Fly or Die?

fly or die

Monday, June 14, 2004
Old mates Friday evening was as good an excuse as any other to go out and have some fun. So, Susan, Heng, Tomas, Guppy, Donna and I headed down to Sri Hartamas for a little chillin'. We were having coffee when Matt called. He was in the neighbourhood. "I'll drop by," he said and before I could utter 'no', the phone clicked. I felt a little panic rising. This will be the first time my colleagues meet him. In half an hour he arrived. "Everybody," I cleared my throat, "This is Matt." I announced matter-of-factly. I threw Tomas a glance. He was scowling, which surprised me. I thought, of all people, he would be kindest to Matt. After all, wasn't he the one who encouraged me to give him a chance? I was puzzled. I really cannot understand this male-ego-territorial stuff. Matt ordered his Grande Latte and drew a chair beside me. "So, how did you two love birds meet?" Tomas hissed. I kicked him from under the table. "Ouch! What was that for?" he said. I stared daggers at him. "A mutual friend," Matt answered icily and casually rested his arm round the back of my chair. "Some friend you have, Fly," Tomas said, almost hostile. "Perhaps you're the one who needs better friends," Matt replied and drew me closer. I stiffened. I don't like where this is going. "So!" I interrupted with an announcer's aplomb, "Mr Hoe bought our campaign. Loved it." "Oh, that's great," Matt smiled, "Congrats," he said and pressed his lips against my temples. "Awww... so sweet," Tomas sniggered. I kicked him again. I wanted to die. I will never be able to walk up straight in my office again. From henceforth, bitchy secretaries will congregate in dark corners to gossip about Mushy Matt and I. Then, I noticed Donna staring quietly at Matt. Okay, he has nice teeth but not that nice. "Are you from Ipoh?" she started. "Yeah?" Matt asked, then his jaw drops and he exclaims, "Lau Ching Ching! [not her real name]" "Oh please, call me Donna," she slapped his forearm lightly and does her Pantene toss. "You're even more beautiful than I remembered." "Oh ..." Donna laughed and tossed some more. I wanted to puke. For the rest of the evening, they swapped old school stories. Tomas was mean. Heng was drunk. Susan and Guppy were bitching about management. Some kind of chillin' this was turning out to be. Later at the car park, Donna caught up with me and grabbed my arm. "Er ... what?" I wriggled out of her grasp. "Lucky b*tch." "Huh?" "Matt is so cool." I curled my lips in a fake smile and opened my bag. "He had such a major crush on me back then?" she sighed. "Where the hell are my keys?" I said, rummaging my bag. "But of course, then, he was ... such a nerd - beanpole, pimply. Hmm ... very different now." She sighed. "And he's doing so well - senior consultant, you know." "Ah, here they are." I said and held my keys up to her face. "Good night, Donna." I drove off as fast as I could. I felt upset. Terribly. Pencil chewed at 4:40:00 pm //
template © elementopia 2003