"How can I tell you!"
Shaggy just keeps running to the front, spreading his little, hairy, short legs rapidly along the green grass bed of the public park. Jumping from one brushes to another, his fluffy tail swinging freely from right then left like a hectic arm of the old grand-father clock.
-Shaggy! I forcedly called out, while looking around to see if anybody were staring at me in the wrong way. "Shaggy" I never like the name and still don't understand why my dear friend Joe would name her 'Shir Tzu' puppy like that.
Thankfully for the cleaver little thing who could recognize his name in one call. As a prompt reply Shaggy laid off his investigation trip and comes running back to where I was walking.
-Good boy! Have you had enough yet buddy! Should we go home now! I bent low and greeted the hyper-energetic furry things, sniffing around my feet then rousing up to my hands like as if it was trying to say something.
I smiled briefly while still patting on Shaggy long dark fur. Tomorrow Joe will be back in town after a working trip, and I will have the chance to return this handful. Well, I grinned, looking down at the cute witty face, maybe he's not that bad, having his company within the two weeks was very delightful. Apart from the redundant walking task every evening, Shaggy had been a very good friend to be with. I haven't feel one lonely moment with him chasing up and down my tiny garden.
-Well! You're surely never want to go home right? I asked to the dark, widened eyes, which parted was covered by his long hair, or is it eyebrows?
As if he understood what I was saying, and to support for the point, Shaggy shapely turned his aim to the large area and without a doubt, he was going back for it, until I, who had learnt the trick after all this time, finally stepped up to grab on the rounding body in my arms.
-Oh no! You don't, cheeky boy! Trying to run away huh? Forget it, we're going home. Half blaming myself for not bringing the braces with me to tide him up, now I just have to carry the busy thing in my arms all the way home, thankfully it was only a couple of block away.
======================
Walking by the closing shopping area, I found myself so bored that I had to turn back and make my conversation with the never-disagreed 'dog'.
-You know, I will be very happy to return you back to your boss! The little thing turns his pleading eyes at me, so cute and so touching, that I quickly nod my head and re-phrase myself. Alright, I didn't mean it, so stop giving me that stare.
Only then, I finally see through the silliness inside of me, walking down the shopping street while talking to a 'dog' in my arms. I'll be surprise if the people walking by doesn't think: "My god, how sick is that girl"
So, I told myself to act normal, that is to look straight a head. But then my steps started to struggle, wondering should I till keep walking.
A blue, Toyota, Sport car just parked by the street, a few shops away from where I was standing, but surely it was close enough for me to recognize him. The 'hunk' of my dream, or more relativity, the guy who I been seeing these couple of days around the park when I usually walk with Shaggy. He used to be so youthfully handsome with a pair of track suit, clean white sport shoes, and a Puma Jacket, running around the park, like a routine exercise. Sometimes I even feel like running, just to have a chance to meet him, but then again I'm not a sporty person.
But today, here he is, looking no lesser darling in an up-date cargo pants, light colour, short sleeve, strap shirt, and with that forever loving spiky hair-style. Seriously I call faint from all the affection pushing through me. So standing immobility in the middle of the walking path, still holding on the lost found Shaggy in my hand, I watched as the object of my affection exist from his car, then walked straightly to the community notice board, with a piece of paper on his hand.
"I wonder what he is sticking up there?" I asked myself, still finding it hard to take my eyes away from him. And my guess was right, he came over to put his paper up in the board, then quickly returns back to his car. On the way out, his eyes suddenly stiffed to me, or to where I was standing. I bewildered, in a urgent reflex action I make a 180º turns and started walking forward to the other way. My heart begins to take its exceeding thumb as cold sweet slowly evaporated from my highly embarrassed body.
"Did he see me? Did he think I was stupid for standing in the street and staring at him like....? I better not say it"
But then the same curious question popped out from my head.
"What was he sticking up on the board?"
Couldn't control myself anymore, once again, I made my 'back to front' turn, making sure he had drove off in his car, then started walking back toward the board.
