9th October 2001, 2.30pm

I chew down my last fries still eager to know the important thing that leads to this meeting. Sha, enjoying her lunch showed no signs of starting a conversation. Her pink baby-tee and khakis combination made her look outstandingly beautiful. And her long wavy hair looks perfect with her sun glasses tucked a little bit above her forehead. And watching her in person like I'm doing right now would be a memorable experience.

She took a sip at her wine and looked into my eyes. "Is there anything odd with my clothes?" Her question brought back my senses since i was admiring her beauty.
"No, not at all. I was just wandering why would someone like you asked me out on a lunch date and leaves me hanging with an important thing she wants to tell me." That came out perfectly. I'll be embarrassed if she knew i was away from my place for a while.
"About that. Actually there's nothing that important. I just want to have lunch with you. Someone told me you wont agree unless it's something important and makes you interested." She had a point there. After all that brought me here.
Since she gave me a hint, I started at my own pace. "No doubt you caught my interest. And I think this will lead to something. My curiosity is way deep now. And if given a chance I would like to explore the important thing myself."
As I expected, she started blushing. It started light pink and grew to a mere red on her cheeks.

She tried to hide her face but I can see it clearly. She took another sip at her wine."You have any plans later?"
"Actually I need to show up at this recording studio. You remember Fred and Gary? We are working on an album at Mr. Lennon's studio. He is Gary's dad. Why don't you come and join us?"
"Sure, why not? But before we go I want to give you something." She took out a small box wrapped in glittery papers and handed it to me. "Happy birthday. It's nothing but I hope you like it."
I open the wrappings slowly, trying to hide my eagerness. Something I'm saving my money to get lies inside the box. A Bretling Navitimer-fighters watch. I take out the watch and wear it straight away. "Thanks. It's so nice of you. I've been wanting this watch all along. And how did you know it's my birthday?"
"I did a little stalking of my own. I hope you are not angry at me?" How can I be angry when she gave me the sweetest smile I've ever seen.

I arrived in front of Gary's house with Sha following behind. Gary is by the pool with Fred. We walked in towards the pool and saw Trish coming out from the pool house in her bathing suit.
"Hey, I thought you are coming alone." Gary and I do the special handshake we invented. Then Fred and I did the same.
"You guys remember Sha right? I hope you don't mind."
"No, not at all. Have a sit. My dad's still in the basement editing a few songs. He'll be out in an hour. In the meantime, we are going to soak in the pool. There are a few beers and cokes in the icebox. Help yourselves." Gary and Fred headed to the pool house to change. Trish invited Sha to join her at the bench under the tree. I don't want to disturb girls talking so I grabbed a beer at sat by the pool.

It is indeed an amazing day today. I hope it will be an interesting start of a new chapter in my life.

9th October 2001, 11.30am

The sun is already high up when i finally woke up at around 11.30am this morning. I was always hoping a cute little canary would sing me a song when I wake up every morning. But that will always be a dream when you live high up in the 21st floor. I really hated this house the first time. I remembered myself yelling at my mom when there was no electricity in the block and the stupid generator was down. It was a really frustrating day since I have to walk down 17 floors down just to get into my car and back 17 floors up to go back home. I actually didn't go back home that day until my mom called me to tell that the electricity is back on.

School is nearing to it's end. And I've been single for nearly 6 months now. Sometimes it's really frustrating to see couples holding hands and smooching intimately in front of me. But most of the times I'm glad that I finally can do anything, anytime, anywhere without anyone nagging or sulking on me. Thinking of it, there's a lot stuffs that I can finally get to do like smoking in the car, stay out late with Fred, Gary and Trish, go straight to sleep without taking my bath and lots more stuffs that would make Ash yelling at me before. Talking about Ash, she's really out of the picture right now. Weird because she's always there wherever I am but now she seems to disappear.

I was having breakfast, cereals and strawberry milk, when my phone rang.
"Hi, is this Daryll's phone? I'm Sha by the way" the voice at the other end was full of excitement when I answered.
"Yes. I'm Daryll. And who are you again?"
"It's Sha. I'm in your physics class. I have something important that I can't talk over the phone. Can you meet me at the Cosmo Shack by the marina?" the name Sha sounds familiar but I can't really guess who is she.
"Make it a lunch date?" it's not the important part that make me want to see her. I really want to know who is Sha.
"Sure, no problem. Lunch then."

