Met an old friend

We're done having lunch at our usual coffeeshop when the si-tau-poh sat down with a late of rice at our table. So, we chatted with her whilst she ate. Not nice to get up and go off just when someone sits at your table. Moreover, she's also our loyal customer. Buys many nutritional supplements from us all year round and just ordered more.

We were chatting away when i looked up and saw someone staring at me and called me by my chinese name. Ok, not that many people call me by that name and it sounds so weird at times. With the exception of a few of my close schoolmates who still calls me by my chinese name in English, which sounds even weirder. So, excuse me if i dont acknowledge you when i hear that.

Anyway, i then saw him standing at the table next to mine, plate of rice in hand. Thank god for the fact that i finally dragged myself to the shop and bought a hairband. I must admit i now look better than having a clip on my long fringe. I nearly couldnt recognise him.

He happens to be an old friend of mine when my family first moved over to a new neighbourhood when i was sweet 16 then. I got to know some girls and he's the brother of one of them. He WAS quite cute then, about a year my senior. And studying at the school opposite mine and rides a cool Honda racing bike to school.

And you know lah, we young and innocent schoolgirls hoh (ahem), like those smart, clever and handsome ones mah. Studying opposite one, we dont have shortage of those also. But then, we English ed girls usually prefers English ed boys, and the school opposite mine is a Chinese school. Different channel leh.

This chap isnt bright in his studies. Flunked his Form 3 and was a retainer when we got to know each other. He stopped schooling soon and his family got him a job at a goldsmith shops. To me then, this is so not cool, you know. But then again, he's a nice guy. We still kept in touch all these years cos my family members would go to the goldsmith shop where he works to buy jewellery.

I got a shock when i saw him just now. We had a short chat and this is what i gathered from the few short minutes.

1) He's still a bachelor.

2) Left his job 9 months ago at a reputable goldsmith and operates a coffeeshop together with his family. His 3 other siblings are in USA. Him, being the filial son, stayed back to care for his old folks.

3) He has two adjoining houses of which he now sold one and leased the other one out.

4) He bought a shoplot right next to his parents' coffeeshop, expanded the business and lives upstairs the shop.

5) Looks a bit scrawny now, eyes lost their sparkle, and with a receeding hairline too.

We updated our phonebooks with a promise that we'll go to his coffeeshop one of these days to visit his parents whom i've not seen for eons. Once back home, i sat down and was thinking what life would have been if i had married this guy.

I can visualise myself sitting behind the cash counter and walking up and down occasionally to collect money from customers, or making tea/coffee at the kitchen counter and sending them to the customer's tables, or perhaps they have a chap-fan stall and i'll have to go to the market early in the morning to buy veges and meat back for food prep, lots of washing, wearing an apron and a cap, perhaps looking dishevelled too..... aaaccckkk!! I cant think of anymore. Definitely not the lifestyle i want, no way..... shudder.

I havent been to his shop. So, when i do drop by one day, lets see how correct my imagination can be. That's gonna make a good post.