At the end, I finally said it out... to YOU...

“I had practiced saying it a hundred times, but when the moment came, I just couldn’t open my mouth!” For some inexplicable reason, I was tongue-tied. I looked longingly at her as I saw her walking away into the shopping centre. I had been admiring her for months now but had never worked up the courage to approach and talk to her. I had stood before the mirror the night before and rehearsed saying, “Hi, I am Harry,” at least a hundred times. I was just too shy. I had waited for Adia for an hour, because I knew that she would be there at about that time for her piano lessons. I had goofed again – that was at least ten times. Forlornly, I walked to the bus stop and took the bus home.
On the way, I thought again of my plight. I knew that I was not bad looking and that she was not the unfriendly sort who would snub my offer of friendship. The years in secondary school I seldom talked and conversed with girls had made me absolutely tongue-tied before girls. It is just that I was very shy when it came to talking with these beautiful creatures. At first, I did not care, as I had not met any girl I cared to make friends with. But then I saw Adia. I just had to meet her. I had to work my courage up. But how?
Not knowing what to do, I called Edward. He was the man I knew who had absolutely no difficulty with women. In fact he was a ladies’ man. He could approach any women and talk to her and they all responded to him. I told him my problem and asked for advice. He told me to leave it to him. He would befriend her and then introduce her to me. I was not at all happy, since I knew his reputation. But did I have a choice? I told him as much as I could about her and gave him a graphic description. Edward told me to meet him at the shopping centre the following Saturday afternoon. He promised to disappear as soon I appeared at the scene. I thought that was a good idea. I was sure I could handle the situation after an introduction.
At the appointed hour that Saturday, I took a vantage point and waited at the shopping centre. I could see Edward. As I watched I saw Adia approach. As usual she walked briskly and walked towards Edward. My heart beat fast. I waited with expectation. Edward looked at her and was just about to walk toward her when I saw her stop. She started to look around as though searching for someone. Finally she met my eyes. She came toward me walking briskly. I looked for a place to run to and hoped that perhaps the earth might open and swollen me up. It didn’t.
Then she walked up to me and said, “Hi, I’m Adia.” I swallowed and put out my hand, “I’m Harry,” I said. “I know,” she replied. I looked at her as she smiled. “Surprised?” she asked. I nodded. “I know you have been following me for months, obviously you want to meet me, but are shy.” Then she laughed and I found myself laughing with her. Then Edward came over and I introduced them. Being a gentleman, he mumbled about having something on and disappeared.I invited Adia to the café across the road and she agreed. We walked across the road and went into the café.