Meeting Kalliope on the Train Home (Part 5)

Asking About Glenfield

From my slumber I did finally wake and uncertain on where we were I gathered that we hadn’t reached Glenfield yet. Nonetheless, sounding totally natural and feeling like I wasn’t trying to make conversation, I turned in a quizzical manner and asked “Do you know if we’ve passed Glenfield yet”. I thought it was cute how she just let out a little laugh in reply to my question, answering “No, but I think we’re close now”.

Her voice completed my curiosity and as I didn’t really want to push conversation and ruin the moment I just kept it natural. If I had something to say to her then it would have happened naturally. With each station passing she kept reading her book as I inquisitively looked outside to see what station we were leaving behind. I guess I could have asked her about her book but that just would have sounded a little put on and eager.

When reaching Glenfield I figured that my not jumping off would create some controversial thought in her mind. As the train stopped and I kept myself firmly seated it wasn’t a surprise that she casually remarked “Aren’t you getting off at Glenfield”. As she looked at me with those sincere eyes I noted that I only wanted to know if we had headed past Glenfield so I could see how close we were to home.

Letting out another little laugh I continued our conversation by explaining “I just don’t want to fall asleep and end up jumping off at Goulburn”. Joining into my conversation she uttered “Yeah I know, I sometimes think that myself” and from there words were borne and conversation was bred. My hope that she would become inquisitive once stopping at Glenfield was spot on and I had a small hunch that she also found me a touch interesting or at least handsome in my suit.

She probably knew by my sitting next to her that I had an attraction to her and she probably gathered the same thing when I asked her my question. In the same manner, I figured that she wanted to start conversation or at least gain some benefit from our union by speaking with me. It seemed that because of my interest we were now both interested in talking with each other. That’s the reason why we had such a good conversation all the way home from Glenfield.

HIH and Other Coincidences

Perks in our conversation came when we started finding a heap in common. I also found it favorable when she turned in her seat when our common ground found its way into her heart. Myself, I had turned my head and half my body to face her as we talked and after a while she turned almost side on so she could look in my eyes and chat with me. It was a breathtaking feeling to finally find that spark between two people after having almost waited a year.

Tomorrow is actually the date when Lyssa and I decided to break up, how fortunate to this stake of irony. The conversation that did pertain to her turning and facing me with such interest and unraveling curiosity I shall explain hither. Firstly, the both of us chatted about our train capers and then it stemmed to speaking about the City. I’m not too sure on the exact details but I recall that she noted she worked in a small insurance company located on George Street. “You probably won’t know my company” I noted in reply “But I work for HIH”.

“Are you kidding” she gasped with a mesmerized smile on her face, “We deal with HIH Insurance”. Finding some common ground in the first portion of our conversation she noted that she had a friend that worked in HIH. Informing her that I worked in the legal section I explained how I had only been working there for a month and a half. “How long have you been working in the City” I asked and as she paused for a second with a smile on her face she replied “Pretty much the same as you, one month and a half”.

Guessing Her Nationality

By this time the both of us were nominally intrigued with each other as the questions and conversation kept flowing smoothly. At no time in our conversation did I feel like I was pushing for conversation. Around her it felt as if my words would not be scorned in no way, like we were already friends. I think it’s about time I now introduced her name so I don’t keep talking about her in third person tense. Curious as to my first query I asked her what nationality she was.

I’m not sure if she had me guess or if I just guessed but I think I asked “I figure that you look Polish”. Squinting her eyes at me with a bedazzled front she replied “That’s original, I usually have people think I’m Lebanese”. It’s good to be original as I sat there content. The reason I thought of her being polish was because an age ago I was once considered by some man to look polish and it sort of stuck in my mind.

To be truthful, I don’t know much nationalities to distinguish people so I just take a stab in the dark as best as I can with my wild estimates. The truth turned out that she was Australian, full bred. Figuring it was about time to match a name to the pleasing face I asked first in which she told me to my surprise that her name was Kalliope. It took me back a little because I never would have thought to call her Kalliope, it just didn’t fully suit her.