"Missing Dog. Brown Hair. 8 months Shui Tzu. If found please contact: Alec Su, 14 Park Vale Drive. Ph: 0452668991. Reward will apply."
I read out the only notice paper pinning on the board, no doubt it has to be from him.
-His dog is missing? I ponder, while taking another look at the description. "8 months Shui Tzu, Brown Hair" My eye brown curved up in suspicious before looking down to little Shaggy still laying prudently in my arms. For the first time, I actually see him as the most beautiful kind on Earth, the one that can come in handy right now.
==============================
The phone gives out the usual ringing tone after I dialed the new mobile number. Nervously I waited for the other line to answer. Two days, it took me to gather my courage and make the call, or should I say a lie call.
-Hello, Alec! The other line answered so suddenly that I could almost drop down the phone from the stun.
-Hello, can I help you? His firming, deep voice asked out again with a little wondering, maybe because of my quietness.
-Hi! I'm looking for Alec Su! I tried not to sound too shaking but failed, when thinking how dull I sounded, when the other person had already answered his name, and plus I'm talking to a mobile line.
-Yes, I'm Alec Su! The other line still patiently answered.
Taking a deep breath. "This is it or else!" I told myself, before turning back to the phone.
-I saw yours Missing Dog notice on the community board! I opened, faking to be sincere.
-And you found her? He asked quickly, with hopes filled in his delightful tone.
"Her?" I struggled, Shaggy is not a her. But then, Shaggy is not the missing dog anyway.
-Um, I'm not sure if it yours dog! I tried to cover myself so that I won't look too obvious when the truth arise.
-Doesn't matter, I can come and have a look at it, where should we meet! The urgent invitation came so unexpectedly, I didn't think it was that easy.
-Um, I don't know...! I puzzled, it took 2 days for me to think of the line "I found yours missing dog" I didn't have time to think of what's next, or where, when to meet him.
-Okey, How about, tomorrow evening, at 5. Out the Public Park! His sweet appealing voice spoke out like honey and more.
As if he could read my mind, that was also the first place I could think of, so what's else, except for.
-Okey! I'll see you then! I was about to hang up the phone when his voice urgently call me back.
-Wait, I still haven't know your name! He asked.
-Um..Vicki!...Vicki Zhao...I answered while listening to my heart jumping out of joy.
=====================================
-I still think you very silly Vicki, taking advantage at my Shaggy like that! Joe couldn't stop her complaining all day, after I came to borrow Shaggy for the night, and after I told her what I did to meet 'him'.
Sitting at the bamboo seat outside the garden, brushing Shaggy's long hair to make it looks more attractive, when I should be dressing up myself more than the 'dog'. Tiding a red bow in his short neck, I stayed focus only to Shaggy's appearance, while Joe rambling on.
-Why can't you just tell the guy that you thinks him cute and like a date with him!
-Because I'm a girl for god sake! I answered back, quickly looking over to the irritating friend, when bringing Shaggy all furnished body up on my lap, looking at it again.
-And yeah, you have the gut to lie with him! Joe was never an easy give up person, but as she came over to stand in front of me and Shaggy. My God, would you please get that thing away from my puppy! She yelled while grabbing the newly tight red bow and throw away.
I watched on regretfully at the piece of fabric. "Damn it! That took me a long time to get the thing on, now it off!"
-Joe, Aren't you the one who always tell me to take my chance. So here I am taking the properly only chance. The only thing is I need a little extra help from Shaggy. You're my friend, can't you support for me! I promise I will bring him home safely after tonight.
Joe can't fight back, we're good friends, and I known she too wants me to go ahead with this one odd opportunity. So standing up and letting Shaggy down, I started to make my departure, calling the puppy to run behind.
-Wait, what about the braces? Joe chased out after us, while bringing Shaggy's color with the steel braces in her hand.
-Don't worry! I rejected the idea, while bringing Shaggy closer. He's a lost dog remember, plus I never use that color and braces on him anyway, he used to it! I answered innocently, while giving myself a checking look by the window.
