I was awaken that morning by a call from crew scheduling, telling me I have a last-minute trip to Orange County. I was reluctant after an exhausting week of flying to Zürich and London back-to-back. I can’t believe they’re sending me off again too soon.
In between sleep and wakefulness, I remember you must live close to the area and impulsively thought of asking you over on Instagram if you want to meet up. I used to think Orange County is in LA and you’re probably somewhere near. I wouldn’t normally see a guy on a layover, much more someone whom I haven’t talked to a lot in the last decade. That’s just crazy. But then I thought, hey, we both could use some company of an old friend (or more like an acquaintance) and maybe you’d appreciate the invite.
You replied shortly, which came off as a surprise knowing it’s 6 am in California. Much to my dismay though, you were staying in your military base for the weekend, some two hour-drive away. After maybe three attempts of platonic invitations in the past, I honestly thought you’re just making up an excuse again. I would’ve taken it personally if I didn’t know how shy you tend to get and that you don’t really meet up with people often (which I only realized later on.) I shrugged it off and thought I’ll just use the layover to rest.
All of a sudden, you took back your word and said you’d drive up after all to see me. I didn’t know what changed but now that I look back at it, things really do happen for a reason. That day opened a floodgate of things for us that would otherwise have a butterfly effect if we didn’t meet up.
I just had the same layover not too long ago so I didn’t really have any agenda in mind. I thought we could just have a quick bite and call it a day. When I landed at 4 pm, I saw a message from you that said “I planned something. Wear something comfortable.” To be honest, that already gave me a good first impression. It’s kind of like meeting you again for the first time since I’m sure we’ve both changed drastically since high school. Even more, my clearer memory of you from when we were 12. It’s as if I’m meeting the adult version of you—a much more gentleman and well-groomed one from our younger years. I instantly liked your control over things which is arguably a scarce quality to find in a guy. I wasn’t even viewing it from a romantic standpoint but it already felt good to be under your wing.
I was famished from the 6-hour flight but I had a bigger problem on hand. The dress I packed up that morning seems shorter than I remember. I didn’t want to give you the wrong notion that I dress so skimpily so I even thought of running to the nearest mall to get something more decent. As I was waiting for my Uber in the lobby, I saw a blue car approaching and shockingly, it was you—punctual than the meeting time I told you about. I had to pretend I was running to the pharmacy to get something but since you’re already there, I wouldn’t bother anymore. I quickly made my way up back to my room to refresh for a bit and get my purse while you settled into a parking spot.
I don’t usually overthink how I would approach somebody but I debated if it was appropriate to give you a peck on the cheek since we’re ~adults~ now. As I climbed to your car, I reached out to you anyway. Might as well get through the awkward part, right? I’ve seen a few photos of you through the years and thought you look exactly the same. One of those people from my childhood who actually aged well. You looked dapper in your crisp, white polo shirt I still vividly remember up to this day. I, on the other hand, thought I probably looked a bit haggard since I didn’t even have time to reapply my make-up. Months after, you would reveal to me how nervous you got finally seeing me up close that moment and that your heart was racing. For a platonic meet-up, we sure both had a lot of jitters.
You unfolded a piece of paper that had our tickets for a pumpkin patch. I’ve never been to one before and I got so excited! It’s almost Halloween after all and it’s just timely. Once again, I was impressed with how you already booked it in advance. It just showed how well-prepared you were for this abrupt meeting even if we almost didn’t push through. We arrived at the place and you ran to open my door—a gesture you would consistently do for the whole day. What a gentleman, I thought. I’ve never experienced that before and thought you grew up with such good manners.
Tanaka Farms was absolutely charming with its Hello Kitty theme. I was shy to take photos at first but thought you already had a good grasp on how much I post on Instagram. I even made you wear this silly Hello Kitty hat with me, which you did by all means, and then we took our first ever photo together. I’ve kind of pegged you for a guy who dislikes being in front of the camera but you turned out to be such a trooper. We walked through the pumpkin area first that led to a sunflower field towards the end. I was looking forward to see some flowers but they were already wilted at that point. I remember cracking up a joke to hide my disappointment. You said that was the part when a good ray of sunshine hit my face and something inside you just lit up. I couldn’t remember the exact moment but I know it was when you started to look at me more intently.
We rode the wagon that goes through the entire property after that. You were asking me party questions that you know by heart for some reason. I’d like to think it was a good icebreaker for us but I saw how genuinely interested you were with me. It’s funny how we even got to talk about what my ideal wedding would look like. You were looking at me with such depth that I didn’t know what to make of it. Somehow, I got sucked in the presence of you that I felt like we were the only two people in that wagon.
