Part Five of my story:
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“Hello? You should say something if you call someone.” Her voice hinted of teasing.

I spoke before my mind could organize its thoughts, trying to buy some time, “Hi, do you remember me?”

She paused, waiting for more, “You’ll have to be more specific then that.”

“Oh yea,” I chuckled nervously. “I talked to you yesterday during lunchtime.”

“Oh,” she seemed far from enthusiastic, “how are you?”

“I’m fine.” I hesitated with the next part of the conversation, the part where I would ask her to go out with me so I could get to know her better. “I was just wondering if—“

She cut me off before I could finish, “Listen, I was in the middle of something when you called. If you want to talk more, meet me tomorrow for lunch, same time and same place as before. Gotta run, bye.”

With that, she hung up the phone. I wondered how busy a woman could be at night. Not being one, I could not fathom her current actions. Of course, negativity crept in and told me that she was just giving me the brush off because she did not want to talk to me anymore. But it could not have been true. After all, she did not pick the phone up the first time. That was a sure sign that she was busy, I kept saying to myself.

I spent the rest of the night and a good part of the next morning wondering if she would truly show. It felt as if I were in a masquerade. Every person looked like her. Those sitting would look up at me, and for a fleeting moment, I would be ecstatic that she showed, only to find out I was wrong. Every person who brushed by had her mask, her scent, and her special aura. My mind played tricks on me. Even if it were only for a brief moment with each passing body, it kept my hopes high knowing the next one might just be the real her.

Soon the bustle of lunch hour died down. The murmurs of those meeting to enjoy an hour with each other and talk about the previous day slowly faded with each passing minute. All of those around me had already packed up their things and moved on. I tapped my fingers nervously, keeping an eye on my watch. She would come. I had faith.

It was over an hour since the time I arrived. I still waited. I wanted to give her the benefit of the doubt and assume she was occupied with something urgent. The attendant cleaning off the table across from mine gave me a funny look, one that said I should leave soon before I was confronted and asked to leave.

I sighed, accepting defeat, knowing that staying any longer would feed to a lost cause.