emotique.net

How times flies.

I remember how my cynic self was charmed by this message from a stranger on Friendster. This person who was at work on a Sunday because he had to cover the Olympics that was on-going.

As a rule I don’t usually respond to messages from strangers. But we traded messages, this stranger and I. We even exchanged numbers.

Over the next few days, smses were sent and received. When this mysterious stranger flew off to attend a wedding, he even sent smses while at the foreign country.

This day, a year ago, we had our first date. From then I was “ooned”.

He was the guy of my dreams and was almost everything I wanted – intelligent, funny, charming, gentlemanly, well read, stable and the list goes on…

The younger son of a former diplomat, born in Germany, he spent his formative years in France only returning to Singapore when he was 12. He spoke only English, French and Indonesian.

For the first time I felt pampered like a princess. We tried new places each time we went on a date. He drove me around and opened the car door for me. He would charm me by speaking in French. He said the sweetest things and used actions to prove himself.

I thought age would be a factor, it didn’t matter to him. He was 30, I was 23.

We watched soccer together, him drinking beer while I drank red wine. We visited cosy bay where we hugged and he told me I casted a spell upon him.

I couldn’t stop gushing about him and when he generously helped to get tickets to watch Singapore Idol for a colleague who adored Sly, the whole office knew about him – Mr Mediacorp.

I remember the first time I happened to see him on tv, it was on the big screen at Paya Lebar on my way to work. I couldn’t stop grinning the entire day. He always gave me that little flutter of butterflies in the stomach, that little rush of excitement.

I remember times when I wanted to do the disappearing act and when friends wanted to slap me out of my silliness.

I remember the times in his car, the way he drove, that bouquet of roses that came as a surprise. I remember The Sentosa and a lazy Saturday at the beach, the buffet breakfast, reading newspapers and having tea at the veranda.

I remember those nights I’d dream of him, of the time when I actually sensed him before he arrived to pick me up. I remember the way his eyes turn into slits when he smiles…

But alas, the spell didn’t last.

Just like Carrie in SATC, I had my very own Mr Big except mine is called Mr Oon. I thought I was the one with the issues and baggages, his was bigger than mine. While I was thoroughly “ooned”, he was scared.

Things began to dwindle down and was made worse when his friend decided to pursue me. I never asked and he never said it but I supposed my dating around made him feel somewhat uncomfortable too.

“Treasure me before I am gone
Cherish us and these moments we share
Soon these will be but fleeting memories
Buried deep within the recesses of our minds
A moment we can never grasp
A tender kiss we can never keep
Your eyes betray your hidden thoughts
My heart grief but i would only smile
Knowing our todays would soon be our yesterdays”

- September 28, 2004