Amidst the sweeping Canadian prairies lay the small town of Brooks. I wasn't quite sure why I had chosen it for my first holiday abroad, but I needed a break from the hustle and bustle of fast-moving big cities.
To be honest, I had practically closed my eyes, circled my finger, and pointed to the map of Canada. My finger had firmly landed on Brooks, so my decision had been made.
Okay, so the decision was not popular with my friends, but as I nosed through brochures, I fell in love with the wide roads, scenic views, beautiful nearby lakes, and just that sense of quiet.
I decided to fly off in May as the average highs were around 17°C, which was perfect for me. As the gardens would be in bloom, I could take a sketchbook and draw the colourful flowers to keep me busy and maybe have a picnic in one of the local parks. Luckily, I had booked a two-bedroom Airbnb near the center of town, so I was all set to head off...
That was three months ago.
Time had flown by, and now I found myself in an Uber driving through downtown Brooks towards my Airbnb. Everything looked so different. Even the air blowing through my open window smelt different - fresher and crisper. It felt like home, but not quite. It was strange to think that this place was the place I had dreamt of a few times, so it was as if fate had brought me here for a reason, but I couldn't imagine what that reason might be!
As the Uber pulled onto a serene, tree-lined street, I immediately recognised the corner lot where my cozy Airbnb was located. I stepped out of the car, grabbed my luggage from the driver, and thanked him. The house was on the smaller side but inviting, with two snug bedrooms in the basement and a comfortable living room and dining area on the street level.
I quickly unpacked some of my essentials and realised that the cupboards were empty. So I decided to head out to find a convenience store. Luckily, the thoughtful hosts had left a map of the area, which I used to navigate my way to the nearest convenience store - "On the Run".
The store was less crowded than the Co-op I was used to, but the shelves were stocked with everything I needed. I wasn't intimidated by the unfamiliar names of the produce, as I had already made a list of the items I needed. So, I walked through the aisles absentmindedly, picking up items and placing them in my basket. The 'free from' aisle didn't have many options, so I stood there for a while examining the available food choices. There was no one else around, but after a few minutes, I sensed someone behind me. I turned around and saw a man who was slightly shorter than me, with dark hair and his hands placed firmly in his pockets. He was staring intently at the snacks, not making eye contact with me. I looked at the snacks and then back at him and asked, "Excuse me, am I in your way?"
"You're ok," he smiled, still staring at the snacks.
"I'm having a hard time choosing," I sighed, looking at the meagre snack selection. "I'm thinking about popcorn or pretzels, I think," I added.
There was an awkward silence, then, the man walked forward and stood next to me.
"I don't usually come to this convenience store; it was just on my way. I feel like potato chips tonight," he murmured.
I smiled. He had a gorgeous accent and he smelt amazing. My stomach did a flip. Did I dare to look at him properly? I could see his foot tapping on the floor. Was he nervous?
Before I could turn, he spoke. "Your accent...you're from the UK?" he asked, still intently staring at the snacks.
"Yes," I stammered. Why was I suddenly so nervous? I didn't get it.
Getting nervous over a mystery man in a convenience store on the first day in Brooks. What was going on? Why were my palms beginning to sweat?
"I just came today. I'm staying here in Brooks for a couple of weeks...you live here?" I asked.
"Yeah, I live around 10 minutes walk away," he chirped.
...and it was then that everything I thought I had known in my life changed.
Innocently, we both reached out to grab the Nairn's Oatcakes and, as our fingers touched, a jolt, like a powerful electric shock powered through our bodies and it was as if we both..... 'woke up'.
I know it sounds strange, but that's how it felt for me, and I know he felt the same because my thoughts and feelings were mirrored on his face.
We were standing there, staring into each other's eyes for the first time. He was absolutely gorgeous, but it wasn't just his looks that attracted me to him. It was something else; as if I had met him before, but we were in Canada. How could we have possibly crossed paths?
"Do I know you?" we both asked at the same time.
We both laughed but our faces were serious, almost sad, yet filled with wonder. I could see his chest rising and then falling, and his cheeks and ears were flushed.
My breathing became erratic, and without thinking, I reached up and wiped a stray tear from his eye. "I don't know what's happening," he said. "I feel weird around you, like I know you, like... like..."
