My boring story...

[junebaby]

So anyway EoS texted me the day before to meet him at around 2pm at the Starbucks at Northpoint. I reached slightly after 130pm and ordered a drink before settling in a relatively quiet corner with my laptop. I really was intending on getting some work done while waiting. I let him know approximately where I was seated and waited patiently for him.

At 230pm he texted that he was stuck in the clinic. I shrugged and got another drink, letting him know that I'd still be here.

At 3pm, he still had not appeared. I was half-tempted to head to the clinic and book an appointment, but decided against it.

He finally showed up at 330pm.

E: Sorry about that. Had some stuff to settle.

Me: You really know how to make a girl wait. In more ways than one.

E: Well.. yeah.

Me: So what's the story?

E: Mark’s back with Ann.

Me: Huh???

E: I mean, he's staying there now.

Me: For real?

E: I think so? His car was there when I went over last weekend.

Me: Come again? Why go there?

E: He's the legal guardian of Ann's kids if anything happens to her.

Me: Did something happen?

E: Nope. Not that he said anything.

Me: Does Alicia know?

E: He isn't exactly talking to anyone these days.

Me: So what is he doing there?

E: Smoking and drinking?

Me: Are you being serious right now?

E: Yup.

Me: What exactly did Jasmine say that was so bad? Besides asking him to leave.

E: This is coming from him, so it's one-sided, and I'm not about to go find her to clarify.

Me: Well? What was it?

E: He said he tried to comfort her, telling her they can try again. Stuff like that.

Me: And?

E: She said no way, leave me alone, stop caring about me, you don't even know if it's yours. Get lost.

Me: What???

E: I'm sure she didn't mean it that way. I hope.

Me: That must have really hurt.

E: I guess it was the first few days after the procedure. She probably wasn't in the right state of mind?

Me: How would you know that?

E: Did you even read my story properly?

I tried to recall what he might be referring to.

Me: Oh yeah. Your godsis had a miscarriage. When did it happen though? They didn't come for Shirlyn's BBQ.

E: I don't know la. One night he just texted me and asked if I was free for a coffee. But he wasn't drinking coffee.

Me: Then?

E: We had a long talk and he confided in me then I sent him home? He obviously couldn't drive.

Me: Where is it?

E: Where is what?

Me: His home.

E: Oh. You mean Ann's house. It's in Siglap.

Me: He told you to send him there?

E: I wanted to send him back to Jasmine so they could talk or something. He said no. Just take him home. He wasn't very coherent but once he gave the address I more or less figured it's Ann's house. Then I saw the house and more or less confirmed it's Ann's house.

Me: She just let him in?

E: She wasn't there. The son let him in.

Me: And he's smoking and drinking only?

E: When I was there la. I'm sure he eats, sleeps, shits and whatever.

Me: What's your take on this?

E: Erm. I guess he'll be fine eventually? Hard to tell.

Me: Are you going over again?

E: If I'm free yeah.

Me: Can I go?

E: Why are you asking me? You should ask him.

Me: He's not replying. At all.

E: Hmm… oh ya. He did say something about you.

Me: What?

E: It's probably nothing, just his drunk self talking.

Me: What did he say?

E: He said he doesn't feel worthy to be your friend. He feels he let you down somehow. And that he probably should have just fucked whenever you guys had the chance.

Me: Really?

E: Something to that effect la. But he was trying to just be with Jasmine only, and everyone else just complicated matters.

Me: Yet he still slept with others.

E: At Jasmine's insistence apparently. If you wanna believe that.

Me: You don't?

E: I believe we're responsible for our own choices. The decisions we make have consequences.

Me: That sounds awfully familiar.

E: Something I learnt from someone a long time ago.

Me: Eh wait. So is he ok or not? And why isn't he replying to me?

E: I don't know. He's just drinking and smoking a lot. Nobody will know what he's feeling on the inside unless he tells us. But I think he looked rather normal when I was there? Not his usual cheery self though.

Me: Do you want to go and check on him?

E: Now?

Me: Can you?

E: I'm working. You wanna go yourself?

Me: Errr. Not so nice right? Since I'm not supposed to know where he is.

E: Give him a call first?

Me: If he even answers.

I swear he was rolling his eyes at me.

He took out his phone.

E: Hey. June wants to visit you. You cool with that?

