The Tavern - Part l

"Vielen danke mein Schatz."

She smiled as she accepted the glass of lemonade from the little girl behind the counter, who grinned as she accepted the money.

(Thank you so much, sweetie.)

"Sie sind willkommen. Besuchen Sie uns wieder!" She beamed as the girl's mother smiled from behind her, and Ophelia waved as she exited the small juice corner.

(You are welcome. Visit again!)

Summer had arrived in the city. The road was bordered with lush green foliage that had frozen in the August heat. Ophelia lingered in their shadows before allowing the sun's rays to warm her bare shoulders. She enjoyed the heat, but the shade in between provided her with the needed respite. She wanted to skip down the mild slope like she did as a child, but instead, she walked. It wasn't a tourist attraction, and there weren't many people walking on the blacktop roadway. She always felt connected to one place when she explored the back alleys where ordinary people reside. She could observe how they lived and how they went about their daily lives, and those people always pulled her closer to the city she was visiting. Ophelia had gone shopping at a few tiny local boutiques and purchased a pair of black slacks and a simple white shirt.

Her hair was twisted up in a messy bun, her work boots were on her feet, and those pilot shades were on her eyes, and she felt alive basking in the sun. She'd stopped at a local cafe, eating a simple lunch and staring out the window at the few locals on the street. The street becomes a visual embrace to her imagination, with people walking, talking, holding hands, and linking arms. She unwittingly smiles as she stares at the passers-by. Her attention was drawn to a particular couple of people. A small girl tugged on her father's arm, a warm joyous smile on her face illuminating the way she walked with her father. She was rambling to her father in a little but excited voice, while her father strolled behind her, laughing and beaming. As they passed her, the small girl gave her a full-fledged smile, which she returned and waved at her.

Her gaze returned to her father, and as they walked away, Ophelia continued to stare at them. After a while, the little girl began to run, and her father pursued her, holding her in his arms. Soon, he swung her in the air as her excited squeals filled the air, and Ophelia's face was graced with a sad smile, her eyes welling up slightly. She shook her head and headed into the cafe, where after cleansing her face in the little restroom, she took out the white shirt from her bag and slipped it over the tank top she was wearing.

The sun was setting and the temperature was dropping, which made her feel chilly. After neatly tucking in her shirt and leaving the top button undone, she headed out to the city, which was now vividly lit up with neon. It's amazing how a city can transform from a warm, tranquil setting to one filled with lights, buzz, people, and life.

Evening comes to the city in the stillness of deepening blue, always illuminated, always awake, always with a pulsating heart. The city comes to life with music and light on the edge of evening, when there is still the strength of day but the gentleness of night. Each brilliant hue obtains its boarding pass for the world of dreams in the graphite-lullaby. As she walks down the lamp-lit sidewalk towards the bustling city, her soul is once again illuminated in a new light. People have begun to converge to enjoy and dance away their nights. On Friday nights, individuals leave their respective workplaces and return home to enjoy a hearty dinner with their families and spend the night with their loved ones who are patiently waiting for them at home. The couples holding hands walk past her, their laughter filling her ears to the brim. Girls are talking and laughing in anticipation of their night out, and in the midst of it all, she walks with a smile on her face, witnessing the city come to life. This was her solace, and this was the very reason why she loved flying so much. Being able to travel to new places, discover new cities, cultures, and people, losing and rediscovering herself in the midst of them.

When her legs were fatigued from walking through the colourful city, she entered a tavern. Her gaze roamed throughout the tavern as she sat on the bar stools. The tavern soaks in the mood of this good night, from the sluggish spin of the fans to the reclining light of eventide that will soon be starlit black. "Was kann ich Ihnen bringen?"

(What can I get for you?)

She turned to face the bartender when she heard his voice. With a smile on his face, he was rather endearing. "Warum überraschen Sie mich nicht?"

With a wink and a very prominent accent, she offered, and his smile widened.

(Why don't you surprise me?)

She sluggishly leans towards the counter, her elbow resting on the counter and her chin resting on her palm. Her gaze was riveted on the bartender, who expertly spun the bottles in his hands, occasionally glancing at her.

"Ein Jägermeister bitte." The heavy voice drew her attention away to her left, and a low smirk coated her lips. (A Jägermeister please.)

The heat of her gaze drew the male's attention, and with a smirk, he cheered with a low voice, "Well if it isn't our Captain!" Her smirk widened at his remarks.

"At this point, I feel tempted to ask!" His voice dipped slightly as he leaned in nearer the woman seated on the bar stool. "Are you following me, Ms. Jade?"

He'd leaned in so close to her that she could feel his hot breath brushing on her skin.

She pushed him back with her palm firmly on his left shoulder.