Second Chances (Kathneil FF)

Second Chances - 5

Second Chances - 5

It could not have been her, he thought.

It was just his eyes playing tricks on him.

He just missed her too much.

He tried to shake the uneasy feeling away and sat up in his seat.

Kevin and Gene were up early that morning to film a morning scene at Jonker Street, a tourist attraction enclaved by two-storey predominantly red, colonial shop houses.

Before the British came, Malaysia or its old name, Malaya, was ruled by the Portuguese and then the Dutch. With Malacca being the main port of entry in those days, it was of little wonder that the city housed many of the colonies' legacies, including birth lineages, religious and social practices as well as speaking lingos.

Hence, Kevin felt a strange connection to the place, being at home with the predominantly Christian locals and loving the spicy delicacies.

The crew wanted to complete the day's filming before the shopping crowd started coming and was taking a break after a scene.

Yet, as Kevin's body rested, his mind refused to do so, thinking again of the night before.

He could hardly sleep the night before, practically running towards the streets once the limousine stopped at the hotel entrance.

He only went back in when the distraught driver ran after him to ask him to return to the hotel.

What was I expecting, he thought. That the car would turn back?

He did not even know what to ask the reception about the girl, and when he showed them an old picture of Inessa on his phone to ask if she was a staff there, the answer came back negative.

Just give it up, man, he told himself. It's close to nine years now. If she's alive, you would have found her by now. Or she would have gotten in touch with you.

Throughout the years, two scenarios kept playing in his head.

One, was that Inessa was truly dead from that plane crash.

Or two, that her mother and her were in hiding and do not want to be found.

Of the two scenarios, Kevin did not know which he preferred.

That she was gone and now safe by the side of the Lord.

Or, that she was living another life somewhere, away from whatever demons she and her mother were running from.

But thinking that she may still be alive and choosing not to let him be a part of her new life, left Kevin feeling empty.

For in his heart, he knew if the situation were reversed, he would have sent word of his well-being or whereabouts to her.

Obviously, she doesn’t share your sentiment, bro, he thought. Seriously, maybe it's time that I move one, and stop pining for her.

"Kevin!" A voice called out his name, breaking his reverie, making Kevin sighed in resignation.

Involuntarily, he scrunched his nose and pushed up his visors, automatically looking away from th approaching figure.

Veronica Thompson, quite like the Archie-character equivalent, breezed in from the car and straight under the makeshift tent at the filming site.

With her hand on his shoulder as a greeting, Kvin had no choice but to look at his co-star.

The hot Malaysian weather was merciless and from his position in the folded canvas chair, Kevin secretly found pleasure in looking up at Veronica's melting foundation.