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The sounds of the busy subway filled your ears as you stood among the sea of faces. The city was as busy as always with people going to work or going to run errands or to just spend the day outside while it was still somewhat nice outside. You gripped the handle bar as the subway made it's way to your destination. Today had been a rather exhausting day for you, filled with customers who decided to have a nasty attitude towards you or just being difficult for no reason other than they could. You sighed softly to yourself, gazing at the other passengers on the train. People of all walks of life sat or stood crowded in the train, young teenagers to elderly folk to tourists and several others all just going about their day.
You were taken out of your thoughts as the sound of the conductor's voice broke out over the intercom, announcing that you'd gotten to your destination. Letting go of the bar you'd been holding on to and pulling your bag further up your shoulder, you joined the swarm of people who exited the train and made your way out. Stepping onto the platform of the subway station you made your way towards the staircase that would take you above ground. As you came out of the underground subway station, the cold air quickly went to kiss your cheeks and play with your hair. Snuggling into your coat more you began to walk down the sidewalk, passing by unfamiliar faces as you walked by. Shops and restaurants glowed brightly as you passed them, completely in your own world, zoning out from the world around you. It was because of this that you hadn't seen the poor man that was in your way until you crashed right into him. You let out a startled noise and the poor man you'd ran head first into let out his own startled sound as the two of you fell to the ground, your foreheads colliding. You let out a groan, rubbing your forehead in pain as you tried to get your bearings. Lifting your head in pain you went to look up at the man to say something before you paused.
Bright red eyes surround by white hair and dark skin greeted your vision. The man was looking at you like a deer in headlights, his eyes wide and his forehead developing a matching bruise that surely stamped your own forehead. You blinked owlishly, stunned by the beautiful man you were currently straddling.
'He's gorgeous....!'
You thought in a star struck way. You were snapped out of your thoughts by a hand on your shoulder, and a concerned voice.
"Hey are you alright?!? I'm so sorry I should have been watching where I was going!"
The man apologized frantically. You shook your head, a blush coming onto your face as you got off of the poor man.
"No, no! It was my fault I was zoning out!"
You said with an embarrassed look. The man gave you a concerned look and got up from the ground, reaching his hand out to help you up.
"Still I shouldn't have been standing in the middle of the sidewalk. I really am sorry uh....?"
The man trailed off unsure of what to call you. You reached your hand out and grasped his, and he quickly pulled you back up onto your feet.
"(Y/N). And it's nice to meet you Mr....?"
You asked him. The man caught on and quickly answered you, a bright smile lighting up his face.
"Ah Kalim. My name is Kalim! It's a pleasure to meet you as well (Y/N)!"
The man now known as Kalim said. You couldn't help but look him over. Kalim was dressed up rather nicely you noticed, his hair decorated in a red slash that was tied around his head. Two golden earrings hung from his ears and his eyes seemed to sparkle like a pair of rubies. His white hair was somewhat messy yet you found that it suited him rather well. You were once again taken back by handsome he was and had to force yourself to keep calm, despite how fast your heart was going. It was then you noticed that his outfit was stained, a broken coffee cup laying on the ground where the two of you collided and fell. You realized with horror that not only you'd given him a bruise on his forehead but you'd also spilled his coffee all over him.
"Oh god! I'm so sorry! Are you hurt??"
You asked concerned that he might have been burned. Kalim gave you a confused look before he connected the dots.
"Oh no! I'm fine! I wasn't burned or anything! Honest! It's no big deal!"
Kalim said with a reassuring smile. You gave him a critical look over to make sure that he was indeed alright before you'd calm down, guilt eating at you for running into him and making him lose his coffee. Making a split second decision you gave Kalim a determined look.
"Still, I wanna make it up to you. Let me buy you a new coffee. My treat."
You said in a tone that left no room for argument. Kalim blinked before another dazzling smile broke out on his face.
"Alright. If that's what you wanna do!"
Kalim chirped. You gave him a small smile in return and without thinking too much about it, you grabbed his wrist and dragged him towards the coffee shop he'd been in not too long ago. Getting him and yourself a fresh hot coffee the two of you sat down in the window booth, soaking up the warmth. Taking a careful sip of your coffee you gave Kalim a look.
"So, where are you from?"
You asked curious. Kalim gave you a smile and took a sip of his coffee before he began to speak. It was during this time you learned several things about him. You learned that Kalim wasn't from your country and had recently moved here a few years back. You'd learned that he had a roommate named Jamil who was super serious and a bit of a worrier, and that he worked at a children's daycare while Jamil worked at a big company. You learned that he had several siblings that he loved more than life itself and that he was a huge fan of animals. As you learned about him, he learned about you. He learned that you worked at a large shopping center in the center of town and that you'd lived in the city for most of your life. He leaned that you owned a pet cat named Grimm and had your own roommate named Idia who was extremely shy and who worked for a big tech company. As the two of you spoke the more comfortable you got with one another.
In less than two hours the two of you were laughing like old friends who knew each other for years. However all good things must come to an end as Kalim's phone started to ring. Quickly excusing himself he answered it.
"Hello?"
He spoke into the phone. You and Kalim nearly jumped at the stern panicked tone that answered.
"Kalim! You were supposed to be home hours ago! Where are you!?"
A masculine voice spoke in a rushed way, obviously upset with Kalim yet not wanting to show it. Kalim flinched, looking guilty.
"Ah I'm sorry Jamil I should have sent you a text. I just ran into someone and we got coffee and I lost track of time! I'm sorry!"
Kalim apologized profusely. The man on the phone, Jamil seemed to sigh in an exasperated way and you couldn't help but imagine him pinching the bridge of his nose like a disappointed parent.
"It's fine...just....just get back home now Kalim. And you owe me for this stunt."
Jamil grumbled. Kalim perked up and smiled brightly into the phone.
"I'll buy you takeout as an apology! I'll see you soon!"
Kalim chirped into the phone. Jamil let out what you believed was a goodbye before hanging up. As soon as the phone was disconnected Kalim gave you a somewhat conflicted look.
"I'm sorry I've got to go....I had a lot of fun though!"
Kalim said with a small smile. You couldn't help but feel your chest tighten, realizing that this might be the last time you see Kalim. The young man got up and went to move out of the booth when you suddenly grabbed his arm.
"Give me your phone. I've got keep in contact with you somehow."
You said in a mumble, face flushing red. Kalim seemed to shine and quickly got out his phone handing it to you. Putting your number into his contacts you got up from your seat and gave him back his phone, a small smile on your face.
"We should do this again sometime."
You said softly. Kalim gave you a soft look, his eyes twinkling.
"Of course, I'll pay for the coffee next time yeah?"
He asked you with a smile before he leaned forward quickly. You barely had time to process the feeling of soft lips on your cheek before it was gone and Kalim was already heading outside, a thousand walt smile on his face.
"See you later (Y/N)!"
Kalim said happily with a wave before he disappeared into the cold November night to go home. You stood frozen in place, your hand coming up to your cheek to touch the place he'd kissed you, cheeks red and a warmth blooming in your chest. With a soft smile you put your coat on and grabbed your things and went outside to go home yourself. As the cold chilly air kissed your exposed cheeks again you couldn't help but smile, feeling lighter than you have been all day. Running into Kalim, giving him a bruise on his forehead and spilling coffee on him had been a good thing. Because it let you meet the most amazing man you'd ever had spoken with. With the thought of warm red eyes and a bright sunshine smile in your mind and heart you went home with a skip in your step.
You couldn't wait for the next coffee date.