What Did It Mean?

Summer time, a period of sun, sand and the waves. The sweltering heat gets into almost everyone, even for those who are used to the generally muggy feeling.

It was of no difference to him of course. Summer time in the tropics was especially bad, considering the fact that in the tropics, it was always hot and muggy all year round. But unlike most of his cohort, there was a rather different feeling for him; while the rest felt the heat broiling them, he felt only a strange, cold detachedness.

A kiss. It all started from a kiss. On the last possible day of class before the break of the summer holidays, when he was about to leave the dormitories to catch his flight home, while he was standing at the bus stop waiting for the airport shuttle, she came by shyly, and gave him a quick kiss on the lips before turning around and running away, leaving him standing there shocked and disorientated.

What did that kiss mean? It was something that had been bugging him for the most of the break, and till then, he still had no clue what to make of it. Was it a good luck kiss? No, it couldn't be---no good luck kiss would be done in the manner that she did. Was it a kiss representative of her innate feelings for him? Perhaps, but they have always had a friendly relationship with each other for quite a long time, so it might not be the case.

Or could it?

That possbility had been floating around in his head for a long time, and the more that he thought about it, the more that it seemed to be likely. But each time he thought about the possibility, the more he wanted to reject it; what was it in him that she found attractive? That didn't make any sense to him; he was neither good-looking nor rich, and was definitely not a very social person to start with, having turned down practically every invitation to parties that his other friends have given him.

So, could that kiss really mean more? Or was he just trying to delude himself into believing that there was more than there is? He couldn't decide. The hot dreary summer has turned into a tumultous weather of sorts marked by squalls, sunshine and fog.

He was confused; he didn't know what to make of it. Even after 3 months of thinking through it, he still had no clue. He thought of talking to her and asking her what she meant, but thought better of it. What would his response be if she confessed that she had a liking for him?

Sitting at the balcony of his apartment, he looked on into the horizon, waiting for the day that the fall semester would begin so that he could look her up and ask her directly, what that kiss meant.

Perhaps he would be better prepared then.

(Based on an exercise generated by WriteThis - 31 Mar 2008 14:55:49)