Sabine was getting ready to go down to the playground but Samuel who was engrossed in his new Gameboy wasn't moving. In fact, he didn't want to go but Sabine wouldn't take no for an answer. She tried to bribe him with promises of buying him his favourite candy and ice-cream but it didn't work. It was when she threatened never to buy him anything again that he finally budged but not before blaring out that she only wanted to meet her boyfriend at the playground. Their granny who had been eavesdropping was shocked to hear what Samuel had revealed. She demanded to know what was going on at the playground. Sabine explained that he was just someone she met at the playground, someone who knew how to perform magic tricks. Granny didn't like the idea of her talking to a stranger, what more to a young boy. Moreover, she had long suspected Sabine's sudden willingness to bring Samuel to the playground when she had always needed to be ordered to do it. She told Sabine to stay at home and that she needn't bring her brother to the playground until further notice.

Sabine went into her room, disappointed. She didn't know why she felt that way. Somehow, the possibility of her not being able to see Andrew again, saddened her. She felt lost and confused. That evening, she went online hoping that he would be there. He was. In fact, he had been waiting patiently for her to come online. He was concerned as to what had happened to her as Samuel was with her granny instead of with her. Sabine told him what had happened. Andrew too expressed his disappointment at not being able to meet her again. But he consoled her that at least they could still chat online and that there might still be a chance for them to meet. Sabine agreed and her smile returned as they chatted.

Thus, instead of meeting Andrew at the playground, Sabine was meeting him online almost every night. However, the feeling of chatting online was different and she also didn't get to see Andrew's tricks. But more importantly she didn't get to hear his joyous laughter. As she thought of him, she took out a piece of coloured paper and folded it into a crane. Somehow, the crane reminded her of him as it was his favourite bird. She hoped to have the chance to give it to him personally.

It was Christmas' eve again and as usual a Christmas party was being organised. Sabine was there with Samuel, along with granny. Sabine looked around earnestly as if expecting to see somebody. Indeed she was. Andrew had told her that he would be performing at the party and she was hoping to meet up with him before the show started. Just as she was losing hope, a waving motion caught her eyes. It was Andrew, standing at the far end of the stage. She told her granny that she needed to use the toilet and walked out of the crowd. She made her way to the back of the stage and there he was smiling as broadly as ever. He was just as happy to be seeing her dimply smile again. They looked at each other in silence, not knowing what to say after the long absence. Then the silence was broken by the performers who were coming off the stage. He gestured that he had to get ready for his act. Sabine went up to him and passed him the paper crane before returning to the front. She couldn't help smiling on the way when ..............................................

Part 4>>