He wasn't on speakerphone so I didn't know what Mark's reply was.

He hung up.

E: Ok. I'll text you the address. But don't go today, or tomorrow. Maybe the weekend. Let him know before you head over.

Me: Ok.

E: He also said since you're probably gonna write about it, everyone's gonna find out.

Me: Oh.

E: Just go talk to him, don't do anything else ok? I've gotta go back to work.

Me: Ok. Thanks for letting me know.

E: Really. I believe he'll be fine eventually. It's just when. And I'm serious. Just talk. Don't have sex with him.

Me: Err… what if he wants to have sex with me?

E: Oh. Then it's up to you. But I wouldn't encourage it. He just needs a listening ear right now.

Me: Ok fine.

He got up and left

E: See ya.

Oh well. Just a couple more days to go before I go check on Mark. I hope it goes well.

[1MDB]

Fantastic share sis. Look forward to more updates!

[fwchong]

thanks sis for sharing...

i guess for some of us, Mark has become from a virtual person to someone we can indentify with the pain he is going thru...

some of these symptoms are depression stage...and so it is good that there are people out there who still care for him...

we hope to see all of you back as a group again...

[junebaby]

As I had nothing better to do after EoS went back to work, I quickly cleared a couple more emails before wandering around the mall. It wasn't as if I had never been to Northpoint before, but I've never had a reason to actually walk around leisurely. Honestly there really wasn't much shopping to be done, most of my clothes were bought online, but I did spot a shop where I could sell my old clothes? And also this shop in the middle of nowhere that sold all the nostalgic snacks from my childhood. Obviously I didn't buy much, otherwise I'd need to bring my entire wardrobe to that shop to sell. I even walked past the clinic where EoS worked but didn't see him, guess he was somewhere inside.

It was still too early for dinner by the time I finished roaming around the mall.

As I got into my car, I texted EoS.

Me: Hey. Could I get the address?

E: You're going now? He said weekend.

Me: I'm just gonna drive by. Maybe eat around there. Drop some food off for him?

E: Oh. You better text him first then. If you're dropping by today.

Me: I will. But why do you make it seem like he isn't actually there?

E: Huh?

Me: I mean… you emphasized I should be going on the weekend.

E: Hahaha. Give him time to prepare to be more presentable?

Me: What do you mean?

E: Well, when I went over, let's just say he looked like he was living on the streets.

Me: Messy? Untidy?

E: Something like that.

Me: And how does that bother me?

E: Give him some face la.

Me: He's in a bad place in his life, I should be giving him more than some face.

E: Hope there's no double meaning there.

Me: There isn't. You wanna come with me then?

E: I end at 730.

Me: So late?

E: Start late, end late.

Me: I see. You don't have flexible working hours I guess?

E: Not really.

Me: I always thought operations had to do everything everywhere.

E: Well, certain days I'm here, certain days I'm elsewhere. Or if there's any urgent things that need to be done at the other clinic.

Me: I think your clinic in Siglap needs some help.

E: Funny. There's no clinic in Siglap.

Me: I know. Just trolling you.

E: You don't dare to go see him?

Me: It's not that.

E: Then?

Me: You said he feels he doesn't deserve my friendship and he let me down? Well, I feel the same way. I didn't constantly check up on him, or find out how he's doing.

E: Neither did I. What's the issue?

Me: I don't know. I guess I was so happy with the things we were doing that I didn't seriously consider how he was really coping with everything that was going on?

E: Whatever you guys did, it wouldn't have happened if he didn't want it to.

Me: But how he's running away from everything.

E: And yet he's still ok for you to go over.

Me: I think I let him down too.

E: Stop overthinking this. If you wanna go over now, just let him know. Worst case, he doesn't let you in and you made a wasted trip. Best case, he lets you in and you get lung cancer years later from the second hand smoke.

Me: Hmm. He's smoking inside the house?

E: Well I only went into the master bedroom, it smelt like those billiard saloons I used to go to in my youth.

Me: Oh. Haha. Wonder how Ann will react.

E: Who knows. She isn't around.

Me: So it's only him and the son in the whole house?

E: I guess so? Didn't see anyone else..

Me: I see.

E: Eh… I really need to get back to work. Just text him and go over or something.

Me: Ok. I should stop bothering you. Time is money right?

E: Well, you can let me book an appointment for you to see a dentist.

