-= Chapter 1 =-
(The Beginning)
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Destiny may lay our paths....
Fate may bring us together....
But only chemistry leads us on....
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Once upon a time, there is this guy call Jason....
He had this girlfriend, who is Steph and had a very good buddy who is Kevin... Now Jason and Steph are together for 1 year+ and are quite devoted to one another.... Although in between times, they had some small tiffs here and there.
Once when they were in school, Jason & Kevin as usual went for his practical class, while Steph went for her lecture as they were of different modules. As it is the start of the new term, everything is new, including the technician whose name is Esther. Esther is a former graduate of the course and is just doing the job as a temp one as she is going overseas to studies, lesson went on and during break time, all the guys in the cause were discussing about Esther....
As Jason had to do his final year project in that room, he starts to talk to Esther. "....so how old were u?" Jason ask Esther, trying to break the ice as they will be talking more often when he starts doing his project. Esther was just keeping mum bout everything.... and Jason just take it that she is just a 'dao' personnel and so did not bother bout things.
After a few sessions spend in the room doing he project, Esther finally went to talk to Jason, as she is quite bored of the work there, and so they started chatting...
Upon chatting, they found that they had quite a few things in common; they love to play games and they both listed a song as their fave song as they simply love the song, and so they started chatting...
"....So do u have any bf?" Jason asked out of curiosity, and as expected, she does have a bf.
"Well...What bout u?" she asked him back.
"I mah... u guess yourself lah...." ....at the same time, Steph came into the room and asked Jason if he is done with his work, and having done almost everything.... He went off with Steph, while biding goodbye to Esther....
A few weeks pass and Jason got to know a lot of Esther's lifestyle, and so vice versa for her.
He know that she is just working temp job as she is waiting to go overseas to further her studies, and she also heard a lot of Jason; complaining how tough his life is to juggle between work and studies to support himself...
Soon after, Esther has to meet her friends for lunch, thus leaving Jason alone in the room. While Jason is alone, he saw a handphone on Esther's table, knowing that it is Esther's, he decide to play a trick on her as she is the invigilator for a test later on that day....
It is 4pm and Esther stepped into the lecture room with the test papers and her handphone in hand, and soon the test started.... As usual, Jason finished the paper in just 1/2 an hour and promptly handed the paper over to Esther and went home.... On his way out to the bus stop.... Jason started to give Esther a scare by sms her..."
"Enjoy your time invigilating the students...hahahaha"
He is very sure that Esther will freak out as his no. is not in her phone no. list.
Soon after...Jason receive a msg.... "u must be Jason, right? How did u know my handphone no ?"
With a smug on his face, Jason replied back, "I anyhow guess...."
..little did Jason know that by replying this msg, it will be his turning point of his life...
Soon after, they begin msging through handphones ....no matter where they are; even if they r just separated by 2 tables, they are simply just talking bout everything under the sun.... Things seem so well for Jason with his new-found
friend, and even when he is out with Steph, he will still msg Esther and Steph being a 'vinegar pot'...will keep on questioning him who is it...but Jason will just say that it is just a friend, and things went on....
After a few days, Jason started to be confused.... Confused bout what is going on between himself and Esther... but he told himself to keep a straight mind; telling himself that this type of passion is just normal as when u found a new friend that u can chat... u will just stick to them for while... the passion will die off soon....
Deadline of the updating of project is near, and Jason still can't finish the project as both he and his project partner are both working till wee hours everyday.... So during lunchtime, he needs to find a com to type the stuff out.
Out of desperation, he went to the room and saw Esther, and next to her is her com, so he went to ask if he can use it....
"Can lend me use the com??"
...Esther replied, "By right hor, u cannot use as u r a student.... AIYAH... see u so kor lian, use lah~"
Without any doubts, Jason plumbs into the seat and started typing away. Just at this moment, Steph walks in and asked Jason if he want to go eat lunch with her, but as Jason is in a hurry to finish, he had to decline her. Steph without a doubt, turn straight to Kevin and asked him to go accompany her for lunch.
Kevin feeling hungry too and thus both left for lunch...leaving Esther and Jason in the room alone again....
While typing his report, he frequently felt that some person is staring at him, but all he did is just shrug away the idea and continue doing his work. Besides him, is a box of chicken rice, as he can't afford to waste anymore time, thus munching away while doing his report....
"OUCH!!" exclaimed Jason.
Esther turn her head around and saw Jason still typing away, but she could see that he is enduring some pain.
"What's happening?" She asked out of concern.
Jason just answered back that it is his wisdom tooth, as it has outgrown the area, causing his gum to expand. Sympathising him, Esther uses her soft small hand and touch on his cheek...
"....still hurts?" she asked, with uneasiness....
Jason slowly retreats to the corner and continues on typing without looking into the eyes of Esther....
"....not so bad now....as long as i dun use my right side of the teeth to chew" Jason says, still busily typing away....
"Anything I can get for u to ease the pain?" Esther went to the side of the monitor, trying to see Jason face to face...
"Well.... I hope that someone can kiss me to smooth and sayang it...hahahah" jokes Jason, and he prints his report out.
"DONE! Just now what I say is joking one leh, cause if I need a kiss.... I can always look for my gf...." Jason walks away while saying....
Evening has arrived and everybody is in a hurry to rush home.
Jason once again was left alone in the room, trying to do some more experiments concerning his project.
"I'm about to go off and I need to lock the room, so please hurry up...." shouts Esther from the dark room.
"Ok then, I'm done..." Jason clumsily pack his stuff into the bag.
Esther rushes out from the dark room and also flung her bag over her shoulder.
"Wait a minute... before we go... close your eyes 1st..." Esther said to Jason.
Expecting that Esther would want to get revenge on this morning "kissing" joke, Jason reluctantly sat on the chair and closes his eyes after much persuasion by Esther.
"Now what's up? ...We better hurry or I will be late for..."
...Before Jason knows it, Esther has caught hold of his neck and gave Jason a short kiss on his lips...."....
"....hope that can smooth and sayang your toothache..." Esther says in a cheeky manner and the whole world seems to stop in front of Jason.... He is more confused then before...
-= Chapter 2 =-
(The Coincident)
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Fate comes when u least expected it, and leaves when u most wanted it...
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Sitting on the bus alone, Jason's thoughts flooded his whole mind. He is unsure of what is happening, be it to him or to Esther. All he knows is that everything seem so fast and so true, so much so that he unable to pay 100% attention to his work that day and thus he had to ask for early leave home.
Back at his own bed, he switches on his handphone immediately.... msgs keep flooding his phone, it is from Esther, asking him how he feels now. Jason does not know if there is any extra meaning to it, thus all he did is msg back in a joking manner that he is alright now, just that he really can't open his mouth to speak.
There on his bed, his mind is still confuse...
The next day, Jason went to school as per normal, going to classes and doing his project.
Somehow or rather, he feel that everything inside him seem so calm whenever he took a step nearer to his project room...
"Hey! Why r u so sneaky?" came a sound behind Jason.
It was none other then Esther.
"How come lunchtime then come over? I thought this morning u only got 1 period of class?"
In a stuttering manner, Jason replied, "....erm... ah... I overslept and so never go for the class... also I had a dentist appointment later to extract my wisdom tooth...."
Esther's face suddenly had a beam of light on it...
"What a coincident, I took half day leave leh, want to go for some shopping one, but since u got appointment, I'll go with u...."in a manner of a mom telling her kid off...
Jason was shocked. How could things happen so coincidentally?
