train…." I said, discussing something that happened to my friend several years ago.
"Wait, that actually happened to your friend?" Jasiri said.
"Yeah….he was riding it one day and when the sharp turn after the Sheridan stop and when he fell down, I guess he applied too much tension and he yanked the handle off from the pole." I replied.
"Wow….the things that can happen to people sometimes. I remembered being on the 126 bus one time, I once sat three seats away from a guy who was knitting scarves on the bus for some completely random reason." Jasiri said.
"Wait...so some guy was just randomly making scarves on the bus?..." I asked.
"Yeah and he was just knitting some scarves and at one point he just started giving them to random people for absolutely no reason at all." Jasiri said and I started to chuckle a little bit when I heard this.
"Really?...Did you receive one by any chance?" I asked out of curiosity.
"Surprisingly….no, and I ride that bus frequently….." Jasiri said and we both shared a bit of a laugh.
"I wish I could say that is the weirdest thing either me or someone I've known seen on the bus, but that doesn't even make my top five." I said
"Really?...What was the weirdest thing you saw on a bus?" Jasiri said.
"Well it probably had to be the time I saw a guy singing Billy Joel songs while he fed a small pet goat that he hid in his jacket." I said, which seemed to provoke laughter from Jasiri.
"That can't be true…" Jasiri said in between laughs.
"I swear, I saw it with my own eyes…" I said while trying to hold my laughter.
We laughed for a little bit more and then I decided to grab another napkin and as I was about to grab a napkin from the small pile on our table…..I grabbed Jasiri's hand again, but this time it was not as awkward as the first time.
We stared at each other for a little bit, and after a couple seconds the two of us actually started to laugh again...but we didn't let go of each other's hands yet.
"Oh….this is a funny coincidence…we did this on our first date in almost the same circumstances" I said with a slight laugh afterwards.
"Yeah, I wish it ended better on the first date….again, sorry about that…" Jasiri said.
"It's no problem. If you are uncomfortable I can let go if you want-" I said, but to my shock I felt her hold my hand tighter.
"Actually….no that I'm over the insecurities that plagued me that night...I'm now starting to like it." Jasiri said as we continued to look at each other. We continued to hold our hands and stared at each other for a minute or two until we let go of our hands and continued our earlier conversation.
We stayed at the tea place for almost two hours, and I thought that tonight went so much better compared to the first date. We each paid for half of the check, we brought our ceramic dinnerware to the designated area and after we paid the server at their desk, we were on our way outside towards my car.
"So Jasiri, did you have a good time?" I said.
"Yes, I had a great time, I felt that tonight was much better than our first date….What did you think Edwin?" Jasiri asked.
"Yeah, I agree. I thought that tonight was great, I really enjoy spending time with you…" I replied.
"So do I…." Jasiri said while we looked into each other's eyes.
We soon approached my car where I unlocked the doors and we both got in. As we were sitting down, my attention was drawn to Jasiri when I heard her lightly yelp.
"Are you okay Jasiri? Did I accidentally leave something on your seat?" I asked.
"Oh no, I'm fine, I just sat on my tail again, happens all the time…" Jasiri said.
"Alright...oh wait...is it okay if on the way back to your place if we can stop by my apartment because I just need to get something I need to give to my landlord." I said.
"Sure, that's fine, I'm not in any rush or anything." Jasiri said.
I started the ignition of my car and I started to drive back to my apartment. Along the way, Jasiri and I continued to casually converse for a little bit.
"Sometimes I wish there's a more comfortable way of sitting down in my hybrid form because every time I sit down while in hybrid form I always sit on my tail and it hurts sometimes…" Jasiri said while out of the passenger side window.
"I understand how you feel, I'm only five foot five and sometimes it can get a little awkward when I meet up with one of my friends who is like six feet tall and it can be awkward reaching for items on high shelves." I replied.
