CHAPTER 2 - Meeting An Old Friend
1130 Words
It took me a while before he finally let me go to buy some stuff for him. I just asked the hospital staff to attend to him while I go out for a bit.
I feel so giddy while buying him clothes. I’ve always wanted to dress up my non-existent boyfriend and fantasizing the guy I just met an hour ago wouldn’t hurt, right? A girl can only dream.
“f**k, I forgot to ask for his size,” I look over the jeans on the racks and realized that I missed this important detail.
“Oh, thank heavens for joggers!” my eyes instantly lit up when they landed on the joggers at the corner of the boutique.
I grabbed the size range that I think would fit him and also grabbed some boxers. I don’t want to humiliate myself some more by inspecting different briefs here so boxers would do.
“Thank you for shopping, Ma’am! I’m sure your boyfriend will love everything you bought him!” the cashier was all smiles and I only mustered to give her a shy smile while I turned my back on her and briskly walked to head out already.
Gosh, that’s so embarrassing! Why am I even doing this?!
I know that when help is needed, I always do everything that I can to lend a hand but not to this extent.
I don’t know what has gotten into me to be this helpful and generous.
My stomach suddenly grumbled when I was about to leave the mall. Great! I almost forgot about the food.
Heading back and looking around, I try to think of a cuisine that the chinky guy would appreciate eating. He said thank you in Mandarin earlier so I think he’s Chinese.
Who would have thought that watching Chinese dramas taught me a little bit of basic Mandarin.
As I continued to roam around the mall, I spotted a newly opened Chinese restaurant. And though I think they’re still on soft opening, people seem to take interest in trying out their dishes. Oh well, Filipinos and their curiosity. I just hope that the hype won't die down anytime soon.
I’m not really fond of falling in line especially if the queue looks like it would take me awhile just to get my orders so I approached a server and asked if they have a separate queue for to-go orders.
“Hi Ma’am, unfortunately, we don’t cater yet to that as we’re still under soft opening but let me check with my manager if we can do something about it since the line for dine in is longer than what we have expected.”
“Thank you! I’ll just wait on the other side so it will be easier for you to find me once you get back to me.”
“You’re welcome, Ma’am and thank you for checking out our restaurant!”
As I waited for the server, I saw a familiar face walking out of the restaurant.
“Wilson? Is that you?” I hurriedly asked as I approached my friend that I haven’t seen in a while.
“Jess! Oh dear, it’s been awhile! How have you been?”
“I’m doing great! I’m just running errands right now and it’s timely that I spotted this new restaurant,” I enthusiastically replied.
“Hey, since we’ve been friends, why don’t we catch up with some great Chinese food? I’m sure you’ll love the food here, I’ve added all of your favorites on the menu!”
“What, this is yours?! Oh my gosh, I’m so happy for you, Wilson! Congratulations!” I instantly hugged him tight ‘cause I couldn’t contain my happiness for him. It’s been his long-time dream to have his own restaurant and now, it has finally materialized.
“Thank you! I’ve been working on it for almost two years, and it’s the reason why I’ve been ditching all night out invites from her friends. So anyway, let’s go in and have a meal together?” he asked.
The way he looks at me right now has been the same as before. There’s a glint of happiness and care, but there’s something else that I can’t identify… It’s as if there’s something deeper in the way his eyes bore into mine.
“As much as I want to, I couldn’t. I have to go to the hospital right away after I grab some take out food.”
His face suddenly dropped when I declined his offer but instantly faded away and was replaced with concern.
“Why? What happened? Is there something wrong? Are you alright?” he bombarded while holding my shoulders to check if I have bruises or if I look sick.
“Hey, hey! I’m alright! I just helped someone and had himself checked.”
“Him? So he’s a guy? Who is it? Do I know him?” his brows furrowed. He looks cute whenever he does that.
“No, I just met him on the streets and I reached out to help”
He instantly relaxed once I explained.
“Oh, right. The ever so helpful, Jess. Just be careful, okay? There are syndicates who loiter on the streets and make it seem like they need help but they don’t. Just don’t fall on those kinds of strategies, okay?”
And he’s back with the overly protective attitude on me now. He’s the big brother I never had.
“Yes, sir!” I agreed. It’s indeed hard to trust people nowadays.
“Excuse me, Ma’am! Sorry for making you wait, but we cannot accommodate your request at this time. We suggest for you to line up to get your orders----sir? Sorry, but do you know each other?” the server suddenly appeared and informed me.
He looked shocked when he saw his boss with me.
“Yes, I know her. She’s a dear friend of mine. Pack all the dishes under Chef’s Choice and give it to her. Make sure to make it a priority; I know the head chef can finish all that within 15 minutes,” Wilson instructed.
“Got it, Sir.” the server replied then looked at me. “Kindly wait for 15 minutes max and you’ll get your orders right away.
“Thank you--” I looked at his nameplate, “Paul. I’ll be just right here.”
Looking back to Wilson, I hugged him again and expressed my thanks.
“You don’t have to do that! You know I love to support my friends’ ventures. I’m your friend but you don’t have to always put everything on your tab, I’d love to pay.”
He’s a 6-footer and I’m just 5’5” so I have to look up to him. In the eyes of strangers, I’m sure we look like a couple but I don’t care, I’m this affectionate to my friends anyway.
“You don’t have to. The fact that I know you’ll enjoy the food is enough for me,” he answered with a smile, looking down on me so he can make eye contact.
“You’re the sweetest, that’s why I love you!” I hugged him tighter.
“Aww my baby girl is such a cutie pie!” he pinched my cheek and looked at me lovingly.
Oh, the perks of having connections. Problem solved, I don’t have to line up!
- Writer
