A Tale of A Hopeless Romantic

“Are you sure you’ve never heard of this family name before?” I said.

The customer service woman sitting across me massaged her forehead and blew her breath.

“Sir, like I’ve said before, we don’t know!” she fumed. “Besides this family moved out eight years ago, which means if this family used a property agent to sell their house, they wouldn’t be using us.”

Two of her colleagues who were sitting on her right turned their heads and stared at us. The room became silent and I could hear the soft purr of the air conditioner. 

Luckily, I was their only customer and understanding the absurdity of my question, I was prepared for such reactions.

“Look, I’m not asking for much…” I said. “All I wanted to know is if you heard about the Wijaya family who lived in this area eight years ago.”

The customer service representative whose name-tag said “I am Bellinda” sighed, pushed up her glasses, and turned her desktop to me.

“Well, you see I have no record for the Wijaya family in my database.” Bellinda said. “This means that I don’t know where they are now. Besides, who are you? Are you a private detective or something?”

“No… No…  I was just looking for a woman I saw in my dream.” I said.

She blinked her eyes twice and her mouth fell to form a big ‘O.’ Before she managed to say anything, I stood and left the property agents’ office. 

####

It was 12:30 pm and I don’t have anything to do after this. My student, whom I was supposed to teach piano later at 2 pm told me that she’s sick. I suspect that she’s lying. But I don’t care, I have other pressing matters to attend to: finding Sarah.

Sarah and I went to the same high school together. She used to be our class president and she was famous for bringing our high school to an international choir championship. I was a shy guy back then, so although I was really interested in her, I never asked her out. 

Her stern personality had been the talk of our school and the boys christened her as ‘the iron lady.’ Many guys have attempted to ask her out, but they were all swatted like annoying flies on a summer day. She never dated anyone throughout high school and right after graduation, I heard she moved to Australia.

That was why I find it odd that I have been dreaming about her lately. I have been having that dream close to ten times now and it always ended the same way: We were at our high school’s soccer field and she was standing across me. She would cover her face with her hands, but I was able to hear her muffled cry. I would then walk to her, take her right hand in mine, and ask her if she would like to go home together. She nods her head, and together, we walk back to her house. 

When we reached her house though, it was empty. There were no furniture or appliances in the house and her parents were nowhere to be found. There were just us, staring deeply into each other’s eyes like some long lost lover...

It was this house that I’ve been tracking for a couple of days. According to some neighbors, her family moved eight years ago.

####

As I was walking through my old high school neighborhood, a light drizzle began to fall. Roughly 100 meters from where I was standing, I saw a new food court that was recently opened. Today apparently was their grand opening. 

The rain soon got heavier and I ran to the food court. When I neared the entrance, I heard an emcee concluding the grand opening ceremony. 

The building has an open-wall concept with thickly carved pillars every few meters. Hanging on its roof were plastic leaves that give the place a natural feel. Small food stalls laid on the right and left side of the building. They mostly sell Indonesian food but I noticed few Western and Chinese food on the far end of the building. In front of the stalls were simple wooden furniture that looked cheap. In the middle of the building is a round stage that was covered by synthetic grass.

When I took a seat near a noodle stall, the emcee was introducing a band who will be closing the opening ceremony. The band was called The Sunset Patrols and as the band members trooped to the stage, I saw something that made my heart do a complete somersault. 

The singer who was currently setting up the standing mike was no other than Sarah… 

####

I spent my lunch time gawking at her. Right after I ordered a bowl of chicken noodle, my eyes never left the woman who is now singing a remix of Michael Jackson’s ‘Wanna be Startin’ Somethin.’ 

Although her thick makeup and nose job made her look a little different, something in my heart told me she was Sarah. 

Was this a sign? 

####

One of my most significant high school memories was when I was randomly paired with Sarah to work on a chemistry experiment.  I couldn’t remember what the point of the whole experiment was but I think it had something to do with a bunsen burner.

As the guy of the group, I took the initiative to jumpstart the bunsen burner. However, after twisting the knob two times, the flame still wouldn’t come out. 

“Here let me help you.” Sarah said.

She placed her hand on top of mine and adjusted the needle valve. Few seconds later, a small blue flame shot up from the burner’s tube. 

“Don’t worry, a lot of people got it confused.” Sarah said. “You’re not the only one.”

I was too shy to reply to her back then, and so I just nodded my head. But the memory of being touched by her hand never left my mind.