Ambarvale and the Bakery

When it came to revealing my name I didn’t wait for her to ask but just mentioned it to her after I came down from the surprise of her name. Actually, most of the stuff that was revealed by me was as a result of my wanting to make conversation. I could have sat there and waited for her to ask where I was working or what nationality I was but I didn’t give her the benefit of the doubt. Men are supposed to be the people who chase, the people who woo and I just took the reign in my hands as to keep the conversation flowing.

When at one stage we did stop talking for a couple of seconds Kalliope picked it right back up. We had been struck with surprise in how we both were so compatible in which we had so much in common. When it came to the stage of more information I asked where Kalliope was planning to jump off considering she already knew I had to get off at Campbelltown. I figured that she lived somewhere around Picton or in the sticks somewhere but I was relieved and surprised when she responded “I live in Ambarvale”.

Thinking of my connections with Ambarvale I asked her if she ever visited the bakery in Ambarvale. Kalliope didn’t really make a trip to the shops but I thought to say “If you ever visit the bakery, I know the Asian guy in there. When you visit him next tell him that you know me, he likes to be surprised”. I figured that would be the first lifeline that I would throw to her in hopes that she would be as eager to befriend me as Xavier was.

I figured if she should speak to any of my friends who knew me, Binh would be the best choice. Not only will they get into a discussion but he will probably get her associated with me in some way, maybe with a number or a weekend plan. “Where do you live” she asked me and as I noted my background from Bradbury she added “The only pleasant part of Campbelltown”.

Fines at Campbelltown

Conversation changed course slightly again as she told me some vital information. “Have you ever come across the ticket inspectors who stand out the front of the express train” she asked and as I told her yes she added “Have you ever been busted for getting off at Campbelltown”. Uncertain as to what she meant she informed me that you’re not allowed to jump off at Campbelltown and if your train ticket says Campbelltown then you’ll cop a fine.

“Lucky” I uttered as I thought hard in why I was never busted, “I always buy my ticket from Macarthur Square”. Some doubt did cross both our faces so I took the opportunity to display my new wallet in the attempt to take out my weekly train ticket. I gather she got a good gander at the innards of my outward life.

From that little sport of information or even earlier in our conversation I spoke freely about how sleeping on the train almost caused me to lose my wallet. Usually I wouldn’t feel confident in telling a story but because she was so whet to my conversation I did talk with a backbone. We were a bit hard of hearing as the train’s motion was in the background but she was surprised how someone was so honest enough to hand me back my wallet.

Taxi Stories and Clubs

Speaking a touch more candidly about my job I decided to create some conversation and almost stalled dead when I spoke of how I met the taxi driver earlier on in the day. I spoke of how I loved catching taxis around the city because we had cab charge but once I noted the taxi driver, I stopped without conversation, not knowing where I was taking the conversation. Taking a slight pause, finally I came up with what would keep the ball rolling.

I quickly uttered “This guy was half Lebanese, half French. You don’t come across that combination too often”. She too was surprised with my find as I acquainted her with Noam’s intention to celebrate his 23rd birthday party on Saturday. As I mentioned that he was heading to ‘Home’ she familiarized herself with that name telling me that she thought it was a good club. Her great taste in clubs also clicked in our mutual regard as she also told me that she hated Chevy’s just as much as I.

Because we were getting along so well I wasn’t really holding back with my individuality or personality. I was being myself and I was letting the me from my prime sprout out. The only difference between my smoothed conversation with Kalliope and my former self is that I am a more mature charmer now. Well, I haven’t had the chance to charm that many a lady but I know now to talk to women and not treat them like an object of my desire.

Sushi and Wandering Thoughts

Nevertheless, I won’t say that I didn’t for some instance in our conversation just briefly brush upon the idea of our being together sexually. Each time I see some lady that attracts me the same sexual provocation runs through my mind. I think of kissing them, how it would feel and I go through the motions of two of my most favored positions, her on top and me from behind.

