[ilikeoldchangke]

My section was empty, the closest colleague is at least 5-6 m away facing in a different direction. Thinking that no one would appear since I’m right at the corner of the office, I had sammyboy forum on full screen.



I was happily browsing the pictures and reading the stories online when I felt a smack across the back of my head.




I honestly felt my balls shrank to the size of a pea and I quickly closed the window and stood up.

The moment I turned around, I saw Joan with her eyes wide opened with her hands on her hips.



I wanted to speak but I could only managed some mumbling I could not even make out myself.





James : Ermmm..berummm…iwasnmmmm


Joan made a gesture of trying to smack me again which caused me to dodge but she did not follow through with her action.


I saw her powered up her PC before she went to the pantry to get her coffee.






10am


James : Hey… I thought you’re on leave ?

Joan : Well… just feel very sian…



James : Oh. I almost forgot.




I took a new roll of kitchen towel and scribbled happy birthday on it before passing it to Joan.


James : Nah…. Happy birthday…


She laughed and accepted my gift with both hands and a slight bow.



Joan : Thank you, James. I’ll need this… haha.






I was about to ask how is she celebrating her birthday when she took a look around us before sitting back down. What happened next completely caught me off guard.

I saw her beautiful face scrunched up, her eyes watered and she started to cry.


I felt my balls shrink again, probably to the size of a sesame seed as I struggled to understand what was going on.





It was those silent sobbing, she sobbed so hard her body shook. There was hardly any sound coming from her but her tears flowed freely.

In the back of my head, I wanted to crack a silly joke that went something like ,




“ Are you that sad you turned 31 ? “




I was glad I kept my mouth shut because Joan got off her chair and sat down on the carpeted floor before struggling to talk.




It was a soft sobbing mumble but I manage to make out what she was trying to say.






Joan : Thomas and I broke up 2 days ago….







Her head was lowered and she buried herself in her hands and she sobbed away.


I stood up and checked the immediate surroundings before joining her on the floor.




I gently nudge her shoulder and gave them a squeeze.


I did not disturb her for a good 15 minutes, allowing her to release her pent up emotions as much as she could.



I helped her up to the chair when I saw she was trying to get up.



James : I’ll… I’ll bring you another cup of coffee. The old one cold liao..







I went to the pantry and got her a fresh cup of coffee before heading back to the cubicle.




I passed her the cup of coffee and I immediately pursed my lips hard, pressing them together.


I sat down on my seat and my hands squeezed the sides of the handle so hard it turned my knuckles white.




Joan : Sorry… I know it’s very silly…. Go ahead… laugh at me…


She dried her tears before going on.





Joan : As my cubicle mate, I was expecting at least some sympathy from you James…. Not this…


I kept really quiet and just stared on. I was really trying to calm myself down.





Joan : It’s my birthday after all…. Can’t you just be a little nicer to me…


She came forward and smack me on my thigh and added.





Joan : Stop it…. I just ended a relationship… what you’re doing is very rude..



I took a deep breath and replied.




James : I’m… sorry…


That was all I managed before I had to purse my lips again.















Joan : I don’t get what’s so funny James… you’re quite a heartless chap….. I was still about to ask if you’re still considering proposing to me….

James : I’m….sorry Joan…




I could not hold it any longer and I let loose a short burst of giggling.

It was a genuine giggle that centred around something funny.




Joan gave a sigh before turning away from me.


What Joan spoke next was the beginning of a very interesting journey for the both of us.


It was our very first wager as colleagues.





Joan : I bet you would not be able to make me laugh today. …


I replied immediately.




James: What are we betting on ? haha.



I felt quite sorry for Joan when I heard her speak. I could really feel the sourish sadness when I heard her reply.




Joan : I’ll buy you dinner lor….. since I’m probably going to be alone for my birthday.





I replied almost immediately


James : You are on..




I left the cubicle and I went to borrow another colleague’s mirror she had on her desk and brought it back to Joan.




