Awaiting
The Return
Everywhere is filled with news about Dave. Jen has waited for his return for a long time. She swore to confess her feelings this time.
Lydia
Jen! Jen! Are you awake?
Lydia knocked on the bedroom door repeatedly.
Jen opened her eyes slightly after being awaken by the noise. She looked at the clock above the door and noticed the time.
Jen
Oh no! It's already 10am?!
Lydia
Jen! Can you hear me?!
Jen
I'm coming!
*opens the door*
Lydia
Jen! Finally you are awake! Do you know what time it is now?
Jen
Yeah, I know. Thank you for your help! I would have missed the chance if not for you.
Lydia
Glad you know that. It's said that he's almost landing soon. You will be able to catch up to him if you go now!
Jen
Ahh.. ok! Just a minute, I need to change into something nicer.
Jen changed into a comfortable clothing and got ready.
She went out of the house, got into the car and Lydia drove to the airport immediately.
15 minutes later, they have arrived at the airport entrance. There was a huge crowd all the way from inside the hall, mostly comprised of reporters.
Lydia
Jen! Look there! It's Dave right?
Jen
Oh oh I saw him! Damn all these tall people!
Jen is a shorty standing at 4'10.
Jen
Excuse me please! I need to get to Dave!
Jen tried to move through the crowd by pushing her way forward, but fell to the ground when someone forcefully pushed her from the back.
Everyone stared at her, who fell right in front of Dave.
Jen
Ouch... my arms hurt. 😖
Lydia
*call out softly* Psst! Jen... stand up!
Jen looked up and saw Dave standing before her.
Jen
*gasped* Gosh.. I'm sorry. Dave, it's me-
Melvin (Dave's guard)
Miss, please stand aside and do not block the way.
Melvin (Dave's guard)
Sir, this way.
Dave did not appear to recognize Jen and ignored her as he walked away with his bodyguard.
Jen
Dave.. Dave! It's me, Jen! Don't your remember me? Dave!
Lydia
Did he not talk to you at all?
Jen
No.. he didn't even looked at me for more than 5 seconds.
Jen
Lydia... the look on his face, it seems like he doesn't remember me.
Lydia
But how can it be? You have always been close to him in school.
They went to find a seat somewhere else and heard someone speaking on the phone nearby.
Passerby A
What did you say? Dave lost his memory?
Passerby A
But after the accident, it was reported that he has recovered fully isn't it?
Passerby A
Ah.. so you mean his family wanted to hide that fact from the media?
Passerby A
This is such a big news! No wonder the family left for Japan immediately after he was awake.
Passerby A
He seemed like a different person when I saw him just now. Anyway, thanks for the info. Bye!
Jen
You... earlier what you said, is it true?
*panicking*
Passerby A
Sorry Miss, I don't get what you mean.
Jen
Dave. He lost his memory, did he?
Passerby A
O-Oh.. I guess so. My friend who's working in one of his company told me that. But it seems like it.
Jen
But how...? I know he got into an accident. He was with me at the time. We both got into an accident.
Jen
But his family didn't allow me to visit his ward. They said he was alright.
Jen
I was so happy to see him leave the hospital but he soon left the country.
Jen
He didn't say a word to me. How can he lost his memory like this?!
Lydia
Jen! Let go of him. I'm so sorry sir, my friend is not emotionally stable right now. Sorry!
Lydia pulled Jen away and sat her down.
Lydia
Drink some water. You need to calm down, Jen.
Lydia
It's alright if he has really lost his memory. Just get close to him again and build new memories.
Jen
*sigh*
Lydia, am I destined not to be with him?
Lydia
What are you talking about? There's nothing wrong with loving someone.
Jen
I have loved him for almost 8 years. I missed all the chances I could have confessed because I thought I wasn't good enough for him.
Jen
All these years I tried to improve myself and even opened a company to become a successful woman.
Jen
Just so that I can stand beside him and make him proud.
Jen
But why do I feel like everything's in vain now? 😔
Lydia
Girl! Stop belittling yourself. You should be happy for what you become.
Lydia
Who knows, he might like you even if you are a nobody.
Jen hugged Lydia tightly and weep a little.
Jen
You are always so nice to me! Waaaaa! 😭
The Painting
Jen
*yawn* It's only 8am. I'm early today.
Jen
*looks into the mirror*
I became a panda overnight. Oh well.
Jen
Let's just go and buy some breakfast. I'm hungry!
Jen was walking out of her house when a car drove by and stopped right beside her.
There were a few reporters crowding around the entrance of the house next door.
Jen
This scene looks familiar... who-
The car door opened and someone came out of the driver seat.
Melvin (Dave's guard)
Sir, please be careful. There are lots of reporters in front.
The guards are already on standby at the gate, fencing off the reporters to a certain distance.
Dave came out of the car and walked towards the crowd.
Dave
I understand your enthusiasm for my return after 5 years.
Dave
But I'm not available for any interviews at the moment.
Dave
I hope to have your kind understanding and will make further announcement for interviews.
Dave bowed before heading inside the house. Everyone was in awe of him and lots of chatters can be heard saying how polite he is.
Jen
Right.. how can I forget that I spent much effort just to get a house near him.
Jen
It's the same in the past... you are always so near yet so far from my reach.
Jen
*stomach groaning*
Argh. Alright, I'm going to buy food.
