she chanced upon it while she was window shopping with him on sunday. something deep down inside of her craved it. wanted it. as if it was a need, not a want. she could feel the coldness of the glass panel as she subconsciously placed her hand gently on the glass panel. she gazed at it longingly for what seemed like the longest time.


'see anything?' his warm voice broke her train of thoughts.


she shook her head gently as she returned his warm smile. as he gently led her away from the store, she turned her head back to look at it for one last time...


she remembered the time when she was in primary two, when barbie dolls were all the rage, she too, like all the other girls in her class, had craved to own one of those petite blonde beautiful things. craved it so badly it made her feel guilty...

when her dad brought her out, everytime she passed by the toy store, she would pause infront of it and look... and look and look and look. she felt sure that her father must have noticed it. but he didnt. or maybe he neglected it. took no notice of the small detail. it was too small, too insignificant to him. then he would pull her away.


of course she knew that if she asked, her father would almost definitely buy whatever she wanted for her, as long as it was within in his ability to do so. but what she craved for was not that... she wanted him to buy it without her telling him to...


she wanted him to know.


now she was 28. despite being mature and grown up, and a very rational and sensible girl, something deep down inside her craved for someone to know what she wanted, to read her mind. or her heart.


they walked aimlessly from one shop to another, slowly, as time passed...

overcome by a sudden feeling of sadness, she rested her head gently against his shoulder for comfort, as her gaze wandered. it settled on her fingers, which were entwined up in his. she looked at her hand, coved up in his. his palm was a lot bigger than hers, and his tan fingers were slender and long. they held on to her hand firmly but gently.

sometimes, he would squeeze her hand gently and smile at her warmly, as if telling her, hey im here. are you there? and she would feel a rush to blood to her head. or was it her heart? she couldnt remember...


she knew he loved her very much. as much as she loved him. but deep inside she craved for him to know what she wanted without the need for her to tell him...
but it was time. and she wasnt a young girl anymore. she could tell what she really wanted from impulsive desires.

should she tell him? she shouldnt play games anymore.


just as she was about to open her mouth and tell him, looking up, she realised he was looking and her, smiling mischieviously. now she realised they had made a whole round and ended up back at the same shop she had stopped infront of earlier.

his fingers, still entwined in hers, lifted up gently and touched the cold glass panel.
he smiled knowingly at her and said
lets get this.



blood gushed to her face as she felt overwhelmed.
he knew.