"aiyah... never mind lah... I can go myself, u go do your shopping lah..."rejected Jason, but Esther was persistent and finally, Jason had to give in.
"So later 2pm I go and meet u outside your class room, okie?"
"By the way, does your teeth need some more soothing?" Esther cheekily smiles....
-= Chapter 3 =-
(The Gift)
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He who holds his own self in his eyes, but not the girl that he loves, has nothing....
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Back in the classroom, Jason was trying hard to concentrate for his lesson, but his mind is just so stubborn.
The one thing that's engulfed deeply in his mind; what's the relationship between him and Esther?
After what seems like a eternity, Jason's handphone beeps and he immediately read the freshly received msg.
The time strike 2 and the moment he steps out of the classroom, Esther was standing there waiting for him.
"Let's go..." as Esther tugged Jason's arm, following out of school and towards the MRT station...
In the dental clinic, Jason was asked to sit on the dentist chair, and the dentist begins working his hands on Jason's wisdom tooth. In between the mini operation, Esther's msg Jason from outside the room...
The msg read, "....actually... I had like u since the 1st day u talk to me in the room... I know that this seems very inappropriate as u have your own gf while I had mine.... But still, I find myself more and more inclined into loving u.... as days goes by..."....
Finally the wisdom tooth was extracted out, and the moment Jason walked out of the room, he noticed Esther gazing towards the outside of the window...
"....Ok... I'm done..." speaking in muffled voice due to the cotton wool held in his mouth.
Esther just kept quiet, busy replying msg.
J went over to the counter, after paying, Esther appears next to him, showing him a msg....
"Now let us play a little game, we shall communicate using handphone, cannot talk, if not must treat dinner, k?"
In a silly manner, Jason replied "ok...." and, that goes the game, and Jason's dinner....
While they were walking, Jason was thinking of what to eat for dinner, but before he could decide, Esther had msg him, telling him to eat liquid food, and so she held Jason's hand and brought him to a nearby food court buying him porridge...
"Since just now I tricked u, u no need to pay lah, take it as I treat u. Furthermore, the operation must have taken a chunk out of your pay, so dun spend any more money liao..." ....and after Esther finished her words, she held a spoonful of porridge to Jason and start feeding him...
After the dinner, Jason was feeling guilty as Esther had planned to shop instead of accompanying him to dentist, thus Jason suggested to go window shopping with Esther. As they were walking shop after shop, Esther was walking closer and closer to him....
....Finally...out of nowhere...Jason was holding... onto Esther's hand....
They continue walking till both of them came to a gift shop. (And females will always succumb to this type of shop, no matter where they are)
While they are window-shopping inside the shop, Esther saw a fluffy plush cat toy.
Screaming with joy, she immediately ran over and hug the toy.
"So cute hor, right? How come this toy cat and u this big cat is so different?" while pointing at Jason using the plush toy. The more Esther stands there playing with the toy, the more Jason's heart melt at her cute innocence...
He is speechless when suddenly he felt himself becoming very useless.
If everything is real, he will be betraying Steph, his wilful nature wins over....
Without giving any darn to the consequences, Jason spread his hands out and hug over her..
"Like it? If u like it, I'll buy it for u, as a compensation for spoiling your shopping spree.... With her eyes bright and shining, Esther replied....
"No need....I tomorrow go ask my bf buy for me..."after spouting this few words, she had a sorry look on her face, as though she is facing the same emotional struggle as Jason is having....
Putting a brave front, Jason replied with a tiny whisper, "k...." and starts to lead the way out of the shop, sending her home....
"So do u need me to pack your things for u?" Jason asked while packing up her room.
"Nah...I have packed almost everything already..." and there in her room, Esther is playing her favourite song, a song that will remain in Jason's heart forever...
Looking at his watch, Jason mumbled, "U sleep early ok? Tomorrow u still have to go to work early..."
And Jason left her house with an ample of sweet memories...
Later on that night, Jason was practically running towards his destination, he was trying to catch the 8:50 bus to reach the shopping mall before the gift shop closes.
However, when he reaches the shop, he discovered that he doesn't have enough money to buy the plush toy, which Esther was craving for.
Out of desperation, he ran across the street to a pub and start looking for his friend....
"Beng ah, lend me 40 bucks, tomorrow return u...."
After getting the money, he dash across the streets and back to the shopping mall, running all the way to the shop
Just when he reached there, he saw the owner of the shop pulling the gates down...
"Wait a minute! Uncle.... I just want get something for my.... for my.... gf, and it is very important, please uncle... just this once, ok?"
After a long pleading and begging session, the uncle finally relents and let Jason in.
Jason went home, thinking hard of a name to give to the plush toy cat...
-= Chapter 4 =-
(The Surprise)
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I don't know about tomorrow
I don't seem to understand
But I know who holds tomorrow
And I know who holds my hand.
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The next morning, Jason woke up earlier then usual. He rushed all his way to school so that he can give her a surprise.... 7:55am... Just nice, all was going as Jason had planned, as he knows that Esther will not be there till 8:15am.
So all Jason did was to place the plush toy on her table and wander off to the back of the room where there is a window for him to take a peek...
Minutes pass by, the cigarette in Jason's hand was smoked to the butt, and Jason is anxious to see Esther's reaction.
Suddenly, out of nowhere, Esther appeared behind Jason.
"How come u so early today? I thought your class starts at 10am?" shocked by her presence, Jason remain speechless and stunned.
Esther poached her lips together.
"I thought u promise me u gonna quit smoking? How come u still holding a cigarette in your hand? Looks like I must thoroughly spot check your whole body now..."she said in a "angry" manner, at the same time stretching out her hand to Jason's back pocket to get the whole packet of Marlboro...
Jason then asked her how did she managed to find him there...
And all she reply is, "U have this unique body scent, thus I can smell u here..." pointing to her nose while confiscating his cigarettes...
"U MEAN I HAVE BO!" Jason exclaimed....
"No lah, it is your pheromone, I think only I can catch that smell..."she says cheekily.
"U haven't tell me yet.... why are u here so early? For what?"
All Jason can do is just point through the window, and the moment she saw the plush cat, she rushed in and gave it a big hug.
"When did u bought it?" she asked while playing with the plush cat.
"Last night..."Jason replied....
Esther gazed at Jason with her bright lovely eyes, and Jason could sense the happiness within her.
"Now must give it a name...Hmm.....Since your nick is big cat, I shall call this big cat junior!!!..."
And without hesitation, she gave Jason a big hug and a deep passionate kiss on his lips....
-= Chapter 5 =-
(The Lunch)
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Somehow in fairy tales, ideals become real....
The cares and wiles of this world start to grow dim....
The harsh realities of the world become faded and dissipated....
....In the beautiful innocence of happiness, joy and childlike faith....
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Due to amount of workload... Esther is feeling tired and thus she went to her desk to take a short nap while Jason continue on with his lesson. Soon, it's lunchtime and Jason is desperate for a smoke.
He jio his two buddies; Kevin and Alvin for a short puff.
"aye... give me a stick..." Jason asked Alvin.
"Wah... what happen? So unusual of u to not have cigarette in your bag leh..." and all these while, Kevin seems very uneasy. He's so unusually quiet and he doesn't even dare to look at Jason. All he did is busy typing his sms...
Soon after, Esther called Jason, asking if he is free tonight.
Without any hesitation, Jason agreed to go out for dinner with her
While on his way to lunch with Kevin and Alvin, Jason saw Gene(a very good female friend of Jason) and they started chatting together.
"U know what? Yesterday I saw Steph leh! That b*** went out with Kevin at orchard last night!"
