And just as if the heavens were listening to my thoughts and I was about to put defenses down, that same day destiny had decided to play a trick on me.

"Wendy?"

Great. Just great. I wanted to run but my feet seem to have been glued up on the ground. If the earth's soil decided to split open this very minute, I would gladly jump into it to flee this awkward situation.

"Hey, Ralph!"

Force a smile, Wendy. Endure it for the meantime. Where is Santa Claus when you need him to grant your wishes?

*insert cricket sound here*

"Uhhh... What are you doing here?"

And that's the wisest thing you could come up with? You're still not over him, are you? Sigh. How awfully true. You know, you are one hell of a nut bar if you haven't noticed.

"Argh, shut up!"

"Excuse me?"

"Oh, no. Not you. Sorry, you were saying?"

"Oh... I said I should be asking you the same question, don't you think?"

Yeah, because you own this place and I actually don't have any business here because first of all, I don't work here and second, this is way out of my route home.

"Oh, that... Uhhh... Actually, I don't really know how to put this but to tell you the truth, my feet have kind of dragged me somewhere and I ended up here. That's not a bother on your part, right?"

"Oh, no. I'm sorry if my question might have offended you. This is a public place anyway and besides, seeing you again made me feel delightful."

LUBB-DUBB. LUBB-DUBB. Err, that is definitely not my stomach.

"Hey, uhmm... It's... errr... nice catching up with you again but I really gotta go... so..."

"Oh, of course, sure. I hope that we could chat much longer next time."

Oh my... His smile... Don't smile like that, darn it. It's gonna make my heart melt! ARGH!!!

"Uhhhh... Okay... So, bye now."

And off I go. Whew, what an encounter! Next time, I'll be praying hard that someone would just eat me up alive instead or the end of the world would happen or something. Anything! Anything just to get me out of that situation again next time... but that's my id speaking. Deep down inside where my ego and superego lies, they both agree that it was entirely enthusiastic.

---

I went inside my car and locked all the doors. I could still feel my heart beat, it seems to have increased twice as much. Well, figuratively. But that's beside the point because with the extent of what I am feeling, an obvious conclusion can be drawn — I'm still not over him. Months have passed and I'm still hoping. Gahdddd...

I decided to go to my favorite church on my way home. I parked my car and went inside. It was around 8 o'clock in the evening, the mass had ended 30 minutes ago and more or less 10 people remain inside. I settled on a pew on the third row and in front of me was a guy. From his kneeling position, he suddenly stood up and sat back down. And now the bridge of my nose was about 5 inches away from his back. Even from here I could smell his cologne, same as my younger brother's.

"Destiny... Tsss... Does it really exist?"

I thought he was talking to me when I heard a sound of fingers typing rapidly on a keypad and it made me realize that he was texting. I guess he's just received a message about it or something.

I went back to where I had left off with my meditation when I suddenly sneezed.

"Excuse me."

"God bless you," the guy turned around and handed me his handkerchief. "Take it, you need it more than I do."

"Thank you." Weird, I thought.

"Your welcome," he said and faced the altar again. "Do you believe in destiny, miss," he suddenly asked.

Hold it. Is he talking to me?

"Me? Yeah, I guess. To tell you the truth, destiny likes to play with my life a lot."

"Really? We must be on the same boat then. I guess misery does love company."

"Are you having a difficulty in keeping up with destiny as well?" I couldn't help but inquire.

"Yeah. I sure do, every single moment. As if I'm tied up with destiny no matter what I do."

I did not bother to ask him anymore to elaborate what he had just said. I wouldn't want him to think that I'm intruding with his personal life or anything.

I looked at my watch. Boy, I sure need to go home unless I want my mom to go hysterical. "Hey, it was nice having a very brief yet sensible chat with you, but I have to go ahead now. I'll return your handkerchief when we meet again next time."

"No, that's alright."

"Okay, goodbye then."

"Bye. Keep safe."

"You, too."

"Thank you for enlightening me."

Say what? Tss. Whatever. Maybe he just received another text message.

Then, I realized that I did not had the chance to look at him closely. I don't think I would remember him the next time I see him.