I’ll Be Waiting – Part 3

Amos waited patiently for Kathy at the cafeteria. He had been keeping track of her since his first encounter with her during the Orientation Week. It was her first day at poly while he was a year 2 student. He was not involved in organising the event but was there to stand in for a friend who had fallen ill. Kathy’s captivating smile captured his attention when he was tasked to take charge of the group she was in. He couldn’t help peeping at her whenever the chance arose and would attend to her as much as he could.

After the orientation, their paths didn’t cross and the only place where he could see her again was at the cafeteria. His buddy, who knew of his crush for her, encouraged him to ask her out and to get to know her better. However, Amos just didn’t have the guts to approach her as he was afraid that she might turn him down. Though, she would have remembered him as they had conversed quite readily during their initial meeting, he wasn’t sure if she would treat him as more than a friend.

Ever since he was ridiculed by a gal whom he was wooing when he was in sec. 3, Amos had yet to regain his loss in self-confidence. Nevertheless, it didn’t stop him from stalking those whom he fancied, in the hope that one of them would notice him and be willing to accept him for who he was. So far, Cupid’s arrow had missed him.

Just as he was giving up hope on seeing Kathy that day, she appeared. But she wasn’t with her usual group of pals. Instead she was with a guy, someone he had seen hanging around her. They were holding hands as they strolled into the cafeteria. Not willing to throw in the towel yet, he stayed on to watch them. When it was obvious from their intimacy that they were an item, Amos picked up his tote bag and left.

Though the feeling of defeat was not new to him, he couldn’t help blaming himself for not seizing the opportunity to become the guy holding her hands. If only he had taken his pal’s advice to take the initiative, he could have been the one sitting at the table with her. If only he had been more assertive, he could have been the one whispering sweet nothings into her ear. If only……....

Amos was wandering aimlessly in the neighbourhood when a face in one of the shops caught his keen eyes. It was Jaycee’s. He couldn’t explain why he was attracted to her; he only knew that he wanted to be with her. His heavy heart suddenly felt lighter. He walked past the shop a number of times, pretending to look at the clothes on display. Then, he decided to be more discrete and seated himself on a bench facing the shop, pretending to be talking on his mobile. As he kept his sight on her every move, Amos told himself that he was going all out this time to try to win her heart. With his mind made up, Amos left for home and was determined to visit her as often as his time allowed.

It was a school holiday and Amos was up early, getting ready for another of his ‘visit’. He had never got the chance to see Jaycee start the day and had decided to do so that morning. When he arrived, the store was not open for business yet. He settled down at his usual spot, waiting eagerly for Jaycee to appear. As the minutes ticked by, the staff arrived to start the day operation but there was no sign of Jaycee. Amos became anxious, wondering if she would show up for work. He began pacing along the walkway while on a lookout for her. An hour past and Jaycee was nowhere in sight. Just then, Amos thought he heard a sprightly voice.

“Looking for me?”

Turning his head slowly in the direction of the voice, he saw a familiar figure from the corners of his eyes. It was Jaycee.