She leapt out from the couch and came back with chocolate chips cookies. “I think someone still love this.” She said with a twinkle in her eyes. She could easily affect me with her cheerfulness. Then we continued our conversation like good old times, I felt more at ease in her company, not as nervous as before. The conversations just flowed smoothly and we tried to catch up as much as possible.

“Come to my grand opening.” I invited her… but leaving the part ‘as my date’.

During the grand opening, she stood by me the whole night even though some of the conversations might bore her to death. But thank goodness she was there, with her, I felt this extra boost of energy and determination to act cool and stayed together without falling apart from all the nervousness and tensions. When I felt like I couldn’t hold on anymore, all I had to do was looking at her and seeing her warm and assuring smile; then I would feel at ease once again.

I guess I still “turn into a ‘girlfriend’ alike mode” when I’m with her. Most of the people there thought we were an item. Secretly how I wish it was true.

“Are you two together?”

I looked at the old couple incredulously, “What?”

“Is she your girlfriend?” The old lady pointed to Tina.

“Oh no… she’s just a friend of mine.”

“Oh…” She turned to Tina stating, “You’re going to find one great love soon.” She winked at me then took off with her companion.

“What was that about?” I just shrugged at Tina, although I could feel the blood draining from my face knowing what the old lady meant. Leaving out the detail of the question of us being a couple, I tried to distract Tina by introducing her to some of the art world people and explaining to her the art works on display.

I could never thank fate enough how it brought us as neighbors again. Tina brought back the memories and the enjoyment over simple things that we’d enjoyed when we were younger. Being with her was simply so carefree and delightful. For example, she would still wanna ride on the trolley in a supermarket with me pushing her around. How she loves to cook but hate to do the washing after, so I got myself some home cooked meals with her almost every evening, but of course I would contribute by doing the washing after and doing weekend groceries shopping together. Then we would settle in for the evening bitching over work issues and life… or just enjoyed a tv show or movie. Sometimes we would go to a lounge for an after work happy hour. My life seemed to have reached its balance with Tina. Pressures from work, but an enjoyable and loving evening after work. New career and a real enjoyable life that I cherish with this old and new neighbor of mine.