After buying breakfast for takeaway, Jen walked to a gallery store where lots of paintings and artworks are sold.
Jen walked around the store and stopped infront of a painting named 'Yearning Heart' at a corner.
Jen
I found you, yearning heart. 😌
Jen
Aunty Kelly! How much is this painting?
Kelly
Aigoo little Jen, it's you. You are still asking the price for the same painting.
Kelly
Didn't I already told you the price is not going to drop? And I'm offering the best price for you already.
Jen
*sigh* So... it's still $5200?
Kelly
Yes, look how big the painting is. It can fill up the whole of your living room wall.
Kelly
Actually, there was one time when the artist wanted to lower the price to $520!
Kelly
But he later changed his mind and I have never seen him since then.
Kelly
So, do you want to take it Jen?
Jen
Urgh... I'm so conflicted. Let me think about it Aunty Kelly.
A customer came into the store and rang the service bell.
Kelly
Alright, I got a customer now, talk to you later.
Kelly walked to the counter and talk to the man.
Kelly
Hi Sir, how may I help you?
Melvin (Dave's guard)
I'm looking for the painting 'Yearning Heart'. I'm buying it at $10k. The remaining proceeds shall go to the charity.
Kelly
A-Ah.. sure. Give me a moment while I take the painting.
Kelly walked in fast pace towards Jen, who was still dazing infront of the painting.
Kelly
Psst! Little Jen, sorry but someone has offered to buy this painting already!
Jen
W-W-What?! How can it be!
Kelly
Well, that gentleman over there has paid for it.
Jen turned and looked at the man standing at the counter. She walked slowly in his direction and pretended to admire the other paintings around him.
Jen
(Wait.. isn't this Dave's bodyguard? Why is he buying this painting?)
Kelly
Here you go sir. It's all in one piece. Thank you so much for your wait.
Melvin (Dave's guard)
Oh thank you. I shall get going then. Bye.
Jen stared blankly as he left the store.
Jen
Aunty Kelly... my heart feels empty suddenly. Do you think something's wrong with me?
The Emptiness
Kelly
What's wrong, little Jen? You should be happy that it's sold.
Kelly
You no longer have to ponder so much about it anymore.
Jen
But... that was the last piece of memory I had with him.
Jen
I still remembered when he brought me here for the first time..
-FLASHBACK-
Note: The following conversation occurs during their late school days 5 years ago.
Dave spotted Jen at the school gate and caught up with her.
Dave
*panting*
Jen, do you have anything after school?
Jen
*flustered*
U-Uh.. n-n-no. Did you just ran?
Dave
Yeah. You were far ahead of me, but it's fine.
Dave
Anyway.. remember you said you love to see paintings?
Dave
I found a gallery store near my house, and there's lots of artworks.
Dave
Do you want to go and see with me?
Jen
(😳 Did Dave, the dream guy of all ladies, asked me to accompany him?)
Jen
(I shouldn't think too much about it! This may be my only chance!)
They strolled along the streets until they reached the gallery store.
Dave
Here it is! You know, during the weekends, there will always be a long queue just to get inside.
Dave
Thankfully today is a weekday, and nobody is around.
Jen
*gasped* Really? Today is our lucky day! 🤗
They toured the gallery and chance upon the famous painting by an unknown artist.
Jen
This is beautiful... but sad at the same time. Look at this painting, Dave.
Dave
Oh? Yearning Heart. Do you know the meaning of this art piece?
Jen
U-Uhm.. I don't. But I can't explain the feeling.
Dave
Well, look at the guy's expression as he stared lovingly at the lady's back view a distance away.
Dave
The monochrome on the guy's side depicts the sadness he's feeling even though he's in love.
Dave
For some reason, he couldn't get to her. But he's contented just seeing her from afar.
Dave
The colors are alive on the lady's side because she's the meaning of his life.. of his existence and happiness.
Jen
(I feel the same way as the artist... but I can't control my tears..)
Jen started shedding tears in silence and lowered her head while turning around.
Jen nodded and went out of the store hurriedly, wiping away the tears before Dave sees her.
Jen
(I can't let him see me cry.. I should be happy just like the guy from the painting!)
Dave
Jen, there you are. What's wrong?
Jen
H-Huh? Nothing, I'm fine ☺️
Dave
Your eyes are puffy and red. You're lying.
Jen
N-No.. I'm not. Something went into my eyes that's why!
Dave
Alright alright if you say so. Let me walk you home then.
Dave accompanied Jen home as it's a long way and opposite direction of his house.
Jen
Dave.. that painting, I really loved it. Do you know if it's for sale?
Dave
U-Uh.. I heard the artist lowered the price to $520! Do you want to buy it?
Jen
*frown*
If only I had the money to buy it. With my financial situation, I guess maybe next time...
Dave
Hmm.. alright. Don't be sad, it will always be there.
-End of Flashbacks-
Back to present.
Jen
At that time, I tried to save up lots of money and came back to buy this painting but it was no longer $520.
Kelly
Oh? So you knew about the price change! Sadly, it was only for that one time.
Kelly
So he's your boyfriend? 😏
Jen
*sigh* I wish. But that painting is just like my current situation now. I'm still watching him far away...
Jen
And yet he doesn't remember me. Even the painting is gone. I guess.. it's time to give up.
Kelly
Little Jen, be nice to yourself. If your are not meant to be, then let him go. 😌
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