We conversed for about fifteen more minutes until we arrived in the parking lot next to my building, we got out and approached the entrance to my building where I entered the code needed for me to unlock the door and we climbed up the three flights of stairs until we got to the front door of my apartment.
"Okay, I should probably apologize in advance because I have not really dusted my apartment in a while, so it might not be the cleanest apartment out there, so try not to judge me if my apartment seems a little messy." I said.
"Oh no, it's not a problem, you should see my apartment during most weeknights. I promise not to judge." Jasiri said in an optimistic tone.
I unlocked the door to my apartment, after which we both entered, I turned the lights on and we walked in.
"I'm sorry about this sudden detour, but I'll be back in like a minute or two." I said as I walked into the hallway towards my bedroom.
"It's no problem at all, take your time!" Jasiri said.
Jasiri P.O.V:
As Edwin went down the hallway to get the thing he needed for his landlord, I started to look around the room I was in for a little bit.
Edwin has a nice apartment from what I can see, sure it seemed slightly smaller than my apartment but I couldn't care less about that. Also I don't know why he apologized for his apartment being clean, it looks very well-kept and even when I see a few areas where there is dust, but that basically is in every apartment, including mine.
I looked around Edwin's living room and it seems to contain what is normally found in most living rooms with a sofa, a television, a few cabinets and a few picture frames on the wall. Most of the pictures were of generic nature scenes and a few of random places in Chicago. Then saw that a few feet from his coffee table was a small black bookshelf. I decided to take a look at it to see what books are in there. The majority of the book spines just listed the titles of books about genetics, biochemistry, and molecular biology. I also noticed there were a few books with French titles and there were some other books that had no titles listed on the spine.
"Would you like to borrow one?" a voice called, startling me in the process. I turned around to see that it was only Edwin who had a small white envelope presumably to give to his landlord.
"Oh hey Edwin….and no, I was just browsing at the moment." I replied.
"Okay, no problem….again sorry if my place is a bit of a mess." Edwin said.
"A mess? What are you talking about? Your apartment is very clean...Oh and I'm curious, I know you speak French and learned it in school, but did you first start learning it because you are of French descent or something or were you just interested in the language?" I asked.
"Yeah, I learned French because I was interested in the language. Shortly before I began my first year of middle middle school, I had to choose between French or Spanish as a foreign language, and I chose French because I wanted to do something different than the majority of people in my grade who decided to take Spanish. Eventually when I began sixth grade and started learning French, I eventually developed a deep interest in the language. Even as I further pursue my interests in the sciences, my interest in the language never left and I nurtured that side interest through reading French-language books and I even minored in French during my undergraduate years. Oh, and to answer your second question, I am not of French descent, I am mostly of Italian ancestry." Edwin replies.
"That's cool." I replied, and eventually Edwin began to turn towards the door.
"Anyway, I got what I need to give to my landlord, ready to go?" He asked
"Sure, no problem!" I replied.
"Okay let's go then." He said, as we walked out of his apartment.
We walked down the same flight of stairs as last time and when we got to the first floor, Edwin turned as I followed, and walked down a thin beige hallway. After walking twenty steps, he took the envelope he had in his hand and slid it under a door to the right, which I presumed where his landlord lives. We then left the building to head back to Edwin's car.
As we were on our way to my place, I couldn't help but look at each of the street lights we passed outside the window. I guess it intrigues me because similar to time, they are passing by fast after each passing moment. Sometimes I still wonder about my future because I've been in the human world for twenty one years and so far I went through multiple forms of school, got a job and mastered in navigating the human world, but I still have so much to do now. Usually a hyena will live up to twelve of fourteen years at best, so I never would have imagined making it the human age twenty eight and actually witnessing twenty one years pass by in a world I once never knew existed. Other than continuing my career in fossil preparation, the passing streetlights keep reminding me that there is so much that I need to explore when it comes to the unknowns of my future. Hopefully a promotion will come at some point in my life and who knows, Edwin might be my true love I spend the rest of my life with, though there is also the chance I could end up loving someone else but I definitely know I lost any last ounce of respect for Kion after physically beating me. Even when I am excited to see what the future might hold, I am also nervous because even when there is the possibility it could end up great…..there is also the possibility it could be my personal enfer.
