[kiasusam]

Time flew and I completed my NS and also diploma in a local polytechnic. Then I went on to take a degree. During lecture 1 day, I received a call from a very familiar number. I excused myself and went out of class to answer the call. It was Lyn. She asked how have I been and whether can I meet her during then. I told her maybe after my lecture. We put down the phone and I got back to class. However, I felt restless and left the class in less than 5 minutes. I called her back and asked where shall we meet. Once location and timing decided, I rode my bike down to look for her.

I arrived earlier than her so I looked around the surroundings to see whether will I be able to recognise her after few years.

Then a car stopped over and a pair of fair slender legs slided out from the car after the door opened. It was Lyn. I was surprised that she was already driving. She walked over and we greeted each other, with smiles. In her arms, she was carrying a book, more like a photo album. We sat down and chatted like long-lost lovers, just lacking the intimacy. Then she asked if she wanted to see the album she has brought down. I said sure. Opening the album carefully, there were 2 pictures of a baby. Rather taken aback, I flipped through faster and faster. All these while, she kept quiet. Then I closed the album all of a sudden and I asked
"This is?"

There was a short pause.
"This is my daughter"
"With whom?" "Can't be mine" these thoughts ran through my mind. We have not reached that stage in the past.
"My husband"
"Your husband???"

Short pause again.
"Yea"

I also paused. My mind was in a whirl to ask the next question.
"Then where's your husband? Shouldn't you be accompanying him tonight instead of asking me out?"

This time, there was a longer pause before she replied.
"Eh he has gone overseas for a business trip and will not be back so soon."

At that moment, my heart seemed to be in knots. In my mind, "then why the fuck you ask me out when you are already married with a kid?"

Nevertheless, we chatted just like before, good old times before we decided to go back. Nobody mentioned anything about meeting up again. The week passed rather quickly and before I knew it, it was TGIF! Before I knocked off from work, I received a SMS. It was Lyn. "Wanna meet up tonight to sing K?"


I almost immediately smiled and my colleague even asked whether am I sianning some char boh out there. So time and placed selected by Lyn and after work, I made my way there. She did most of the singing whilst I did most of the drinking. She has a strong and beautiful voice. The night soon came to an end and we went back home.

We met once every week from then onwards for a session of KTV or pool session. Then the question came into my mind 1 night when I reached home. Many years ago, We were in love with each other but weren't together because we were both in a relationship at different time. So what if now the feeling rekindled? I tried to brush this feeling aside but it kept bothering me each time. So eventually, I gave in and sent her an SMS after 1 outing and asked
“Last time, we liked each other…….. do ya think the feeling may come back?”

After a short while, I received a reply. "I did think of this few weeks ago. You damn slow, now then begin to wonder?" I did not reply her. I decided to leave it to nature. Life went on. I was having a reunion gathering with my NS buddies the following weekend.

On the day itself, while preparing to go out, Lyn called me.
"Where are we going today?"
"OOps I forgot to tell you I got a gathering with my army friends tonight."
"Can I join in?"
"Huh? all guys leh... I don't know whether any of them bringing gfs. Let me check and get back to you?"
"ok lor"

As such, I made a call to 1 of my NS buddy and he said some are bringing partners along so it's ok.

I sent an SMS to Lyn and she asked me what time to meet and location etc.... Decided on the time and location and off I went.

I arrived at Marina South 15 minutes earlier to meet Lyn first. Waited for about 10 minutes before I receive a call from Lyn.
"Hey where are you?"
"I am just behind the steamboat"
"ok!" and almost immediately I saw a car stopped in front of me. I ushered her to go park her car first before we go meet my friends together. I saw her drove away and parked into an available slot. The car door opened, (honestly speaking, I have forgotten what she wore that day) she stepped out of her car. She looked as good as ever.

We greeted each other and then I called my NS friend to enquire their exact location. We joined in the group and they were having steamboat dinner. After dinner, they decided to adjourn to Double O. We decided to tag along!

Most bros should know the drinks at Double O was damn cheap in the past. If I am not wrong, $12 or $15 per jug of housepour/beer. So instead of ordering jugs to share. We had 1 jug each. Some ordered Vodka Ribena, Whisky Coke, beer etc......I shared 1 jug with Lyn as she was driving, I did not want her to drink too much. One of my cheeky friend posted a question to us
"Hey Lyn, last time when NG was in the army, we already saw both of you dating... don't tell us you have been with him for so long? Never give us a chance ar?"

I wanted to replied him no but before my mouth could react faster than my brains, Lyn replied "Yalor." With that, she came closer to me and hugged me with 1 arm around my neck. I was sitting on a high chair while she was standing with her high chair behind her. This was the first time I was so close to her. My heart started to beat faster, so fast that I could barely breathe. I was totally taken aback by her answer.

She started to giggle while hugging me. I asked her "why? What's wrong"
"Your expression.. Hahaha"
"What's wrong with my erm... expression?"
"not...nothing"

With her still close beside me, I whispered into her ears, "Why did you tell my friend you are mine all these while?"
"Does it make any difference?" She replied with a cheeky grin.

I kept quiet and now both my arms locked around her.

My friends kept asking Lyn to drink but I told them she was driving and cannot drink so I had to drink on her behalf. It was not even midnight yet but I was already almost half-gone. Seeing Lyn slightly tipsy as well, I asked her whether should we make a move first? She nodded and so I excused myself from my friends by telling them Lyn has to go back already as she still have to work the next day. They only allowed me to go provided I finish half a jug. So no choice, struggling with whatever soberness left within me, I downed slightly about ½ jug. Luckily the housepour my friend passed over was already slightly diluted with the ice.

While walking down the steps, I nearly fell and Lyn came to hold my arms and asked if I am ok. I told her those guys are crazy, mixing this and that together. Lyn just kept quiet and told me she will send me home first. I asked if she is sober enough to drive and she nodded her head. All these while we were holding hands.