[seowlang]

Part 8
The Courtship III

I couldn’t agree more that time passes extremely fast when one is happy. We began to meet at least once every weekend for the next few months. Yes, we were busy, but we tried our best to find time for each other. Sometimes over a meal or drink outside, other times a simple meal cooked by me.. we caught movies or binge watch Netflix series together, or go for a jog, gym session or a swim at her condo.. there were even a couple of times we just sat on opposite ends of the sofa, reading our own books and sipping coffees on a lazy afternoon.. we did everything a couple would do except one thing. No physical intimacy or rather not even physical contacts like holding hands or a kiss on the cheek. I was fearful of breaking what we were having with a wrong move.

As much as time were spent together, it was never with others. We were living in our own world, our little cocoon most of the time (her condo)… I knew the answer deep down. Although J’s sis and I were no longer married, the social stigma of being with a former brother in law isn’t something that most people can accept, and J was very mindful about that. So when a good friend of mine was getting married and asked if I am coming alone or with a partner, I couldn’t give a straight answer. It took a couple of days before J agreed to go with me. The actual day arrived, and I told J I will pick her via Grab knowing we will be drinking for sure.

The truth is, all these while we have been back in contact, J was either in professional office attire or casually dressed. That day, J was in a sleeveless, body hugging red dress that accentuated her lovely figure. It wasn’t really revealing but the neckline compliments a clearly visible cleavage. She must have spent quite some time to doll up her hair and make up too. As she came onboard, the smell of her perfume completed the entire outfit. As she sat, the slit of her dress rode up quite high, revealing her pair of lovely toned legs. She still looks so attractive all these years.

Me: You look stunning today. Really beautiful. Afraid there might be more people looking at you than the bride

J chided me jokingly. Throughout the short journey, I kept stealing glances at J even when we were not talking. A couple of times she even caught me doing so cheekily and just rolled her eyes at me and grimaced. When we reached the venue, I walked over to J and gentlemanly gestured for J to place her arms under mine. She gamely obliged.

The wedding banquet was really romantic and lovely. It was a relatively low-key affair, less than 300 guests but the atmosphere was nothing short of stunning. The video montage was an excellent narration of how the couples got together and their love story was so moving that there were a couple of ladies actually tearing. The 3-piece band did so many wonderful renditions of love songs of our time, it really felt like a celebration of love not just for the bride and groom, but for every couple out there that night. The highlight of the night to me was the bride’s speech.. not only had she gotten some ladies tearing again, even the groom was red eyed. J commented that there were such an amazingly loving couple and I agreed wholeheartedly. The night went on with a surprise game for the couples too, where they were quizzed on how they met and their love life. Food wise, it was delectable. My good friend was also generous in serving free flow of red wine from good wine regions in France. We have never had a wedding with not only great fun and laughter but tears and joy all rolled into one.

After the wedding ended, the newly wedded couple rounded up the group of close friends to the bar at the hotel for a more intimate round of celebration, and more drinks of course. After I had another 8-10 rounds of scotch on the rocks, things became very blurry. Obviously having drank too much, I started to slur and was getting groggy. What happened next was a series of blurs. I had flashes of what happened.. stumbled out of the bar… had a fall after missing my footing on some uneven ground… Someone pushed me into a car with J by my side.. vomited out of the car window and next thing I knew I was in J’s sofa.. topless except for my pants on. J was nowhere at sight…

I closed my eyes and totally lost track of time. I only woke up to something very hot on my forehead and brushed it away unto the floor… only to hear a loud booming voice coming from J who was in the kitchen.

J: “would you stop it already?!”

Like a small boy being reproached for throwing tantrums, that ‘scolding’ kind of woke me up from my drunken stupor a little. I picked up the hot towel and placed it back on my forehead. It was really very hot but I had to endure.

I: “The towel is so hot its really burning me leh” I went on to protest a little above a whisper.

J must have started doubting her judgement on the temperature of the towel and walked over and held the towel between her hands.

J: “Oops. I am sorry. Its really a little too hot. But at least it woke you up!” She said tongue in cheek and chuckled.

I: ya I drank too much

J: Too much? How about “way, way too much”? Do you know the Grab driver almost refused to send us and I almost had to beg him? And he had to help me to get you out of the car when we were back? Luckily your puke didn’t stain his seat but only your jacket and shirt. Otherwise I will feel so bad and paiseh

I: Sorry, I spoiled an otherwise perfect night

J: yes I really had a lovely night with much fun until you decided to drink like its your own wedding dinner

I: The night was only lovely mainly because you were with me

J: the fact that you are talking like this means you have woken up from your drunkenness. You rest for a while and I go and take a shower

In a way, J does understand me better than all the women in my life. I was feeling better but couldn’t totally shake off that spin in the head. I was still lying on the sofa with my eyes closed when I felt J tapping my shoulder.

J: you want to continue sleeping on the sofa or are you ok enough to take a shower?

I: I need a shower

Took a long hot bath and although alcohol was still in the body, it felt better. J just finished drying her hair when she took out a pillow and place it on the sofa for me.

I finally picked up the courage and walked up to J and asked: “J, can I sleep on the bed tonight?”


To be continued...