Feeling surprise, Jason asked about more information.
"That b*** was talking to Kevin in a very affectionate manner, and I dare say that her flirting ways are back again..." says Gene impatiently.
G still can't forget that time when Steph maligned her for flirting with Jason and thus both females are at loggerheads.
"Anyway, i think this time round it will really be the end of u two lah... I won't be surprise if she is up to anything funny..."Gene said that and walked away.
Till this point, Jason also doesn't bother much about Steph, as he had already got used to Steph's filrting every now and then, thus, without any more thoughts, he walks off to have his lunch.
Time flies, and soon it's dismissal time. Jason had arranged it in such a manner so that he wouldn't clash with Steph, as he know that if Steph saw him going out with another girl, be it if he had informed her before hand, she will still kick up a big fuss; just like what she did last time when he was out with Gene back in those days.
After several minutes of waiting, Esther appeared in front of him.
"I can smell up your scent from far away..." Esther smiling cheekily.
Esther asked Jason what he wants for dinner and both of them agreed to go for Japanese sushi...
As Jason is very lazy, he intends to go home 1st and put his back and thus Esther tagged along to his house.
Just when he reached his house, Steph called him, "Dear... u at home? I'm near your house, want to go eat dinner together?"
Jason was stunned, but immediately with a calm voice, he replied, "No, dear, I had to rush some report, tomorrow must hand up one, so I bought dinner at home..." but Steph was persistent and said, "then y not I go your home and accompany u?"
Out of desperation, Jason had to spike up another lie to cover the 1st.
"Never mind lah, I want to finish this alone, as Kevin is not helping me out at all, so I must give in my full concentration..."
Hearing all these words, Steph reluctantly hung the phone...
Taking a piece of tamago sushi, Jason hungrily devour it, while Esther slowly ework on her cold soba (female all-time favourite, don't know y also)
Through her eyes, Jason knows that something is wrong with Esther, but he decided to keep mum about it unless she want to speaks about it.
"Just now is that your gf who called u?" Esther asked.
Jason nodded.
"So do I know her? Esther looked at Jason...
"Ya... U remembered this girl who is from another module? Not very tall, and has a blonde long hair one? That's her..."
Jason answered, while fixing his eyes on the upcoming salmon sashimi.
"Oh that's her, sorry to say this but I find her very irritating and b***y...." dipping her head down, as though it is her fault....
"Don't worry, I'm used to it, but I do love her... as much as to u...." as Jason says this, his tone gets softer.
Jason knows that it is wrong to 2-timed Steph, but he just can't stop himself from liking Esther...
"What about u? How does your bf looks like?" Jason asked back, trying to change the subject bluntly.
"Well, he's a student in NUS, studying medicine, and he is much older than me... Looks wise, he is very very normal, cannot fight with either u or Kevin or Alvin, but he dotes on me a lot..."
"Oh, I see..." Jason answered, taking a sip of the hot green tea, trying hard to act nonchalant.
"I tell u something u don't angry ok? This noon he called me, and I've told him bout our baby...."
"BABY!!!??!" Jason exclaimed in shock.
"Wait a minute, I'm referring to this big cat junior... U see, last night I told him about it and just now I say I had it already, and it is given to me by u..."
"Oh....I thought what siah, never do can have baby...chey..." Jason said in a casual carefree manner.
"After I told him about it, he seems very unhappy and he want to meet up with u, so that he can return u the money for big cat junior..."
Esther said everything out with one single breath...
Jason gazed back at her with his eyes protruding out.
"Well... what I can say is your bf is just too immature, does he thinks money can buy everything? Maybe he's loaded, he might be older than me and had a stable income, but his mentality of keeping a relationship is just not there yet..."
Jason speaks in a stern manner, as he was about to continue, he noticed Esther's remorseful look and thus he gulped all his words back into his mouth.
Trying to change the whole subject of her bf and Jason's gf, Esther said, "Do u know that I like u when u r serious, your command of language improve suddenly, the normal carefree u is so carefree until u really don't care about anything. I think I'm attracted to the serious u rather then the normal u..."
Esther tried hard to change the atmosphere around them, but the sense of jealousy of one can never be diluted with just few words
After the dinner, Jason sends Esther home, consoling her not to think so much...
-= Chapter 6 =-
(The Dilemma)
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Pain is temporary. Love is forever.
The tears that you've shed for your loved ones, in sadness, in despair, are nothing to be ashamed of....
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Back on his own bed, Jason was tossing and turning around, weighing out who he loves more.
Is it Steph, who had been together with him for 1 year+ or is it his new found love Esther, who is together only for 2 weeks? Jason is so confused and tired over it...
The next day, Jason woke up as usual, remembering that Esther is having a chalet with her friends, thus he can be free from guilt and spend the whole Saturday with Steph.
Picking up the phone, he called Steph and she immediately agreed to go out, meeting noon at his house.
What Steph and Jason did was quite routine and predictable; going for a movie, followed by window shopping; the usual things couples always do. But now, the unusual thing is, both of them are busy msging. Jason is msging Esther while Steph is msging some other people. Thus, they hardly talk during this outing.
Time flies and it is 6pm. Steph says she has to go home and eat dinner as her mom is cooking, so Jason sends her back home. On the bus, Steph suddenly turns to Jason and ask why he's so quiet today and who did he keep msging?
Facing this confront, Jason told another lie, claiming that this friend of his just came back from overseas, thus they had a lot to talk.
Jason assured her that nothing is happening.
But Steph, being her usual vinegar pot and sensitive female asked if she can take a look at the incoming msg to see who it is... Jason immediately says no and put his phone away from the reach of Steph.
Steph, feeling that Jason is so unusual not giving in to her, starts throwing her tantrum throughout the bus journey, and she never even bade goodbye to Jason when she gets off the bus...
Feeling so vexed, Jason decides to go and play some computer games, while halfway playing, Esther called him up complaining that she is bored of the chalet and asked Jason if he's interested in picking her up. Since there is not much time left between the both of them, Jason agreed so that he can spend the max. amount of time with Esther before she leaves for her overseas study.
After picking her up, Jason asked her what she want to do. Esther says she want to take a bath but don't want go home, as she is still supposed to be in the chalet, thus she suggest staying overnight at Jason's house...
Back at Jason's house, Esther had just finished bathing, and Jason is happily watching TV.
Esther sat next to Jason and decided to watch TV together.
After last night tossing and turning, Jason decided that it is time to make a break to this relationship, so he asked Esther, "Esther... if I want u now to make a decision to choose between me and your bf, who would u choose?"
Esther blatantly ignores Jason but Jason is finding means and ways to make her speak.
Out of desperation, he resort to tickling Esther, unable to stand the itch, Esther gave in, stared at Jason with sorrowful eyes.
"...I really don't know... I like both of u and I'm happy with both of u... I know it is very selfish of me but I wished u had never asked me this question just now...." holding back her tears when she said this words out...
Jason felt heartbroken, not because that she is unable to make a decision, but because he felt he is adding salt to Esther's wounds by asking the question.
"...But we can't stay like this forever... U being a 2nd gf of mine behind Steph back, while me, is just another substitute for your bf...." Jason whispered in Esther's ears, while giving her a warm smoothing hug.
"I know.... It is really very hard for me to make a decision cause I wished if we were to end this, I rather u make the decision... so that can at least feel better that i didn't hurt u...."
"...No matter who make the decision, there will be someone whose going to get hurt.... U, in the middle will hurt, choosing me will hurt your bf and vice versa... but it all depends on whether u are willing to bear with the damage or not..." Jason explain to Esther...
