I was to work an early shift that Thursday. As per routine, I had to leave the house by 5.30 A.M in order to catch the usually unreliable number 10. I stole a quick swig of the orange juice, popped on my headphones, got my backpack and stepped out into the dry cool of early Scottish morning.
It was the end of winter days but the long nights still persisted. In the mornings the sky was clear, the breeze was mildly cool and the atmosphere was smokey. At the bus stop the golden lining of dawn began trimming the sky and I wondered whether I had missed my bus. Next bus wouldn't be in for another hour so I contemplated a taxi ride. As I procrastinated to the ambience set by the waking birds chirping the sun back to life, I felt my focus drifting. I was distracted.
I felt like someone who saw in monochrome all their life but could suddenly experience a rainbow. I do not remember breathing. In fact, I do not remember needing to. As the sun rose that day, the playlist switched to Aqualung's Brighter than Sunshine. The crease of dawn led the way and my eyes eagerly followed.
Her wavy dull brunette hair bounced flauntingly with each step she took. She was walking over to the bus stop on the opposite side of the road. Her brown leather jacket on a teal cardigan and white floral skirt echoed warmth. The heavy smog in the backdrop could do little harm to her glittering aura. While she was walking down I couldn't see her face completely as her thick hair shadowed her face. My sight glided to her lips. Plain yet plump, no lipstick on and yet pink as the freshest guava one could find on a gold summer’s day. Each time she exhaled, I could see that white cloud breath evolve a particle at a time.
In that moment I noticed her noticing me noticing her. Gazes met, smiles exchanged and the sun shined bright that day. Gentle dawn greeted!