The Train Ride (Part 2)

"So where are you off to?", he asked.

"Just a few stops from here...", I replied.

"Cool. I live in _____, end of the line...", he said.

While were talking, I noticed he was restless. He seemed like he was trying to figure out where to place his hands. I looked at my reflection in the window - I was calm and collected - I looked like a pro. I felt that I needed to make him comfortable. He took the first step anyway so it was now my turn.

"So what's your name?", I asked.

"Mark... you?"

"Tristan...", I replied while wishing that he did not see my eyes roll.

"Great... another Mark...", I muttered.

He smiled and extended his hand. His grip was firm. He shook my hand and he looked me in the eyes. I gave him a flirty smile. It was then when I realized that my hands were cold. In as much as my face and body language showed no signs of stress, my hands were cold as ice. I hate to admit it but I felt like a newbie. I just wished he did not notice.

Our palms locked for a few seconds but it seemed like eternity. I tried to feel the warmth of his hand - it was electrifying but it felt nice. When we finally let go, we found ourselves laughing on the train like two friends who have known each other for the longest time. He asked me where I was from. He said he has a few Filipino friends and even dated a Filipina in the past.

"Now this gets more exciting...", I whispered.

We talked about the movie that I was just about to watch, to the video games that he played, where he went to school, where we lived, and everything else in between. We were talking about US politics when he mentioned that his boss, a conservative, is a homophobe. I looked at him in the eyes and asked him if he was.

"No.", he said.

And then he smiled at me. I laughed. No words needed to be spoken. The train stopped again.

"Uh oh... one more stop...", I told him.

"Yeah... I'll still have to drive when I get to the end of the line...", he replied.

"Which mall are you going to?", he continued.

"Oh, T_____'s...", I replied.

"I usually go there to hang out with friends..."

"Great... maybe we can hang out soon.", I suggested.

"Sure thing... what's your number?", he asked.

I giggled while giving him my number. Everything felt like new again.

"Call me when you're free...", I said.

The train slowed down as it approached my station.

"It was great meeting you Tristan...", he said as he extended his hand again.

"Same here.", I said as I took his hand, winked and smiled.

Lucky for me, he winked back.