Esther replied, "...From u, I get all the happiness and security which I can't get from my bf, that I have to admit... As for my bf, we are so long together already, and I would be letting him down if I were to choose u... That's y it is so hard for me to choose..."
Sensing a ray of hope, Jason said, "...then have u ever wondered that u r staying with your bf because u r just used to liking him instead of truly loving him....?"
Esther just stayed quiet, tears can be seen rolling down the cheeks....
Jason hugged Esther again, and at the same time, using his fingers to wipe away the tears flowing down her cheeks...
"...Be it no matter what, as long as u haven't make the decision, I will not give in without a fight.... That u should know it..." Esther nodded her head, "Just give me some more time and maybe I can sort it out.....?"
Esther rests her head on Jason's warmth chest. Soon, she stopped crying and falls asleep in Jason's arm...
-= Chapter 7 =-
(The Tear)
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Guy said, "I promise I'll never make my loved one cry for me."
Girl replied, "But my tears are only meant for the one I loved..."
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Morning has dawned and Jason is together with Esther on the beach, holding each other hands and looking at the sunrise. Esther has woke up in the middle of the night and since Jason house is near to a beach, she suggested to go to the beach and view the morning break sunrise together.
"So when are u leaving?" Jason asked Esther
"...Somewhere in another month time...." Esther hung a frown on her face, "but before I leave, I want u to do something....." requested Esther.
Jason looked at her with traces of suspicion. "I want u to get a new bed, your old bed is so small to fit u n me, u know? I wonder how do u n Steph...." ...she stops until here, without saying a word....
"Ok, I'll change it, provided when u r with me... and both of us stop talking about our next half, deal?" Jason replied with a forced smile on his face
Looking at Esther, Esther turned back, "deal" and both of them had a long, deep passionate kiss...
Back in school, Jason continues to work on his final year project as Kevin hasn't been helping him out for a long time, Jason reckons Kevin must be too busy with his own work so he decides to do all the thing by himself.
While he was rushing, Gene came in and saw Jason, together with Esther helping Jason in an intimate manner...
"Wah.... so my good old darling here has finally found a someone new... good for u...." Jason turns his head in embarrassment and look at Esther.
Esther immediately walked away.
Gene sat down and start to chat with Jason, "Darling, u got find anything funny about Kevin this few months?"
(Jason and Gene are not romantically involved with one another, they just like to call each other darling for fun.)
"Kevin? Well.... I think this few months quite busy with his work, as he hardly helps out with the project but never mind lah, he's is in a worse state than me as he is also supporting himself alone by working part time.." Jason giving his point of view.
"Oh..... I see I see.... oook... " Gene saying nothing and continue to help Jason.
"Then what about that b*** of yours leh?"
"Erm... she's also busy with the final year project lah as her's is not done yet i heard, speaking about that, how come all of us are so busy yet only u so eng?"
Jason asked Gene, "Oh, no lah, cause mine is almost done liao mah and mine is not done in here too, is at the same room with that b*** of yours..."
"I see..." Jason exclaimed.
"Pardon me for saying this lah, these few weeks hor, I saw that b*** going off quite early leh and got once u know what I saw? I saw Kevin sending Steph home with his bike leh..."
Feeling nothing wrong with it, Jason just shrugs it off.
"Aiyah, maybe it's along Kevin's way mah, just send her home lor.... Nothing wrong one lah..... Kevin told me before that Steph is not his type and furthermore, I trust he would not be so despicable to snatch his buddy's gf one, no matter what happen..."
With that in mind, Gene kept quiet and went on to help Jason.
Esther came back, seeing Gene still there, went back to her office in a playful mood.
Gene went over to Esther and started talking to her and Gene seems very amicable to Esther thus they started gossiping..."Actually lah, tell u all the truth lah, both of u the relationship is actually a well known secret liao.. but relax... my module doesn't know anything yet.. So just keep it that way and it will be fine lah... oh.. Got to go for my lesson liao... buai..."and with that Gene rush off for her lesson, leaving Jason and Esther in the room....
As time goes by, Jason spent more and more time with Esther in the room, he would always sit next to Esther in her office using the com and Esther will just likewise sit close to him, occasionally holding his hand or leaning against him.
Deadline of stage 2 project is due soon. Jason need to get pictures of his own project to submit together with his report, but due to his laziness, he don't know how to use the machine which is inside the darkroom and thus Esther had to lend him a hand.
When they are inside, Esther gazed at Jason's tall built figure and Jason is feeling very ueasy.
He asked Esther, "Why stare at me like that?"
Esther replied, "I'm afraid, afraid that when I'm gone, to other country to further my studies... I would never see u again...." speaking until here, Esther is choking on her tears...
"Don't be silly, Didnt I promise u that during the holidays, I'll make a trip down to visit u? U also promise me that once u got your phone, I'll be the 1st on your list to call?"
"I'm putting alot of trust in this relationship... although......."Jason looked away, pretending to meddle with the camera.
Esther reached out and hug Jason and she felt water droplets dripping onto her fine silky hair.
She was shocked, as she never imagined that a guy like Jason would actually weep over a relationship...
Although it was dark, she can imagine the expression Jason has and how determine Jason is towards this relationship, this just make Esther love Jason even more and Esther gave a short kiss on Jason's lips, promising him that what he said just now would be fulfilled.
After finishing the picture taking session, Jason walked out of the dark room without showing his face to Esther
At the same time, he saw Kevin walking in getting ready for lesson and he also heard Steph talking to her friends outside. Esther pretended as if nothing had happened and proceeds back to the office.
"Kevin! gia..Let's go for a smoke..." Jason shouted to Kevin while throwing a glance at Esther. Determined to hide everything, he went to Esther and tells her off that he is of no concern to her so whether he smokes or not is not up to her to decide. But Kevin just sat rooted to his chair, reply a no to Jason without looking at him.
At the same time... Steph came in....
-= Chapter 8 =-
(The Suspicion)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Love is all about giving and sacrificing, not conquering...
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Steph immediately ran to Jason, holds his hand, and at the same time, cheekily pull his ear; scolding him why so long also never call her or go out with her. Jason, on being a peaceful guy, just let her do whatever she wants. Steph finally stop pulling his ears and demand Jason not to go to work tonight so that he can accompany her, and thus Jason agreed to it but not before throwing some glances over to Esther, noticing her jealous face...
After school ends, Jason walked out of the room.
Instead of Esther, Steph is standing there waiting for him to go for dinner. Just as they are walking., Jason's handphone starts to beep and soon he is engrossed in msging Esther again. The same goes for Steph, however, this time round, Jason decided to kpo and see who she is msging.
Jokingly, he ask Steph who it is that she has been msging so frequently. Steph was stunned as Jason had never asked her about her social circle of friends before.
"Herm.... aye.. u don't know one lah... second school friend..."
"...oh is it?" Jason proclaims, but nothing can stop a wily crafty Jason now, holding Steph's hand, he took her for window-shopping. As what he had planned, he had Steph leaning against the mirror and from the reflection he finally saw the number on the handphone...
Jason heaved a sigh of relief, as the number appeared is not Kevin's handphone no.
Jason then brought Steph to shop. Maybe it's due to his guilt; normally he would hardly buy so many clothes and accessories for Steph, but for that day, he brought her many clothes and other stuff.
Steph never suspect anything, thinking that maybe he has changed to treat her better and thus all she just bought whatever that she wants...
As days goes by, Jason is counting the number of days he is left with Esther, less than 2 weeks and she will be gone.