We went to the petting zoo after that and while it scared me out of my wits to touch the lamb, I didn’t want to look like a coward in front of you. We moved on to the small farmer’s market to try the free samples and had a good laugh about it. In between those little moments, I realized how much fun I was having with you.
The trip to the pumpkin patch ended sooner than I expected and I honestly thought you’re ready to drive me back after that. You asked me if there was anywhere else I wanted to go to. I thought of The Broad right away as I’ve been meaning to visit for a while. I was so geographically-naive I didn’t know it would take us almost two hours in traffic to get there but you drove with no qualms. Along with some good music and easy conversations, I can still associate that memory of us with one of the best golden hours I’ve ever witnessed while we’re on the road. I think I only became keen with how much I adore that time of the day since then.
I booked our complimentary tickets online and got to the museum just in the nick of time. It was already evening at that point and as you opened my door, you handed me your denim jacket. You already anticipated I might get chilly even before I thought of it. I couldn’t help but to smile with such gallant gesture that my admiration grew stronger. It was confusing because I knew we’re just friends and there’s nothing more to that. You’re probably just being courteous.
We needed to browse quickly as they’re about to close in an hour. You were so kind to take photos of me in front of Glenn Ligon’s Double America 2, a neon signage that was one of the most popular installations they had at the time. I even took some candid shots of you as well which all turned out amazing. Who would’ve thought you would be my favorite subject from then on? The highlight of that museum visit though was when you asked a curator about this particular artwork that we had to spend the next 15 minutes pretending we’re actually that deep into it.
I was already so, so hungry given it’s almost 10 pm for my usual body clock in the east coast. I was just shy to confess and up until now, we still get a good laugh thinking about how you underestimated my appetite back then. Little Tokyo was a few minutes of walk away and we decided to just go there. I spotted an okonomiyaki restaurant during our drive and that was all I could think about. It was chilly while we were walking and you were still asking me those party questions from earlier, as if wanting to get to know me more. Our conversations were just free-flowing from the beginning and it’s one of the things that drew me to you eventually.
Chinchikurin was packed when we got there and we were told the waiting time would be thirty minutes. Even if I was already so hungry, I really wanted to try the place out and you remained to be a trooper. You were such a gentleman through it all and even asked me if I want to check the rest of the plaza to see if we could get some snacks for the meantime. We eventually got seated and ordered takoyaki to share and individual okonomiyakis. We sat side by side in front of the open kitchen, closer than ever, when you touched the part under my eye and said the veins I had from when we were younger are still there. I got stunned thinking how much you remember about me when I didn’t even know I already had it back then. You said I hardly changed. It took another thirty minutes before our food got served and while it wasn’t the best customer service experience, I could say I at least had the best time with you.
We were supposed to head to LACMA and Santa Monica Pier after dinner, which now that I think of it was a huge ask from me since it’s already late. You seemed to be looking forward to it and I saw the slight disappointment in your face when I said we should probably head back to Orange County so I could rest. Like you said when we’re finally dating, you wanted more time with me back then. I would’ve wanted too but physically, I was already so exhausted. Somehow, I had an inkling that it wouldn’t be the last time we’ll see each other and I was pretty confident it wouldn’t take another decade.
In the car, the mood became a little somber since my energy level already dropped. I applied some hand lotion on my dry palms and offered you some, too, which I could trace back to be the first ever moment we held hands unplanned. I felt how rough your palms were and thought maybe you lift heavy in the gym. It’s a funny memory I hope to not forget.
We were generally talking about random topics the whole day but the atmosphere changed that night. I found myself opening up to you more wholeheartedly. Mainly, about how I struggled in my first couple of years since moving to the US and had a hard time adjusting. You were so engrossed in my stories I feel like it’s the first time somebody ever truly listened to me. I knew I have a good friend in you even after years of absence in each other’s lives.
I was feeling butterflies as we were approaching the hotel. We had such a good day that I didn’t want it to end so quickly. I was probably self-sabotaging for even asking to go back that early.
As I reached out to you again to say our good byes, you asked “this sounds like a crazy idea but do you want to go out on a real date with me next time?” I was dazed. First of all, it sounded like a movie line that you perfectly delivered despite the obvious nerves in your voice. You eventually said it took you a lot of guts to ask me that, practically planning it the whole drive back. I remember beaming as if that’s the only decent response I could make at that moment and said “sure. Santa Monica next time?”
I got out of your car and looked back one last time before you drive away. You said it’s one of the most magical moments we’ve shared early on which I now kept as a habit every time you would drop me off somewhere. I knew from that brief moment when our gazes locked that you would be a part of my life moving forward. I didn’t know how to bridge our cross-country distance but all the uncertainties of before already seemed like a different lifetime ago.
Thank you for showing up that day and driving two hours to see me.