Why We Can't Be Together ✔

Leech

Dear Leech,

Our story is weird.

We met at a networking event for a product management workshop. You saw me talking to a technology evangelist and decided to join the conversation. I didn't know you. I saw you around, I saw you around this other guy that I didn't like...Talkative.

You were just ordinary. You were nice and you asked questions - good questions. I don't remember, but I just remember you being chill and polite. I felt like we could get along.

Then, you started asking me questions when another guy joined the conversation.

You asked me what I am doing at school and my background. I told you about my recent transfer into the school, and you were shocked, to say at the least. You started asking me all these other questions, like my involvements with product management and the school. You asked about my work. I answered and again, you were amazed.

I normally didn't like talking about my background because it made me feel like I was in this other tier, but it wasn't that amazing, it was just hard work. Nothing special or talented about me.

You weren't overly suprised, so I was grateful.

You asked about what I did, then we had a whole conversation. I liked how you were asking me questions.

I realized you also transferred from another program. You were a bit older and had to go through the 4 years once again. I didn't realize how many students actually transferred into this school...it was amazing, really.

Then, I found out you were in a group I wanted to be in. I didn't want to ask you straight out, but I told you I knew about the group. Again, you were surprised.

"No one has really heard of us."

It turns out the group mostly competes in case competitions and complete client projects.

I shook your hand, and I left to walk around. I talked to one more person before leaving.

We added each other on Facebook (and LinkedIn). You message me one day, and you ask me about my job. I ask you about your job...you ask about the work and what I do exactly.

You ask me if we give out reports, and I told you straight up, we don't give reports to people externally. You asked again if there's any possibility of that. Again, I said no.

That left a sour taste in my mouth. I don't why, it was a sound question. It was normal, especially if you needed it. But many people wanted resources. It didn't come cheap and I wasn't about to break confidentiality.

Of course, I would like to help, but you can't keep asking me especially when I say it the first time. It just sounded bad from my perspective.

Did you even care about asking me about my job? Or, did you just wanted to jump to any opportunity to leech from me?

It's funny now, because maybe, that's what I'm doing to you.

I replied point-blank that I couldn't give it to anyone outside of the ecosystem - that's it. You backed down.

I knew I sounded harsh, so I tried be friendlier by asking why you needed it and tried to help from there.

That conversation started taking a dead-end.

I decided it wasn't worth talking to you, if you were going to act like that. I didn't want that.

Fast forward a month later:

I congratulated you on LinkedIn for your new role. It was great that you were working so much. You said that it was nothing compared to what I was doing.

That was nice.

The next week, I saw you at an event. You said "hi" to me...and I said "hi" back.

I had to run out of the event early, waiting for a friend. Then, I saw you again.

You were rushing out of the event, too. I wondered why...

But I forgot that moment until now.

A week later, I was getting ready for an event. I wasn't looking forward to it because I had a lot of work to finish.

I decided to check my messages out of procrastination.

...You messaged me.

What did you want?

Taken aback, I checked the messages. You asked if I wanted to compete in a competition because your partner dropped out.

I had so many questions:

Why me?

What competition?

When would it be?

How much time would it take?

Why me?

You were competing in this international competition that would take place in Canada (how international is that, eh?). You explained how serious it was for the group because the school was funding it fully with accomodations, food, and travel. That sounded really nice, and I wanted a chance like that to compete in something awesome - and now, I got it.

Why? Because of you.

Now, I was indebted to you.

At least that's what it felt like. I felt like I had to make it up to you somehow.

Eventually, I would.

To be Continued...