The Inexplicable - Ch 5

He was not there at the watch tower the next day. He did not have any specific reason to be there, but she was expecting him nevertheless. She felt annoyed by his absence. She sat at the cafeteria table, her usual place, sipping ice mocha.

“Diana,” a voice came from behind. She half hoped it would be him although she knew who it exactly was.

“Long shadow,” she smiled trying to hide her disappointment, “how are you doing today?”

“Very well,” he shrugged and smiled. “I think the sleep helped.” He then considered her eyes, “I think you did not get enough sleep last night.”

She blushed a little at the mention of last night.
“I did have trouble sleeping,” she said, “but I got my three hours.”

“Three hours?” he frowned, “What is that?”

“Oh,” she blushed again, “I’m starting to speak like him.”

“Like whom?”

“Like…no body, never mind,” she brushed the topic aside. But the smile was not very easy to hide.

“Do you, umm…love someone?” he asked.

Diana stared at him wide-eyed
“What made you think so?”

“I just felt that way seeing you blush so much,” he said, “you look very happy.”

“I am always happy,” she said, trying in vain to suppress a smile again. She quickly added, “Especially when I am around you.”

He beamed.
“I hope so.”

There was silence for a while as each was lost in their own thoughts.

“So, what are you doing tomorrow?” he asked.

“Why, the usual,” she said, “Why do you ask?”

“Well,” he smiled sheepishly, “I haven’t been around the town since I came up here. I was planning to hang out a bit, and wanted to know if you would like to join.”

“I would love to,” she said, “maybe I’ll take you shopping.” She considered him, “You would need better clothes.”

“Well, sure, if you think so,” he said, plucking at them. “I am not much for fashion.”

“Yes, I know,” she said, “all the men are the same.”

“So I guess I will rely on you to pick out something for me.”

“I guess I will ask one of my friends to tag along. He has a pretty good taste when it comes to wardrobe,” she smiled inwardly. She knew that he did not.

“Who, Superman?” he asked, half hoping her to say yes.

“No, not Superman,” she said, “this other friend of mine. You two got off on a wrong foot, so hopefully this outing will help you two bond better.”

“Batman!” he stared in horror.

“Yes,” she said, “we had it planned a while ago. I’m sure he wouldn’t mind if you tag along.”

His smile vanished.
“Umm, no I think I’ll pass. I’d rather leave you two alone.”

“Don’t be silly,” she nudged him, “it’ll be fun.”

“No, no, I insist,” he said, “I don’t want to be an interruption.”

“You will not be,” she said, “and I have told him already that you would be coming.” She knew that she didn’t, and made a mental note of it to take it up with Bruce.

“How could you have,” he demanded, “I just brought it up now?”

“We were talking about it yesterday,” she said impulsively.

Yesterday - he repeated to himself, that explained her behavior.

“No, Diana,” he said, “I…am still not very comfortable around him. May be some other time.”

Diana sighed.
“All right then, I understand. I will call him up and cancel it.”

“What? No…no…” he shook his head, although inwardly, he was pleasantly surprised. “Please do not cancel it just for me.”

“That’s not a problem, we can do it some other time,” she said, “Tomorrow, I will take you shopping myself.”

“But…Diana…”

“It’s settled.” She rose, “be at my place by 09:00. I hope you know where I live.”

“I do,” he said, almost desperately.

She considered his reaction for a while, and then smiled.
“I’ll see you tomorrow then.”