Esther will make time out to accompany Jason and to juggle between him and her bf.
Once, both of them were walking hand in hand in orchard when suddenly, Esther saw two of her good friends. Immediately, she shrug her hands off and ask Jason to avoid walking towards them.
At that moment, Jason was feeling very frustrated, but all he can do is to buried the sorrows deep inside his heart.
In order to avoid them, Esther and Jason walked into a sport shop, pretending to shop for shoes.
When Jason saw a soccer jersey and like it almost immediately.but he do have the money to buy as his pay wasn't in at that point, when suddenly, from Jason's corner of the eye, he saw Steph, walking together with Brad, who is a classmate of his... and behaving intimately....
-= Chapter 9 =-
(The Jersey)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I don't know about tomorrow...
I just live from day to day...
I don't borrow from its sunshine...
For its skies may turn to grey...
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Jason wanted to walk up front to confront Steph, but he knew that situation does not allow him to do so. All he can do is just standing at one corner... and watch.
After Steph amd Brad walked off, Jason came out of the shop with Esther.
He realised that thing isn't that simple afterall. He then remembered what Gene had told him before... but all he cares for now is to spend more time with Esther....
After doing some shopping as well as hide and seek with Steph, both Jason and Esther were feeling hungry and so they decided to went for dinner, just as they were deciding what to eat, Esther recieved a call.
After that call, she looked at Jason remorsefully, "My bf just called... he booked a table at mandarin hotel for both of us to have dinner...." Jason knows that it is time to bid good bye for the day. He kissed her on her lips, at the same time, asking her not to worry so much...
After biding goodbye to Esther, Jason went around frantically, searching for Steph and Brad.
Finally he found her at a sushi bar and Brad is feeding Steph with an unagi sushii. All of which is seen inside the eyes of Jason. He held his temper on, telling himself that maybe they are just close platonic friends.
Thus he waited on and continue to follow them wherever they go, until when Brad sends Steph home.
At that point of time, Jason couldn't hold on anymore as he has seen enough. He saw Brad holding Steph's hands and giving a goodnight kiss to Steph...
Jason wanted to step out and confront her, but he knows that they will ask him how come he's there
So all Jason did is to walk away, smoking his cigarette, thinking of what he can do.
He tried means and ways to comfort himself, giving reasons that is unaccepted by anybody. But he don't care, he just want to keep a blank mind about everything now..... except for Esther...
Upon reaching home, he took a hot bath to cool down his feelings and thoughts, but he just couldn't calm himself down. When all of a sudden, his handphone rang, it is Esther.
He immediately picked up the phone and started chatting with her, telingl her what he saw and asking her how is the dinner with her boyfriend. She just kept very quiet, then she asked Jason if she can go over to his house?...
Half an hour later, there is a knocking on the door and Jason opened the door with ethusiasm.
There stood Esther, out of nowhere, she took out a paper bag and handed over to Jason.
"Go and try it out...." Esther whispered.
To Jason's surprise, it is the soccer jersey that he saw just now....
-= Chapter 10 =-
(The Third Party)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Jason looked at Ester with a dazed look. He never expected Ester to buy the jersey for him...His heart is even more confused than before? Does he really love Ester? or?
Ester urged Jason to try the jersey on. Jason halfjokingly said he needs help to try it on. Ester reached out for the jersey in Jason's hands, and helped him to try it on.
'Looks great on you!' Ester said.. Jason looked at Ester, his heart already touched more than a million times... Jason then proceeded to
hold Ester's hands and say' I really appreciate it'. Ester replied' i knew you will like it!'
It began drizzling outside... 'It's getting late, why not you stay here for the night' Jason suggested to Ester.
"is it convenient?" asked Ester. 'No problem, my parents have went oversea and will be back only next month'. Ester considered for a while: should she stay or leave? If stay, will it be a betrayal to her boyfriend? 'Ester, i miss you' says Jason, and proceeded to kiss Ester passionately onn the lips. "Clack', at this moment, the door opens...
Stef was standing at the door, shocked and heartbroken by what she saw....
=Chapter 11=
(The discovery)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Jason quickly let go of Ester. Stef was speechless at what she saw.
Jason also did not know what to say. Some things are not meant to say now.
But he knows that his heart is divided between Ester and Stef, and he had to make a choice then.
Jason knew that this was it-the moment of inner confrontation.
He finally mastered the courage to force himself to say’ Stef, I do not like Ester at all! I was playing along with her as she keep pestering me, and she initiated the move’, while saying this
After a moment of silence, Jason noticed from the corner of his eye that Ester kept quiet, with a glimpse of tear on her beautiful face.
‘Yes, I was the one who pestered your Jason! I will not pester him again!’ Ester hastily walked to the door without turning back and left…
Outside the rain was getting heavier.
-=Chapter 12=-
(Confusion)
What is love all about?
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Jason did not know what to do. He was lost for a moment in his own world. He did not notice Stef walking towards him…
‘Piak’ the slap woke Jason. ‘Why did you go for a fling outside? Who do you really love? Answer me!’ screamed Ester as tears rolled from the corners of her hurtful eyes.
‘Stef, I did not... Ester has been pestering me for a long time, I had wanted to get rid of her a long time but she clings on to me like a leech, Today she said she would commit suicide if she could not see me! I had no choice’ Jason tried to explain, reaching out his arms to embrace Ester, who was red eyed. ‘I promise to keep off contact from her from now onwards ok, I swear! Please trust me the last time!’ Jason used his innocent eyes to try his best to say he was innocent from the staring to the end. ‘Muack’ Jason kisses Stef on the lips, and one thing led after the other. Soon they were on the bed,’ I promise to love you for the rest of your life’ Jason said. Being soft hearted, Stef relented….
The next morning, Jason sent Stef home. Stef was in a happier mood today. She told Jason to keep his promise.
“What should I do now’’ Jason pondered, clearly confused as to who does he actually love. STef was his first love and were pretty and looked the perfect girlfriend.
With Ester, it was another totally different feeling. Ester brought sunshine to his life, he really felt happy when he was with Ester and believed ester felt the same way too.
‘Ring Ring, Ring Ring……. Jason tried to contact ester on her mobile…
On the other end, Ester was sitting in the living room, eyes still red and swollen after a night of insomnia from the dilemma if whether to continue with Jason. She also felt comfortable with Jason and felt he was the right guy for her. But is she doing the right thing, is she being a third party? She looked at her mobile, it was Jason calling…. Should she listen? Ester fingers with the phone and finally against her wished, pressed reject call…
‘Beep, please leave a voice message after the tone.’ Jason could not reach Ester...
-=Chapter 13=-
(fate crossed lovers)
Chasing love may bring much disappointment... Chasing love may bring pain... yet... yet love is worth every single one of the sacrifices you make... isn't it? For without love, what more are we than mere automations?
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
It’s 4am in the morning. Kevin was smoking at the void deck, thinking of Stef. Stef is a nice girl…with all the sleeky curves and angelic face.. Which guy in this world doesn’t want her? Yet am I wrong to go out with stef? Stef is Jason’s gf. Will I betray him? Will this affect our friendship if he knows about it? What will he do?
