This Time

Nice to Meet You

"Hi Pie."

Oh shit.

How do I answer a 'hi'? Of course you say hello. But that won't be enough. I have to say the right words. Ugh. Where are your vocabulary powers when you need it! Oh my gosh! What will I say?

"Hey Pie, are you alright?"

Kim' hands are already waving in front of my face. I didn't notice that I was totally having an internal panic for more than a minute now. I realized that when I felt Ferns hands on my shoulders.

"Hi Kim. I'm sorry about Pie, she's been stressed lately. You know, with all the projects and stuff." Fern said as she placed her hands in my shoulders, gesturing that we should escape the scene. Woah. That was a close one.

"No, it's okay. I was starting to get worried because she wasn't speaking. I thought she had heat stroke of some sort." Kim said with worry as she scratched the back of her neck. She still has it. That same gesture.

"No she's fine. She's just really exhausted and spaces out often. I think Van is looking for you?"

"Oh. So I'll go to Van then. Are you sure you're alright Pie?"

There she goes asking me again. She cares for me. How sweet.

"Yes Kim, I'm fine. Thanks though. So I'll see you around?" I tried to sound as calm as possible. I saw a smile curve on her worried face. What's with the smile?

"Of course. I will see you around, or maybe later. Bye Pie, you too Fern." Were her last words as she disappeared from our sight and went straight into Vans. I tried to peak at the person who was beside me. She's already giving me a questioning look.

"See you around. See you around was all you can say?" Now Fern started laughing real hard. What's wrong with 'see you around'?

"So much from someone who moved on already, I was expecting you to say 'Hi Kim, you know, I missed you and I'm sorry' but I heard none! HAHAHAHA. If you can see your face when you were alone with Kim. Such a mess."

"So you've been there all along? How long have you seen us?" That's it. She was there all along. No wonder she can tease me that way. Ugh. "Did I really look hideous earlier?" just to make sure that I was a total stupid person earlier.

"Yes. You should have seen your face." She's still laughing, which means I looked awful. "I was asked by Van to go looking for Kim, he had to discuss about the project, and then, I saw you two here. I saw how she waved her hand in front of you face. You were spacing out. What happened? Loss of words? Last time I remembered, you're a smart girl. But now you can't even answer a question like 'hi'? I don't want to laugh anymore; I'm going to die any time now."

"Stop it. I was just not that ready to talk to her yet. I'll admit, I was not sure what to say to her because at that moment, all I wanted to do was to hug her." That's the truth. I just wanted to be with her, I still feel the same around her. I loved how it feels when Kim is around, I feel secure and safe. I locked my gaze on the ground and felt Fern's hands on my shoulder.

"I know. I'm sorry Pie. I don't know what's running in your mind but one thing is for sure. You're still haunted by your past with Kim. You haven't moved on totally. Let's talk about this later. What do you say?" Fern said still with worry in her eyes. All I can do was to give her a quick nod and we strode out of the pantry area.

As we walked around the area, there I saw Kim. She was looking at me as well. I couldn't break our staring moment but had to because the others might see us. Not everybody in the office knows that I had a lesbian for a lover before. They won't judge but I don't make it known to everybody. Not because I'm ashamed but because it won't be a big deal anymore.

---

It was almost dark. We stayed in the office for a couple more hours due to some deadlines and reports we had to submit. After long days' of work, it was finally time to go home.

"Pie, can you go home alone? Shone invited me for dinner. He wouldn't take no for an answer. I'm sorry." Fern looked at me with an apologetic face. How can I not approve? Shone has been waiting for her and I don't want to mess their happy story just because mine turned out not to be happy.

"It's alright. You can go ahead. Enjoy your date okay?" I smiled at her, I will be the happiest of all if these two would end up together. I walked out of the building and saw Puey with his boyfriend who were about to go home. Jane and Fah are nowhere to be seen. Nah, I'll just walk to the car park alone.

---

"Of all the time, you chose not to work today. I am really tired!" I grunted. My car is having its mood swing. It won't start! What will I do now? I've been trying to make it go and work for almost an hour now. I'm dead hungry and I want to sleep. No one was able to help me, how can they, my car was parked somewhere a bit far from the building. Not everybody goes this way. I'm beginning to hate this day. First I looked like a fool in front of Kim, now I can't even start my own car. What can get worse?

I was about to give up the fight about the car when I saw a red car coming. I thought maybe I can ask for help since I'm stuck for more than an hour already. I also considered leaving my car for the night and grab a cab. Good thing this person made its way here. I still have the slightest chance to go home with my car. I gestured for the car to stop and signaled that I needed help. It stopped. I was jumping internally when the car stopped, I can get help now. But my happiness became short when my heart was stumping real fast. As the person went out of the car completely, there I was again. My heart beat doubled and I was stunned. Kim is here, she's the owner of the red car. Great, now I'm a complete mess. She always sees me in my messed up incidents.

"Hey Pie, what happened?" She said as she glanced at my car. I have to stay calm and just talk casually.

"It's m-my car. It won't sta-art." Why am I stuttering? Geez.

"Oh. Here let me check it for you. Do you have tools that we can use?"

"No, I left them at home." Great, lesson number one. Always bring your tools in the car.

"It's okay, I have mine. Wait here."

---

"Here. It's done! Wew. But I suggest you let a mechanic see it still and not using it for now. It might still stop and that's dangerous." Kim said as she closed the cover of the car. Great now how do I even go home.

"Thanks Kim, I owe you one. I'll just leave it here for the night. I'll go get a cab." Yeah, I'll definitely take a cab. I don't want to be stuck here all night.

"Nope, you won't take a cab. You're going home with me." My heart stopped with that statement. What?! What is she thinking! She just asked me to go home with her. Stupid Kim you're going to give me a heart attack. I would love to but you have to court me again.

"Hey, Pie. Come on I'll give you a ride home. You still live in the same place?" okay, silly me. I thought she wanted to take me home, she meant take ME home in my house, and she'll give me a ride. Stupid Pie. I don't know what to say actually. It's been more than two years since the last time she picked me up and went home. Now, it's me who feels like a total stranger. This is still the same caring Kim, but I can't seem to tell what's in her head right now. I still can't seem to answer her. Where is my tongue these days?

"Hi, I'm Kim. What's your name?" Kim said while stretching her hand out.

"Silly Kim, I know your name. I don't mind getting a cab." What is she doing?

"Sorry, but I've never seen you before. Can I know your name?" She's playing with me. It wouldn't hurt if I play along. "Hi, I'm Pie." I shook her still soft hands. She was smiling at me the whole time. That's the same first smile when we met. That's smile still works.

"Nice meeting you Pie. Mind if I give you a ride home?" What a good way to bring up that offer. I wouldn't play hard to get this time. Damn these butterflies in my stomach. You just won't die, will you? She really is insisting. Fine, what can get wrong? It's just a ride. Why am I explaining to myself. Go girl!

"Nice meeting you too Kim. I'd love to." Then she grabbed my hand and we went to her car. I can die a happy person right now.

Oh Kim.