Me: That's too much money.

E: I don't control the prices here.

Me: Too bad.

E: Though you look like you need a clean and maybe orthodontic treatment.

Me: What the fuck? My teeth are relatively straight. And I don't think I can blow well with braces.

E: Some guys have that fetish. But there's other options.

Me: Ass. You like blowjobs with braces right? I'm pretty sure I read that in your story.

E: Haha. We're digressing.

Me: So if I get braces you'll let me blow you?

E: Totally digressing.

Me: Ya. You started it.

E: I could tell you all the benefits of having straighter teeth. But I'm not a dentist. So yeah, if you're keen, let me know and I'll help you book an appointment.

Me: This is the weirdest sales pitch I've ever heard in my life.

E: Business is bad. Need more patients.

Me: Ok ok. I better stop disturbing you then.

E: Drive safely.

Me: Remember to text me the address.

E: Yeah.

I waited awhile longer for him to text the address before keying it into my GPS and sat there pondering if I should really head down or not.

I dropped Mark a text and started driving. Even if he didn't reply, I guess I could try to figure out where those food places he wrote about was.

[junior_cannibal]

Curious, after knowing Mark is alive and not on the street, you still wanted to see him when his status is likely to be 'complicated' if he has it in FB.
While it's rather unexpected that he went back to Ann, it's not exactly totally unexpected. When you get to see him, what do you plan to ask him or find out about him?
If he's indeed hurt by what Jasmine told him, he went back to Ann so soon would be rather weird. When he's with Jasmine, he seemed to be super serious about her. Just by some cruel words of hers drive him back to Ann would be very weak for him.
Besides, Ann could be busy seeing other guys she could hit up in clubs, other than nesting him in her house, he got no where else to go? Not even his own parent's place?

[fwchong]

Based on what we read about Mark life, he prefer to live outside his parents place and if he got no place to stay beside Jasmine condo, I think Ann place is the next best choice in this situation.

Originally Posted by junior_cannibal

Curious, after knowing Mark is alive and not on the street, you still wanted to see him when his status is likely to be 'complicated' if he has it in FB.
While it's rather unexpected that he went back to Ann, it's not exactly totally unexpected. When you get to see him, what do you plan to ask him or find out about him?
If he's indeed hurt by what Jasmine told him, he went back to Ann so soon would be rather weird. When he's with Jasmine, he seemed to be super serious about her. Just by some cruel words of hers drive him back to Ann would be very weak for him.
Besides, Ann could be busy seeing other guys she could hit up in clubs, other than nesting him in her house, he got no where else to go? Not even his own parent's place?

[junebaby]

Mark didn't reply, but I still headed to the area anyway, trying to see where I could park when I dropped by on the weekend.

I spotted his car in the driveway, so I guess he was probably home, but likely wasn't ready to see me.

I drove around that part of the east rather aimlessly after that, trying to find something that I probably could tapau back for an early dinner, and somehow ended up somewhere else instead.

I don't know what possessed me but I drove straight to the church at Tanjong Katong Road, and sat in my car just staring at the grotto. I probably should have gotten out and maybe said a prayer or something but I didn't really move at all, just silently offering up a few words.

I suddenly wasn't feeling very hungry so I merely headed home and hoped to beat what ever heavy traffic lay ahead on the route.

Mark still hadn't replied when I reached home so I just let it be and took a shower, waited for Mike/Tom to come home before we headed out to the coffeeshop for dinner.

As usual, they were gaming after dinner and I let them be. They tried to initiate sex when they took a break but somehow I wasn't interested, preferring to just lie in bed and read Mark's thread from the beginning again to see if there was any further indication/explanation as to why he would react this way but there really wasn't much that I could decipher.

I contemplated confronting Jas about what she said, but then again it really wasn't any of my business. Besides, her words could have been misconstrued or perhaps Mark had exaggerated the severity? But still, really none of my business.

By the time Mike came to bed it was nearly midnight and I was still browsing the thread. He told me not to think so much about it and just be there for Mark in my own capacity.

Me: What if he desires sexual comfort?

M: Well, you're an adult. You can decide for yourself. And honestly I'm still surprised you two haven't had sex yet.

Me: Well… I don't know. I don't want to confuse or upset him.

M: Whatever it is, just be safe. I can go with you if you want.

