The one that got away

He was standing there in the middle of the airport. Sham kept turning to his watch. The KLIA was running slow that day. Everyone there seems to be moving one step slower than usual. Sham looked at every single person who walked in through the entrance. As each person pass by his mind drifted back in time.
Sham was sitting at KTM’s Seremban station waiting for the train. The rain had delayed the train for half an hour. There was no one in sight. It looked as though the railway was abandoned. Sham’s eyes were concentrating on the railroad when a girl walked passed his line of sight. As she sat down, her blue eyes gazed upon Sham’s. She was wearing a white baju kurung with small red flowers. Her long straight black hair dances as a gust of cold wind came through the station. Her fair radiant skin could make a Covergirl look ordinary.
“Where is the freaking train?!” Sham said slowly to himself as he crossed his arms.
Then, Pink’s So What song broke the silence. The blue eyed girl scrambles to get her phone in her handbag. She smiled before answering her phone.
“There goes another hot chick,” sighed Sham.
The train finally arrived much to Sham’s relief. With a deep breath he sat down in the train. His eyes scanned the seats for the blue eyed girl but she was nowhere to be seen. She was still outside talking on the phone. The train left for KL without her.
In KL, Sham went straight to the UN office. He was seeking for a job. Being a fresh English graduate, he wanted to see the world. Before this, the furthest land he managed to step upon was Singapore. And that was a Toastmasters’ club visit. Sham grew up in a small town in Negeri Sembilan called Kuala Pilah, about an hour away from Seremban. With only his hardworking mother and supportive sister as his role model, Sham went through life independently. His family watched him receive his degree in Putrajaya after three years in UM.
“This one would be perfect,” said Sham enthusiastically.
“You will be notified in three months time whether your application is accepted or not,” said the sweet officer as Sham handed in his application form.
Three months has past, Sham receives a phone call which is going to change his life forever.
“Yahoo! I’m going to Slovakia,” shouted Sham.
The next day, Sham was waiting for the train to KL to undergo a medical check-up. The train was delayed for half an hour by the rain.
“I’m freezing my rear here!” said Sham to himself, shivering.
“Cold day isn’t it?” a soft voice suddenly appeared beside Sham.
“Huh?” said confused Sham, turning his head instantly.
“I’m Ana, you might not remember me but I remember you.”
Sham immediately recognises her blue eyes. He couldn’t believe his luck. They connected instantly. They talked all the way to KL.
“Well, this is where I get off,” said Sham.
“Will I see you again?” asked Ana.
“Maybe,” answered Sham, “if you’ll be at Seremban station at 8 a.m. tomorrow.”
Ana smiled.
“I have to get on a plane to Slovakia tomorrow at noon.”
“That’s an odd holiday destination?” said Ana curiously.
“The UN is sending me there as their representative for the next three years.”
“Oh, good for you,” said Ana awkwardly, “it would be a great experience for you.”
“It is,” said excited Sham, “but I will miss Malaysia, my friends, my family,” added Sham.
“If it makes you feel any better, I’ll be there tomorrow to send you on your way,” said Ana with a sweet smile.
“So, I’ll see you tomorrow,” said Sham with a smile as he exits the train.
The time on Sham’s watch now shows 11.30 a.m. His mother and sister are beside him. Ana was nowhere to be seen. She wasn’t even at the train station. The final call for Slovakia’s flight was just announced. Sham kept on staring at the entrance to the airport.
“Where are you?” whispered Sham as he looked at his watch again.
“What are you waiting for dear?” asked Sham’s mother, “you’re going to miss your flight.”
“Just a little while,” said Sham optimistically.
“You better go now or you’ll miss a chance of a lifetime,” said Sham’s sister firmly.
As he waived goodbye to his family, he felt sad. He knows he will never see her again.