####

As the band was packing their instruments, I walked to the centre stage and greeted Sarah, telling her that we used to go to the same high school. 

She squinted her eyes and looked at me like a creepy stranger who approached her in a dingy club. However, when I repeated my name and told her that I used to go to the same high school as her, she lightened up. 

“Ohhh… Andy was it?” she said with a giggle. “I think I do remember you! You used to be so quiet in class.”

“Yup, that’s me.” I said. “Would you like some drinks? My piano class got cancelled and I could use a little company.”

Sarah turned to her bandmates who were still packing their musical instruments and asked if they could go to the studio first. The guitarist who seemed to be the leader of the band checked her watch and told her that she has to be at the studio at 3 p.m. sharp. 

Sarah playfully gave her a mock salute and took me to a coffee stall at the far left side of the food court. 

####

After we ordered our drinks and got settled, she asked me if I would like a cigarette.

“You smoked?” I asked. 

“Well it’s a habit I picked up recently when I joined The Sunset Patrols.” she said. “Once you’ve tasted the calming effects of cigarettes, you can’t go back.”

“Huh.” I said. “That doesn’t sound like the Sarah I know.”

“Well seemed like you never really knew me after all.” she said.

Our banters eventually putters to an end. I’ve got to admit that I was never a good conversationalist. All my life, I’ve been a wallflower who shied away from social gatherings and networking events. I tried to force my brain to come out with an interesting conversation topic, but my mind drew blank. 

“So what’s this all about?” she said.

“Sorry?” I said.

She folded her arms and leaned forward. Those stern eyes gazed at me like two glaring balls of fire. 

“Look, I saw how you’ve been staring at me throughout my entire performance like some freak in a thriller movie.” she said. “I could forgive those stares if I’m Taylor Swift or someone you know very well, but I’m just a random singer from an unknown band and we barely talked in high school. So I suggest you better explain yourself, man…”

I was kind of surprised by her uncouthness. The Sarah I knew was the paragon of grace and elegance, but perhaps, the passage of time had changed her. 

“Well, I know this sounded crazy, but I’ve been dreaming of you lately…” I said.

Her eyes widened and her mouth which was previously closed in a tight grump fell as her jaw dropped. 

####

“So let’s recap a little bit.” Sarah said.

I finished my cup of coffee in two big gulps and wiped my mouth with my clothes. I don’t know why but suddenly I felt thirsty after describing my dreams to Sarah. 

“In your dream, you saw me standing in our high school’s soccer field and I was crying.” she continued.

“That’s right.” I said. 

“And in that dream, you will take my arm like some gallant knight and walk me home.” she said. 

Although I didn’t like the sarcasm in her tone, I nodded my head. I don’t want to make this conversation more awkward than it already is.

“The odd thing is when we reach our home, there’s no one there, is that it?” she continued. “And the house was empty too.”

“That’s right. I don’t know how to put it, but I got the impression that the house had been abandoned for a long time…” 

Sarah frowned as if she was in a deep thought. Her coffee which probably had gone cold was untouched.

“It was indeed a weird dream and the fact that you have been having the same dream for close to ten times now was making it even weirder.” Sarah said. 

And then as if she was struck by an ingenious idea, she suddenly took my arm and shook it like a five year old kid who was trying to show me her drawing.

“Ohmygod. Ohmygod. Ohmygod!” she said. “What do you say if we drop by my parent’s house right now? It’s just nearby.”

I scratched my head and wondered how to tell her that I’ve actually been there without sounding like a creep. 

“What’s wrong?” she said, taking off her hand from my arm.

“Well this may sound weird, but I’ve been there once... but your parents were not there.” I said. “They moved like eight years ago…”

“Oh…” she said.

She was drumming her left hand on the table and stared at an empty wall behind me. If brains have sound, I’m sure hers would be whirring really loudly right now. 

“Well, here’s the thing.” Sarah began. “Two months after my graduation, I had a big fight with my parents. I wanted to pursue my dream as a singer, but they have different plans for me. So on a quiet December night, I decided to slip away from the house and start a new life in the capital…”

Questions suddenly swam around my head. But I don’t know which ones to ask first. 

“I only got back to this city recently.” she said. “As you may guess, I’ve never really talked to my parents after I pulled out that stunt.”

“Well I don’t know about you. But I think this may all be a sign…” I said.

“A sign?” she asked.

“I mean what are the chances of me having a recurring dream about bringing you to your parent’s house? What are the chances of us meeting here like this? Don’t tell me that you still think this was all a coincidence.” I said.

