There is a cliché heard many times over that goes like this: When a door closes, a window usually opens. Or something like that. I cannot be bothered to google the exact proverb.
A window has opened for me right after Montreal but as of this writing, that window may as well have been shut and sealed tight never to be opened again.
Meeting George
Going downtown Halifax from Stanfield Airport is not cheap. Because my flight from Montreal was arriving late, and buses would not have been running by then, I decided to try booking a ride through Driver Daves. I had heard about the service from a friend and co-worker, Ate Marie, who was perfectly satisfied with it. It is basically like Uber but they only cater to airport transits.
When my flight landed at around 1 AM, I received a text giving me instructions and letting me know that my ride is waiting outside. Apparently I had to wait for two other passengers to arrive. I was already growing impatient, and cranky, and all I really wanted was to lie down in my bed and sleep. The idiot part of me did not book for a time off work so I really needed to get to bed as soon as possible to get ready for work the following morning. When the two other passengers never showed up, I received a text that my ride was already coming up to me.
Boy oh boy did I not expect what was coming up to me. A dark grey Lexus SUV pulled up in front of me, no big deal, I had known that from the text sent to me previously. But when I saw who came out of the car, I was almost dumbfounded. All my senses were heightened, and my heart raced and I couldn’t even begin to explain what I was feeling and why I was feeling it. He had the bluest fucking eyes I had ever seen, and he was wearing a blue shirt that for fucks sake even highlighted them. No shit, he was the most handsome man I have ever laid my eyes on. And if I’m dropping F-bombs here and there, it only explains the intensity of how I’m feeling.
On the ride home, he was very chatty but I find myself deep in conversation with him and all of a sudden it was like all the adrenaline was just rushing through my body. It was very comfortable and easy and we never ran out of things to talk about. I had learned bits and pieces of his life, and he has learned about mine. At one point he asked if I’m married, obviously fishing for my relationship status. I can tell the surprise and astonishment in his voice when I told him I’m single. I swear to God the ride home took twice as long as it normally would, especially at 1 AM when traffic is all but present.
When he finally pulled up in my apartment’s driveway, we already had talked about a lot things, even noting people we know in common. He got out of the car and took my luggage out of the trunk. I can feel my smile up to my ears. He introduced himself and he asked for my name. His name is George. I don’t know if I was ever going to see him again but I saw an opportunity. I needed a ride to the airport the following Friday (July 17th) so I was quick to ask him whether he would take me or if I need to book through the site again. He was also quick to say this “I’m your man, you have my number, call me anytime”. We parted with exchanges of “It was so nice to meet you.”
When I got into my apartment, my roommate’s sister Kathy was in the living room still watching a movie on Netflix so I animatedly told her about my ride because I just cannot contain my kilig! She laughed when she realized I was even more excited about my ride home, than my entire Montreal weekend.
The following morning at work, I was a mess. Around 10 AM, my phone buzzed and to my surprise, it was a text from George. He said the same thing he said the previous night in that it was nice meeting me, and that if I ever need a ride just call him. And he’d love to see me again. I thought it was odd. I asked some friends later on and they all said the same thing, he definitely did not mean just business by texting that. Later that week, we had set for him to pick me up at 3:30 AM on Friday to make it to my flight to Colorado.
God knows how much I was dying for it to be Friday and when it finally came I cannot be more thrilled. He pulled up on my driveway on a white Lexus SUV this time. Dashing as ever, he got out of the car to put my luggage in the trunk. I sat on the passenger seat beside him this time. When I got in, his immediate remark was “Oh my gosh you smell so good.” I was rejoicing inside. Like the first time we met, our conversation was nice and comfortable. I don’t know how to describe it but with him, I felt warm and safe.
When we got to the airport, he didn’t charge me the full price, I could probably have gotten the ride for free but I think it would have been too obvious for him. He said he really enjoyed my company, and I said I did too. I told him maybe we should have coffee when I get back. He loved the idea.
Sarah and David’s Wedding
It was the first wedding I was ever invited to as a guest so I was naturally delighted to be there. How often could you be part of a Buddhist wedding ceremony held on a mountain in Colorado 8,000 miles above sea level? Right, not often and so I was not going to miss that for the world. I was also reunited with my good friends Carla, Kirbey and Gareth whom I met and became close to, along with the bride Sarah, when we were all working at Citco. None of us works there anymore.
Suffice it to say, the wedding was so beautiful and all was picturesque and the bride and groom were just gorgeously in love with each other. That weekend was just what I needed. The meditation and peaceful retreat that came with being isolated from city life and reconnecting with nature was just truly a marvellous experience. I have met some great people whom I will forever share this experience with. The stories we have from the wedding are just wonderful although some are truly mortifying. I’m also proud of myself for not hooking up with anybody, not even with Tom, one of the groomsmen, whom I met and made out with in their engagement party last year. I personally think he is disgusting. Lol.
On Sunday (July 19th), while waiting at the airport for my flight back to Halifax, I took a gamble and texted George. I asked him if he wanted to have coffee with me the following day. His reply was instantaneous. He would absolutely love to.