02 Is It For Real?

Lance Mendez. A name which I heard for the first time but seems music to my ears. His smile makes my bones weak, my cheeks red and my heart flutter. He is what every woman would dream of.

"Hey, Jez. It's rude to stare. Lance is offering a handshake," Annie exclaimed.

I am back to reality. I am so embarrassed. What was I thinking?!

Everyone on the table is looking at me, waiting for my response. I got his hand and gently shake it. His hand is soft and his skin is smooth. He's still smiling and seems like waiting for something.

"And, your name?" he added.

"Jessica, yeah, Jessica," I replied stuttering.

"Nice name, Jessica. Can I buy you a drink?" he asked.

"No, thanks," I answered. I can't look at him directly, having him in front of me makes me tense, and I don't know why.

"How about any song request? I can ask my group to play it for you" he said.

"I, hmm, I can't think of anything, I can't actually think right now. How about, hmm, My way," I replied.

"Haha! You're funny. Don't tell me you're serious requesting that song?" he said.

"Haha! Of course, I was joking!" but actually I was serious. It is difficult to force a smile and a laugh in front of the person who makes me feel so awkward. That was the only song I could think of at this time. What song was he expecting?

"We have five more songs to play during the second set. I hope I can join you guys for a few drinks after," he said.

"Sure!", everyone exclaimed. "That would be lovely!"

"I'll see you later, then, Jessica but I have to say sorry we cannot play your song," he finished still with a smile on his face.

Everyone turned to me when he was gone.

"I think he likes you Jez," Annie shouted, looking so surprised but in a positive way. "That was really awesome. I am speechless."

"Me too," I replied.

The next minutes passed by so fast. I was thinking the whole time how crazy and stupid I was to act that way. What happened to me? My way! Who on earth would request for that song in a bar? I wish I will disappear right at that moment! And he said he will join us for a drink after? Is he also crazy? Should I make an excuse? I have headache Annie, I want to go home! But that will be an obvious lie. What am I going to do? I was panicking the whole time and I didn't realize that the band already sang their last song.

"Thank you for coming tonight, and I hope you enjoyed our performance. Have a wonderful evening everyone," the vocalist said.

My heart began to beat faster and I think it will explode soon. I keep looking on the stage and check what the band members are doing, especially Lance.

I saw them form a circle and it seems like they are having a small meeting. After two minutes, they separated and went to the back stage except Lance. As he promised, he came back to our table. He came directly in front of me, laid a pen and a piece of paper on the table and said,

"As much as I want to stay, we have an urgent matter to attend to. Can I have your phone number, please?" smiling cutely.

…

Dear Diary,

Something unusual happened today. Aside from going to the bar (I know that is very unusual for me), someone got my phone number for the first time! (Technically, that was not the first phone number request I've got. There were some people in the past asking for my phone number so they could include me in their prospective clients' list or invite me to join their business.) This time someone got my phone number for real! It was so ecstatic! Is it really happening? How can a handsome man get phone number from a nobody like me? But of course, I am not expecting too much. Being noticed by a guy like Lance Mendez is already enough for me. I will never forget this day. (end of diary entry)

How can I forget this day? I remember how Mike, Annie's boyfriend teased me the whole time, asking what I did to get noticed. And I became the topic of the group because of that incident.

"Hey, Jessica, you should share to other women your secret. I am really impressed. Do you know that Lance Mendez is known for being a snob? Many girls like him, obviously because of his looks," Mike said, looking so amazed.

"I heard many girls send him gifts, and not just gifts, but expensive ones from gadgets to accessories. Many girls have asked him to go out, but he turned everyone down!" John, Mike's colleague added.

"There must be something about you that Lance noticed. I'm jealous," one of the girls said, actually I can't remember her name. I am not even sure whether we were introduced.

"I am so happy for you, Jez. I have been praying for this day to come," Annie mentioned.

"Annie, he just asked for my phone number. He didn't ask me to marry him," I explained. "And besides, we are not sure whether he will really contact me. What if he forgets about it. If he really wants my phone number, he would save it in his phone and not on a piece of paper. He is so left behind with modern technology."

"Don't be so negative. He seems nice," Annie, who looks very happy.

