The 10-minute Lunch

Before The Countdown
Soundtrack: Only Time by Enya

Went for a very relaxing facial session on Sunday just before rehearsals. Gosh, it was such a wonderful treat - am not referring to the painful blackheads extraction process but to the awesome face and shoulder massages. But it took a little longer than expected and when I finally left that place, I had just about 10 minutes to eat lunch and make it to the rehearsal on time.

The Countdown Begins
Soundtrack: Mission Impossible Theme Song

1:20:00 pm - 1:20:30 pm: Debating on whether I should skip lunch altogether and just grab a Milo or something. My stomach growled ferociously at that and I decided to have something more substantial.

1:20:30 pm - 1.21:00 pm: Asked my tummy what it wanted as fuel. It insisted on rice and dishes.

1:21:00 pm - 1.21:15 pm: Dashed to the nearest nice makan place which serves yummy economy rice.

1:21:15 pm - 1:21:30 pm: Bumped into some friends from dumc having lunch in a cosy bunch. Was sorely tempted to join them but the 10-minute countdown thingy snuffed that thought out. So just managed a cheery hi to them before dashing for the foodies.

1:21:30 pm - 1:22:15 pm: Asked for a plate of rice. Heaped loads of food onto my plate. Food selection criteria: anything spicy red and leafy green.

1:22:15 pm - 1:23:00 pm: Waited for my turn to pay.

1:23:00 pm - 1:29:00 pm: Sat alone looking like a social outcast. Ordered teh peng (iced tea) and attacked my food. And then one by one I saw some friends from my old church coming into that eating place and they came by to say hi to me. They nodded understandingly when I gestured to them that I wasn't good company then as I had to rush off very soon. My dear friend, Jenn spotted me as well and we smiled and waved cheerily at each other.

"Why are you sitting all alone?" she asked when she approached me, knowing full well that I'm no hermit. Ok, I am actually a closet hermit, but that's another story altogether.

"I am rushing for rehearsals and I don't have time to yak and shovel food into my mouth at the same time," I said. "But do sit. I can eat and listen at the same time. You just need to do all the talking." All this while paying for my teh peng and stuffing food into my mouth. A lot of hand and facial gestures were involved as well. Gross, I know. But desperate times call for desperate measures.

But Jenn was such a good friend that she didn't see the uncouth, multitasking pig feeding in front of her. Instead she saw the old friend whom she missed sorely. And so she sat. And updated me with the exciting goings-on in her life and church. She talked about the revival happening in her family and how much her dour brother had changed to be an enthusiatic person for Christ.

As if on cue, her very dishy brother walked past our table and he waved and grinned at me. I was dazzled by his 1000-mega watt smile and bright eyes. Food chewing stopped for about 15 seconds.

"Wow, he really has changed. I've never seen him smile that way before," I remarked in awe as I waved back weakly. After swallowing my food, of course.

I shovelled the last bit of food into my mouth. Said hi to another close friend of Jenn's and made promises to meet up after rehearsals are done. Hugged and said our goodbyes. And then dashed off to church.

1:29:00 pm - 1:30:00 pm: Arrived at church on time. Phew, what a rush job!

Life's like that sometimes. When you are absolutely pressed for time, it starts raining dear old friends (and one cute guy).

~ End ~