[ilikeoldchangke]

Brushing off the sausage from my lap, i stood up and went to chat with a couple of other colleagues as i eyeballed Karen into house.

I deliberately hanged around the powder room area so as to make sure i caught her as her came out.

Her shirt has a rather big wet patch, the darken colour stood out rather obviously against her lgiht grey blouse.

I approached Karen and gave her a cheecky smile.

Gary : You look a little miserable.

Karen : Yes, i know. No need for you to remind me. I'm just gonna change out.

Gary : You brought clothes ? to this bbq ?

Karen : I was at the gym before this, will just change out of this top, the wet patch is uncomfortable.

I smiled and shrugged my shoulders

Gary : I beg to differ Karen, most girls tell me their wet patch is quite comfortable.

She rolled her eyes and brushed pass me. I watched Karen walked off towards the driveway. Lo and behold, she went to the creamed coloured nissan march.

I saw her looked left and right before i realised i must have parked really close to her car. It was not deliberate on my part, the boot of my car is sticking out on to the driveway, i had to shift it in as far as i could go.

Karen headed back into the compound ans started asking around if the mark x belonged to anyone of us.

When i stepped out and raised my hand, Karen shooked her head and folded her hands again.

Karen : Great... Gary... Why did you have to park so close ?

Gary : hey hey, calm down, i didn;t hit your car.

Karen : Can you shift it a little, i want to grab something from my boot.

As i approached my car, the sky opened up and started to drizzle. Quickly scrambling in, i reveresed my ride a little, leaving room for Karen. I saw a mad dash for shelter as my classmates covered up food, bringing whatever they can into the house.

I was covered in damp spots by the time i got back to the house.

Gary : there, done.

Karen was looking at the rain falling from the sky before giving me a look that was self explainatory.

She smiled and only opened her mouth for one word.

' Please '

She just passed me he car keys before explaining she has a sports bag in her boot. Just bring the whole thing out.

Gerald offered to bring an umbrella up from the basement but i took a quick look at the sky, it's still a heavy drizzle, i declined and made a dash to Karen's car instead.

The rain got a little heavier as i reached Karen's car. Opening the boot, i realised, there is no sports bag, what i saw instead was a tennis bag. It's huge and it's freaking heavy.

Seeing no other choice, i lugged the whole bag out and brought it towards the house.

By the time i got there, i was drenched.

I entered the house, welcomed by a crowd of cheering classmates.

Comments flooded the room, ' wow, macho man' , 'si bei sexy ar Gary' , the most sacarstic comment of all came from my ex, Cindy.

' Do you have a new prey my dear ? why are you so nice to Karen ? '

That drew a few laughter as but i just shrugged and smile.

Karen smiled and opened the bag to reveal another smaller bag together with tennis rackets, balls, shoe bags and the likes.

Karen : Thanks Gary.

As she disappeared back into the powder room, a couple of my classmates chirped in.

' Give it up lar Gary , she's taken liao '

' She is still out of your reach bro, forget it '

I gave another shrug as Gerald passed me a towel for me to dry myself.

The rain got heavier and we piled into the living room, chatting as a group and bitching on our old lecturers.

I saw Karen joined us in a simple white polo T.

The night went on and at 11.30pm, the rain let up and everyone started making their way out.

I went to the powder room to relieve myself before making the small beeline to shake my host's hand, thanking him for organising this gathering.

Waiting for me at the entrance i saw Karen smiling at me.

She looked a little weird wearing work skirt and a white polo T. She dangled the heels on her 2 fingers as she went about barefooted on the wet turfing.
Without a word, she pointed to the big bag by the door and smiled.

I shook my head and just as i was exiting the door, i heard Gerald called out behind me.

Gerald : Good luck bro, btw, don;t forget you are married.

Lifting up the bag, i walked with Karen to her car.

I waved a series of 'byes' to the rest of the cars existing the small road as i help Karen put the bag into the boot.


I was expecting a thank you hug, a kiss perhaps, but that was just my wishful thinking.

Karen gave me a thumbs up and said thanks.

I saw her slipped into her car and fired up her engine. Making a 3 point turn, she stopped beside me and wind down her window.

Karen : Thanks Gary, sorry bout the pants.

Gary : No problem at all. When will you be free ? let's have a coffee or something.

Karen : No thank you Gary, haha. Coffee didn't ended well for the rest of the other girls you dated . Don't deny.

I burst out laughing and asked what made her say that.

Karen : What do you think we were talking about before you arrive Gary.

Her next comment wiped my smile off my face.

Karen : Stay away Gary, haha, i know i'm the only girl left in the class you didn't get one way or another.

I watched the tail light of her car disappear as she exited the private road.





I didn't think much about the incident with Karen, in fact i didn't harbour much hope of bumping into her again.

I was busy with work, dealing with staff issues and department budgeting, it's a headache when you have 2 staff vying for a position in the company. Both of them are equally eligible given their experience and qualification, the hard part is i know for sure the losing candidate will leave the company for sure.

I tried to put the decision off as long as i can but i knew i had to make a decision soon.

I was heading to grab a quick lunch at subway when i caught a familiar sight.

Karen was sitting inside the cafe having lunch.
Her lunch partner was one of the contender for the post in the company. Pete.


I walked pass deliberetely by the side of the glazing and pete gave me a wave. Karen was a little surprise to see me but made no mention of anything.

Pete : Hey Gary.

Gary : Hey, your wife ar ? never introduce ?

Pete made an introduction and what surprised me was Karen made no mention of her knowing me and that i'm her old classmate.

She nodded a simple acknowledge and i excused myself, leaving them to lunch.


Pete was actually my favour choice, now that Karen is his wife, this might actually get interesting. What i couldn;t figure out was why Karen did not want to acknowledge that she knew me.


When i left my office at 9pm that evening. i got an sms from a number i did not recognise.

9******** : Hey , did not realise you are Pete's boss...