“You are always gonna be my love, Itsuka dareka to mata koi ni ochitemo” Kevin’s line of thought was awaken by Hikaru’s
Stef! Kevin saw who it was, and quickly pressed yes. “Kevin… Jason have a girl in his heart, sobs.. he bullied me....can we meet up.. c you at old pace,k?” As Tomorrow was Kevin’s offday, he was eager to meet Stef, although in Kevin’s mind, he knows that Stef does not treat him well, only a part time bf.. Kevin changed to his tshirt n jeans and took a cab down to meet Stef at the ‘lau di fang’
When he reached Stef’s void deck, Stef was already there. Stef had red swollen eyes. “Kevin, I missed u….” , and hugs Kevin, who was a bit taken aback. “Don’t u miss me?” asked Stef “Jason that playboy, he cheated me of my feelings, and toyed with another girl..sobs... Kevin embraced Stef, who was now practically hugging Kevin tightly. “Stef, what happened” and Stef told Kevin all about Jason and Ester..
It was 7am. “ Let’s go for breakfast at mac” Stef agreed and kissed Kevin on the lips.”Muack, this is for u, thanks for being with me” said Stef, with a naughty look on her face… Kevin kissed her too.. then after breakfast said goodbye to stef, who took a cab home.
Even though Kevin practically didn’t sleep the previous nite, he was still very happy that Stef came and find him.. even though he knows that Stef may not have true feeling sfor him, he dont mind. The thought of just being with Stef made him happy, that he can even ignore about Jason's feelings totally."when will i c stef again" pondered Kevin
-=Chapter 14=-
~~~~~~~~~~
(Memories of the beach)
If someone comes into ur life & becomes a part of you but for some reasons she couldn't stay don't cry too much... Just be glad that ur paths crossed & somehow she made you happy even for awhile... Time will tell... If she's yours she will surely come back
~~~~~~~~~~
Jason went to the beach today and thought about his relationship with Stef and Ester. Who is truly his love? Stef seems cold sometimes, yet Ester is the one who he feels always happy with. Is this what we call love? Jason still remember how he n stef met…
“Hey Jason” Jason looked around, oh it’s kevin. “what’s up dude”asked Jason. “today first day of school, must go bio the chio bus ok? Get a gf lar, or else no face lei,..” grinned Kevin
It was the first day of jc1. Jason n Kevin managed to clear their “O” levels n went on to sajc..It was a totally new environment. Jc life was.. much more freedom than sec sch.. the campus was bigger too, and more girls to bio, haha..
Still in their sec sch uniform, Jason n kevin happened to be in same orientation group. “come let’s play the musical chair” Alex, their OG leader, tells the group to play ice breaking games..
“dun want lar, so boring!” Jason said loudly.. nevertheless he joined in.. the game started. When the music stopped, the parcel landed on Jason’s lap. The rule is whoever gets the parcel when the music stop had to do a dare or truth. Jason chose ‘dare’. He opened the paper n saw this message
“ Kiss the girl who is sitting on the left of u”
!!! Liao liao! Jason said, he didn’t really go n look around who is his og friends yet.. Now he glanced at the girl sitting on the left side of him…
What Jason saw was a beautiful girl, fair skinned, and slim.. “ waiting for what!” Alex exclaimed…
“You dun mind me kiss u lightly on cheek, k” Jason tells the girl
The girl shook her head..Jason proceeded to peck the girl on her right cheek, and he saw a slight red flush on the girl’s face…as he kissed..
“I’m Jason, u r..? sorry just now.. erm u know, play gameslar..”Jason try to talk to the girl who he kissed just..
“I’m Stef”….from then on, Jason got to know Stef and become friends..
“can we meet this Saturday?” asked Jason when he met Stef 2 weeks 5 days later, in school after Jason’s guitar lesson...Stef say ok… meet at beach 5pm…
It was Saturday.. Jasin did not want to be late, he left his house at 2pm.. n reached the beach at 4.35pm..his heart was pumping.. he knew he had a crush on stef, and stef had given him a chance by agreeing to meet him.. this was his chance! Let everything goes well, he hoped,..
“Hi..!” Stef’s voice startled Jason out of his thoughts. “did u wait long?” asked Stef. “ok lor” when Jason had actually waited for Stef 50 minutes… they sat at the bench n chatted till sunset. Jason found Stef to be very chatty, n then they felt hungry.. at 8.15pm, they left the beach n went Mac to grab some food.. then later Jason sent Stef home. “I enjoyed myself today” says Stef with a smile… “Me too” Jason smiled back.. From then on, Jason dated Stef a few times, and finally on 14th February 1998, after one year of courtship, Jason managed to win Stef’s heart..
This is the beach where Jason n Stef first met…
Time goes by..Back to the present.. Jason sat at the same spot where he first met Stef, and tears flows to his eyes, when he thought of what has happened so far…
-=Chapter 15=-
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The unexpected call
++ What do u do when u find out that the person that u love most has decided not to be with u? ++
‘Ring Ring…Ring…”
“Who’s that” Jason answered his mobile. “Hi! Is this Jason?” a soft lady voice spoke over the phone.
“Ya speaking. Who is this?” Jason asked...
“I am Stella, ester’s good friend. She asked me to tell u something...” Stella hesitated to carry on…
“What is it? Just say it” Jason sensed something is amiss…
“Er...ester she asked me to inform u that she has left Singapore, and will not be back...” Stella spoke with a sad tone...
“What! Are you serious?” where is she now?” Jason’s mind was thinking about Ester now…
“She has left”… Stella said…
“When?” Jason urgently asked…
“Just only”….she will be taking the 9pm flight, a terminal one tonight to New York. Actually she told me to call u after she leaves Singapore, but she has told me about u and I feel that if u now go and find her back, u will still have a chance… KAP! The line went dead. Halo Jason r u there??? Halo…” Stella encouraged Jason. But Jason had already hung up...
It was already 8.35pm.Jason started his NSR SP150 and speeded all the way from the west to change terminal…clocking 170km/hr. It was the fastest he had ever speeded on the expressway. “I have to make it n see ester!” Jason hoped that he can reach the terminal in time…. “Vroom! Vroom…”the throttle kept turning..
-=Chapter 16=-
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The departure
++ Leaving you is for the good of both of us. I do not want to drag any more and hurt the three of us…)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Jason checked his watch [8.55pm] He had reached the terminal, and now struggle to find his way to find Ester. Ester had apparently cancelled her handphone line. Now Jason is like looking for a pin in a haysack…5 minutes before the plane leaves..
Ester where r u? Jason’s heart was in a daze now. How can u say leave then leave? Have u ever spared a thought for me? At least we can talk things out.
Jason ran from one end to the other, trying to look for ester.
“attention all passengers of flight 5632 to New York, last reminder” please alight now, the PA sounded.
“Flight 5632, ya! It may be the flight ester is taking!” Jason rushed to the departure area.. hoping to c ester..
No sign of ester…maybe she boarded the flight already? Oh god, at least let me c her! Jason now panicked, n he tried to convince the staff that he had to look for an important person in his life.
He was refused entry….
Just then, he heard a plane take off….he looked at his watch
- 9pm –
Jason stood rooted, tears flowing to his full faced Arai helmet, his heart shattered by the thought of ester gone from his life..
-=Chapter 17=-
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The departure
+++ Leaving you is for the good of both of us. I do not want to drag any more and hurt the three of us…)+++
Jason sat down at the terminal, thinking that Ester is now gone forever from his life. He kept blaming himself for the departure of ester. It’s his fault that he did not make efforts to keep ester… quietly Jason’s tears kept flowing silently till they dried.. When the tears dried, his heart had become numb to pain of loss… He didn’t go home till the next morning…
~~~A few days later...
he received a letter. His heart anticipated, hoping it was from ester. Maybe ester didn’t leave Singapore after all? A 1% chance of hope flashed across Jason’s mind. He started to read the letter...