This silenced her for a moment. She again drummed her fingers on the table and stared at the empty wall behind me.

“Alright, you know what? You’re right. This does sound like a huge cosmic joke.” Sarah finally said. “Maybe the universe is telling me to visit my parents.”

“I think so too.” I said.

“And you are coming with me.” she said with a finality that left no room for protests

####.

I left the food court like a man who just won a cosmic lottery. My steps were light and I could feel that I was smiling from cheek to cheek. It was decided that we will meet each other again in two days’ time. 

She told me that she will ask some relatives for her parents’ whereabouts and informed me when she got an address. After we exchanged numbers, she said goodbye and left the food court in a hurry because her friends have begun calling her. It was the happiest day of my life.

####

On the appointed day, we met up in a McDonalds near a new housing complex that is in the outskirts of town at ten a.m. sharp. I begged my brother so he’d let me use his car, because looking for an address with a cab or an online transportation is impractical. Besides, I don’t want to look like a loser in front of Sarah. 

She was wearing a plain black T shirt and matching brown short pants that day. Her hair was tied in a ponytail, but she showed no sign of toning down her makeup. 

“So here’s the plan.” she said in a semi whisper. “As I mentioned in my texts, they apparently moved to this housing complex a few years ago. I managed to get their address, but I don’t know how they will react when they see me. So if things get awkward…”

“Get out as soon as possible.” I mumbled.

“That’s good…” she said, patting my hand. “Now, let’s go.”

####

We stopped at a small modern house labelled number 10 in block D. Its white fences looked unblemished and new. Its tall wooden door looked shiny from fresh polish. Unlike the other neighbouring houses which were usually planted with flowers, its garden looked bare.

“Are you sure this was the house?” I asked.

She squinted her eyes and looked at the house like an engineer studying a broken machine. 

“I don’t know…” she sighed.

“Well there’s only one way to find out right?” I said, unbuckling my seat belt and getting ready to open my door.

But before I managed to exit from the car, I could feel her hand on top of my arm.

“Wait.” she said. “I don’t think I can do this...”

####

Three minutes later, I exited the car alone. 

As I stepped into the house’ veranda, I took another glance at Sarah, wondering how she’s doing. She looked all tensed up like a little girl who was watching a horror show where the protagonist was just about to open a door to a dark room where a killer is waiting. 

I took a deep breath and knocked at the door. 

There was no response.

I waited for a few more seconds and knocked again. But still, there’s no one answering the door. I promised Sarah that I will get to the bottom of this, so I decided to push my luck and turned the door knob.

To my surprise, it was unlocked. 

I took another glance at my car and saw that Sarah was staring at me. I nodded my head, to signal that I’m going in and pushed the door further.

Soon, I found myself inside house number 10 of block D…

####

The first thing I noticed when I stepped into the house was its emptiness. There was no furniture in the house and as I jogged to the second floor, I could still smell the fresh coat of paint.

At first, I thought that the house was abandoned, but the fresh coat of paint applied on the second floor suggests that the house was just recently refurbished.. 

I was planning to report what I saw to Sarah, but when I reached the Veranda. I saw no sign of her and my brother’s car. It was at that moment when a sickening realization hit my head.

I have been conned by Sarah. 

####

My brother was really angry with me when he found out that I lost my car to a woman I barely knew. We filed a police report and made a trip to the food court to look for clues of Sarah’s whereabouts. 

However, when we managed to meet the manager, he told me that he had no idea where Sarah was. It even seemed to me that this was his first time hearing Sarah’s name. He kept no record of the band’s identity and they asked to be paid in cash, so he can’t really confirm who Sarah really is.

This revelation really disappointed me. I was really sure that Sarah and I had something. The thought that our relationship ended this way made me really angry at the universe. 

But of course, every story had its silver lining. 

As we are leaving the food court, I bumped into a University crush of mine, named Felicia. We did talk for awhile and eventually exchanged numbers. Oddly, for the next few days, I began to have dreams of her. 

In that dream, I was standing in an empty street on a cold starless night. Suddenly, I felt two warm hands grasp my right arm and when I turned, it was Felicia! We then walked arm in arm to her apartment with a big wide grin plastered on our faces. But just like in the first dream, when we reached her apartment, it was empty. There were no furniture or appliances in the apartment. There were just the two of us, staring into one another’s face. 

I guess this was a good sign, right?