Emergency Romance – ER 5

Dressed in a short-sleeved, blue striped shirt and matching jeans, Keith stood nervously amid the crowd outside the shopping mall, scouting anxiously for Susie. While doing so, he realised that there were other guys waiting eagerly for their dates to turn up too. As he scrutinised them, he instinctively moved what he was holding in his right hand away from view. Holding proudly in their hands, each of them had a big bouquet of either roses or some colourful flowers whereas Keith only had a stalk of red rose.

Just then he regretted not accepting the suggestion of the florist to buy a dozen of the roses. He had actually bought his single stalk from a flower stall that was housed within a wet market, thinking that the price there would be more reasonable. But much to his disappointment, the price had risen to three times its normal rate and he wasn't prepared to pay that price for a dozen of flowers that would wither within a few days.

Getting a bouquet would be too late and too expensive then and he wouldn't want to embarrass Susie with his pathetic solitary flower, especially not on their first Valentine date. Just as he was wondering what he should do, a blind busker filled the festive air with her romantic songs. Then something struck him. While the performer was being applauded by some of those listening to her, Keith walked up to her and deposited his rose along with a two-dollar note into the box in front of her. The lady smiled as the fragrance of the rose reached her keen nose and Keith was glad to have put his flower to better use.

Just as he turned away, he spotted Susie from afar. He couldn't believe what he saw. She looked so different from her usual white attire. Dressed in a striking red evening gown, Susie looked so astounding that Keith wasn't sure if he should call out to her. He felt so incomparable to her. While he was still pondering his next move, Susie was already standing in front of him. He smiled awkwardly at her and led her to their dining venue.

As expected, there was a long queue outside the Italian Restaurant where they had intended to dine. After about 45 minutes in the queue, it was finally their turn to be served. However, due to the shortage of empty table, the waitress asked if they would mind sharing one with another couple. Not wanting to wait any further, they agreed reluctantly. As they sat down next to the couple, they almost giggled out loud to each other. It seemed that their single date had turned out to be yet another group dating; only difference was that this time it was with strangers.

They didn't converse much and so did the other pair. Though the ambience was one that suited the occasion, the atmosphere wasn't conducive for any hearty chat. The whole dinner was eaten with minimum conversation coupled with the occasional eye contact. It was definitely not a scenario that one would expect on a romantic Valentine night. Susie couldn't help shaking her head in disbelief as she fidgeted with her plate of spaghetti. It was indeed a very 'memorable' Valentine's dinner.

Keith wanted to give Susie a lift home on his motorbike but she had to decline as her outfit didn't permit her to. On her way home in a cab, Susie wondered if Keith was sincere about dating her. Firstly, he was underdressed for the occasion. Secondly, he came empty-handed and the only Valentine's gift that she received was the complimentary rose from the restaurant. Suddenly, she wasn't sure if she had fallen for the right guy or if they were suitable for each other. But based on what she had observed from their previous outings, he didn't seem like one who would toy with other's feeling. She was confused.