An interesting way to start my day I guess. Breakfast at near noon. Then a lunch date with a mysterious girl. What more can a guy ask for, right? I left my half-eaten bowl of cereal on the table and dashed to the shower. The name 'Sha' kept circling in my head as I'm having and shower and it won't stop circling even in the car. Each time I pictured a girl from my physics class, none of them came by the name 'Sha'. Is she really in my class? Or is it one of Ash's friend trying to make a prank again like last week? The answer lays in the small food shack by the marina.

It's really frustrating finding an empty parking lot at the marina during lunch hours. Especially when someone is bad at parallel parking like me. I managed to secure a parking lot after 15 minutes searching and it's about 500 metres away from the marina. Worse, I took more than 5 minutes just to get my car in the parking lot. I put some small change into the parking meter and lit a cigarette. I really hate walking under the scorching afternoon sun by the marina since there's hardly a shady tree nearby. But I tried to ignore it all by enjoying the smokes from my cigarette.

A somewhat familliar face is sitting at the roadside bench and I'm getting the feeling that I know her from somewhere while I'm approaching. She waved. Is that the mysterious 'Sha' the short-tempered girl? Classmates call her the Volcano, which I will know instantly. So her real name is 'Sha'. But the question is what is so important that she need to talk personally to me? We never really talked in class except for the excuse me and sorry I get when I was blocking her way or vice versa. All I know is she has a reputation for the most people slapped. More than 15 I guess. Even Fred and Trish was slapped before for trying to flirt around with her. She's somewhat gorgeously hot and cute by the way. The only reason no one ever tried to take her as a girlfriend is her short temper.

"Hi, sorry I'm late. It's hard to find an empty space around this hour."
"Yeah, I know that. I have to park all the way down the road over there." she seems nice today. I was afraid she would slap me straight just now.
"So, what's the important thing you told me about on the phone?"
"Err. Can we talk about it after lunch? I'm really hungry. Lunch on me today."

1st April 2005, 10.30am

The digital alarm clock next to my bed had been making awful beeping sounds since 10 minutes ago. It's thursday morning and my head feels so heavy. I just ignored the alarm and covered my head with my blanket. It's so relieving that the alarm stopped in five minutes or so. But as I thought things are going to be fine, the one and only person who's been waking me up every morning walks into my room.
"Hey! Rise and shine lazybone!" It's Sha right on top of me shaking my shoulders. She's always using that element of suprise since I can't go back to sleep after that. "It's already half past ten and you're still in bed? Don't you have class at noon? I say wake up!" She never give up on me that's something amazing but annoying sometime. I do have class at noon but today I'm planning to skip the class.
At last I gave up and head straight to the bathroom. Another sweet thing she's been doing every day since we arrived here is keeping my house clean and tidy. While I'm brushing my teeth, I can her doing some laundry. I just don't know what happened but she's been doing things for me like she's my wife even though we don't live togather. I can't even tell wether it's good or bad. But I hope everyhing will turn out fine.
"You wanna go out and have some fun? I think I'll skip my afternoon class today." She's still doing my laundry when I finished bathing.
"Sounds great. How about the two of us go shopping togather?" Really it's been a while since the both of us go out togather. I'm busy with my work and studies while Sha is seating for her finals. But now we seem to have a lot more time togather. Sha's graduating next month and I'm now working only on weekends.
Things got a lot better lately. Me and Sha are getting engaged after her graduation. She decided to stay here with me for another year untill I graduate. If everything went as planned, we will get married after my graduation. But for now I really need to concentrate on graduating. My studies had been a bit messed up lately with me working night shifts to support my living here. Luckily Sha had been a great help. She started working part-times to help me with my expenses. She really wanted me to stop working but I felt it would be a burden to her and I'm a lot comfortable earning money by myself.
That afternoon, we went to town, which we had no chance of doing for almost a month. As I turn into the red light streets area, I felt a quick and painfull pinch on my waist. Sha had pinch me for being naughty but I really have no intention of being naughty.
"I'm just taking the shortcut. Don't you know that the favourite boutique of yours is just around the corner from here? Geesh, don't be so mad." She gave me the 'don't be mad at me look' and gave me a peck on the cheek.
After a long stop at her favourite boutique, we took a tram to the centre of town. I've been craving for smoked salmons for days. I never really had the chance to go out and have some fun like this lately. As we get off the tram, I kind of realize Sha had been smiling and grinning and even giggled a lot of times since we left my house. I wanted to ask earlier but I guessed maybe she saw something funny. But it had been a few hours since we left home.
"What's up with you? Smiling and grinning all the way from home."
"Nothing. It's really nothing." She kept on chuckling.
"I know there's something. You tell me or else..." I gave her the 'I don't like this' look and she seems intimidated.
"Err, you really have no idea don't you? It's April Fool sweety. And this is the first time you've been like an angel on April Fool's Day."
"Darn! How can I forget that?" Every year on April Fool i'll be doing lots of pranks especially on Sha. And there's something that made me forgot this year but I can't figure it out yet.
"Actually, I played a prank on you just this morning but you never realize it." Sounds a bit strange since she never play any pranks on April Fool but maybe she picked up a few pranks from me.
"A prank? I really don't have a clue."
"I changed the date on everything that displayed dates in your house. Your calender, alarm clock and even your handphone. And you never realized it!"
"I guess I've been a bit off lately. But anyway, nice prank!" I guess that's it for this year. The prank master had been fooled by his future fiance. There's some chemistry there I guess.
"You still have next year, sweety. And make sure you check your dates next year." She chuckled again and this time I tickled her and she ended up hugging me.

