The Little Square Table

Ever since that day, my vision was clearer than usual. I saw Alisya from time to time, during breakfast, just as she was about to go home or even when I was going to the toilet. Well maybe it was just my overactive imagination because I was in the twenty second floor.

In the back of my mind, I know I wanted to see her, to know her better. Hallucinations tend to tell you that believe it or not. I needed a chance. Maybe I could 'accidentally' bump into her while she was going home. She always carried books on the way back. A slight bump on the shoulder, books scattered and me helping her pick them up. Start a little conversation and asking her out for coffee as an apology. No, too High School Musical for me.
_________________________________________________________________________________
Something else about me dear reader, I consider myself a mastermind. I like to think a little differently from other people. I guess if you grew up with a family like mine (a story for another time), you have to find creative ways to get what you want.
_________________________________________________________________________________

I did what any mastermind would do; Google. I remembered the book she read during our first encounter and added the words 'books like' in front of the title. Voila! Opened up the first link and before me were some twenty odd book titles. A quick skim through the descriptions and I found a book that has similarities with 'The Book Thief'. A common ground is needed to establish a connection with another person and I found it. A quick stop at a local bookstore the next day and I was holding a brand new 'The FitzOsbornes in Exile'. For the next few days I read and absorbed the details and the feelings conveyed in the book. An interesting read definitely but I stopped halfway. Why, you ask dear reader? Well in everything that we do, there needs to be sincerity in it. I didn't want to read the whole book just yet. There was still part two to the plan that needs to be established but that will be clear to you soon.

A few more days later I took the public transport to work; carefully placing the time around when I met her the first time. A pain definitely but when I think back, it was well worth it. As I waited for the bus, I focused solely on the book. I read and read. Got on the bus and still read up until I reached the lifts and closed the book.

One fine day the chance I waited for has arrived. Alisya arrived just a few minutes before me and I stood beside her. I gave her a friendly greeting whilst holding my book. We had a small chat and she said she had seen me waiting for the bus a few times but I was so engrossed in the book that she did not want to intrude. Exactly what I wanted; her talking about my book. We sat beside each other on the bus and I told her about the book with such enthusiasm that she wanted to have a read too (if I had finished the book, I would have known the ending and that would make my excitement for the book be less sincere thus making me seem less excited). I offered her my copy but in exchange she had to belanja me coffee. She agreed.

Mission accomplished.