Have we met before?

1.

20PM, SHOPPING FOR GROCERIES

Eseosa had two bags in her grasp, they weren't heavy but they blocked her vision.

The bustling streets of San Francisco made her worry. She hoped no one would rob her, or trip her. Right now, she was in a hurry! She needed to go home quickly so that she could cook something for her daughter, and for herself as well. Bella did a good job in taking care of her, but she couldn't do that forever.

She usually had classes only in the morning, and sometimes in the afternoon. But she decided not to have any classes today so that she could take care of her kids and Eseosa's too.

She felt bad, really. Maybe a babysitter would help, but she couldn't trust anyone. This World was too cruel.

Someone bumped into Eseosa, and caused her to fall right in front of someone. Some of the fruits and Vegetables in her bags rolled over the street. She groaned and cursed the person who didn't even apologize.

Feet were in front of her. Her stomach churned and she was uneasy and embarrassed. Eseosa lifted her eyes, and she widened them in shock. Tears pooled out of her eyes, "Cheng?"

"Nevaeh?" Chen murmered as if he couldn't believe it.

They stared at each other for moment. Eseosa snapped out of her gaze, she looked down and picked up the Fruits and Vegetables that rolled on the Floor. Chen took a deep breath, and kneeled down to help her. He took the bags, and gave them to Eseosa. She took them with a smile on her face, and after that, they both didn't know what to say.

I mean, they never really talked about personal things. Eseosa gulped, she stared at her Watch, and scowled. "..I.. I need to go."

She hesitated when stepping back. Chen grabbed her arm, and hastily said. "I'm Xiao Chen, you are?"

They weren't friends so she didn't wanna introduce herself. But, since he did it, why shouldn't she? It felt like they knew each other since birth, but they actually didn't.

Eseosa nervously answered. "Eseosa Johnson."

She smiled at him, and walked away hurriedly. Chen groaned, and ran after her, causing her to be afraid when she turned her head back to catch a glimpse of him.

"Wait! Where are you going right now?"

Eseosa was weirded out, and confused. "..Why are you asking?"

Chen glumly admits. "I don't want to lose you. I haven't seen you for twelve years, and I'm going crazy at the thought of me losing you again..!"

She gulps. She also didn't want to lose him. "Me too. I've been thinking, and dreaming—"

"You too?" Chen asked.

Eseosa nodded. "Yes. I'm going home, My daughter needs to eat something before she goes to bed. So do I."

Chen is taken back. Hurt evident on his face. "Oh." He mutters something looking defeated, but Eseosa heard him. ".. She's married.."

Eseosa deadpanned. "Ex-husband."

Chen lightens up again. "..Right. Eseosa? Right?"

She corrected his Pronouncation. "Eseosa. (I-so-sa)"

He said her name correctly, and said his name again so she could pronounce it right.

Chen walked with Eseosa on her way home. His excuse was to keep her safe from creeps. Nonetheless, she felt grateful, and happy that she got to see him. And this time,

She prays that she'll never lose him again.

Eseosa starts a conversation. "Where do you work?"

Chen grinned. "I'm a Mortician."

Eseosa's shocked. "Mortician? Didn't expect that. That's both Impressive, and sad."

Chen raises an eyebrow, "Why sad?"

She explains. "Your Mental health might Worsen." Chen agrees. "True. But It has always been worse."

Eseosa wants to ask what he means by that, but it's probably personal. She talks more about herself. "Well, I'm an Animal Doctor."

Chen laughs. "I also did not expect that. Do you enjoy your job?"

She smiles warmly at the thought of the Animals she gets to help. "Yeah, I do." Chen gazes at her, and his face heats up.

When they make it to her house, Chen becomes more Anxious. Eseosa turns around, "This is it.. Thank you, Chen."

He musters up the courage to ask her out. "Can I have your number? It's sudden, but I can't let you go now that I've met you again."

Eseosa gets butterflies in her stomach.  She battles herself in her mind because right now she's acting like a Child! "Of course, here."

After calling out her number to him, she waves at him, and enters her home. Whatever just happened, wasn't fully registered in Eseosa's head. Even if she didn't seem like she was interested in him, Eseosa couldn't wait for him to call her.