I met Babe thirteen years ago. I was an office girl; he was a student. It was a meeting that is best described by poetry, as the meeting may happen only in poems. I can never forget how it was. I walked across an open space when, all of a sudden, a cloud engulfed me, as a man approached me. I was not able to take notice of his face but he was just simply blazing in white.
As we are an arms-length apart, he extends his hand and, with a smile that almost gave a slit in his eye, said hi to me. I was amazed and had I known we were in the middle of a busy place that one has to raise his voice in order to be heard (such a noisy place, really) … at that point I was not able to utter any single world. Simply a smile. It was thirteen years ago, a few days before my birthday. I walked quickly away from him and regained my composure. I was an office girl; I had to observe dignity. As I was about to leave the office, I saw him right there waiting at the passage. I began to tremble and almost became disabled. My junior officer asked if I was not feeling well. I bravely answered, “Of course not. I am okay.” I re-routed and used the other exit. I felt relieved I lost sight of him.
I was walking to the bus stop with an empty mind, just enjoying the fresh air, losing myself … when all of a sudden, like a thief in the night, he was there with a smile. Believe me, I almost collapsed. Just as timely, a best friend and an office mate were there to rescue me. “Ouch, you have been too busy these days.” I softly answered, “Yeah, I think so.” I rushed to call a taxi for home.
I never slept that night. The next day came. I resolved never to think of him. I resolved never to say his name … never to take a look at him. It was three days before my birthday. Right from my back, a red rose and an envelope was handed to me. I heard someone say, “Just for you.” As I turned to face the person, it was Babe. I looked at him and said, “Thank you.” I asked, “Why?” He introduced himself to me. He said, “My mother is the best cook.” He presented to me the box and told me, “This is for you. I requested it from my Mom.”
All my life I never thought this could happen. I have been in relationships, but I never felt this way. I have never been treated this way. So simply special. It was thirteen years ago, but it is still in my heart.
