5 Chapter 5
The sunlight seeped through my window, so I rubbed my eyes, but I couldn't seem to move.
My head hurts from the lack of sleep. Though I rarely ever had a good sleep, it didn't hurt much, maybe since I was too preoccupied with my studies. This one is different. I laid down earlier than usual but still ended up sleeping too late, and my mind just kept thinking of some weird scenarios. I should not have drunk coffee last night; the caffeine must have added to my situation, wherein I was already overthinking.
I didn't have the energy to move, so I just sat in bed for a while. There's this mirror above my study table across my bed, so I got a glimpse of my reflection, and I let out a soft laugh as I saw the black circles around my eye that looked horrible. After a few more minutes of staring at my horrendous face, I finally stood up and had a quick breakfast. Just a toast and a glass of coffee, as I wasn't able to buy fruits and cereal yesterday. After eating, I took a bath and decided to head back to the store and search for the note I saw yesterday.
Yes, I know I'm acting out of character, but it's just out of curiosity. It's like I wouldn't find peace if I wasn't able to know the person behind it. Why am I even trying to rationalize my current state of mind? I should stop, but
.
.
.
It seems that the mysterious person replied, as the note says he's a guy. Now, what will I do with this information I've been meaning to ask? Did it change anything?
Again, out of curiosity, I searched the surroundings, but there was, of course, no one. It's not like I have a lot of time to spare, and yet, here I am again, scribbling some lyrics to the song "Dive In" to continue this blind conversation with this person. I rarely even interacted with strangers before, but now I'm like having a pen pal right here, which is very outdated considering that everything is digital now. What if it turns out he's a serial killer and he's just luring me into his trap? Is that possible, or have I just read enough suspense books?
🎶Dive in,
In the deepest,
Where my secrets are.🎶
Still, I scribbled the lyrics, even if I might be in danger if it turns out that this is a trap. I was about to leave when I bumped into this same guy I saw yesterday. He is wearing a hoodie again, but this time it's black, which looks better on him. I unintentionally stared at him for a few seconds as I tried to study his face.
"Sorry," we both said and smiled at each other. At a closer look, he does have the kind of face that stops you in your tracks, especially when he smiles. Those defined features are something rare here in Australia. Though he still looks Aussie, I guess, just a better version. Wait, what am I thinking? *sigh*
I watched him from afar while he was searching for books when suddenly he wrote something while he was on the shelf I just left. I initially shrugged it off and went downstairs.
But there's this part of me that thinks his action is a bit strange, and my body keeps acting on its own.
And I unconsciously went back.
I looked around me and only picked up the note when I made sure he went to another aisle. I don't know why but
There's this weird feeling I got when I saw it, or maybe I am just palpitating still due to the coffee last night? Oh, I also drank one this morning. That might be it.
🎶But be careful,
Don't get drowned.
If you intend to stay,
Learn to breathe.🎶
As I instinctively felt when I first saw him yesterday, it turns out that he was that guy I thought he was, and he even continued the lyrics of the song I just wrote on the note, which means it's not just one song.
My expression might have given me away, and I think he even saw me smiling and eventually approached me and asked,
"Hi, so it's you?" and I nodded reluctantly. I wanted to deny it at first, as I wanted to stay vigilant towards strangers, but I knew there was no point in lying at this moment since, obviously, I was caught in the act.
"That's rare. It has been months since I started this habit of mine to write notes randomly and stick them on books that I took notice of, but it is the first time that someone replied, and I was a bit surprised," he continued while holding the note and waving it in front of me. I didn't know he could be this talkative to a stranger. Well, compared to how he looked when he was just passing by, his small smile actually suits him. There's a bit of glimmer in his eyes, but he still looks mysterious and calm at the same time, and it intrigues me. I realized I hadn't replied to him yet and felt a bit shy about daydreaming in a short instant. I mentally hit my head for my stupidity.
"Oh, I see,
.
.
.
.
.
To be honest,
If it's just a random note, then I won't even care, but the lyrics caught my attention," I answered slowly, so it would be less awkward than how I already seemed.
"Hmmm, I didn't know that someone knew that song," he said with a hint of amusement. I didn't expect he was the friendly type. My social battery is draining fast, and I really don't want to make this conversation longer, even though I don't want to leave just yet either. I just don't know how to deal with people.
"Uhm, well, I kind of like those types of songs, so yeah, apparently, someone knows it," I awkwardly replied again with a soft chuckle.
"Ohh, so does anyone tell you that you have a weird taste in music?" he said while laughing, and I answered, "All the time," while rolling my eyes. There's this strange familiarity to him that makes me comfortable as the conversation continues, even though I had a hard time answering him in a stable tone. But I know I should now end this exchange of words. I cannot contain it any longer; I'm at 10% now, I think.
So I guess that's it? Since I already met him anyway, there was no point in staying there any longer as my goal was just to identify the person behind it, so I tried to end the conversation as I gave him some pleasantries.
"Well, it was nice meeting you; I gotta go." We then bid our goodbyes and then went our separate ways.
My curiosity has already been satisfied, and yet why does it feel a bit empty? It's like I solved a puzzle, and yet the pieces don't still seem to fit. My feet felt heavier with each step I took, but I kept moving forward anyway.
