Although heartbroken by parents' distress over personal relationship, I must admit shameful and parallel feeling of smugness over new role as boyfriend of the Jonathan Chin. Immensely thankful yet fused with a tinge of conceit over having managed to capture his heart, used to be viewed as an achievement entirely impossible to hone. Context - Jon was cream of the crop, popular, suave, plenty of accolades, massive portfolio, essentially things anyone would associate with a college enthusiast. He shot into stratosphere so quickly and deep down at the time, I knew he was out of my league. Too good for me, so to speak. Not putting myself down, I was successful in my own right but he was just the goal. OK, I'm just debating with myself right now.
Much anticipated rendezvous with college badminton team mates Carole and Daniel. Preordained by Jon who randomly suggested reconnecting ourselves with friends for old-time's sake. Went pretty well, conversation started off with exciting jubilation at the prospect of a reunion till they landed on an entire discussion on exercising and keeping healthy which dampened my spirits. Put me in such a spot because I'm thin and everyone simply assumes I'm malnourished without granting benefit-of-doubt that perhaps I have high metabolism. Once again, blaming this on the genes I got from parents because Mum used to be a stick in more youthful days. Anyway, considered myself open target for an agonising fifteen minutes, Jon highlighted me lacking a muscle-bound figure, got termed by Carole as an 'anorexic' which exacerbates my physical frame, am not that thin, and concluded with Daniel spitting up offers on gyms and yoga classes for me to enrol in.
Silence in deference and forced a fake smile. Absolutely ridiculous. But conversation soon digressed to more miscellaneous topics so thank god, but detest those who always thrust their opinions onto me and expect me to abide, leave me alone for heaven's sake. No hard feelings, they picked up the bill and paid for lunch anyway so all's good.
Got back home and Jon was in a nostalgic mood so he went to rummage through personal keepsakes and fished out our college yearbooks. Lit the kettle to a boil, made some tea and settled on the floor as we perused through photos of us in younger days.
"To think we used to look like this." Jon pointed at the both of us in a snapshot printed in the book, event marking our twin Gold awards for annual Badminton competition. Photo depicted jolly expression ruined by unkempt hair and glistening sweat.
"Now we know the most important thing in the world is youth. Love and family and all those kind of come up second." He chuckled, "and if anyone don't have these then well... they usually decide to become businessmen." Major satire but he appreciated the joke for what it was, gagged and laughed endlessly.
The realisation suddenly hit me like a thunder bolt that tomorrow's Valentine's Day. 'Why... oh why must there be a holiday to make lonely hearts feel sadder than they should feel' were the words of a single me, up until recently. Can finally properly relish candlelit dinners, scream together on rollercoasters at amusement parks, share heartfelt stories, and not excepting always having a second opinion for clothes and outfits. Saying toodle loo to old lonely Matthew and welcoming the new and improved self with Jonathan. Look at the British Royal Family, look at Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds, look at Michael Kors and Lance LePere, we are alike now. Hurrah!
What to get for Jon for Valentine's Day? Think Matthew... Brainstorm. What if Jon doesn't like the stunts I pull? Don't want to upset him on a supposedly romantic day. Getting late, shall bank on the possibility that luck and inspiration will strike overnight and I'll think of something, it'll pan out fine.
Valentine's Day purely a cynical, foolish enterprise. Probably a matter of indifference to Jon anyway.