"We're connected," we both said.
My heart pounded, and I trembled.
In the middle of a quiet aisle in Brooks, this stranger pulled me towards him and held me. It was as if my body suddenly relaxed, and tears streamed from my eyes. It should have been embarrassing, but as much as it sounded strange, I felt like I was home with this nameless man. It all just felt right.
We didn't even notice the strange stares of passers-by as we stood there sobbing for no apparent reason. It was as if we were in our own world, and he had no intention of letting go. Ten minutes later, he pushed me to face him. There was an uncomfortable silence as he took in my face and my body. I shifted uneasily, but he kept eye contact, squinting now and again as if he was trying to recall something from his memory.
"Shall we go?" I asked.
"Where?" he whispered.
"Would it be inappropriate if I asked you to come to my place?" I stammered. At that moment, I felt as if I had found a part of me that was missing. I didn't know why, but something was happening, and I knew I couldn't lose this man.
"Please come with me," I said, almost pleading. "Just for a little while, or we can just go for a walk, please."
He glanced at his basket of goods, then at his grocery list, then back at me.
"K," he smiled. "Here's the thing, I'm usually very shy, so I don't know what's happening right now. It's like I'm dreaming this or something," he said.
I nodded. I wasn't usually shy, but around him, something was firing throughout my body. Something that made me feel on edge.
After awkwardly paying for our goods, we left the store. It was light out and the crisp Spring air was a welcome break from the stifled feelings of breathlessness that we had just experienced.
Walking back down Garrow Avenue, we arrived at my Airbnb. I persuaded my nameless angel, to leave his groceries in the house with mine and we took a leisurely stroll to Lake Stafford Park.
It was beautiful. I marvelled at the stillness of the lake and we even got to see some baby storks with their parents fluttering across the water.
As we walked, I suddenly realised that my hand was cupped with his. It felt natural like we had done this before.
He began to talk about Brooks' history and how his family had taken residence in this part of Alberta.
I listened intently while he spoke, drinking in his voice, his accent, his many stories. And then we stopped and looked over the water at the horizon.
"Again, can you tell me what this is?" he asked. His hand squeezed mine. "I've never held a girl's hand let alone held a girl in my arms...I don't know what's going on," he murmured.
I leant into him for a second then I turned him to face me.
"Listen, " I said, "I think something has brought me to you and I don't know why. You seem so familiar to me, like I've dreamt of you, like I know you. I don't understand this myself but nothing seems sinister about us. If anything, it feels right."
I lifted my hands to my heart. " Feel my heart thumping in my chest," I whispered, "It beats like this only for you."
He looked into my eyes and smiled.
"I don't know anything about you." he grinned. "Like seriously, what do you like?"
" Erm, I like Star Trek, Marvel, Star W...."
"What!" he interrupted "OMG! We're the same," he laughed.
"No way, that's you too?" I laughed. "God, and I bet that's not all we have in common. " I joked.
I glanced at the sun that was beginning to set in the distance.
"Wanna have dinner with me later?" I asked, giving him a pleading look.
He looked intently at me and smiled. "Sure, love too," he said.
And as if like two magnets our faces leant in towards each other and our lips touched for the first time. First soft kisses, lips slightly parted, tongues caressing one and another. Our breathing accelerated as we pulled each other tightly so that our bodies moulded into one. At that moment, we were finally in our own protective bubble, safe and together.
With my eyes still closed, I detached myself from his lips, "God, you're amazing," I panted.
"And you're my Trekkie queen," he murmured. "My Borg Queen," he laughed. "All the drones will follow you."
I laughed. "You wanna be my drone?" I asked, looking into his eyes.
"Always," he replied
"Forever," I smiled.
"Ok, let's go eat my Queen (short for Q)," he laughed.
"K little drone," I laughed.
"Ermmm just something else that you might want to know about me," I said, giggling softly. "My name......my name is Annie."
"Holy hell," he laughed. "I forgot about your name.....your drone's name is Peter."
There was a short loving silence where my heart almost melted in my chest.
"I love you my Peter," I whispered.
"I've always loved you, my Annie," he answered.
And then there was us - dinners, laughter, tears and with it, the utmost love.