Marryin Off The Spinster

Kenny was berating herself for more than an hour before she finally came up with the decision to move, calculating the chances of encountering people she avoids-for-God-knows-how-many-years, and estimating all possible schedules she could fill in later on if ever she change her mind. Mustering all the forces of energy inside her body, breathing in and out, finally, she went to take a bath and went to the mall she dreads.

Upon entering the mall's entrance, Kenny went on to look cautiously from left to right, almost making you imagine that she is one stalker who's on a mission to go after her idol, or maybe like a person who's on the run from the law.

The guards at the entrance, who were having their usual entrance inspection, were appalled upon seeing her like that, which aroused their curiosity as to who this young lady was. Actually, there is no restriction of what you'll wear at the mall (of course, except wearing bikini which is really not tolerable, which might lead people to be scandalized), as long as you are not suspicious enough to draw attention. However, with how Kenny is acting, the guards decided to put her on hold and said, "Miss, could you please take off your cap? We are troubled at how much you act like an escapee, running away from your perpetrator, or even like an inexperienced thief or whatever." The female guard paused, eyed her suspiciously, as she continued, "You really look shady with your actions."

Kenny was flabbergasted after hearing the female guard's words. Looking back at the people lining up to wait for their turn to get inside, it was already enough to make her feel distress, her forehead's sweating, and escaping from her mouth an almost a whisper of "shits".

Without delaying, she took her cap, put it inside her Korean-styled backpack, and took off after saying her apologies.

Now, she's starting to regret going.

Meanwhile at the administration office, Derek was making some reports when his phone rang. Upon seeing the caller ID, Derek paused and grinned, answering the call. "Oh Mr. Spilled Juice, what have you eaten today and you've decided to call me at this hour? I thought you've already married yourself to your work or maybe ---" Before he could finish his words, the person from the other end, interrupted, "Stop it now. You've been teasing me with that 'spilled juice' for like eternity. Give it a break."

Derek laughed, "You know, you are getting more irritable ever since that day. Aren't you on your long-term menstrual cycle now?" He stood up and went to sit on a couch nearby, making himself comfortable. "Seems like I need to buy you a year's stocks of absorbent pads."

"Having your fill already? Lucky you I'm not there or I would have buried you to the ground." Derek could hear him scoff. Getting used to this boy's personality is much easier to deal with than dealing an angry customer. His only solution is to strike back, teasing him, and having the upper hand of everything. He just couldn't tear away his grin.

"Nahh, you can't. I know how much you love me, Josh. Mwah! Mwah! Mwah!"

"Dude, seriously?!" Pretentious Josh, feigning irritability, chuckled, "You're cringing me out!"

"So, kidding aside, why did you call?"

"I just missed you dude."

"Now you're talking. Spit it out." Not believing what Josh has said.

"Actually, I'm planning on setting you up on a blind date." Josh said, feeling quite guilty of telling Derek his plan.

Derek was shocked to hear what Josh is proposing. "Seriously, a blind date? With whom?"

"Mr. Lu's niece."

"That old Geezer colleague of yours?"

"Yep." Joshua, with uncertainty in his voice.

"Dude, you know that I'm not into blind dates. Why not date her yourself?" Derek said, prepping himself to refuse the offer subtly. He continued, "Don't tell me you are passing me your own golden opportunity? Dude! No way! This is your precious chance! Grab it!"

Derek swept his glance on the door, when someone was motioning him to go out, holding a plain paper with words 'time to for morning rounds'. As Joshua was speaking from the other line, Derek mouthed and did a hand sign '5' to indicate for his colleague to wait for him and he'll be out in a jiffy.

The colleague looked at his watch, mouthed back an 'Okay', and went away.

Derek gave him a 'like' sign.

"Bro, I've no time for that, honestly." Joshua continued speaking his reasons. "I have to take care of my mom's well-being first. On the other hand, I still have my sisters to take care, too. Actually, the woman is pretty and looks more like a model. I was wondering if you could go in lieu of me."

"You're just making excuses. All of our friends knew why you remained single and abhors being in relationship all these years. It makes you feel like generous as to think of your friend when if fact, you have not yet moved on.

"However, isn't it a good thing that you are blessed with an opportunity as this? The babe could be really hot you know." Derek was speaking truthfully, prompting his friend to go, while he looked at his watch and stood up.

Josh: ...

"Well, Josh, if you don't want to meet the girl, then you should decline. Else, don't just accept offers and give it to your friends. Though girls keep swarming your world, girls are not things." Derek pointed out.

"I think you've got it wrong, bro. I haven't agreed yet. I was just thinking of your single life, dude. You're turning 30 in three years' time!" Said jokingly, trying to dodge the bullet about him not moving on.

"Funny how you make it sounds like I'm getting old when you are just trying to feed me girls not my type."

"It's what they say -- quote and quote -- we're ain't getting any younger anymore. And mind you, brother, as the youngest of us five, I'm just looking after my 'onii-chan'. "

"Right, right you do have a point there." Derek kept looking at his wrist watch, not refuting Josh.

"Nevertheless, don't ever push me to do blind dates." Derek pushed the glass door as he strides off in the hallway of the Admin Department. "Anyways, I've got to go now, bro. Time to do my morning rounds."

"See you bro"

"See you."

Then they hung up.

The buzzing sound of the people coming in and going out of the mall was deafening as the mall starts to get livelier.

Once she got inside, Kenny hurriedly walked onto the sides, avoiding people as much as possible, not wanting to see familiar faces, and do smalltime greetings of Hi's and Hello's, which exhausts her. She's only there to cool her nerves and perhaps buy Mikhail a wedding gift. Now with too many people coming, she's starting to discern that going there was a bad timing.

While walking, checking out products from the windows, fancying cute things, and making critics in her head about the environment, she stumbles upon the Department Store's make-up section. Kenny admired the colorful cosmetics displayed. She has some knacks for lippies, tho she might not be girly to look at or might not look like it, but she's quite a fashionista (hidden fashionista 😂).

"Yes, what is it, Ma'am?" A girl came towards here, wearing a black fitted top, with a black pencil mini skirt, that almost looks like a body con dress if not for the obvious folds on her top's hem, and gray stockings. She looked at Kenny from head to toe, as if estimating her entirety. This woman is the seller, especially with her familiar uniform worn by almost all the girls at the department.

Oblivious, to how taunting she looks at her, Kenny put the lipstick testers back to its place. "Oh, nothing. Just checking out." Then Kenny went on her way. It was freaking her out, especially with what some sellers might let you feel like a suspicious person that needs to be watched for or like a thief that needs to be caught. Some might not feel this way, or maybe it's only in Kenny's head.

Kenny has the habit of looking down while walking. When she turned towards the escalator, at the spur of the moment, she bumped into someone. Not looking up yet, she said nervously, "So-sorry, Ma'am!" She turned her head to look at the person, only to have mistaken the person for a "she".

"Oh it's okay." The man said in his gentlest tone.

The guy eyed her familiarly. When he noticed, he exclaimed, "Wait-- It's you!" If one could listen, they might think like they'd known each other, or maybe the guy have known her from before. The man's companion who was right behind him, look at Kenny with a quizzical look.

"Ha?" Kenny uttered, confusedly.

"Well, well, well...Now who would have thought we'll see each other again? Do you think this is a fated encounter?" The man said in a tone such as meeting an old friend he's never seen for years.

Kenny just looked at him dumbfoundedly, questioning herself, 'Who the hell is this guy?'