Dorami couldn't believe her own eyes. To think she was just talking about Kenyu with her best friend yesterday and now the man is standing in front of her in the flesh. Her heart paced fast and her hands became cold. Meeting him so suddenly made her break in sweats from nervousness. She had imagined countless times of how she would react if she met him again but handling unexpected, sudden encounters like this is not her forte.
She took a few steps back and sneakily hid behind Mr. Nowin. Thanks to his big build, Dorami is now completely invisible, or so she thought.
"It's great to see you again after a long time, Dodo"
Ah.. this voice which she missed so much. It's still so warm that it made her heart beat even faster than before. All of the memories are flooding back to the point that she was on the verge of crying. There was a big lump in her throat so she could not even utter a word back to him. She took a deep breath in, silently and slowly, to calm herself.
She saw him reaching out his hand and when she looked up, the prince-like visual shined so bright that she had to look down again. She carefully took his hand in a soft shake and was going to release but he held tight.
"How have you been?" He asked softly, eyes fixed on her, their hands entwined.
"Uh-uhm.. goo- good. I- I have been well." Blushed like a red tomato, she managed to reply to his question after all the embarrassing stutters. She bet he could feel the cold sweats from her palm.
Mr. Nowin, who was watching both of them amusingly, cleared his throat as well as the awkwardness in the air.
"Ahem.. So the two of you know each other?"
"Yes, we studied in the same middle school." Kenyu responded after letting go of Dorami's hand, flashing his smile at Mr. Nowin again.
"I see… So her nickname is Dodo? Isn't that cute?"
Dorami looked up again after hearing her boss's remark. His face has become weird from trying to suppress his laughter. 'Why is he trying to hold himself back? It doesn't match him. Sigh.. Just laugh if you want to..,' she thought.
"No, it's more like a pet name," said the pilot.
Dorami turned to face Kenyu too quick that her neck was going to break. Kenyu smiled again, this time with his eyes. He… really hasn't changed at all.
.........…..
"Whoa… I can't believe this. You guys are really fated! And it's amazing that he recognized you in an instant. Anyway, your salad is a bit salty today but it's still good so I'm going to eat it all." Jo-Ee munched on Dorami's special spicy carrot salad after commenting on the dish. Despite the saltiness, the sourness made up to it.
Hearing about her friend's fateful meeting is entertaining; she can't wait to see how these two would play out their romance story. She was giggling to herself before Dorami left out a deep sigh.
"I can't believe it too… How could he recognize someone he didn't see for more than ten years? Even I was not sure if it was really him at first…"
Dorami hugged her knees to her chest and sighed again. She has lost count of how many times she sighed today already. She can't help telling herself that he might have kept thinking about her all these years too. Isn't she being presuming here?
"Arghhhhhhhhhhh" Screamed loud enough to shock Jo-Ee to drop her fork, Dorami then ruffled her hair like crazy. Her head and heart are both in a mess now, thanks to you-know-who for showing up out of nowhere.
"Dorami!!! You shocked me!!!... Tsk tsk tsk, you are acting out of character here. Why are you like this? What are you so worried about?"
"Jo-Ee..., I'm not sure how I should act when I see him at work. I can't even look him in the eyes for more than a few seconds…," said Dorami while hugging her knees tighter.
"….Why do you have to worry about how you should act? Aren't you a professional? I'm sure you will have no problem separating your work issues from personal issues. Just be yourself, focus on work when you are working and pursue him when you finish your duty. I thought you wanted to be friends with him and love him again, no?"
Dorami looked at her best friend who is making a very, very serious face.
"You are right… but you didn't have to add the love part. I will be already grateful if I can be friends with him again."
"Oh okay, I take out the love part," said Jo-Ee who then erased her serious face and continued sloppily having her big dinner like a baby.
'Thanks for coming back, Jo-Ee. I'm not good with Serious-Ee so I'm really glad you are back.' Dorami thought to herself. She looked at her best friend again and when their eyes met, they just laughed out loud.
Jo-Ee smiled widely. 'Dorami, even though you look strong, you are actually fragile at heart. You said you don't like getting involved with people but you are actually afraid you would be a burden to them, but when you are given the right push and open up, you are the brightest.'
Jo-Ee couldn't stop herself from smiling. She is proud that she has come so far as being this girl's best friend and proud that she has raised her to become more open and brighter than before. Her child has really grown up fast. Her motherly instinct almost made her tear up.
"Why are you looking at me like that? You creep, eat your food."
'Could I take my previous sentiments back, please? Dorami is actually the meanest!' Now, Jo-Ee wanted to cry for a different reason. Dorami is like a balloon pumper, making her heart swell but then flatten it and suck it dry. When did she become so mean? *Cries*