Me: Nah. I'll be fine. Mark won't hurt me. Intentionally at least.

M: I'd be more concerned if he hurts you unintentionally. I think that would be worse for him.

Me: Good point. So I shouldn't go find him?

M: That's really up to you.

Me: I guess I'll sleep on it.

He kissed me goodnight.

I really had nothing to do the next day as I was working from home. All I did was clear emails and eat, and reject sex from Mike and Tom, which I gotta admit, kind of surprised them a little.

Mark still had not replied and I was beginning to wonder if EoS was actually pulling a fast one one me.

I was contemplating calling him as advised by EoS, but part of me also wanted to give Mark a little space, especially if he was potentially preparing himself mentally for meeting me on the weekend.

Friday was no different. I got so bored that I actually took a nap during lunch and woke up at dinner. In those 6 odd hours, there were no incoming emails, no calls, no texts. I actually wondered if I still had a job.

Mike was going to be late due to a company event so I was left with Tom for dinner. We headed to the coffeeshop.

T: Hey… I'm … erm… going out later.

Me: Who are you fucking this time?

T: Alicia.

Me: Uh huh.

T: Do you want supper or anything?

Me: Nope.

T: Are you feeling ok?

Me: Yeah.

T: You don't sound ok.

Me: I'm just frustrated.

T: About what?

Me: Myself? I don't know.

T: Why are you frustrated?

Me: I really can't explain it. It's just… I feel like a friend is in trouble and there's nothing I can do.

T: Ah.

Me: Do you think I should be seeing him tomorrow?

T: Did he ask to see you?

Me: I'm not sure. EoS was the one who called him.

T: So you don't actually know if he wants to see you.

Me: Nope.

T: Do you want to?

Me: I guess so. I don't know. I just wanna see that he's doing fine.

T: It takes time to get over it. Don't rush it.

Me: Am I rushing it?

T: Who knows. Have you called him to ask?

Me: Nope.

T: What are you waiting for?

Me: I'm afraid he won't answer.

T: Er. So because you're afraid you don't try?

Me: Yeah.

T: But if you don't try, you won't know?

Me: That's true.

T: So you need to try first right?

Me: Yeah.

T: Well, I don't know what you're afraid of. Just do it. Then deal with whatever the outcome is.

Me: I'll do it tomorrow.

We didn't really have anything else to talk about so we ate in silence before he sent me back up.

Mike was going to be late so I watched some Netflix, took a shower and started rolling around first, trying to figure out what I should say to Mark tomorrow when I called, or when I met him physically.

At midnight I was still wide awake.

If I didn't sleep soon, I'd definitely be suffering the next day.

[matif60]

it's in Siglap road

[junebaby]

I think I eventually fell asleep around 4am, trying to ignore Mike's snoring. I usually didn't have any issues falling asleep even with a snoring monster next to me. This time was different though, and I had to stay in the living room watching videos on my phone until I felt sleepy enough to get back into bed.

It wasn't a surprise when I awoke with the sun shining on my face to find Mike already out of bed, probably gaming with Tom.

I checked my phone, it was only 8am, and Mark still had not replied to any of my texts.

I wandered around the house sleepily to find to my surprise that neither Mike nor Tom were in the study room gaming, which was rather odd actually.

I sat on the sofa and called Mark. Surprisingly, he answered within a couple of rings, which made me wonder why I never bothered to call him before, relying on texting instead.

Me: Hi.

M: Morning.

Me: How have you been?

M: Normal.

Me: Really?

M: Is that really what you wanna ask me?

Me: Not really.

M: What time do you wanna come over?

Me: Erm. I had like 4 hours of sleep. Having a slight headache now.

M: You can take a nap here if you want.

Me: Haha right. Do you want breakfast?

M: Not really hungry.

Me: Oh. Thought I could grab something over.

M: I'm good. You might wanna get food for yourself though. There's not much stuff in the house.

Me: Besides alcohol and cigarettes?

M: Yeah.

Me: You sure you don't want anything?

M: Not craving for anything now.

Me: Ok then. I'll be there in probably an hour or so?

M: Sure. Call me when you arrive.

Me: Ok.

I took a quick shower before heading down to Siglap. I wasn't really hungry so I ended up not getting breakfast.

