Nine to Five

Elevator Happenstances

Ever since that Monday, you and I had always arrived to work at the same time but never on the same elevator.

That Monday, I was surprised to see you inside the elevator that is across the one I'm riding on. Our eyes met but I hurriedly looked away because I was scared to give an awkward smile that would come off as forced. I entered the office first, opened the door wide enough for you to enter after me, and turned around to see if I have not opened it wide enough for you to the point it hits you. But no, I just opened it right enough and I even received a "thank you" from you.

That Tuesday, the same thing happened again. We arrived to work at the same time but never on the same elevator. However, your elevator was the first to open and the one I'm riding opened half a second late but it was enough for our eyes to meet briefly and I did the same thing again which was looking away first. You were the first to enter the office. You opened the door wide enough for me to enter and I just gave you a small smile and a quick "thanks". You responded, almost like a reflex, to my small smile with a wide one. I said a silent "thank you" for that smile.

That Wednesday, it was the same scenario again. If it was indeed a coincidence, it was a funny one but if it was not...

No— everything is just a coincidence. It was never my intention to be on the elevator across yours and it will also be impossible if you would have such intention. You were first to go out of the elevator and I just trailed behind you. Just before reaching the office door, you turned right and headed for the restrooms. Ok, I think today is not a day for me to have free door opening service or whatever.

That Thursday, the same thing happened again but similar as to what happened last Monday, I was first to get off. Just as I was about to reach the office door, I turned right and headed towards the restrooms exactly the same way you did the other day. I just felt I had to. I was already getting anxious that you might already think I purposely did all of this.

It is now Friday.

I just arrived at the building and I am standing in the middle of the hall with three elevators on each side. I pressed an elevator button and waited for a few seconds for one elevator door to open. And when it did...

You are there.

We are staring at each other for half a second and it suddenly dawns on me that the elevator door is already about to close. I break the eye contact, enter the elevator, and stand beside you. Both fortunately and unfortunately, we can see each other's reflection on the elevator door. I stare at your reflection and so did you on mine. And as if like we knew each other's dark secrets, smiles slowly appear on our faces and it eventually morphs into hearty laughter that filled the entire small space.

Finally, we're now on the same elevator.