26th March 2004, 10.00am

It's sure cold even though spring has just entered here in Amsterdam. The view of the flowers blossoming through my loft's window is so breathtaking. I just woke up and saw two birds sat on the table I put in the balcony of my room last summer. They reminded me of someone from my past. Someone who shares lots of memories. Someone who already became history in my diary. Someone I will never forget the rest of my life. Just what might that someone be doing right now? All I know is summer just passed there where she is right now. But maybe she had gone back to the place where we met. The place where summer never ends. I just hope she's in good condition and living a great life.

After cleaning myself, I grab my backpack and head towards the best fish grill in town. I just love the fries there. They call it patat here. It maybe came from the word potato. But whatever they call it, I'll still be craving for the fries here served with tartar sauce. Deep fried salmons are quite popular among the locals but I prefer my salmon smoked. I just don't know why but the taste can't be expressed by words. Some says it's gross, some says it's quite fine but to me its taste is far beyond delicious.

Living far away from home surely changed me a lot. I used to be some sort of a playboy but things need to change around here in order to survive. Money spending is quite the same though. And there are still a few high school friends around here. Fred was sent here to the same university with me. Sha, yes, Sha had enrolled herself in one of the art academy here. She kept busy looking for a place to study here after I got enrolled into Universiteit van Amsterdam. Yes, we got back together a few months after I broke-up with Ash when she found a new guy in New Zealand. I felt like the whole world had come to a halt at that time but luckily Sha is always there for me.

"There's my mister sleepy head. At what time you woke up this morning?" It is Sha who came from my back and tried to give me a surprise.

"Around ten as usual." I tried to fake a smile and it turn out to be an ugly grin.

"No wonder no one answered the phone this morning."

"You called me? Why? What's the event?"

"I thought of dropping by your house for breakfast. But since you didn't answered the phone so I headed straight here. What are you having? I'm sure starving." She sounds cheerful as usual. Every time I saw her face I get a bit of her energetic aura. The smell of her hair, makeup and her Tommy Girl perfume I got her for her birthday is like an inspiration for me. Before I smell enough of her fragrances she already headed for the counter to place her order. The way she walks seems so perfect. And my heart followed the rhythm of her bouncing hair.

