When I first saw him on my way to work, he was sitting by the bus stop on one of the wooden benches. Just casually smoking his cigarette as the summer wind blew through his thick long raven hair. I hesitated to even sit near him, but there was no other place to sit. I was going to be standing at my job for most of the day, so I needed to sit down and wait for the bus.

I could smell the lingering cigarette as he smudged it out with his black canvas boots. His deep brown eyes were staring at the pavement ground. I can hear his music blasting from his headphones. He seemed very intense as he was staring at the floor. All I could do was give him a little once over.

His hair was still blowing in the wind, but I could sense that he didn’t want to be bothered. I couldn’t help but stare at his gaunt face. His stubble beard made him look older and strong looking. I wanted to say something, but by the time I gave him a good look over, his bus had already pulled up to the stop and he casually vanished on to the vehicle.

This would be my morning routine on my way to work for the next six months. I see this tall stranger standing by the bus stop, and I would be quiet throughout my wait, only to be secretly admiring him from afar. Then after our wait, he drifts off on to his bus. Once he’s gone and I’m waiting for my own bus, I start to think of him. Wondering where he was going and what he will be doing for the rest of the day.

But one morning, I didn’t see him at the bus stop. I was left sitting by the wooden bench alone and wondering what could have happened to the handsome stranger by the bus stop. Just as I was looking out ahead, a black car pulled up to the bus stop. The windows rolled down, and there he was. It was the handsome stranger that was behind the wheel.

I don’t know what came over me, but I decided to get up from my seat and head on over to the black car. Just as I reached the driver’s side, the handsome man finally spoke for the first time and honestly, it took my breath away.

“Do you need a ride to work?”