I’ll Be Waiting – Part 2

Jaycee was having her break at her usual spot – a secluded corner at the rear of the shop. Being an underage smoker, she had to be vigilant lest she should be caught. As she was puffing away, she sensed that she was being watched. Scanning around, she saw a familiar face peeping at her from behind a pillar. It was him again.

Jaycee had noticed this guy loitering near her workplace a number of times. Initially, she thought that he was just hanging around while waiting for his girlfriend to finish shopping at her store. But when she realised that he had never walked off with any of her female customer, she became curious. Then it occurred to her that he could be stalking her. She arrived at that conclusion after noticing that each time his eyes met hers, he would look away or move out of sight. However, instead of fearing for her own safety, Jaycee couldn’t help feeling flattered. Why would anyone be so interested in her as to squander his time watching her from a distance?

Looking hard in his direction, she hoped to get a good look at her secret admirer whom she had yet to meet up close. From a distance, he looked like an average-sized teenager with a ‘chubby face’ – the kind that nobody could resist pinching. But as usual, the guy sneaked away the moment he realised that he had been discovered. Disappointed, Jaycee returned to work but couldn’t stop herself from wondering if he would ever show himself before her.

Business had been brisk and Jaycee had been too busy to keep tab of the elusive guy. But somehow, she felt his presence intuitively. Soon it was time to call it a day and Jaycee couldn’t wait to leave as she had arranged to catch a movie with her ‘sisters’. Just as she stepped out into the sun, she was hit by a sudden burst of water droplets. And before she realised what was happening, it started to pour violently. She retreated into the sheltered walkway. What rotten luck! One moment it was shining, the next it was pouring. Without an umbrella, she could only glare in despair at her digital watch as the digits fast forward. Just as she was contemplating to dash across the open field to the train station, Jaycee heard a weak voice amid the spattering.

“For… you…” said the shaky voice.

An umbrella was then shoved in front of her. It was ‘chubby face’ and before Jaycee could say anything, he ran into the heavy rain and vanished into the mist. Looking at the umbrella, Jaycee noticed that it was brand new, still with the price tag attached. How thoughtful of him to buy her an umbrella when she needed one most.

Jaycee arrived in time for her show. Though she was staring at the screen, the scenes appearing in her mind were not those from the movie. Instead, she was rewinding and playing the scene of her close encounter with ‘chubby face’ over and over again in her head. Was he the ‘rare find’ that she had been hoping to meet? Only time could answer that question.