Ulangtahun *

He waited for her arrival with a styrofoam cup of McDonalds coffee in his gloved right hand. The gentle, morning wind still sent a shiver up his spine despite having bundled up ever so painstakingly. Although it was officially the tail end of winter, the unpredictable Mid-west weather was something he had got used to. A beautiful, crisp day today, a blustery one tomorrow.

Her train would pull into the station anytime soon, he thought while glancing at his trusty Swatch watch.

He always looked forward to her trip up from her college. Traveling downtown from his suburban college and a McDonald breakfast while waiting became a ritual that he had grown accustomed to. They would have a fun time catching up with one another over a movie, lunch and coffee, although not necessarily in that order.

In fact, they had been so close that it was a wonder they were not seeing each other exclusively. Although the thought had crossed his mind, he would never want to jeopardize the friendship for something more. He liked the way things were. Besides, he wasn't sure if both of them were ready for the transition.

He loved that they were on the same wavelength (well, most of the times), interested in the same recreational pursuits, and shared an adventurous streak.

Admittedly, no one had come even close to being so attentive and sincere in their acquaintanceship with him. She can be so guileless and uncouth at times, but strangely he found these qualities a part of her charm.

He is fond of her, he inwardly confessed. Let's hope she would be patient and wait for him.

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She looked out of the Commuter Train passing through the rundown section of Chicago's South side. Her mind was fully occupied by the phone conversation she had with him the night before. They were talking about the movie they planned to watch and other attractions in downtown when she broached the subject.

Well, she didn't actually broach it per se. It was more like alluding to the obvious fact - taking their friendship to the next level.

However, he seemed to be either dense or uninterested to pursue the matter. Pursue was the operative word here.

She sighed out loud and inadvertently let out a steam of air onto the glass window. Deep in thoughts, she only came to realize that the temperature had dropped since she boarded the morning service. Luckily, she didn't miss the train like she had previously a couple of times before due to a delayed taxi ride.

In a bid to gather her thoughts, she quickly buttoned up her pea coat and put back her journal in the knapsack.

She knew he's a private person. It was hard to read what he was thinking most of the times. Although she confessed, it was part of the mystery that attracted her to him in the first place. She liked to hang around him as he was the least judgmental person she had ever known. She could just be herself, up to a point that is. Sometimes, she needed to watch herself lest she spurted some blunt remarks.

The train had come to a full stop. Time to face the music. Whatever that was in store for them, she would wait with bated breath. She cared too deeply for him to run away from the unfolding scene. There was no denying the strong bond they had formed. "I've grown accustomed to his face" played in her ears as she descended down the steps to see a familiar, Godsent figure.

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* Anniversary.