I was confused. After yesterday's event, I am not sure what was going on between me and Ay08. Furthermore, I am not sure why did I take the ring back. I sat down in the middle of the college's common area and kept on pondering to the questions that I craved answers to. As I was contemplating, I was broken from my trance by a soft sweet voice.
"Excuse me, can you direct me to the cafeteria?"
I looked up and I saw someone that I thought I knew.
"An05, is that you?"
"Excuse me?"
Then I realized that it was not her. It can't be her, what was I thinking. The person who stood in front of me bared an uncanny resemblance to An05, but is slightly taller and fairer. Besides, how can An05 be in the UK?
"Never mind."

"So, guess you are a Malaysian as well? What's your name? I am Jack", I said while walking her to the cafeteria.
And that's how I met...
"I am Ha. Nice to meet you Jack."
"Likewise. Are you a PhD student?"
"Nope, I am a masters transfer student. Are you a PhD student?"
"Can't you tell?", I said cheekily.
She laughed.
"So, here's the cafeteria. Are you eating lunch over here or having a takeaway?"
"I am not sure yet."
Then, I did a spontaneous invitation, you know like a true player of the game.
"I am eating right now, would you care to join me?"
"Sure."
I opened the door for her. She walked in and I took the blue tray for her.

"So, lamb and chicken is halal, everything else is not, okay?"
"Got it. Ermm...what are you having Jack?"
"Hmmm...I'll go for the Barbeque Salmon."
"All right then, I guess I'll take the same."
She followed me around, all the way to the counter. I even paid for her as a sign of good gesture where she replied with a hearty smile.

I found us a table and we sat down facing each other. We both kept quiet and started eating away.
"Bet you the food tastes terrible, given that you've just came from Malaysia."
She laughs at my joke. That's a good sign.
"Yeah Jack, you are right. How did you know that I just came from Malaysia?"
"You didn't even know the cafeteria. That's a dead give away."
She smiled.
"So Ha, what's the story with you? What are you doing here?"
"I am doing a transfer program in molecular biology. I'll only be here for the next 2 months. "
"I see. I am doing a PhD in Electrical Engineering. 2nd year. How do you like it around here so far?"
"I miss home Jack. How long you've not been back to Malaysia?"
"Around a year plus."
"Don't you miss home? How can you cope?"
I just smiled at her.
"Don't worry Ha, you'll get home soon."

After an hour, we were done eating . Being a good samaritan that I am, I walked her back to her faculty. Upon reaching the steps to her faculty, it's time to say goodbye.
"Goodbye Ha, see you when I see you."
I turned around and walked away.
"Wait, Jack. Can I have your number? Maybe we can have lunch sometime?"
She likes me, a little bit at least. I felt it.
"Sure."
I gave her my number and walked away with a smile. I thought finding someone else that likes me was almost impossible, but there she was, and am I gonna blow Ha over Ay08 who has not come to terms with her feelings and already has a boyfriend? The obvious answer is no. But in life, it is not that obvious.

My phone rang and I picked it up without looking at the caller ID.
"Hello."
"Hi Jack."
It's Ay08. How unsurprising.
"Sorry about yesterday Jack..."
"No worries."
I wanted to ask her whether the hug meant something. But knowing Ay08, it's just a waste of time because she will never admit to anything. Never.
"This may sound bad Jack, but I need a favour from you."
And that's where it all started. From a favour.