“MY CHICKLIT / CHICKFLICK MOMENTS BEFORE THE TIME OF CORONA” in "SHORTS"

Alright, let’s talk about some light stuff now. People have been stressing out about this Covid-19 pandemic quite a lot lately. It’s very understandable, but let’s catch a short break with this chicklit / chickflick moment of mine:

I didn’t want to talk about this at first, but I’ve gotten really bored lately.

So, I met this guy at work one Saturday morning. No, we don’t work in the same company. That Saturday, we just happened to share the same floor of the co-working space before my company later moved a few floors up.

Believe it or not, it started with an office chair. I showed up at work one Saturday morning. Realising that the company desks had already been occupied by other coworkers, I decided to drop my stuff at another empty row of desks. I chose the corner before strolling to my first class of the day.

-***-

When I returned to the same desk during my first (super) short break, I was a bit stunned. Somebody had moved all my stuff to the middle of the desk. I saw someone else’s laptop at my previously chosen spot.

“What the…” Thankfully, I stopped myself just in time. I’m a part-time staff. I don’t have a desk of my own. Plus, I often only show up on Saturdays.

Lost in my own thought, I didn’t realise the one who had moved my stuff so thoughtlessly had returned. He was sitting in front of his laptop and began typing. I watched him for a few seconds before greeting him with this:

“Sorry, I didn’t know this was your seat.”

He looked up and smiled at me. “No, no. It’s fine.” He was short, bald, and pale. He was also wearing spectacles. “I’m only here for a while.”

“Oh, okay.” What a relief. Thankfully, I didn’t give in to my anger. He had a really nice smile.
There was still enough time before my next class. I was curious, so I asked, “What are you working on?”

“Oh, it’s my research.” Then he went on with it. His egg-shaped face lit up as he was telling the story about his work. While he was talking, I checked the time and gasped.

“Sorry, I’ve got to get to class.”

“Sure thing.”

So, that was the very first time we met.

-***-

After that, we still ran into each other at the same spot before my office moved a few floors up. He was out of my mind for a while.

Then Covid-19 happened.

I’d been able to go to that same building twice before they finally had to close it due to the #socialdistancing policy. The first was on a Friday afternoon before the Saturday I started my very first online classes. I still needed some help to prep.

I went to the only convenient store downstairs in the building. I bought light snack and drink before deciding to sit down and quickly finishing them.

That was when he walked in. Somehow, he looked so happy to see me that he was waving while approaching me. Then, as if remembering something important, he suddenly stopped himself and just grinned – imitating the distance between him and I with his hand. I giggled.

“Hi,” he called out with that friendly smile again. I smiled back at him and waved.

“Hi.”

“Are you gonna be here for a while?” he asked. When I nodded (since I still had the sausage stick in my hand), his smile widened. “Good, I need to buy something first, though.”

“Okay.” Oh, wow. I never thought some guy I’d barely known would be so excited to see me. He must’ve really hated this #socialdistancing policy.

My guess was right. The moment he and I sat down together at one table (but we were careful not to touch each other), we started talking again. His face lit up when he mentioned the progress of his research. I talked about my online classes.

“I’m tired of being stuck in my apartment 24/7,” he admitted. “Nothing beats human interaction.”

“I agree.” I smiled at him. I took out a packet of sweets from my handbag, took one piece for myself, and offered him some. He accepted a piece as well. When he tried it, he seemed to like it.

We talked some more until I realised that I had to return home. He also had to return to work, which meant the laptop sitting behind him.

“Liked the candy?” I suddenly asked when I saw him finishing it. He nodded and smiled again.

“Yeah,” he admitted. I smiled too. “It’s refreshing.”

“The last one’s for you.” I pushed the rest of the packet on the table to him. He accepted it gratefully.

“Thanks.”

I got up and left after we exchanged farewells to each other. He went back to his work.

-***-

The next day after that, The Friendly Researcher and I still met at the same place. We didn’t talk much this time. We were both busy, him with his research and me with my classes online.

After my last class, I looked up and he was not by his laptop anymore. Instead, he was lying down on a couch nearby. He was looking intently at his phone.

Just like a teenage boy, I thought, suddenly wanting to giggle at the sight of him. With his well-fitting tee, shorts, and trainers, he could definitely pass as one from six feet away.

“Working hard?”

He looked up at me and grinned.

“Hardly working.”

We both giggled. Then I waved bye at him and left the building. He just waved back and smiled briefly, before returning his attention to his phone again.

That was the last time I’d seen him.

-***-

Not long after that, the office had to close for a while. I started working more from my rented room. No more regular, human interaction. I only go out for grocery runs.

I don’t know about him, though. I don’t know if I’ll ever get to see – or at least, hear from him again. No, I’m not hoping for anything romantic right now. The timing is bad for that. I’m being realistic.

Still, he seemed like a decent friend, though. I’ve enjoyed talking to him…

R.