Dear Jason,
“By the time u has read this letter, I have already left Singapore. I have seriously considered our relationship, and I think it is best if I leave u. leaving you is for the good of us. I do not want to drag any more and hurt the three of us…
I have really been very happy during the times I spent with you, and I know you feel the same too. These beautiful memories I will keep and cherish in my heart. Time will pass, but I will remember…Don’t bother to look for me. I will not be returning back to Singapore. (Jason’s eyes are blurred again by his watery tears)
Forget me and stay with stef. She is a nice girl. Forgive me for my departure.
Do take care always”
With Love,
Ester…
-=Chapter 18=-
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The aftermath
The poison of the heart is not knowing what one wants… True love is hard to find. What is love?
Jason spent the next days by himself alone, deep in melancholy. Many questions flashed across his mind. There are many things he wanted to ask ester, but what difference will it make now? She has already left. He felt emptiness and loneliness in his heart. Walking along the beach, he asked himself is he to blame for ester’s departure? Should he continue with Stef?
After many days of loneliness, Jason wanted to let the past be bygone and continue with his life again. The pain is still in his heart, but he hoped that time will reduce the pain...
He knew that he could not be with stef anymore as his heart can only be with ester. Even though ester had left, he still had hope that they will meet each other someday someplace.
“Stef, I have something to tell u” Jason finally mustered his courage.
“What is it” stef replied
“Stef, I have to be honest with u. I was seeing someone when I was together with u, and I realized that my heart is with her. I couldn’t stop myself from thinking of her. I am very happy when I am with her” Jason tried to say in a calming tone...
Silence...no reply from stef
-=Chapter 19=-
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
++Hurt++
Stef couldn’t accept what Jason tried to tell her…she left with tears in her eyes...
‘What I have done again? Why do I always make girls cry? Am I really that bad? I just have to make a choice. By telling stef how I feel, it will be fair to her. Short pain is better than long pain. Dragging on to both parties will be just hurtful and painful to the heart.’ Jason wondered ..
A few nights later, Stef called Jason n said that she couldn’t bear to lose him and she will take 5 boxed of sleeping pills if he doesn’t come to meet her..
“Stef, are u ok?’ Jason met stef at the old place..
Stef was apparently pale, looked like she didn’t sleep for some nights. The moment Jason spoke, Stef threw herself into Jason’s arms and sobbed..
“ Please don’t leave me can? Stef sobbed uncontrollably….
Jason did not say anything, he hoped that Stef can find solace in his arms….
“ I had to let u know. It would be unfair to u if I had another girl in my heart” Jason told Stef
“ I don’t mind, what’s in the past let it be past. I still love u and I hope that we can still be together” Stef said in a choking voice..
Jason was confused.. He knew that stef had seen other guys when he was together with her. This he can forgive also.. But then what about ester, the girl who stole his heart? Jason wanted to give in, n try to work things out. After all, he n stef had been together for quite some time…BUT he knew he will not.
“ We can remain as friends” Jason told stef, w/o looking into her eyes, as he is afraid to c her tears again…
“NO! I still love u!” stef hugged Jason n kissed him on his lips…Jason tried to stop himself from kissing. He kept his lips shut, so he could not feel. He did not stop stef from kissing him as he thought that this is the last thing he can give to stef..
Stef sort of realized that Jason is adamant to leave her…Finally she let go of Jason…she looked into Jason’s eyes….
“ I have to leave. You must take care ok? “ Jason this time finally turned himself away from Stef and walked into the rainy road slowly.. He knew that this was it. Every step brings him further away from stef. Yet he knew he must do it.
“Jason!” stef shouted
Jason was tempted to look back and embrace stef one last time, but he didn’t; step by step, he reached the main road, where he took a cab home, tears welling from the corners of his eyes…
-=Chapter 20=-
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Ester?
++Love will not wait. Memories will stay in the heart.++
It’s been 2 years since the departure of Ester.. Jason had graduated, and he was waiting to ORD, and enter uni that year. He had been sent to CDO camp and the training had gruelled him into a fit and a man who can think on his feet.. (Skipped the army part to concentrate on the love part)
Today was Valentine Day 14/02. Jason spent his time in the shopping malls, trying to reduce the pain in his heart. But all he saw was couples behaving mushy mushy in their own ways.. Mistake.. he shouldn’t come out today,, coz he was single and seeing the couples made him remember the times he spent with ester…window shopping, Jason saw the pooh bear, which brought him memories…
“Jason I really like this pooh bear, so cute just like u!” ester said…
“erm… m I that round?” Jason said…
“ u say lei? Ya lor keke…” Ester grinned
such was the days when he was together with ester
“ ouch!” Jason heard a woman yell, followed by “piang, poom”
Jason turned his gaze to the direction of the sound.. A woman had just dropped her files and she had fallen down…
Jason retrieved her files and tried to pass it back to the girl, who had her back towards Jason.
“ thank you” The girl turned and faced Jason.
For a moment, Jason was stunned. The girl had a remarkable resemblance to ester. but the girl did not seem to recognize Jason..
“ester? Jason asked..
“har? ‘ the girl replied…
“ I think u got the wrong person, but anyway thanks for helping me to pick my files
“ oh…it’s ok..” Jason replied, still having a gazed look on his face. He just told himself there are many people who look alike to one another..
-=Chapter 21=-
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
dreams are made of these
++my love is all I have to give++
valentine day…
Jason dressed in his smartest suit and sprayed some cologne on his clothes.. Today is valentine day! Yes! He can spend a whole day with ester, a whole day, can u imagine!
They fixed at 2pm.. city hall control..
Jason arrived early.. there were not much pple at the control.. maybe it was still early and the crowd will come later in the evening.. Jason was excited. He had bought a meteor ring for ester, to show his love for ester. it was a beautiful ring. he had specially sought out many shops to get it. he had also a matching one, just sizes are bigger. He wore size 8, while the size 6 ring was meant for ester…
Jason checked his watch. 2.30pm.. it was unusual for ester to be late.. maybe she was caught in traffic jam, he thought to himself.. while imagining happily how ester will feel and react when she wore the ring later…^_^
3pm..ester finally arrived. Ester was ravishing, and looked absolutely fabulous in that pink skirt of hers..
“sorry for being late, had my hair done at reds, there’s a long queue” ester said
“its ok.. ‘ Jason replied
Then they proceeded to see a movie, then after the movie a candlelit dinner..
Ester, u look great today! Jason whispered…
“Thanks! u too! Ester blushed…
soon, it was night.. ester and Jason went for a stroll at botanic gardens.. they found a bench and sat there to chat..
“ester I have something for u” Jason grinned
“what is it?” asked ester
“ close your eyes first” don’t open k” promise?” Jason said
“ok, promise’ ester closed her eyes..
Jason then took out the ring from his pocket and put it on Ester’s right ring finger..
“ wow! That’s beautiful” ester smiled happily…
“ I love u ” Jason then gave ester a peck on her cheeks..
what a wonderful feeling.. being together with someone u love and being loved in return….the scenery was getting blur
ester tried to say something to Jason, but somehow Jason couldn’t hear what ester was saying…Jason thought it was ester trying to form the words: I love u too” judging from her lips expression..
ester then kissed Jason on the lips… French kissing………………………………
-=Chapter 22=-
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
++2nd chance?++
I love u ester…Jason felt cotton on his lips.. it was
A dream… a beautiful one that is…
He was actually kissing his pillow~! Can’t imagine it man! A big man kissing a pillow?
