It was 8:40 when I arrived in the canteen. I was carrying two insulated lunch bags, containing bento like stackable boxes. Why 2? Well, I can't honestly just give him one lunchbox for his breakfast, right? I mean, fine, so I have over prepared and… come on! I'm not gonna let this once in a lifetime opportunity go to waste! I'm not just handing him food and say bye bye! I'm gonna make this a DATE! Not that he would think it is, but really, him and me sitting together, sharing this picnic like food I painstakingly prepared. What else would you call that!? HAHAHA!
Anyway, looking around, not a lot of students were present and many tables were still left vacant. Ha! Time to find a table with strategic location. The canteen has long tables, and some were good for four. No two-seater table, but it's ok.
First, I chose a table in the middle of the canteen, ugh, doesn't feel that comfy and it's stuffy. Change location. I sat somewhere near the fan, ugh, my hair will be flying around. Not a good idea. Then, I saw the table near the window. I proceeded to that table and took a seat. Oh, here is not bad. Although behind me was the booth selling school materials, not a lot of students will be buying stuff this early, plus once Anthony enters, I will see him immediately! The saleslady was also playing the radio which can serve as background music. I just hope that the commercial will stop playing soon and a love song would play later. Hehehe… Ok, here is good.
I looked at my watch, 8:48. My gawd, his class will be dismissed soon, and he would be coming over. My heart started beating fast. What to do!? Oh yeah, set up the table! I opened the insulated bags and placed the stacks of bento looking lunch boxes on the table. I even brought thermos for the soup. Will he think that this was too much? Never mind. I'll just say it's my mom!
Actually, earlier that morning, I woke up at 4:00 am just so that I can prepare all these. I had to check what's in the fridge, and have the maid buy some fresh ingredients from the market. As for me cooking, fine, I made the maids help me, but I still took lead. It's not that easy to prepare 8 different dishes! Anyway, I made a lot so that my parents can also have them later, I was a very filial child. Ugh, ok, so the reason was not so pure. I also wanted to ask them later if the food was good.
The bell rang it's now 8:50. Gods! He'll be coming here soon! I brushed my hair with my hand. After preparing the food and placing them lovingly in those containers, I showered and took a long time in the vanity styling my hair, putting some light make up, then choosing my attire (a very nice looking floral dress that reached my knees) to ensure that today I was looking perfect. It was our first date, at least in my dictionary, and hopefully he remembers this day with an image of me so beautiful that he would think that I was his white moonlight. Ehem ehem, People, not because I'm 31 means that I'm long lost to fantasy romance alright! I have dreamed for this moment for a long long time!
Students were entering and exiting the canteen this time, and I kept on checking if the one entering was Anthony. I looked at my watch, 8:53. Vaguely, I heard the poor-quality radio started playing a song. Finally, the commercial was over.
'Everybody's got something, they had to leave behind, one regret from yesterday, that just seems to grow with time… there's no use looking back, or wondering, how it could be now or might have been, all this I know but still I can't find ways to let you go…'
I wanted to scream, the song that started playing was S cub 7's Never had a dream come true. It was one of the most popular songs when I just enterer junior high school. And listening to the lyrics now… gods.
Then suddenly, I saw Anthony enter the canteen while the song reached the chorus, 'I never had a dream come true, Til the day that I found you, Even though I pretend that I moved on, you'll always be my baby, I never found the words to say, you're the one I think about each day, and I know no matter where life take me to, a part of me will always be with you…'
He was looking around but did not see me right away. I saw him take out his cellphone and started typing. My phone vibrated, but before I can open it, he turned around, and our eyes met. He smiled at me and oh my god, I think my heart just exploded. He walked towards me, and the way I saw it, it was like he was moving in slow motion. I think I just stopped breathing and I felt my face go flush again.
When he was in front of me, he said something, but I think my brain has short circuited. Belatedly I realized that I was acting like my real 18-year-old self, where just the sight of Anthony looking my way would make me all red and unable to breathe properly.
I shook my head to wake myself up from my stupor. What was it he said again? Gods, what was I doing? I quickly stood up from my seat that I hit leg on the table causing everything on top to shake and wobble. I winced but dared not utter anything embarrassing like screaming ouch!
"Are you alright?" he asked his brows furrowing with what I hope was concern, as he continued to stand by the table's side.
"I- I am okay…" I answered. I wanted to hit my head for stuttering like a complete idiot.
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TBC