Falling Bad

3- Flash meetings

For a pretty good time of two to three months I didn't get to see him.

THAT GUY who stared at me, and I had moved on from that incident. Simply, I just forget a lot of stuff pretty fast. So, that's a given.

I didn't report it nor showed up to be a witness. I was being a coward and I've had seen bad cases with the police and I'm certain enough not to trust them. But then again for the sake of my conscience I did turn up, said what I saw but it was not enough. I knew it was not enough. I expected this disappointment. Even with all the cowardice and living a "quiet" life, I'm happy I turned up and did the right thing.

The guy who died was a man of his 30s, was not even from this neighbourhood or town or area whatsoever.

Apparently everyone had heard the gunshot but it was too early in the morning, plus, when they came out there was nothing but a man lying in a pool of blood. Of course, everyone was late to come out because nobody in our town has ever heard a gunshot and because of the rain everybody mistook it for thunder or a something hitting someone's roof or at least that's what everyone said that they thought.
Well, it explains their unawareness of a gunshot.

Nobody, except me, had a say in it than make it the town's talk over for about a week and it's all in the past. Forgotten. Like everything else.

I kept myself safe for a good amount of time and continued with my life. I never knew what happened to his family nor what was the reason for his death. All I heard was my dad talking about it over our evening tea on occasion and I would change the subject rather than digging hard on it.

Rather than digging my own grave on it, more likely.

Then one day when I was at work, and passing through my senior's office to the lounge, I saw a familiar figure for a flash of a moment. But as I was never curious,I didn't pay much attention to it. But I felt something, like a void space in my mind. I was constantly reminded of that seconds of that image but couldn't figure out how or where have I seen him.

That went for a couple of weeks and I saw him again at work, this time he was with my superior. I was again walking pass them and I simply bowed while passing. Then a minute later only I realized It was that man that I couldn't remember but I was too late to go back and take a good look at him and remember.

Everything felt so nostalgic and mysterious. I know I forget faces sooner than names but this image was lingering like a ghost waiting to be remembered. It's not like I'm afraid of ghosts or anything, I would be if I had actually seen one, but no, I'm not scared of anything in TV. I've watched quite a lot of horror movies and well, Supernatural to know enough to work a ghost or demon or whatever. Anyways, this ghost, this Deja vu, was irritating me.

The next month was hectic. I had no time for myself nor to think or remember that fellow. I was busy preparing my work, practicing, arranging all kinds of stuff and helping almost everyone.

Finally, the day came. Everyone was in their respective dressing rooms and places. I had done my work and was checking up on some things while waiting for my time.
While everyone is busy dressing upstairs and ushering guests to the auditorium upstairs, I went down to the quiet downstairs lounge to get some water.

I saw a man near the welcome desk trying to wear his tie with just the help of his phone's rear camera. I couldn't help myself and let out a small laugh.
The guy turned around angrily and my smile was dead. I bowed at him and turned to go my way. I don't know why but I'm usually like this to everyone, I'd bow, though it's not even in my culture. It's not a full bow like some Korean or Japanese but a small head down bow. I've tried to stop myself from doing so but it just comes off naturally, like a reflex. Kinda makes me look so humble and kinda helps me to slip away from situations and people who I don't wanna talk to. Here I am, slipping away.
"Excuse me." He called. "Can you please help me find a mirror so that I can, you know." His voice was deep. Shit! He said while pointing to his tie.

I turned and bit my lip.
"Hmm... I don't think I could allow you into any dressing rooms but,"
I bit my lip again. It has become a habit that I do when I'm anxious. Another stupid reflex of mine, I guess. Then again, I've no control on my body whatsoever.

And I scanned him well. Well, first off, I looked carefully at his fingers to find any signs of him being married because I don't want trouble after saying the next line. But then again he could be married and isn't wearing the ring as most men do. Anyways, here goes nothing,

"I could help you out if you don't mind."

He hesitated but said, "okay, just be real quick. I don't wanna be late."

"Okay, cool," I said and walked near him.

Damn!

Wake up despo. You are way out of his league.

Everything he had on was designer. How does a small town girl recognize designer? Well. I watch a lot of reality TV to know that. Having no social life but staying home to watch whatever you get your hands on and learn from them, helps. Trust me, that's how I learn about the world. You can't blame an introvert for being an introvert.

I quickly straightened his collar and started working on the tie. Mid-way, he asked, "You work here?"

I said, "Yeah."   Pause. "You must be a guest."

"Yeah, Mr. Dominic invited me." He said.
By the time of that I was, "Done." I said and adjusted his coat for him.

"Thank you." He smiled. Wow. I shook my thoughts away. Being single for a long time has a huge effect on me I guess, or maybe it's his cologne. I don't know what's more alluring about him, his looks or his smell or both. Whatever it is, God is biased. He took extra time to carve this one out.

I smiled at him and turned to go to the lounge because now I was feeling very thirsty from all that staring at the perfect jawline.
"Hey, What's your name?" He asked.
I stopped and turned and opened my mouth, all in slow motion, as I felt and then a sound came,

"Mr. Sam."

It wasn't my voice and it definitely wasn't my name.

Mr. Dominic was coming down the stairs. "Mr. Sam,  I was waiting for you." He said.
"Oh! I'm sorry, shall we?"  He turned to take his phone while Mr. Dominic looked at me and said,
"hurry and get the others ready."
"Yes, Sir." I smiled and walked to the lounge. When I was walking halfway I turned to see him looking at me while walking with Mr. Dominic and I gave him a polite smile before turning.

He looks like a nice guy. Oh yeah, now my memories started to flood. After being with him for quite some time I remember now, He's the guy that came so often these days and the one I couldn't help but remember where have I seen him before. But have I ever seen him before?  Why does he looks so familiar?

***** ah *** A small gasp left my mouth. My hands started to tremble and I felt my heart race at the speed of a race car and I felt like a dog who ran a mile, breathless.

It was time that I remembered.

I shouldn't have been affected by the looks. It's gonna be a huge huge mistake if we ever met again under any circumstances. ***ha ha ha** I laughed to myself sarcastically, muttering to myself "It's not like anything else is gonna happen, other than... "
my death? "O God!"
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Enjoy reading my imagination.

Love,

Writer.