Speaking of message, it is already 2am, and I haven't gotten any call nor text from Lance. I am starting to believe that it is just a prank. Or maybe it was his tactic to make girls fall for him.

Thirty minutes passed and still no message.

3 am. I am sure he will never send a message.

4 am. Time to sleep.

…

I woke up late the next day, with headache from having some alcohol last night and lack of sleep. The first thing I did when I got up is to check my phone of course, but still no message. Actually, no one sends me a message except my mom and my colleagues. I never got any message from other people. I even doubted myself many times whether I have friends. I know I have some, but we don't talk often, or should I say we rarely talk.

Since I got no message, I started with my Saturday routine: clean the house, do my laundry, get some exercise and go grocery shopping for my next week's supply. After which, I take a shower and prepare to watch Korean dramas.

I was able to finish everything by 3 pm, took a shower and ready for a Kdrama marathon by 4 pm. I prepared chips and fruits on my bedside table and searched for something to watch. And voila! My Saturday is complete.

I was already hooked with the drama I am watching when my phone vibrated. I picked it up naturally and it was a message from an unsaved phone number. A bit weird.

I opened the message and to my surprise, it is from Lance Mendez.

"Hi, this is Lance. Sorry for the late message, my band was quite busy since last night. How are you?"

He sent me a message! I can't believe I got a message from him! I don't know how many times I have read the message over and over again. It is like a dream, but it is real! I was staring at my phone for God knows how long and I was just smiling.

Ah, right! I have to reply! But what will I tell him?

"Hi, happy to meet you!" No, this one seems like I have been expecting his message for a long time. (start deleting the message)

"Hi, I'm good, thanks for asking," too formal. Erase, erase!

"Nice meeting you Lance. I'm good, how about you?" I think this is okay. Press send!

I am very tense. What if he doesn't reply. What if he is just being polite so he sent me a message? What if it is not him? Until I hear my phone beep.

"I'm a bit tired, I and my band mates had to do something last night so we were up until around 5 am. I hope you enjoyed our performances in the bar," end of message.

How can a simple message make me so happy? I feel like I am in high school again.

I shouldn't reply immediately. I have to wait for 5 minutes. I don't want him to think that I am easy to get or cheap or I am very happy to exchange messages with him.

I was just staring at my phone for 5 minutes.

7:52.

7:53.

7:54.

7:55.

7:56.

Start typing.

"Of course. I enjoyed all the songs you guys played. I had fun last night." end of reply.

And wait again.

After a minute, the phone beeps again. It is from him. How can he reply so fast? Does that mean he is only sending message to me? How sweet of him. But no, don't fall for it easily!

"That's wonderful. I am happy to hear that. What song is your favorite?," end of message.

Oh my gosh!

I was not actually listening. I was just looking at him and I was confused the whole time. I don't remember anything. What should I tell him? Ah, I will call Annie.

Start dialing Annie's number.

Ring. Ring.

"Hello, what's up,?" Annie from the other line.

"Hi, Annie. Are you busy? Can I ask you a question?," I said, quite hesitant.

"Yeah, I'm free now. What is it?" she replied.

"Please don't laugh at me and please don't ask me any question. I just need your answer. Okay?" I requested.

"Yeah, sure. Okay. What is it?" Annie sounding puzzled.

"What songs did the band play in the bar last night? Can you remember some?," my voice became quieter.

"Haha!," I could hear a long sound of laughter from her. How could she laugh at me during my most stressful moment!

"Don't you remember anything? I thought you were enjoying the songs because your eyes were fixed on the stage!," Annie teasing.

"Just answer the question!," me getting irritated.

"Haha! Okay. I can't remember everything but they sang Shape of You and Perfect by Ed Sheeran. That's all I can think of now. Those are my favorites," she explained.

"Okay, thanks. I have to go now. Bye!" end of call.

I have to end the call immediately before she asks me more questions. We can talk about everything she wants to know on Monday.

I open Youtube app to listen to the songs. I like listening to music but I have to make sure I know what I am talking about when I reply to him.

I am in the middle of listening to Shape of you when a call interrupted my listening.

Lance is calling!