I walked along the narrow pavement, trying to stay close to the wall of the minimarket and the waffle shop, the only shelter I had. My umbrella was too flimsy that it had to flip every five seconds. I watched the makeshift hawker tents fluttering in the gale, thinking that it would be best for me to stay by the concrete buildings, and I stopped. I was thinking about Arthur, more than everything else.
He was obviously too preoccupied with his essay to even notice, let alone be bothered by the storm outside. If, if only the confirmation had been there in his pigeon hole…I could pick it up. Then, at least I would have one valid reason to go and see him… If, if only his apartment was conveniently along the way, I could drop by and ask if I could wait till the storm subsides…then, at least I would be able to see him, even for a second.
“Excuses! Excuses! Just tell me what it is!”
Heads turned. A woman in her thirties, dressed in T-shirt and Capri blasted at a tall, tanned man in a business suit, who appeared to put on an aloof front. I had no idea who they were but they had certainly seized the attention of the crowed under the shelter. What could they be quarrelling over? Excuses? What kind of excuses?
Excuses…Damn! Do I even need excuses just to see Arthur? I ran back to the bus stop, holding on to my umbrella, just in time for bus number seven to stop. I hopped in. What if Arthur was annoyed by my sudden appearance? What if I had no good reason to interrupt his work? What if…I didn’t know what to think. The thought of seeing him gives me a thrill and a fright at the same time. Unlike the usual, I felt that I came so unprepared… I wish I could hide somewhere…but I was determined to live without excuses.
Seventh floor, unit 135. I knocked on the door. Arthur opened the door.
“Hey, come in! What brings you here?” He blurted out in surprise. Further behind, Isabelle was sitting on the sofa, sipping coffee.
“Hi… Isabelle…what a surprise…what are you doing here?” I asked.
“I was on my way to your house when the rain started to pour, so he kindly let me take a shelter until it stops,” She replied calmly with a smile, “And you…why are you here so suddenly?”
“I…I don’t need excuses.”
There was a moment of silence, where I felt that everyone was looking at everyone else's eyes. No more excuses.
