Seraph Chronicles

A small step forward

There I was, at the cafetaria. There were many others around yet I was alone, there was chatter yet my heart was silent, silently waiting, waiting…

I’ve had my lunch, my colleagues have returned to their cubicles, leaving me behind. Yet I waited… waited patiently with newspaper in hand while texting my friend.

It was 1:15 already, why hasn’t she appeared yet? Could it be that she was caught up with something, or perhaps she’d left with her colleagues for lunch outside the campus? I had to know, so I perservere, waiting, waiting…

There she is finally, appearing through the see through double glass doors of the cafeteria accompanied by her two colleagues. She flashed a smile at me upon entering, I returned similarly. She walked past me to grab something to eat, slowly going through the dishes and picking the ones she favored.

And then came the moment of truth, she walked past me to the table behind and sat down with her colleagues. Oh the feeling of disappointment welling up, I guess it was not meant to be afterall, she was still keeping her distance. It’s ok I thought, give her some time and space, things should improve gradually.

Then just as this sad, disappointed soul was preparing to leave, she came up to me from behind, her warm smile as usual, “Just finished your lunch?” she asked. I turned around and stood up saying “Ah, yes, I’ve just eaten.”. “Care to join us?” she said as she walked back towards her table, I followed suit and sat down opposite of her…

A small step forward or a sense of pity…?