With the train coming nearer to Campbelltown our unwavering interest didn’t look like yielding its favors. One portion of our conversation I forgot to add was our conversation about having lunch. I’m not sure such words were ascertained but I do recall that we chatted about eating sushi in the City and how we both loved the taste. Notably, she liked eating sushi rolls and as I told her I ate Teriyaki on occasion she asked that I try a dish of sushi she always buys.

I’m not sure of the name right now but I do remember appreciating how we had so much in common, even the scent of attraction. As the train pulled up at Campbelltown I kept talking to her avidly until it was fully time for me to jump off. I remember that I was in the middle of telling her that I knew a girl called Kalliope. “She works at Randy Ranch”

Saying Goodbye at Campbelltown

I noted accidentally and as I tried to remember Lonestar I jumped up and said in parting “We’ll, I’ll have to tell you next time I see you on the train”. Kalliope told me that she catches the express train if she’s lucky of a day. We didn’t actually make any plans to meet on the train again but I hope that she will make an effort to jump on that train with more regularity in hopes of the both of us sitting together again.

When parting she noted “It was great talking to you” and as I returned the favor of words I made my way to the exit doors. Taking a glance back I hoped to wave a favorable goodbye to her but I was confused as to where she sat. Therefore, I just jumped off the train, proud that I had created conversation with someone who wanted to talk with me. I was proud that my confidence in conversation was coming back to me, and it only took one year…

Playing It Too Safe

Figuring that I played the cards, safe, I wasn’t stupid to have asked for her phone number. I didn’t want to see my confidence fall apart with her saying she had a boyfriend or it would be too sudden an ask. However, I do believe that she didn’t have a boyfriend and it seemed as if our exchanging some sort of information would have been just cause for our departure. However, I figure that if we were meant to be and if she really wants to make that effort we will meet again on the train.

The choice to give her my work number or even to ask if she wanted to have lunch and exchange an address would have been justifiable but I played it a little too safe to my growing confidence. With my growing confidence she would have seen my request as pleasant but I do think it is also wise to wait for a second confrontation. For sure, this next time around I will make plans with her for lunch or an exchange of numbers after another great conversation where more is known of each other.

I remember that when she was telling me her name she noted her last name as well. This I now figure was a lifeline for me, her hopes that I would probably try to call her from the phonebook. If only I knew what her answers would be before I would ask, that would make my day much easier.

Wanting a Girlfriend

This renewal of my faith and hope in finding the confidence after losing it all with Lyssa is ever increasing. Seriously, after all this time of being alone I can handle being single but the thought of having someone just keeps building up inside of me. I’m picky when it comes to finding women attractive for my companionship but as with Kalliope, I don’t need a blonde to get along with in conversation.

Basically, if a woman let’s me make the chase and makes it easy for me, granted that I find her attractive mostly in mind as well as body, I will show interest in her. I just want a girlfriend, it’s been so long sitting here alone, not even with a bite to this superficial bait of mine. In the past it seemed that I made myself so hard to approach and yet, I was never able to approach with my lacking confidence.

I will be so glad and thankful when I finally do find someone to love, to hold in my arms and to squeeze such devotion out of her allowing limbs. I am still experimenting with myself, still bringing out a new personality and as I am on my way to being whole, a girlfriend will just perfect me. My desire to get braided hair extensions, to dress up smart and sexy and to feed my mind with such creativity is not for the people I see at clubs or for the purpose of gloating.

I don’t dress up on fire to attract women at nightclubs, I do it because it gives me confidence and I love how it gives me a buzz. Rather, I feel empty when I am dancing at a club looking so good because I don’t have a girlfriend to stand right next to me. It would make me feel so much better to be dressing sexy for my girlfriend and to have her there with me at a nightclub.

All the women that would be looking at me hungrily wouldn’t mean shit and I would be proud to be standing there with my hands around my girlfriend. As Lyssa made me feel special thinking I was going out with one of the hottest women at a certain location, I want that same feeling inside my girlfriend’s mind. I would dress up sexy and look good just for my girlfriend, nothing more, nothing less.