After class we decided to meet at Fred's. He did invite us over to his house a few times but since his house is outside the city limits, we rarely go there. The road is packed as I pass through the main gates. Ash's class won't be finish until five so I decided to wait for her. The clock on the dashboard showed 4.30pm when I arrived outside her college building. A sign hanging in front of a cottage just opposite the college building caught my eyes. Translated, it says "Circle of The Greed". Weird, but it's there written above the main entrance to the cottage. I took a glance at my swatch. There's still 20 minutes before her class ends. A quick stop to say hello and satisfy my curiosity won't harm anyone I guess.

"Can I help you, Sir?" The receptionist at the front desk greeted me as I walked through the cottage door. Inside, there are large paintings of portraits unknown to me. And all I can think of right now is this fraternity is really weird.

14th February 2003, 8.00pm

"Can you help me out with this tie honey?" I was never good with neckties and I guess I never will. Ash's hands run through my ties trying to perfect it. I looked deep into her eyes and didn't realize she was all done a few moments ago.

"You sure made me the happiest person in the world today. You come all the way here from Singapore, set up a candle light dinner for me and bring back the one friend I missed a lot. Just how can you do all that in 24 hours?" I can't think of any words right now but just continue on looking into her beautiful eyes, trying to tell everything with my passionate stare.

"Are you two ready yet?" That's Mrs. Goh, Ashley's mom at the door.

"We're all set." I quickly grab my coat while Ash gets her mom at the door.

"Both of you look great together. Come on I'll drive you guys there."

"Thanks, Lucy." I'm used to call Ash's mom Lucy since she asked me to call her by that name. She's like the mother every child wants. So understanding, loving, caring but yet quite strict in a few aspect. She offered to give us a lift to the restaurant me and Lucy picked for my Valentine dinner with Ash. It's a French style restaurant serving French and Italian cuisine. I always know Ash loves Lasagna and that will be something like the main dish for tonight even though it's always served as appetizers.

Lucy dropped us off right in front of the restaurant. Inside, the light is quite dim, creating a romantic atmosphere. The waiter in charge seated us at a well-prepared round table in a deserted section of the restaurant. Even though there are a few other couples enjoying their time, we feel like we are the only person here. We made our order and started a light conversation with jokes and tears of laugh in between.

When we are feasting, a string trio plays romantic tunes to spice up the air. It's so perfect for someone to propose to their loved ones but not me since it's not time yet. I still have a lot to be done in my life. I even haven't finished my studies yet. My minds flew away from the table, thinking about my future. What am I going to be when I reach my thirties? Will I still be with Ash or back with Sha or found someone else better? And the jackpot question, am I still in this world by then?

Suddenly I felt a pinch on my chest. How can I forget to give her the rose and the present I got for her? And worse, we already finished eating. Am I supposed to give her those before or after the food? But it all doesn't matter now since we already finished eating.

"Ash, I got something for you." Quickly, I take out the red rose and the nicely wrapped box out of my pockets and give it to her.

"Oh, how sweet of you. Can I open it now?"

"Sure. After all it's yours." She tears open the wrapper and open the box. It's a silver necklace with a cute kissing swan pendant.

"I love it and I love you even more."

"Glad you like it. Let me hook it for you."

"I got a present for you too. But you need to wait till we get home. It's so special I can't take it with me here." She gives me that cute smile again and I guess I know what she got for me.

14th February 2003, 3.00pm

After lunch with Ash and her mom, I ushered myself into the living room just in time for the news on television. Too bad Ash didn't have TiVo. Without a reason I'm worried about my favorite drama series on Star World. Suddenly I remembered about my date with Sha. It's a date I guess even though I didn't agree. Slowly I walked out the front door and headed towards the cafe I had breakfast this morning.

15 minutes walking and I guess the cafe is just around the corner. That if I didn't make a wrong turn somewhere. A Quick-E-Mart popped in sight and I'm sure I'm on the right path. After a few paces more, I saw the cafe's signs. "Blueville" it says. I pushed the door open and stepped in. There are less people this time than this morning when I had breakfast. But a sweet young woman waving at me from a corner table for two got my attention. I walk towards her table and take the seat opposite her. The air is warmer inside but I'm shivering. Not from coldness but from tremendous guilt and nervousness and excitement. Such a strange feeling.

