Saturday passed in a blink of an eye. Normally I would have to go out and get my mother to the plaza. I would watch her perform along with other Ayi and Shushu, after that, I would go on my room and play with my phone.
But today, all of my appointments, would be canceled.
It seems like I'll go to a battle today from the looks of it.
I mean I've never been on a blind date before, it's my first time and I don't know what I should do and wear.
The reflection on my face reveals a hint of nervousness and a taut figure. I just finished showering and is now sweating buckets from anxiety.
It's stressing the shit out of me and all I could do was to panick yesterday night searching for topics and reading about blind date experiences, which is a very stressful thing to do.
I left the bathroom after getting my hair done and dry, stepping into my room, the blaring sound from my ringtone shocked me slightly.
The sound of my phone rang aloud, it was mellow and soft because it was my favorite song, You who sat next to me by Lao Lang. It was a call coming from Ping Ling so I pressed the answer button and immediately regrets it the moment her high pitched voice registered into my ears.
"Feng jie! I've been calling you for the past half hour! Where have you been?! Are you backing out from the blind date?"
"What? No! I was showering so I didn't hear you calling!" I heard her sigh and was a bit guilty.
I mean she must think that I'm too afraid to go now, well that's the complete truth but I won't back down on a promised I've made.
"We'll meet at Grand Fantasy Central Mall in...11 sharp! Of course you need to be introduced with each other first before you move on and oh! We'll leave you be and-"
"Wait! Just....calm down Ping Ling! It's like...eight in the morning! We still have like three hours!" I explained to her and just distanced my phone away from her outburst.
"How can you say that we only have three hours! There's so much to do and three hours isn't enough! We need to get you clothes and pair it with some jewelry some shoes and bag and everything! My goodness! I really need to go there, wait for me okay Feng jie? I'll go there let's say five minutes!" She rambles and I was thankful that she'll go here if not I'll be really clueless about this situation.
I can only smile wryly, she's two years my junior yet here I am, inexperienced without any boyfriend whatsoever, getting lectured by my junior who is also currently engaged.
What a life!
Few minutes had passed while I sat there on my room, my phone on the other hand as I watch some dog blood drama, a well known drama that is filled with fresh meats.
"Feng Mian! Someone's calling for you!" I heard my father said as I walked downstairs and opened the door.
There stood a slightly chubby woman with cheeks ablazed in heat as she gave me a knowing smile.
Uh-oh.
I think I'll become her personal doll for today, yikes!
...
We've arrived a little later due to Ping Ling, she was looking for the perfect shoes and I just want her to take anything, it's literally three shoes! What is she trying to find with just three shoes?!
She chose an A line baby blue dress with slight frills at the hem and the sleeves coupled with a white doll shoes and some small, white sling bag.
She told me to dress sweetly, and to act a bit reserved and girly which I scoffed at it my mind. I don't think I'll be able to do that.
Ping Ling rushed towards a burly man, it's Mr. Jiang, her fiance. The two of them looked at each other's eyes which were filled with mushiness I almost throw up.
That's when I saw a tall figure beside Mr. Jiang with a wry smile on his face. He looks like one of those scholarly gentleman in some ancient drama.
His eyes were deep and profound, eyebrows thin and sharp. His lips were thin and the fact that his hair was neat gave me a better impression.
As he stand there, tall and straight, he really looks like one of those gong zi that's portrayed in some ancient drama's I've watched.
"We look like lightbulbs here" his eyes crinkled as he smiled. Then he briefly stared at me before looking down in slight embarrassment.
"We certainly are" I agreed to the shy stranger beside me.
"I'm Qi Peizhi, a surgeon, 27 years of age" he handed his palm and I shook it while telling my name.
"I'm Wu Feng Mian, an art teacher, 25 years of age"
Of course, the silent treatment from the two lovers crashed and they took upon themselves to tease us.
"Oho! Look at these two! They already knew each other's names! How fast!" Jiang Susu said, yes, you see it right.