Edwin P.O.V
After half an hour, we approached the front of Jasiri's building and I slowly approached the front door, I stopped my car.
"Okay, here we are, I hope you had a good time, and I apologize for the impromptu visit to my apartment." I said.
"It's okay, I actually had a great time tonight!" Jasiri said.
"I'm glad to hear that, Jasiri." I replied.
"Yeah! Also, can I talk to you outside of the car for a moment?" Jasiri asked.
"Sure, let me just set the car to park." I replied in a calm tone, though I was kind of nervous because I didn't know whether I did something that made her uncomfortable, or if she wants to discuss a secret with me, or even….potentially giving the "friendzone" speech I have heard from several other people in the past. I put on my car's parking brake and got out to walk towards Jasiri on the other side of the car as she got out and I noticed she had a conscientious expression on her face
"Is something wrong Jasiri? If I said something that made you uncomfortable, I am sorry for whatever the remark was." I said and after that, Jasiri started to smile and even let out a light laugh.
"Oh no Edwin, you did nothing. Like I said earlier, I had a great time tonight! This has actually been the best time I have had with anyone since before the drought. Since I first lived in the human world, I have dated around four or five people and each of those relationships have been either brief or dysfunctional and anytime I went on a date with them I never felt comfortable with any of them….but you are different from any of those guys. When I was with you, I felt a comfort I have not felt since I was with Janja and I can't help but think that perhaps we can go out with each other more often and we can go out a few more times including your high school reunion next week week to see whether we are compatible for a serious relationship. Whether it goes best case or worst case scenario, I really like spending time with you." She said, and in my mind I was happy to know that Jasiri had similar feelings for me to those I have for her.
"I would like that, I really like spending time with you too! You're a great person to be around, and it would be a pleasure to go out with you more often. My weekends would remain pretty boring if it weren't for your witty sense of humor and your contagiously bright personality. I feel the same way, because I have also had my fair share of relationship or dating issues in the past because I dated around three or four women in my life and each of those break-ups ended on a very awkward note...particularly my first girlfriend in the seventh grade but I'll tell you that story later. I definitely want to get to know each other better in the future. I also had a great time tonight, I hope we get to spend more time together and I hope you rest well tonight" I said.
As I said that, Jasiri walked up and hugged me all of the sudden. I was initially surprised at first but soon I started to get more relaxed and hugged her back. The hug felt nice, the fur on Jasiri's arms felt so soft and I couldn't help but develop this feeling of comfort in the hug. The hug lasted for a few more seconds until we naturally let each other go.
"Thank you Edwin! I hope you rest well too! I'll see you later this week!" Jasiri said, as she walked inside her apartment building, winking at me at the last two words.
I eventually headed back to my car to drive back to my place.
Jasiri P.O.V.
As I walk back upstairs towards my apartment, I cannot help but constantly think of the great time I had tonight with Edwin. I have not felt this comfortable on a date in years. Perhaps that encounter I had with Janja and Madoa was onto something….could Edwin be the missing piece to my life….perhaps we should start a relationship….but not yet because I don't want to reveal anything too soon and make things awkward between us. Also sometimes I still debate whether that encounter with Janja and Madoa was real or just an incredibly weird dream because it felt real and I even remember the sounds and sensations of touching the objects that, including hearing and seeing the broken vase, only for it to be perfectly intact in the morning. I guess all I can say is that I have some thinking to do, but first I need some rest for the rest of the night.
I arrived at my apartment at 11:30 P.M. and from there, I just changed into some more comfortable clothes, plugged my phone to the charger and went to sleep.