8 Years Gap

Gap #4

As I went to the office, I looked at Yuki's table. Right, he is not here because it is Thursday. Wait, why the heck am I looking for him? Okay, self, let's stop thinking about it.

But the truth is, I was really looking forward to seeing his smile once again, even if it means saying goodbye.

As I convinced myself to stop thinking about it, I focused on the work Mom gave to me and finished it all. When I was done, I waited for her to time out at 6:30 PM. Although she is supposed to be out at 6 PM, all because she came to work late again.

"This is the first time I felt bored in the office," I said to myself as I lean on the chair and thought about what to do. I opened my social media account and saw the picture of Joanne Espinosa in my feed. I suddenly remembered Art Riles, my guy friend from the relatives of one of our part-time houseworkers and the one who was always brokenhearted because of her. I wonder how he is right now because recently, he is not online on social media.

***

Finally, it's Friday and time to go home from school! Yay!

When I was arranging my things, my pen dropped on the floor, and when I was about to pick it up, I hit my head under the armchair. "Here," Jacky Chan already picked it up and switched it over to his other hand as he handed his hand to help me up.

"Thanks," I smiled at him and accepted his hand to stand until it became like he was hugging me because he pulled too far.

"Wow, are you two really not dating? Too sweet," Paul, our classmate, teased us, which made me step away from him, and most of our guy classmates whistled and teased us. I sighed, thinking that he is too kind to me and that I forgot my classmates always misunderstood us because of how close we are to each other. Who won't incredibly be misunderstood, right?

"Mind your own business, Paul, since sweets are not for you right now because you need fish for brains." I sarcastically smiled at him, and most of my classmates laughed. He embarrassingly walked away, and I just smirked. Seriously, he needs to step up his game because he will possibly be left a year behind us.

"Wow, I'm thankful that I'm not on your bad side," Jacky Chan smilingly told me, and I just smiled and replied, "You really should be." Then he gave me my pen, and we left together since Dana already left earlier.

As I entered the office and after greeting Ms. Ena, I secretly looked at Yuki's table. As I thought, he really is working every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday.

***

Finally done with today's work! Though, it's really not that many compared to these past few days. I stretched my arms and went to buy red iced tea since I am already thirsty, and thankfully, Mom had already given me my food allowance the time she gave me today's work.

When I went back to the office, I saw another workload for me to do. Oh well, that is now too easy for me to get it done.

I went to my seat and put my earphones on to concentrate when Ms. Ena asked me, "So what did you buy for your afternoon snack?" I removed the earphones and smilingly replied, "I bought only red iced tea since I was full earlier at lunch. Do you want some?"

"No, it's okay. Thank you for the offer though," I just nodded and smiled at her as a response. I went back to my work and put my earphones back on. After a few seconds, Ms. Ena called me again. "I think your mom is calling you," she said to me, and I looked at my mom. Oh no, she really is calling me, and it seems that she is calling me ever since I put my earphones back.

I excused myself, and as I walked toward her table, I noticed that Yuki is beside her. Probably getting to know him again since it is my mom's habit. "I'm calling you since earlier," and yup, she really did.

"Sorry, what is it?" I worryingly asked her, and I noticed that there is a gaze looking at us. I secretly looked at Yuki, and I'm right, it was him. He is carefully listening to us.

It has been a few seconds, and this guy is really eavesdropping, huh?

Oh well, not my problem, though. "Give this to Ms. Miya," she said to me and handed me an important document. It seems like regarding work, so I went to Ms. Miya's office and returned to my seat as usual. I hear him asking Mom, "What is it about?" I smiled as he really was curious about what we were talking about.

"I just wanted her to do me a favor. That's all," Mom replied to him, and he looked like his curiosity is answered immediately. I can't help but chuckle here in my seat.

When it was time for him to go home and as he said goodbye to me, I smilingly replied, "Bye!" I held my laugh there because seeing him wave goodbye to me made me remember yesterday's conversation with mom.

*flashback*

"Mom, why do you think Yuki is waving his hand so straight every time he says goodbye?" I curiously asked mom. "I don't know," Mom smilingly replied. "He is like taking an oath or something," and mom looked at me, holding her laugh. But she cannot hold it in, and we just laughed together.

*end of flashback*

I continued laughing when he went out of the office.

His POV

I really thought she left earlier without saying goodbye. As I looked at her, she is laughing. I wonder why. Is there something funny she saw on her phone? Or maybe a text from her boyfriend? But wait, does she have one?

There is no time to think about this. I got to go because it's already 5 PM. I picked up my bag and said bye to everyone, including her.

"Bye," I smilingly said to her without expecting an answer from her.

"Bye!" I left shockingly when she smiled like that.

I didn't expect her to smile like that, and I unconsciously smiled without knowing that I was thinking of her smile. As I thought, I really like seeing it.

---

Published: May 2, 2015, Saturday

Translated: September 7, 2022, Wednesday, 17:47 (GMT+8)