-What! Unexpectedly, Joe responded to my careless action toward her puppy more strongly than I thought. For two weeks, walking him, and you never put on his color or even didn't take braces when you go out. Thank God, that my Puppy hasn't run out the street and get hit by a car. Vicki Zhao I would never trust you with my puppy again.
-Okey..Okey! But he's still fine, isn't he! I tried calming down the tempering friend, regretting for telling her the truth. Oh! I'm nearly late, got to go! Bye... And for the quick escape, I picked up Shaggy in my arm, and make the straight run from my house to the Public Park.
==============================
I reached to the corner of the Park, which was filled with in a random number of people like usual, and quickly spotted his familiar figure, sitting on one of the stone seat in the middle.
"Breath, Vicki, just introduce yourself, like normal!" I worked the preparation technique for the last time, before walking over to his seat, with Shaggy following behind.
However out of my prediction, he spotted me first, and started walking over toward my way.
-Hi! I'm Alec, and nice to meet you Vicki!
I accepted his friendly handshake, when couldn't stop wondering.
-Hi! How did you know it was me? I asked, when immediately saw his face turned red as he looked around in puzzle.
-Um...He then lowered his eyes and saw Shaggy. Because you're came on time and with the puppy.
-Oh...I sighted. So I must be looking very obvious. Then I started to feel the burning heat expanding on my face, and similarly I started to look down and saw Shaggy as a rescue board.
-Um, this is the dog, it is yours! I pointed for Shaggy to step forward. But he only stood a brief look down at him and turned back to me.
-It's a very beautiful dog, but it's not mine. He replied with a dashing shyly grin. My heart once again went skipping.
-Oh! Sorry!...I was lost, looking for the next thing to say, but he was quicker.
-No don't be! I'm glad you called! He replied, yet again, letting out one of his killing smile to cover the reddish on his face.
-Uh? I pouted in surprised, I thought with a disappointment of not getting back his dog, he would be leaving ASAP. But, I waited for him to continue.
-Well! He started with difficulties, rubbing one hand behind his forehead, I slowly grabbed back my stolidity to listen for his excavation.
-Honestly, I don't have any dogs. I been seeing you walking this Puppy on the Park a few days until now. Noticing it hasn't got any color, so I guessed it wasn't yours, it may be a lost dog that you've been looking for the owner. So I take the chance and put up the notice sign, hoping you could give me the call. Because I was kind of...interest in you...If you're available that is..
I stood still, mouth dropping down like a funny cloud. Heaven helps, did I heard every right, or was it just a echoing voice from my dream, of what I wanted him to say.
He slowly turned riddle, watching carefully at my dilemma gesture.
-So, is it okey with you! I'm not too silly am I? He asked out nervously, when I quickly jumped out of my daydream and turned back at him with a timid smile.
"If he's calling himself silly, then what should I call myself!" But anyway, don't need to bring that topic out now, just let it flow with hopes, the new hopes for him and me.
-Oh, No, you're not silly! I answered, clearing the newly encounter airwaves between us. I have to admit that I'm very please that you did it! I finally admitted, when seeing him spreading out a another big, bright smile. From then I known I was not silly at all for either was he.
-Really? He asked still running with amazement. When I nodded and as he stepped closer to my side. I know there a very good Seafood restaurant. Shall we start our date! He asked in the most politely gentleman sound.
But I jumped out of surprise again.
-Is it the Bayside SeaFood! That's my favorite Restaurant in town!
-Really! So do I!
We both broke out in joyful laughter and start walking toward the Bayside place. Only then the little Shaggy appeared, running along in front of us. As if it was wanting for some form of a thanking reward from us. Because who knows, maybe if it wasn't for Shaggy, me and Alec would never find out missing half.
The End
Story re-written by TanyaHuynhHa
All materials are property of Tanya'sFANTASY Copyright by TanyaHuynhHa ©since 2002