Posted on Saturday, 25 August 2001
William Darcy didn't know why, but he was compelled to go to the coffee shop he usually passed on his way to the Starbucks down the block. He always passed the inconspicuous coffee shop, never giving it a second look. But, today was different. Today, some mysterious force compelled him to try this little mom and pop coffee shop. He didn't fight it. William followed his instinct unwaveringly.
A bell rang as he opened the door to the quaint coffee shop. William's nose was accosted by the rich aroma of coffee brewing and the soft easy listening music playing in the background. Strange. He thought. He never noticed such things at the Starbucks he went to regularly.
He strode up to the bar and read the board menu posted above it. It had considerably less choices than Starbucks, but William was never one for the fancy grande mochanchinos and vente lattes. It always amazed him how complicated it became to order a simple cup of coffee. Pleased that this place understood simplicity by the few choices it listed, he proceeded to order a large cup of Colombian coffee. No whip cream, no caramel drizzles, just coffee.
As he waited for his order, he looked at the other customers present. A young woman sitting in the corner with a lap top on a table was taking copious notes in her notebook. A young man in a big plush arm chair was engrossed in a book. William strained to read the title--Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance. Another man around William's age sat at the bar in front of the window sipping his coffee as he watched people walk by in the brisk early morning. Before William could observe the other people in the shop, his attention was distracted by the faint music playing in the background.
All of my life
Where have you been
I wonder if I'll ever see you again
William was taken aback by the words. For a while now, he had been haunted by an idea, a dream, but it wasn't clear what that idea was at first. When this idea first lurked in the back of his mind, he would simply shake off the feeling and continue with whatever he was doing. But, lately, it became more difficult to shake off that feeling. He could not ignore it. He had been trying to figure out what this feeling was, but then a few days ago, when he decided to walk instead of drive home, he saw something that made everything clearer. It was a young couple walking arm in arm through the park. Normally, such a scene did not cause William to think twice, but this time, the image struck him. The couple had been laughing heartily together. No doubt it was over a private joke. The way the young woman had laughed and smiled at the young man caused something deep in William to stir. At first, the sight of them enjoying each other's company was charming, but then other feelings soon surfaced. There were feelings of envy and loneliness. For the first time in his life, William Darcy could not have something that could be bought, acquired, or custom made. This was not something his family name or wealth could earn for him. This realization not only scared him, but it forced him to come to terms with the fact that this was something only he could accomplish. He had faced many challenges in his life, but this would turn out to be the greatest challenge of all. He had to find the one. The one who could complete him. The one who he could share his life with.
William had been staring out the window for some time when he heard a voice that brought him back to the present.
"Sir. . . Sir, you're coffee is getting cold." The bar keeper pushed the cup of coffee towards William.
"Thank you." William took his coffee and walked over to the condiment counter.
And if that day comes
I know we could win
I wonder if I'll ever see you again
He stirred in two sugars as he listened to the song. Then William sipped his coffee and marveled at how rich and invigorating it tasted. His senses experienced an awakening ever since he realized what he wanted for himself. Although William had just begun his search for the one, he couldn't help feeling like this song and this coffee shop had something to do with his quest.
Then suddenly it happened simultaneously while the song continued to play. The bell at the door signaled that someone entered the establishment. William slowly turned to see who had entered. The sight of the young woman took his breath away.
I've been searching for you
I heard a cry within my soul
I've never had a yearning quite like this before
Now that you are walking right through my door
The young woman smiled as she greeted some of the customers in the coffee shop.
"How's the people watching going this morning, Mr. Gruffudd?"
"Just fine, Elizabeth."
"And how's the Mrs.?"
The gentleman's face broke into a wide grin. "Shem is perfect."
Elizabeth. William said to himself as he stared at the vivacious woman who continued inquiring with other people in the coffee shop after their welfare. If it was any other time, he probably would not have noticed her. At first glance, her curly chestnut hair and dark eyes were nothing out of the ordinary, but it was her interest and liveliness towards the others in the coffee shop that made her more attractive.
"Earl Gray tea, Elizabeth?"
Elizabeth laughed. "You know me too well, Sam."
