Jenn

I was hoping to avoid writing about this topic because it's one of the less pleasant experiences I've had. But then again I want to look back to this time and relive the memories. So, having said that, let me recount what happened.

It all started when I was supposed to meet a friend in Microsoft's Redwest cafeteria. It was around 3pm, and the day was dark and dreary. Most people think it's depressing. I find it refreshing.

I use to see this girl there whose name I would later learned to be Jenn. She's pretty. Always ties her dark hair in a pony tail. She has a milky white complexion which I noticed is common in the Northwest part of the United States. Her nose stands out quite well and works well with the rest of her other facial features that makes her pretty.

She works there in the cafeteria. And I had admired her from a distance, but nothing was serious about it.

That was until of course, I planned to meet a friend that day at 3pm. The cafeteria was fairly big, so I was searching for him for a few minutes. But before I could find him, I noticed Jenn sitting by herself. I noticed that she was looking at me, perhaps trying to determine if I was someone she knows. I said a casual hi, and she returned the favor. Wanting to prolong the conversation, I told her I saw her by RTC (Redmond town center) a couple of days back. She said she was with her friends to watch "I Am Legend". I asked about specific points in the movie, and after a few more minutes of back and forth talk, I said she enjoy her day and I went back to search for my lost friend.

The conversation felt good. But I had easily forgotten about it. Days later I was able to chit chat with her again, I told her that the following week will be my last week in Microsoft. We had a short conversation about it, and I even made some jokes... which to my surprise she got them right away. At this point I was thinking that perhaps there's a chance that she would be interested in me.

And what happens next is perhaps the greatest moment in that conversation. Bluntly, I asked her if she has a boyfriend. The reason for the bluntness was I wanted to convey that I was dead serious about my intentions and that I didn't plan on beating about the bush. Now, asking this question was perhaps not the most tactful thing I have done. Nor does it exactly serve my purposes. When asked this question, women generally tend to be guarded at the very least or worse, freak out.

She probably paused just 1 second before answering, but it seemed like it took longer than that. If she says no, then yay for me! If she says yes, well... it does not necessarily mean anything. (yeah right...)

"Yes I do." was her reply.

"Bummer", I thought.

I forgot how I managed to salvage my bruised ego and make a graceful exit. But I did. And I went back to my office... somewhat deflated... but oddly enough, exhilarated.

It was a ballsy question. And I had to find out right away if there was an opportunity there or not. I would love it if there was. But regardless of the situation, it was a gutsy move that I was proud of. So despite it not going how I wanted it to go, I was able to do it. I pulled the trigger so to speak.

Now the next day... I was caught up in how hectic my schedule was that I forgot about this conversation. So I saw her again, this time from a distance. There's just something about looking at her that makes time seem to slow down. Something graceful, something that makes me say "Aahhh... there she is..."

I know she has a boyfriend, but so what? This is America! People switch boyfriends here like they switch shirts. So, why not give it one more go?

I'd rather make a fool of myself a second time rather than give up this quickly and never know what could have been. So... I timed my approach so that there's not a lot of people, and only the two of us are there. I started a chat again. But this time, I would like to make it explicit that I was asking her out for coffee.

I explained to her it was my last week in Microsoft and that I would appreciate it if we could have coffee together. I didn't try to say anything cheesy because she probably already knows why I'm asking her. If I said something else, she'll see through it. And I'd rather be lame than disingenuous.

For some miracle from God, she said yes. I even asked for her number and she gave it to me. "What the hell!?", I was thinking to myself.

Was there something different today than yesterday? Yesterday, she was all, "Oh, I have a boyfriend" mode, now she's giving her contact information and saying yes to my asking her out on a date.

Now, fast forward to the day of the coffee 'date'.

[Hmm, I'm getting sleepy. Perhaps I'll continue this at a later time...]