Lunch Break…

“Do you know, or have any idea, of when is the loneliest moment one could have?”

It has been almost a month since she last seen him. They are the best of friends, having known each other since high school. But lately, each of them have been tied down by their respective commitments. She has been working hard to justify her employer’s faith in promoting her to become the department leader. As for him, rumours has it that he has recently acquired a new girl friend.

“What?? After so long the first thing you ask is this??” He could barely supress his chuckle, then runs his palm across his face, hiding his laughter with his head thrown backwards.

She gives no reply but a smile on her face, still focusing on him, as if trying to read his mind.

He then goes on to unwrap his lunch: a chicken sandwich. He takes out the first slice, pauses, then say, “Probably…during the night? I mean, when it’s all quiet and silent. Sometimes I would just think of crazy stuffs. Can’t help it…”

She can't follow what comes next as his chewing impedes his speech. She takes a gulp of her coffee, now looking towards the open sea. The sea breeze masks the scorching heat of the summer sun. This mixture of hot and cold blends perfectly, too perfect for anything or anybody, she thinks.

He probably won’t understand how she feels at the moment. She thought the same , that the loneliest time of the day is when she’s in her bed, quiet and solemn. It is then thoughts about him comes to life, thoughts she tries so hard to supress by her sheer determination and commitment towards her career.

But she realises, it isn’t that simple.

He is now stuffing the second slice of sandwich into his mouth, but his eyes are focused onto the interface of his mobile. It must be her message, she assumes, nobody could make him work when he is taking a rest. Suddenly she is jealous of her; jealous that she could capture his heart to that extent.

Sensing no reply from her, he prompts, “So when’s the loneliest time of the day?” He looks into her eyes, but fingers still firmly grasping his phone. She looks at his hands, those strong hands she wished she could put hers into.

She looks up, wanting to answer him. But he is now busy with his mobile again. How would he understand, she thinks, one in his shoes would never know. The fact that a girl likes a man so much that she’s willing to spend all her time with him, if possible. The fact that a girl is so thrill to have the boy she likes to share lunch with. The fact that despite having his body sitting next to her on a bench facing the sea, blessed with blue skies and cool breeze, yet his mind, is miles away with a different girl that he loves.

She can’t bear to break his concentration; his face glows and cherishes the tiny little messenger in his hands with great affection. She feels her hands tremble, the coffee in her hands almost dropped. Immediately she holds it with both hands.

“It is now”, she says very silently, yet wishing him to hear her, “now is the loneliest time of the day.”