Jiang Susu is his name, his true name. A very feminine name that's why I always call him Mr. Jiang. It's too imbalance to call him, a burly man filled with testosterone, Susu.
"My, oh my! Dear, we're such a lightbulb! Now, now, let's get you acquainted more!"
Ping Ling took my hand and together, the four of us went inside Light Fantasy Central Mall. We went to a western and eastern fusion restaurant and enjoyed some small talk.
"Excuse us for a second, dear, would you come with me to the bathroom? I suddenly felt a bit scared~"
Ping Ling suddenly said with a high pitched tone filled with mushiness. I looked at her wide eye, sensing that she wants to do something that we both knew very well.
She's trying to let the two of us sit here, without them!
She winked at me after she coiled on Mr. Jiang's waist and scampered away.
I can only shout at her in my head in fear of scaring Mr. Qi in front of me. I'm not really the type of woman who eats like a bird and tries to get that flawless makeup and beautiful dress.
"So Mr. Qi-"
"Just call me by my name, it's a bit... weird to be called as Mr" he said with a smile, his eyes glimmered playfully in the background.
My heartbeat picked up and I was suddenly nervous. It's my first time doing this but looking at his manner, I can somewhat relax.
"Oh, of course Mr- I mean Qi Peizhi, um...I was wondering about your uh... profession"
Great.
That's a very good topic Feng Mian, keep it up!
"I've been working for the past two years. I'm a pediatric surgeon. I love treating kids and it's my greatest pleasure to see them living happily" his voice was mellow and calm, as if the sea has calm down and only the sound of birds rang.
"You sure do like your job"
"I do, what about yours?" He asked, I just realized how beautiful his hands are.
It was smooth and some veins can be seen in his pale white hands. He must have cared for his hands for years, he's a surgeon so he must have taken care of it. I wonder what hand care products-
"Do my hands look pretty?"
I was taken aback at his question before sheepishly smiling at the realization that I'm just staring at his hands for a minute.
"It is" I bit my lower lip to suppress a smile.
"Yours too, you paint right? I mean your hands are well maintained too and yeah. I'm not wrong right? You do paint right?"
"I do, you're right" I cannot help but laugh at his shy nature.
He was clumsy in his words, it looks like I'm not the one puzzled and extremely nervous at this blind date.
The two of us continued to finish the food and ask questions about each other. Sometimes I will tell him some funny and embarrassing moments in my childhood while he talks about bizarre patients.
Everything was good and relaxing, it felt like I was talking to a friend and not an acquaintance.
Soon, it's already three in the afternoon, he told me he's in a night shift for today since he's out today. He offered to take me home but I refused, since he's a doctor, he's always needed at the hospital.
"No worries, I have my car. Just drive safe too" I couldn't help but remind him.
I was about to get in my car when he called my name. I looked back at him, waiting for his reason for calling me when he said.
"Can...can we still meet?"
I felt happy but at the same time, I feel like I couldn't do this to him. I still feel, I'm not yet ready to have a relationship with someone, not that I had but still. It's like he's my friend and not a blind date, he's a gentleman and is good in all aspects.
It's just me.
But I need to move on and to step forward. My life wouldn't revolve on what if's. I need to move on with my life and try new things and meet with people.
And most of all, I need to love again.
So I said yes and he gave a smile in return. Ha, I just really hope that I'm doing the right choice.
Notes:
• You who sat next to me (Lao Lang, composer Gao Xiaosong) was a song that talkes about nostalgia for times gone by, as well as the man's heartfelt wishes for the girl's happiness.
• Dog blood means cliche movie or drama scenes, unrealistic and too dramatized.
• Fresh meat, an internet slang used to describe handsome young males. Most commonly used in the entertainment world.
• Light bulb means third wheel, not the third person in the relationship but the one who spoils the romantic mood between two lovers.
• Gōng zǐ, a son of nobility or an official.