Paradox: Beginning Of The End

My spontaneous decision to surprise my family had created a paradox. The intention had been to arrive as a surprise, yet the possibility of my mother's scolding loomed. I had been overthinking the situation, and the realization that it was time to leave struck me like an arrow through the heart, a swift, abrupt end to a night filled with intrigue and possibility.

With a resolute spirit, I closed my eyes downing the last glass of my martini in one decisive gulp, an exit as dramatic as any scene in a Hollywood movie. I expected the audacious move to be met with a look of surprise from Precious. As the cool liquid flowed down my throat, the taste and feeling of alcohol mingling with my emotions, ummm i savored the little buzz from my one gulp move. I could sense i was already feeling tipsy and the atmosphere in the bar shifting.

My gaze landed on precious after i opened my eyes, indeed, her eyebrows shot up, and a look of shock painted her features like a masterpiece. I stood up from my seat, leaving my empty glass behind, and walked purposefully toward her. The space between our seats closed as I bridged the gap between our worlds.

I observed she was a little fidgety when i made my steps towards her, a slight restlessness in her demeanor as I approached. My saunter was abrupt, and perhaps she thought I was making a move on her or something. Only God knows what was racing through her mind.

"So, Presh" I began, stopping one or two inches away from her seat and leaning towards the bars' table, my voice carrying the weight of my impending departure, "the time spent with you was incredible, but I'll be taking my leave now."

She now looked at me with a mixture of curiosity then restriction, "You're gonna leave my here all by myself?"

Her voice laced with both inquiry and the slightest hint of disappointment, her gaze digging into my soul. She hadn't anticipated my sudden decision to leave.

I leaned in closer, a conspiratorial whisper meant for her ears only. "I'm sorry. I'd love to stay longer, but I had plans on a mission to surprise my family tonight with a visit before our little encounter, I don't want my mum to worry if I come home too late."

"Oh, mommy's boy."

Her response was a playful tease, but there was a subtle layer of sadness beneath it.

"You could have at least said something about that earlier"

I could feel the disappointment wash over like a tidal wave, and I couldn't help but feel that perhaps the timing of my departure was less than ideal. If not for my mission i had clearly wanted to extend her evening beyond the bars' walls, and I was well aware that I owed her more time, having been a guest in her world for a significant part of the night.

As if to make amends for my early exit, I watched as Precious swiftly ordered another glass of martini, before I could say anything, her actions mirroring my earlier one-gulp move.

It was both impressive and intriguing, and it left me with a lingering doubt – did i just become a bad influence on her right now?

That move wasn't an ideal drinking pattern, i just loved it because of my high resistance to alcohol. I didn't dare voice out my thoughts though, i had already been accused of being a sexist enough for one night.

We settled the bills, and I prepared to make my exit. But Precious's reaction was far from what I had expected. Her behavior began to take a turn for the dramatic. She seemed reluctant to leave her seat, and I felt a sense of responsibility to ensure she didn't stay alone in the bar.

Her heels clicked as she finally rose from her barstool, her eyes fixed on my face. Then, she scolded me in a half-playful, half-genuine manner, "Why didn't you mention your plans earlier? You made me get too comfortable."

The truth was she wasn't entirely wrong. Our conversations had been light, and I hadn't shared much about my personal life. Well it wasn't a formal date, and I had been more focused on lifting her spirits, considering her canceled plans for the evening.

As we stood there, the disparity in our heights became more evident.

"Wow, you… you're really tall, I mean i had noticed earlier guessing you'd definitely be above 6'2, but i didn't think the difference would be so much" she said sheepishly raising her hand to my forehead, as if measuring my height. Precious's height, which would be around 5'6 or so, was further elevated by her heels, bringing the tip of her forehead just a fraction above the top of my lips. Her observation about my height was accurate, but her surprise, it was still as though she had only just noticed it.

I chuckled at the comment, " i'm 6'7 and you didn't notice because I didn't have a reason to get up from my seat until now."

This was the moment of truth. As I made my way towards the exit, Precious's demeanor underwent a noticeable transformation. Her playful and flirtatious attitude gave way to a more dramatic and emotionally charged tone.

"Are you just going to leave just like that?" she inquired, a tinge of uncertainty in her voice. I furrowed my brow in response, trying to decipher the meaning behind her words. Was she expecting me to hold her hand and escort her out of the bar? My exit plan was to ensure I didn't linger, leaving her with the freedom to decide her own course of action.

With a confident smile, I responded, "Yes, I'm leaving, but if you don't feel like heading home just yet, you're more than welcome to stay."

"Maybe i would" she retorted, climbing up and plumping her ass back on the bar stool, folding her arms across her chest like a wronged child. It was as though the shift in my own disposition had triggered something in her, sending her feelings spiraling into a whirlwind of emotions.

"Ok then, take care and try not to stay too long, since you're out her alone"

She only rolled her eyes at my request, which I found rather adorable.

I strategically signaled chucks, the bartender to keep an eye on her in case someone comes along and tries to harass her after my departure, but her reply portrayed a firm assertion of her independence. "I can take care of myself, thank you."

I chuckled, was it that i wasn't strategic enough or she was secretly observing me, charmed by her spirited response, i couldn't help but appreciate the hint of a playful tantrum in her demeanor. I offered a parting blessing,

"Bye then, Preshy."

With a final wave to Precious which she ignored because she "wasn't looking", i cast a gaze at the bar tender, and he silently acknowledged our previous agreement with a thumbs up.

Our brief but eventful encounter had left me with a smile on my face.

I continued my journey to the bars' exit, the remaining mile to my destination didn't seem daunting, and I was hopeful that I'd encounter a cab along the way, the traffic jam had subsided and the flow of vehicles had resumed.

The night had been a tapestry of unexpected connections, shared laughter, and a sense of camaraderie. As I embarked on the adventure awaiting me in the vibrant streets of the city, the memories of the night were etched into my mind. It was a weekend full of unpredictability, just the way I liked.

Just then i heard a familiar soft voice behind me,

"Where are you heading to? Let me drop you off. It's the least I can do to repay you for sparing your time and hanging out with me."