Crush

He got up from his chair after long hours of thinking and turning ideas into writing. He headed straight to the pantry while debating with himself whether a latte would be better rather than having the usual hazelnut coffee. Joe is a self-confessed overachiever who is working as an advertising consultant in a multinational company and is constantly racing with time to beat his deadlines.

She went away from her desk to pick up the paper she crumpled near the bin after attempting to shoot it from her location. After placing the crumpled paper inside the bin, she realized that she forgot to get a cup of unsweetened black coffee. Tina is a sporty geek who works as a marketing assistant from the same company and is seated on the other side of the office.

Joe entered the pantry not aware that his bodily movements are weak and faineant which was caused by his over dedication to his work. He approched the coffee machine and ran his fingers from the topmost button and stopped at the button where it reads, "Coffee Latte". As the clear hot water which later turned into a light brown color continued filling up the mug he placed under the spout of the coffee machine, Tina entered the room spiritedly. She headed straight to the mug rack and stood patiently behind Joe who is now ready to get his coffee and have it stirred. Joe switched to his right and strolled away from the coffee machine. Tina placed her mug on the machine. While Joe was stirring his coffee with his left hand, he accidentally poured coffee liquid on his right hand.

"Ouch!" Joe uttered.

"Are you okay?" asked Tina.

"Yeah. " He replied without even acknowledging her presence.

"Are you sure? " She asked again as she approached Joe.

"Yes." He answered but this time his eyes met hers. He moved his head backwards as if in disbelief.

"Are you new here? " He queried.

"Yes, I started just a couple of weeks ago."

"I see. That explains it."

"Explains what?"

"Oh, sorry for being impolite. My name is Joe and I've been in this company since I-forgot-when."

She giggled and stared at him as though fascinated with his feeble sense of humor.

"I suppose you have a name too or was I wrong?" He continued.

"My name is Tina -- the new marketing assistant here. Nice to meet you." She answered as she extended her arm and gave him a handshake.

"Me too." He said without realizing that he's grinning.

"Me too." He repeated as if flabbergasted by her unique smile.

"I gotta go back to my desk. If you need anything I'm just seated on the other side." She said slowly without removing the smile she started.

"Yeah, sure. Nice to meet you again."

She turned her back and followed the path leading to her desk. He did the same but this time he was smiling.

He opened up his email client and went straight to the directory services. He typed in her name and the screen was filled with several results. He refined his search by typing "marketing assistant". He clicked the search button and instantly returned Tina's contact information. He was about to create an email message when he noticed that her IM contact is right next to her email address. He added her IM contact to his IM client. He was overshadowed with hesitation to start an IM conversation with her but immediately overcame it anyway.

joe_newman: Hi
tina_wilson: Hi. Is that you, Joe? (Wondering at first but later realized that their contact information is available to all company employees)
joe_newman: Yeah.
tina_wilson: What's up?
joe_newman: I was wondering, if I could invite you for a coffee break this afternoon.

A long moment of pause interfered...

joe_newman: U there?
tina_wilson: Yeah.
tina_wilson: You see, Joe. I'm flattered really but I'm sorry I cannot accept your invitation.
joe_newman: Oh, okay. No problem. I understand.
tina_wilson: No, you don't understand.
joe_newman: Don't understand what?
tina_wilson: I'm married.

Another palpable silence insued...

joe_newman: Me too.

copyright (c) 2005 by Nick Vargas