"You are early. Thought you'll be late with Ash around." She started the conversation with a very sarcastic joke. But it's her nature to be sarcastic so I guess she's still the old Sha I knew.

"I sneaked out actually after lunch. They didn't know I am here actually." She looked surprised even before I finish my sentence. Maybe she expected me to come here with Ash or at least let Ash know I'm meeting her right now.

"So you didn't expect to see me like this, right? But there's no way I can see you again if it's not like this. To tell you the truth, I still miss you. Especially after I have bad times with Andrew." I did expect this kind of conversation but with tears dropping down her cheeks. Instead she is all smiles from the start.

"What happen with you and Andrew after you found out about him doing drugs?" The only question I wanted to ask since inside the airplane that I didn't have the chance to ask.

"Well, you know him. I found out after he started to ask for money from me. Everyday we argued. Until one day I can't stand him anymore and decided to break-up. You should know what happens next. And it's worse than our tragedy."

"He’s been asking money from you? What a big crack head!"

"Yeah. And the amount increases each time. He doesn’t even have money or job and yet addicted to those useless drugs." Now she had this sad look in her face.

"Guess you've learnt your lesson. So what are your plans next?" I try to change the topic. And she's back to her normal state.

"I really want to be Ash's friend again. I didn't tell you I'm moving here yet, right? I want to have a fresh start. I already enrolled into a local college. So I guess having a friend or two will help a lot."

"Oh, really? Hurmmm. How about you come back with me? I'll tell them I met you on the way back from cigarette hunting."

"That'll be great. You're still the sweet guy I knew. Thanks."

After a quick stop at the Quick-E-Mart for my cigarette, we headed towards Ash's house. Questions run in my empty head when Sha suddenly grab my hand like she used to do when we were couples. Is she trying to get me back with her? Or she's just being friendly? I acted like I don’t care and continue walking.

14th February 2003, 5.00am

Time passed as I have a very nice chat with Sha. Without realizing, the plane will touchdown in just under 2 hours. Cabin crews are serving breakfast just after me and Farsha finished yet another coke and rum. I walked down the aisle towards the toilet just to find out it's occupied. I go back to my seat and realized Farsha is looking out the window again.
"I believe this is not the first time for you but why all the fear?"
"Nothing actually. Just kept thinking of my ex-boyfriend."
"Ex-boyfriend? You mean Andrew? What happened to you and Andrew?"
"We broke-up last month after I found out he's been taking drugs."
Sha's face is full of hate when she told me everything about her boyfriend. I made a conclusion they broke-up in a really frustrating way. Even me myself can't believe it when Sha told me Andrew is doing drugs. Andrew was a colleague of mine. He's in the other class but we used to eat and hang-out togather at the school's cafe or Perrier's.
In Auckland International Airport, we said goodbye after taking contact address and phone number. It's really been a long time since I saw her. More than a year I guess. She headed straight to the Limo service when she saw Ash coming towards me. I guess their rivalry is not yet finished.
"There's my big guy. How long have you been waiting here?"Ash hugged me so tightly making me hard to breathe.
"It's been nearly 2 months I've been waiting for you I guess." I said with an angry tone.
"Pity you. I really wonder what you would be doing back in Singapore while i'm having fun here."I tickled her and greeted Mrs. Smith. Their car is parked quite far from the terminal building so I took the chance to play around with Ash.
"What are your plans for today?"
"I just arrived here so I suggest we get something to eat first?"
"Is that all you can think of? Food? But it's a good idea anyway since me and mom haven't had our breakfast yet."
After breakfast, we went to Ash's house and I took a chance to nap for a while. Ash is busy cooking with her mom in the kitchen. Just after I place my head on the couch, my cell phone rang. I wonder who is it since i didn't recognize the number displayed on the called ID.
"Hello, Daryll here."
"It's me, Sha. Err, by any chance can we meet?"
"Oh, it's you. Meet? Why?"
"I'll explain that later. Meet me at the place you had breakfast this morning with Ash. I'll be waiting for you there at 12 noon. Bye." Before I get the chance to ask some more, she hang-up the phone. I'm really suprised with that call. How did she know where me and Ash had breakfast? Did she follow me? I'm so confused right now. There's no way I can take a nap now.