The Japanese
belief of the Red String of Fate says that the gods tie an invisible red cord
around the pinkie fingers of those who are destined to be with each other.
Those connected by the red thread will eventually end up as lovers, regardless
of time, or place, or circumstance.
***
By a cosmic turn of events I found myself outside Blackfriars tube station in
London, waiting for a guy I almost know nothing about--for all I know he could
be a serial killer and I have written my mum's phone number at the back of a
receipt and tucked it in my passport just in case. I have set my expectations
really low that by the end of the night I expect to get a new friend at most.
He arrived
and smiled at me. It's quite refreshing how friendly he is and he instantly
gave me a hug. I awkwardly gave him a half-hug as I stuff the Ant-Man comic
book that I have been reading into my backpack. He talked a lot and walked too
fast that I had to catch up. The weather was lovely, and the cool breeze of the
River Thames blowing on our faces made it perfect.
Did I just say
perfect?
He took me
to BFI Southbank, where the music is nice and the chairs are comfy. He let out
an audible moan as he sank into one of the couches. I sat beside him and we
talked about anything we can think of, from the Bat for Lashes concert he went
to, to the time when his cousin had to piss in a bottle at a festival and made
another unsuspecting guy drink it, to that huge Marilyn Monroe photo in the
wall that stares directly at us.
I walked to
the bar to get another round of Blue Moon. While waiting, I took my phone out
and texted my friend: “I like this guy.”
We talked
some more and as the alcohol starts to give me courage, my body language
probably starts to give me away. My legs and feet pointed towards him, I am
holding eye contact probably a bit longer than usual, and maybe a bit of flirty
twirls with my hair on the side.
He said
maybe we should go to his favorite bar in Clapham Junction. I said yes because
I have already trusted him in the two hours that we have been together and the
chances of me being killed and thrown into the river is already down to about 20%.
We have already been seen together by a lot of people in broad 7PM UK summer
sunshine.
We are back
to walking again. We checked out the films in IMAX but unfortunately nothing’s
interesting so we kept walking.
Have I
mentioned he walks too fast? Jesus. He’s right around 6 feet tall and I’m an
entire foot shorter and I had to catch up with his long legs. As we turn a
corner I finally caught up with him and held his hand.
I swear at
that moment I felt more like a lost little kid than someone who is in “like”
with a guy she is with.
He was
surprised, I guess, but he held on until we got to the tube station. He had to
let go to top up his Oyster card and while he was doing so I stood there
awkwardly, reflecting that decision I just made. Was I too forward? Did he like
it? Does he think I’m too easy?
He told me
he’s done and offered his hand for me to take.
As we get
into the platform he let go of my hand again. I was in a short state of panic
until he put his arm around my waist and held me closer as we walk towards the
train.
We sat inside
and he put his arm around me. I leaned against him with my head on his
shoulder, and it felt like I finally found the home I never even knew I was
looking for.
I looked up
to him and met his gaze.
The Japanese
concept of the Red String of Fate says that it is tied around the little fingers of those
who are destined to meet one day.
His face
drew closer to mine and I close my eyes.
Our lips
locked for the sweetest first kiss I’ve ever had and I knew that the distance
of the red string of fate has been closed.
