Food, drinks and friendship make for good company and good times. I was in high spirits that Friday evening on 1st October 2004 at the Loft Lounge. My drinking buddies were at the venue early to commence the routine celebration of the coming of the weekend, charging their spirits by the glass before inevitably testing the foot coordination on the polished dance floor.
As crowds gathered, more and more familiar faces began to arrive. Friends and strangers turn up with a smile and introductions were made all-round. Everyone is welcomed, and so the evening social begins.
The evening started off like most with a round of drinks, and hungry patrons close in on the waitress who wandered the floor with hot food platters making her very popular indeed. I felt relaxed in my space, except tonight unknown to me at the time that I would experience mixed feelings of excitement, anxiety and hope. Tonight my world wondrously changes. Tonight becomes forever important in my life.
It started when a friend, Caecilia Tan arrived and along with her was her work colleague. She was nice, beautiful, more youthful than the crowd around me, and yes really, really cute too. I felt an instant attraction and in the back of my mind there was a sense of familiarity from somewhere, but it was surely our first meeting. She had pretty, wide eyes like an anime character, a polite style, motion and mannerism of a Japanese girl. Friends, both female and male alike eagerly welcomed her. She was like a pop star or R&B superstar with fans forming an imaginary line for the chance to introduce themselves and spend some time with her. I could only hope to push in line… haha, just kidding.
As glasses emptied and time passed, it felt like a while before I was able to introduce myself to Joanie. A general mix of emotions clashed within my mind and I could only try to numb the internal confusion and conflict. I couldn’t help my mental block as I felt those thumping heartbeats before greeting her. If it wasn’t enough, shyness, excitement, anxiety, anticipation and hope swept over me too. With sweaty hands nervously brushed on my cotton shirt I held together to make a first decent impression. All I had to do was be smooth, calm and be myself… oh and make that strong-cool-good impression. Time to give it my all…
“Hello! How are you going?” I initiated.
“Good,” she said.
“Great,” I said. ”I’m Gavin.”
“Nice to meet you, I’m Joanie” she replies.
“Okay, not too bad of a start. Now what…?” I thought in my mind.
My mind raced for the next few words. I needed a witty remark or better yet something intelligent to exchange, better yet if I could string something together that could bring a smile to her face. Seconds ticked over and my ideas just all fell apart. With another look into her dark waiting eyes, I was clearly in another state of mental block. Mind goes into shutdown mode. With nothing clever or witty, I kindly offered another round of drinks. Joanie politely turned it down, gazing down at her hands each of which were clutching drinks, yet to be consumed. Not long after, she announced her departure and left, it seemed, in a hurry.
Nice one Gavin. Just great!
Flashbacks and thoughts of Joanie carry on in my head as another week passes. I couldn’t stop the daydreaming. I smiled at the thought and hope of seeing her again tonight. As luck and good fortune would have it, Joanie made an appearance and was amongst the group again for our Friday after-work outing.
Having forgiven myself for last week’s faux pas with Joanie, I wanted to be able to mingle with a humble confidence. From afar, I saw Joanie chatting excitedly amongst the group, getting to know everyone and learning new things about them. I walked over to join in the group. The conversation ranged from the latest relationship gossips, who were the cutest bartenders in the establishment, and off to the side another group was exchanging their plans for their weekend. As the night mellowed, I got another opportunity to sit next to Joanie and this time struck a more lengthy conversation. With nerves absent or dulled by the evening drinks, it was easy for us both to chat about everything and anything that crossed our minds. We joked about our work, our colleagues, our bosses, and eventually delved into our background and other personal topics of interest. We shared giggles and laughter as we went about our own funny idiosyncrasies. The mood was open, respectful, trustful and humble as we started share life stories without prejudice or judgment. It just felt so right being with her, I didn’t even mind coming second best to the mind and reflex drinking challenges we played. Normally it would have been embarrassing to be outdone by a girl in a drinking game, but it all just felt right for me.
As all sense of time vanished and slipped onwards into the late hours of the evening. I got to know Joanie a little better and I came to cherish the special qualities about her. I didn’t want the evening to end, but she explained that she had enjoyed both weeks’ after-work drinks, adding how she had been searching for like-minded people to hang out with. On those thoughts phone numbers were exchanged, which came as a great relief to me. There was nothing more I wanted than to catch up again with Joanie and just enjoy her companionship… Little did I know then, that it would be a beginning of a special future with her, the greatest love I have known, and the start to our deep, lifetime friendship.
It is said that life has not been lived until one has found true love. I can say I wholeheartedly agree.
I was given a chance, a special opportunity that October day in 2004. It all came about in a split second , made possible by a sliding door moment, an arrangement set in motion. Whether by fate, divine plan, coincidence or luck, I couldn’t say. But whatever one believes in, does not change that fact that good fortune has allowed me at that moment to have her come into my world, into my life, the girl of my dreams.
Christmas Dinner, December 2004