I reached almost at the hour mark and gave him a call. He didn't answer, but to my surprise, the gate automatically opened and I drove in. Only his car was around so I guess nobody else was at home.

He greeted me at the car as I opened the door and he gave me a long hug, releasing me after nearly a minute or so. His hair was unkempt and he probably had not shaven in weeks, considering the failed attempt at a moustache and goatee.

Me: Woah. How much have you been smoking? You smell like a cigarette.

M: I probably taste like one too.

Me: Err. Am I supposed to verify that?

M: Nah. Let's head inside.

We entered the house and he gestured to the sofa.

M: Would you like a drink?

Me: Erm? Water?

M: It's too early to be drinking alcohol.

Me: Sure. Warm water please.

M: How about coffee or tea?

Me: Erm. Tea?

M: Sure.

I chuckled to myself that he didn't offer the “me” option. But given the situation, it would hardly be appropriate.

Mark returned with a cup of Lipton tea as I settled down onto the sofa. He sat next to me and pulled me towards him, laying my head on his chest as he wrapped his arm around me. I found it a little odd, but didn't push him away. Maybe he needed some comforting? I'm pretty sure he wasn't going to be hugging EoS. I sniffed his t-shirt.

Me: Woah. When was the last time you showered?

M: Yesterday?

Me: This house must be really humid I guess.

M: Are you saying I stink?

Me: I think you could do with a shave and shower.

M: Haha. I think so too. But you came so early.

Me: Have you been sleeping well?

M: Not really. Maybe 3-4 hours a night?

Me: That isn't exactly healthy.

He let me go and reached under the coffee table to retrieve his cigarettes and the ashtray.

I glared at him.

Me: I thought I read somewhere in your story that you can't smoke in the house?

M: Well, Ann isn't around. Neither is Alan. Or Amanda.

He sort of ignored me and lit up.

Me: You've been alone all this while?

M: Nah. Alan went out. Amanda moved out long ago. Ann, well, who knows where she is.

Me: Does she know you're here?

M: Yeah.

Me: Did you talk to her about what happened?

M: I did.

Me: And she said?

M: She said poor thing?

Me: And?

M: That's all? Stay as long as I need to? Forever if I want?

Me: I'm seriously confused by your relationship with her.

M: I'm also confused by our relationship. Haha.

Me: Oh well. Must be nice to have a sugar mommy.

M: She's not my sugar mommy.

Me: Free house to live in. Does she give you an allowance?

M: Errrr… nope?

Me: But she lets you live here for free?

M: I'm pretty sure she said she's gonna fuck me well when she's back. Haha.

Me: Oh. That's interesting.

M: What is?

Me: You're still willing to let yourself be used by others?

M: Am I?

He stubbed out his stick and lit another.

Me: I don't know. Could you slow down on those?

M: Slow down? Not stop? I thought you didn't like smoking.

Me: I don't. But it's not my place to tell you what to do.

M: Why do you care so much about me anyway?

For a second there, I was kind of stumped.

Me: I don't know. You're nice to me. You took care of me before?

M: I'm nice to everyone. I think.

Me: Errr… I'm just worried you'll do something silly?

M: Don't think so much. I'm not that dumb.

Me: I really don't know how dumb you can be.

M: Ok fine. I'm actually quite dumb. We could have had so much sex. Yet we didn't.

Me: Haha. That's true.

M: Do you want to?

Me: What? Now?

M: Yeah. I want some pity sex. Hahaha.

Me: You're kidding right?

M: Yeah.

Me: For a second there I thought you were being serious.

M: I'm obviously not in the right mental or physical state for that.

Me: Ok. Good. At least you're aware.

M: I'm trying ok? Really didn't expect that from her.

Me: Well… I really don't know what to say.

M: You don't have to say anything.

He stubbed out his cigarette and pulled me close for another hug. I resisted a little.

Me: Ewww…. Can you go shower and brush your teeth first? We can hug after that.

M: Hahaha. Wanna shower with me?

Me: You're still kidding right?

M: Well… there's a really nice bathtub. You'd love it in there.

Me: Shoo! Go shower by yourself!

I literally pushed him off the sofa and he walked off laughing to himself while I sat there and sipped my tea.

Well at least he still could joke around. But I really couldn't tell how he was really feeling inside.

[juzz]

My really best wishes for Mark and hope he pulls out of his stupor with your concern and care! 🙏