Sliding Doors

On this eve of the Chinese New Year holidays, after running some errands (bills, bills, can you pay my bills) that I’d been putting off for the past month, I stumbled in decidedly late into the office this morning.

In an office building with 88 floors, I managed to catch that rare and elusive empty elevator to ride up to my office on the 38th Floor. After pressing the button for my floor, I leaned against the side of the elevator, languidly resting my head against the wall while flicking through emails on my Berry.

Randomly, the elevator stops at the 28th Floor and slides open. So, I look up. I hear the chattering of voices but don’t see anyone getting into the lift.

Then, I see my ex-boyfriend from university days, who I dated seriously for 2 years, who is now married with 2 kids, who I don’t keep in touch with, and who evidently works in the same building as me, appear in front of the elevator, talking animatedly with his colleague, both walking towards the elevator doors. We make eye contact for a split second, just as the elevator doors slide shut, thus continuing its ride up to the 38th Floor.

As I rode the rest of the short ride up to my floor in the elevator, alone, I briefly reminisced detachedly about those 2 years in university, and all the promises we make when we’re young.

Be rest assured: life is innately cloudy and unpredictable.