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It was a sunny and warm early Autumn Saturday afternoon as I was walking through the streets of London. I was still coming to terms with the recent split from my boyfriend and had hoped some shopping therapy might help. Yet, despite spending most of the afternoon going through shops, I was not feeling much better. I decided to enter a cafe and sit down to mediate on my predicament with a warm cup of coffee.
It was exactly two months since he had left me. Up to that point my life was going well. Fresh out of university, I had just secured a well-paying job as a graphic designer for a medium-sized company in the city. I was planning to move in with my boyfriend and get engaged with him after almost the years of dating. He was a tall, fit, confident guy with a degree in software engineering and a bright future ahead. Often my female friends would congratulate me in finding such a rare catch. Then, out of the blue, he dropped the bombshell that he was leaving me for my then best friend. It hit me hard. I tried dating after the first month of mourning, but no guy could measure up to him. I was still feeling disappointed, bitter and betrayed and, lost in my thoughts, I gazed aimlessly into distance.
Or that is what I thought. In reality I had been staring in the direction of woman sitting at a table a few feet away. She had noticed my look and was now staring back at me. She must have been South East Asian by her look, probably in her early 30s, with straight, black, shoulder-length hair held in a pony tail and tanned brown skin. She was wearing a black and white chequered long-sleeved shirt and blue jeans. No lipstick or make-up and the only accessories were two small golden earrings and a purple wristband.
The Asian woman was staring straight into my eyes and did not avert my gaze when I stared back into her eyes. I blushed, realizing that inadvertently I might have freaked her out. I thus tried to defuse the situation by smiling at her. I felt a sense of relief when she smiled back. I then took out my mobile phone and started checking it. When I raised my gaze, she was standing in front of me. I panicked a bit, thinking that I might have offended her
"Oh! Hi...look, I'm sorry if I freaked you out before when I was looking in your direction. I was just lost in my thoughts..."
"Haha, nah, don't worry sweetie! I was not offended at all! In fact I just wanted to get to know you. You don't mind if I sit here, do you?" she said. I nodded my approval with a sense of relief that she was not upset
"My name is Maricar. And what is yours, gorgeous?"
"My name is Daphne."
"Daphne...I like your name...it sounds cute, just like you are."
I blushed at her words. Still it was nice to hear some compliments in my current state of mind. They sure helped me gaining back some self-esteem.
"So what do you do in London, Daphne?"
"I work here actually. I finished my studies last June and found a job as a Graphic designer. What about you?"
"I work as a nurse, babe. "
"Oh, I see. You are not British, though, are you?"
"No, I'm originally from the Philippines. Moved to London about 5 years ago. So, any plans for the evening sweetie?"
"Mmm, no, not really. I've been a bit depressed of late, so not really in a mood for going out or partying."
"Oh no! I'm sorry to hear that! What happened?"
"I split up from my boyfriend two months ago. Well, he left me for my best friend. And I am still not over that..."
"Damn! I feel your pain, Daphne! I also recently broke up with my partner..."
"Really? Damn...aren't men terrible?"
"Mmm, I would have to agree on that. Listen, how about we drown our sorrows together then? I know a nice pub where we can get some food and a few drinks. My treat!"
Maricar seemed a nice person and I had been in need of a bit fun after two months spent feeling sorry for myself. And I probably needed to do something crazy like going out for a dinner with someone I just met.
"Why not? It sounds more fun than going back to my bedroom and cry into my pillow anyway!"
"Haha! Cool, let's go then! It's only a couple of subway stops from here!"
Half an hour later we arrived at the pub and ordered some food and drinks and then sat down at a small table.
"I propose a toast to freedom and independence, Daphne. And to hell with bad relationships!" Maricar said.
"I'll drink to that!" and in saying so I raised my glass and drank.
We kept drinking and chatting until the last orders were announced. By then I was rather tipsy.
"What? Already closing time? Damn, I was having such a great time!" I said.
"Yeah, I know! This sucks! Mmm, tell you what, why don't we grab a bottle of wine in an off-licence and then head back to my place to drink it?"
I had been having a lot of fun chatting and laughing with Maricar and she seemed such a funny and nice person, so I had no trouble accepting her proposal enthusiastically.
We started walking towards her home and on the way, Maricar spotted an off-licence. She then grabbed my hand and led me into the shop to buy some red wine. In my drunken stupor, I did not pay too much attention to this little gesture. How many times had I grabbed a friend's hand after a night out drinking, after all? As we exited the shop, Maricar again took hold of my hand as we walked towards her home chatting and laughing.
Back at her place, we sat down in a sofa next to each other and started drinking the wine.
"You know Daphne, I really like your clothes." said Maricar. I was wearing a black a black sleeveless crop top that exposed my midriff and some light green shorts that exposed most of my legs.
"And you have such a nice flat tummy!" and as she said so she put her right hand on my belly and started rubbing it. I was initially taken aback, but the alcohol was helping me feel more relaxed and anyway it felt good to be appreciated.