Her laughter caused a yearning pang inside of William. He wished to hear that laughter again, and again.
All of my life
Where have you been
I wonder if I'll ever see you again
And if that day comes
I know we could win
I wonder if I'll ever see you again
Elizabeth moved to the window William stood in front of as she waited for her tea. His heart beat wildly at the presence of such a lovely creature. As he allowed himself to be taken in by the sweet scent of her perfume, he began to feel light headed.
As Elizabeth scanned the street, she turned towards William and her eyes met his briefly. The amusement and richness of her dark eyes were almost too much for him. Before he could surrender himself to those eyes, she had moved away.
"Elizabeth, your tea is getting cold."
"Thanks again, Sam." She picked up the cup and walked over to the young man reading Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance. "So, Josh. Are you enjoying the disturbing thoughts of a committed man that are masked as philosophical reflections?"
The young man laughed. "That's a very severe remark considering that you haven't even read this book."
Elizabeth laughed. They continued a lively discussion while Elizabeth let her tea brew. William was never so jealous of another person before.
A sacred gift of heaven
For better worse, wherever
And I would never let somebody break you down
Until you cried, never
William sipped his coffee. Was it possible that it had become sweeter? Elizabeth smiled as she finished her conversation with the young man named Josh and she proceeded to walk to the young woman with the laptop. A sacred gift of heaven. William believed these words perfectly described Elizabeth.
"Tan, what's claimed your attention so completely?"
"I missed Bio yesterday and now I'm copying the lecture notes from Becca and Tamsin. Tabbi, the instructor's aide, is running a study group for yesterday's lecture this evening and if you're not prepared, she really goes off on you." Tan proceeded to look through her notebook.
"This is Bio with Professor Ames, right? You'll be fine. She's a great professor and Tabbi always does a thorough job with the study group."
Tan smiled. "Thanks, Dr. Bennet."
Elizabeth squeezed Tan's shoulder reassuringly before walking over to the condiment bar for her tea. William stared intently at this Elizabeth Bennet as she walked in his direction towards the condiments.
All this time, I've always known
That you where there, upon your throne
A lonely queen without her king
I longed for you, my love forever
William knew it was crazy to be so captivated by a stranger. It was unlike him to be affected in such a way, but he could not ignore the fiery passion inside him that this woman was undoubtedly the source of. He watched her prepare her tea and while she did, she would look at him curiously from time to time.
All of my life
Where have you been
I wonder if I'll ever see you again
Elizabeth had finished preparing her tea, but she did not leave. She found herself hypnotized under this handsome stranger's gaze. She couldn't place her finger on it, but she knew there was something special about this man.
And if that day comes
I know we could win
I wonder if I'll ever see you again
William wanted to talk to her, to know her, to hear her laugh. He wanted her. It was an overwhelming feeling to want someone so much, but it felt right somehow. How do you tell someone that you've been waiting for them your whole life? William was never one for words and he was losing himself in her steady gaze. Before he could say anything, Elizabeth moved towards him.
Her eyes never broke the steady gaze between them. "Good morning." Her voice was soft and William felt her breath on his cheek.
William looked intently at her. "Good morning."
Elizabeth smiled which caused William to flush. With one last warm look, Elizabeth walked out the door.
The sound of the bell ringing after the door shut brought William out of his trance. She was gone.
I wonder if I'll ever see you again
I wonder if I'll ever see you again
I wonder if I'll ever see you again
I wonder if I'll ever see you again**
The song echoed William's thoughts perfectly. In circumstances such as these, the possibility that a person's soul mate could be lost forever, would send other people running and chasing after that particular person. But, William was not affected this way. When Elizabeth had greeted him, the sound of her voice calmed the raging emotions inside of him. He had found the one. It was a comforting feeling that soothed him.
William drained his coffee cup and proceeded to walk out of the coffee shop. He didn't bother to look for her because he knew she was gone. He turned around to look at the coffee shop that he used to routinely pass every morning. This is where it begins. He thought. He smiled as he went to work. He didn't know how or why, but William knew he would see Elizabeth Bennet again.
**Again by Lenny Kravitz