One Stormy Night

One Stormy Night
By Sandra Chin

The love bug sometimes hits you at the oddest times. But hey, you don't have to place yourself on the hit list especially when you aren't looking.
Ever had a one stormy night episode before? That day when everything seems to go wrong, you feel depressed, handling the situation all alone. It’s at that very lowest point of your day or life, and in walks… a guy or girl into your “moment” and offers a shoulder to cry on or a listening ear. Wham! Bam! Right there and then you get hit by the love bug! A blinding moment of mixed emotions! Especially, when the other party has been secretly interested in you for a while now(or vice versa).

Well, my one episode happened some eons ago when I had a bad week with my immediate supervisor. Everything I did was wrong, she was losing patience and I was losing confidence every time she gave the “look”. Well, the final straw broke my day and I was left moping in the office wondering how to clear up the mistakes. Right then a call came from a guy colleague who worked at the bank on the ground floor (I was on the 14th floor) who was trying so hard to get my attention and take me on a date. I had on several occasions turned him down saying I was not into any relationships at that time. But on that “one stormy night”, he walked into my “moment” with a listening ear and a packet of  “tong sui”(sweet dessert)!! Oh dear!! I went for it as I just needed to pour my heart out! Looking back, (What was I thinking!), there could have been some other girlfriend, friend or even my mom, to talk to than to talk to an almost stranger.

That “moment” turned into a two year relationship that had its ups and downs and a very controlling boyfriend! As much as he was a nice person, there were several times I asked myself, why am I dating this guy? We were not compatible, and I think most days I was just settling for a man for fear I may not meet another guy! Sound Familiar? That is so not right! Well, the relationship finally ended on note that I had my “calling” to pursue and he was not comfortable to flow with it, so we broke up. Phew! That was a God moment that has brought me years later, to today, happily married to an awesome man and a colorful story to tell!!

My two cents worth of advice for those who may fall into a “one stormy night” moment:
    * never pour your heart to a stranger, especially the opposite sex
    * don’t start any romantic relationship at your lowest point of emotions even if that “someone” is a good friend who has been secretly admiring you
    * don’t allow yourself to think that no one cares because there will be someone in your circle of friends with a listening ear
    * if there is this nice person who just takes your breath away, do give yourself time to recover from your state of lowness, get back to the place of confidence, feel great about things around you then perhaps have that lunch with him or her. Get to know each other better instead of being swept up by both the high and low emotions.
    * if you happen to fall into a romantic relationship that’s not working out, do the right thing, get out of it!
    * don’t SETTLE for any relationship, you are much more valuable and precious than you know. You are worth the wait!