Jason didn’t want to wake up from this beautiful dream.. He wanted to stay in that dream and replay the times his n ester spent together…
Haiz.. that was just one of the many dreams of ester Jason still have ..
Jason picked up drawing recently. He liked to draw portraits of pple, as he realized that portraits of pple brings out the soul in them.. he had drawn many portraits of ester, and one of stef…
Jason also thought about the meeting with ‘ester’ at the shopping mall that valentine day. is she ester? But she claim she don’t know me.. ha-ha.. I must be dreaming too much recently.. it’s been 2 years.. I must have recognized the wrong person…
Jason drew a portrait of ester based on his memory of ester.. ester was so demure. He longed to tell her once again that he loved her. These 2 years, attempts to contact her proved to be futile. Jason didn’t give up at all.. even if ester found a new bf, he still wants to meet her.. then only Jason will be happy.
One day..
-=Chapter 23=-
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
++why must fate play on people who love each other? Tell me why???++
“remember me? I am Stella…” Jason answered his phone..
‘Stella…Stella….oh I remember! U r ester’s friend! Suddenly Jason feel hope rising…
“ how’s ester?” anxiously asked Jason…
Silence at the other end of phone.. halo halo? Jason thought his phone not working properly..
‘ya.. I called to tell u about ester..”..stella sounded sad…
“there are good and bad news..” which one u want to listen first? Stella asked
“good news lor.. quick!” Jason said
“the good news is that ester had returned to Singapore”
‘really! Where is she now? Have u met up with her?” Jason can hardly contain his excitement…
“wait let me finish first..” Stella sounded a bit irritated for being interrupted abruptly..
“ I have not seen ester,.. but she sent me a letter 6 months back saying she will be returning to Singapore.. that was the only time I received any news from ester. but she didn’t call me, n her old contact is not valid anymore..” Stella said
“ then what is the bad news?” asked Jason….
“ in her letter, ester mentioned about her life , and she said that she actually missed u a lot when she was overseas.. and she wanted to c u… she hoped to meet up with u when she returned to Singapore…then..” Stella hesitated..
“ tell me, Stella, what happened” Jason is very concerned now..
“ ester.. she mentioned something..” Stella is still reluctant to say what did ester day in the letter..
“ tell me please, I long to hear news from her, be it good or bad, I can take it!” Jason anxiously awaited Stella to continue..
“ester..she..she…. mentioned that she is suffering from an illness that causes her to forget things.. she suspect it is brain tumour..at this point Stella broke down..”
Jason was shocked. cannot believe what he had just heard
__________________
-=Chapter 24=-
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
++The Reunion++
my wish granted…. Ester n Jason
Jason was lost… he asked Stella is it confirm that ester had brain tumor.. Stella said that ester has gone for a medical checkup which is pending results..
the second time he met ester…
Jason was quite of a loner nowadays.. going out by himself alone.. seldom with friends.. coz he wanted to be alone by himself..
he went to a church, and met the girl in the pooh store..
“hi! I am Jason, r u new here?” Jason asked..
‘ester’ looked at Jason n nodded…
‘ester’ came alone to the church apparently..
‘do u mind if I sit down beside u?” Jason asked,
‘ester’ shook her head..
: what’s yr name?” Jason asked
“ ester” ‘ester’ replied
Jason was convinced that this is the ester he had been waiting for, judging from the way ‘ester’ talks and he can still remember the mole on her right cheek, which this ‘ester’ also have.
soon the church session started, and they don’t have much chance to talk to each other..
-=Chapter 25=-
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++pain++
pain is temporary?
ester asked to share jason’s bible.. jason agreed, and took out his bible to share with ester.
Jason glanced at ester many times..
Soon the church service was over…
‘go for lunch?” jason asked ester.
‘ok…’ester replied
‘ ester, do u know me?jason asked, hoping that ester will.
“ ya,u r jason right?” ester said. ‘that’all I know about u”
“do u recall we met 2 years back?” jason asked
“no..”
Jason felt very sad that ester cannot remember who he is. Jason’s heart felt pain, akin to that being stabbed by a sharp knife. What happened? Is it because of the brain tumour thing?
Tears flowed from the corner of jason’ eyes…
“what happened? Why r u crying? R u feeling sad? Ester asked..
Jason don’t know how to reply ester..” oh… my eyes are sensitive.. sometimes tears will just flow..”
-=Chapter 26=-
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
++I tried..++
jason tried to revive ester’s memory, but to no avail so far.. they will meet at church every Sunday…n jason will try to talk about things that happened between him and ester … but ester seemed not to remember anything at all…
‘ remember this?’ jason asked
“ pooh bear.. very cute lei” ester smiled..
“ do u remember u say me very cute like the bear? Jason asked..
“ no…” ester said..
: how come u keep saying that we know each other in the past and I have no memory of that at all..” ester asked..
“I think is because of the brain thing..” jason replied with sadness
ester said her head hurts when she tried to think of the past..jason asked her ot to think. And jason tried less to bring back the memories..jason really hoped that God will perform a miracle and save ester. He is willing to sacrifice himself for the return of ester;s memories..
++it is a very sad thing indeed to watch someone u love not responding at all to your actions and feelings..the pain, the hurt and the tears..++
ester also told jason that she is suffering from a brain disease.. n she had an operation before.. she thought it was cured, but it returned again…now she is working to raise the money for a second operation in Singapore..
jason thought that he can help.. so he took up many jobs to try to raise $ for ester;s operations..
day n nite he slogged.. he doesn’t mind tiredness.. and juggling schwork with his jobs.. he just wished that he can manage to raise the funds by next year..
the amount of the operation is not small..
-=Chapter 27=-
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
++I don’t know about what is going to happen and I can only hope for the best....++
recently stef contacted jason, and asked to meet up. Jason agreed. He wondered how stef is..
at coffeebean… ‘hey u look tired..’ stef smiled at jason
‘u still look as pretty as ever, now got stead ya?..” jason asked..
“ya.. now I am with peter…” stef said…
++to jason, stef is now only a friend n he sensed that stef has let go of the past.. he is really glad for her and wish her happiness always..++
-=Chapter 28=-
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
++The end....++
May all find their true love…
As jason is typing this, he seeks peace and solace in his writing and his thoughts about his love ester, and the past of stef, and the betrayal of kevin… Jason knows that there will be a time when ester will recognize him as he was to her before.. but he doesn’t know when it will come. Also the operation has its own risks.. there is a chance of death from overbleeding.. jason hoped for the best. He knew that God has helped him by bringing ester back to his life. And he will cherish her, now and forever. If ester still cannot remember the past after the operation, then jason will just accept as it is and try to chase ester all over again. There are many ‘ifs’ in Jason’s mind.. but he doesn’t want to think about it..
Jason hopes that his story will inspire couples in love to always cherish and treasure each other, not take each other for granted and maybe there will some of u who have found yourself in similar situations. What I can say is that do not worry. There will be a time for everything. There is no need to find that someone for God will bring him/her to u.
I have cried many times and spent countless sleepless nights. Sometimes I cannot focus on my studies too, juggling both work and studies. But I have accepted it. Love is unconditional.
Will I continue this thread? I don’t have an idea, because the future is unknown. I am also afraid of writing things that may turn out to be sad. Tomorrow is Sunday.. I will meet ester for the third time..
What makes me write all this in one shot? For me, I will have to go to a dark place soon. And I will not be able to post in this forum anymore. I feel sad, yes, but I have to go. Truly a man’s strength is in his will. I will try to overcome this darkness in this period of unrest.
The hurt and memories remain, but there will be a future, a future for both ester and me.
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