The moment I handed it to her, she burst out laughing, spitting saliva and letting loose some mucus at the same time.


Joan : Hahaha…..idoit…





I handed Joan some wet tissues for her to clean up her face. It turns out the marker I used to scribble Happy birthday on the kitchen towels smudge all over her when she used them to dry her tears.


It was not too bad, she just had dark smudges of black all over her face and it was really quite a funny sight.







James : So…. Did I win the bet ?


Joan laughed.




After a few seconds later, she nodded her head.




I smiled.






Joan composed herself shortly after and demanded another bet. She’s not someone who takes losing lightly.



Joan : James …. I bet I can make you cry during dinner.


I laughed and shook my head.






James : No way…


She just laughed and asked if I’m taking up the bet.


James : Sure….. what are we betting on ?






Joan smirked and shot me a sideway glance.

Joan : Winner gets to slap the loser.





I guess given her lousy mood, she really needed to vent her frustration out on someone that day.

Well, at least I get to have dinner with Joan.





I agreed.








6.10pm


We took a cab to Jalan Kayu and when I saw Joan approach the restaurant that serves buffalo wings, I knew what she was up to.



We took a seat, ordered beer and Joan ordered half a dozen of really intense buffalo wings for each of us.


I could already see the smirk on her face as she sipped her cold beer.





6.20pm


We were just chatting casually when her phone rang. She mentioned that it was Thomas and she needed to take the call. I saw her get up and leave and I immediately called the service staff.



I ordered a small dessert and requested for a candle and the staff nodded knowingly.

I requested that he change my wings to one which is really mild and briefly told him that we’re just having a friendly wager.




He smiled and nodded before disappearing into the kitchen.




6.30pm


Joan came back in and said Thomas called to wish her Happy birthday.


James : You ok ? …


Joan : I would be after I get to slap you later .. haha.


I smiled and kept quiet.





6.40pm


The wings arrived and we started eating.


Now I pretended to take a deep breath and I gobbled up my wings fast. I pretended to clench my teeth and just gobbled and gobbled.

I finished my 6 wings in no time as I watch Joan struggled with her 2rd wing.





Joan downed her beer and when I was about to reach for mine, she snatched it away from me and started drinking from it. I pretended to hold one and clench my teeth, but I was definitely nowhere near crying.







At 7.15pm, the victor is clear and I cannot wipe the smirk off my face whereas Joan cannot stop sulking.


Her sulk turned to a smile when I asked for the dessert to be served and Joan thanked me for the small surprise.




Joan got the bill as agreed and I offered to send her back to her place in Sengkang.



Right when I reach the foot of her block, she turned towards me and took a deep breath and mumbled at the same time.



Joan : Don’t believe my day can get any worse than this…




She offered the side of her face towards me and looked away.



I know you must be thinking that was the que for a kiss, a romantic gesture to end the day. I could be a gentleman, bla bla bla….. Perhaps a new beginning for James, but no.





James is not a gentleman.


A slap is a slap.







I lifted up my right hand and off it went.


Smack !





Joan’s eyes widen in surprised and she was lost for words. I quickly ran before she could recover her consciousness.


I got a good distance of 8-9 meters between us before I turned and saw Joan rubbing her left butt cheek and laughing at the same time.






I got another 4-5 meters away before I heard Joan scream at me, laughing at the same time.


I got to the side of the road to hail a cab and I could still see Joan standing at the void deck looking at me. My phone rang shortly after and I answered.



It was Joan.






Joan : Hahaha… you chicken you… run so fast. Haha.


James : Haha.. that’s a really firm and toned….behind… I must say.




Joan : Go and die .. haha…


James : Haha…. Cab’s here, half a good rest.







Joan : Goodnight James…. Thanks for the evening.


James : Goodnight Joan…







At 11.30pm that evening. I received an sms from Joan




Joan sms : Are you up for another bet ?

James sms : Bring it on…