“Goodbye, Maj. We really enjoyed staying here.”, Cay embraced their hostess as they bid farewell the next noon.
“Hope you two have a safe trip!” as Maj’s thoughtful eyes accompanied them to the pavement until the two disappeared into the corner turn.
The two still had about fifteen hours left until their next bus departed for the next country. The waiting time felt long but Cay knew better than to bear with it as time spent traveling usually went by fast. However, the two had decided to leave the accommodation later than usual as they were sure that they had done much exploring around the centre of Bruxelles.571Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOzVN2ze4ht
571Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8oe0GXaPyJ
They visited a museum that showcases the process and history of chocolate-making, even reaching the extent of procuring freshly-made chocolate (Cay had dark, while Judas chose the standard milk) although they still had some half-finished ones in their bags. They sat in a café overlooking some waffle shops opposite to them, the usual drinks served onto small and round metallic tables.
“I hope to see you soon.”, Cay mumbled loudly.571Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJADUe6ndEr
“What?”
“Eva, the Greek girl from yesterday.”
“Oh, is that what she said to you?”
“Yeah.”, Cay sigh.
“She told me that when we got to the door.”, he paused for a moment before continuing.
“Did you tell her that we’ll be leaving tomorrow morning?”571Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdPCiertQTz
“Not really.”571Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyMB9A6Z2uq
“Not really?”571Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3zUuoRJzze
“I told her that I was, but I think she meant leaving her house.”, Cay responded, embarrassingly.
The conversation ended with Cay delivering his warm espresso into his mouth, the transfer too quick that it made the dark, watery content slushed violently. The lash of coffee almost touching the tanned skin above his lips. The coffee had been cooled enough not to scorch any organic surfaces but hot enough to bring out it’s best aromatic qualities.571Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5XBQM8wswv
571Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH0lelenEMS
The two planned to visit the Atomium, near where the Parc d’Ossegham Laeken and other exhibiting attractions were, it’s brief history since the 1958 Brussel’s World Fair had earned it’s landmark as Iconic as the Jeanneke Pis. However, the two had to postpone the journey there due to the pouring rain, the latter involuntarily entrapped the two under the covered part of the outer café with. The air perfumed with sugary waffles and filled with the smell of light coffee.
How would the day last until they venture to another unfamiliar city growing in a different country, Cay would usually think. The mesmerizing sound of raindrops on cobble stone streets conjured sweet and sour memories of England, particularly Bath; the smell of freshly baked waffles was a scent that brought out hidden pasts that did not take up much space in the vast mind. The rain would be a welcoming presence for the children ---- The droplets of syrupy water only indifferent than molasses expect for its’ diluted texture.
A pleasant unexpected event that was most welcoming at that time for Cay.
*
“I would have given you an eighty out of a hundred, had it not been the other’s reviewing your work”
Jenna’s lecturer, Jude who might as well be her only and best tutor at university, shook her head in slight embarrassment while being infected by her student’s radiating brilliance whenever they spoke. Jenna made a vague sign of disappointment not because of her tutor. No, she had always seen Jude as a parent rather than just a faculty of the school of arts.
“I really do love your work, Jenna”, she assured the bright girl sitting uncomfortable apposite to her in her office.
“It was unfortunate, but they were skeptical whether if the initial point that I gave gravitated towards liking instead of fair-grading. But I am sure you deserve more than the point you have right now.”, she added, not trying to add to the disappointment.
Jenna earned a 1:1 in her latest assignment, which had been more than satisfactory to most students in her class. However, a person with an ambition would never just settle for just greatness. She found only little amusement from her tutor’s effort in deciphering her origin of disappointment and savored the least when Jude tried to comfort her with words. The latter was true, but nothing could change the result as shown online.
“It’s alright, Jude. I’m happy that you gave me a higher remark than I deserve. I should be going now, it’s getting dark outside.”
Her tutor stood up and escorted Jenna outside with a genuine smile, Jenna felt the unusual stifling air filling up the office when she opened the door. The warm indoors of the campus heated to an uninviting temperature that anyone who entered would think of taking layers off their autumn clothing. She had longed to step outside with the fresh but almost-icy air outside after the seminar and just after her session with Jude.
Two males, most like students, stood smoking just outside of the glass door. They noticed Jenna stepping outside and made a gap enough for a petite woman like her to pass through, and they went back to their usual proximity of chatter. The woman walking towards the darkened space until reaching the next illuminating light post just around the corner outside the campus’s outer brick-wall. She was glad to have some alone-time to soak in the conversation with Jude, the fifteen-minute walk back to Cay’s flat felt just long enough to render her thoughts clear.
She was on her usual route back, an alleyway too spacious and inviting for pedestrians who lived close-by, the smooth tarmac pavement filling with parents and their young children on small tricycles. She wondered if the small road was what made the routinised walk so bearable, almost enjoyable, to the point she would intentionally walked slower than her usual pace. The two sides of the pavement filled with crisp grass and over-stretched branches from the neighborhood, there were dogs with twinkling excitement in their eyes as pedestrians held leashes on their pets.
The air acted as a refreshing compliment to her bare hands and face, which made her forget about the disappointment that had washed over her earlier.
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