IN LOVE WITH...

FROM PAGE XXIV ther figure in his life.”

Rachel had taken a deep breath and said calmly to her mother, “It would be difficult trusting someone again in my life and worse yet, in my son’s life.”

She had deep doubts that someone could genuinely love and care for her son as their own. She rejected all advances given to her by family and friends and focused on her work, her home and her child.

The August holidays soon came around and one week before school closed, an old student, a reigning basketball star from the US paid a visit. It sparked excitement among the students and the girls became somewhat mesmerized by him.

“Oh my gosh, he’s so tall.”

“He’s so handsome.”

“I think I’m in love.”

Rachel overhearing their breathless expressions shook her head with a knowing smile, “The youthful years.”

“Yeah, cute kid.”

There was a little pause and looking at Rachel, he asked her, “You don’t remember me, do you?”

She looked at him for a long moment then said a little apologetically, “I’m sorry, I don’t.”

He shook his head a little and smiled, “I was your fourthform student; I was fifteen and you were twenty, a young assistant teacher.”

Recognition slowly dawned on her, bringing back a memory of ten years ago that left her speechless as she looked at him. He had given her a note before he left for overseas.

“I am in love with you. Will you wait for me?”

To be continued…

She didn’t go with the other staff members to the meet and greet in the auditorium but stayed in class to finish off some work. As she left her classroom for home, she saw students with autographed basketballs and their shirts.

“I wonder who he is,” she questioned silently as she walked down the road to collect Nathan.

The August holiday was a welcomed break for her with outstanding work to do at home, in the vegetable garden and spending more time with Nathan. One week into the school vacation, she had just finished preparing her special Sunday lunch when Nathan ran in excitedly, “Mommy, there’s someone here to see you.”

“Who is it?”

“I don’t know, but we shot some hoops.”

Nathan had been in the yard playing with his mini basketball hoop.

“I wonder…” Rachel opened the door and was stunned at the incredibly handsome young man standing there tall with a well-defined body.

“Hey,” he greeted her with a pleasant smile.

“Hi,” she managed to say after regaining her composure briefly, “How can I help you?”

“I was in the neighbourhood and thought I could stop by to say ‘hello’.”

She looked at him a little puzzled and asked, “And you are?”

“I was at your school last week, an old student…” he left the little introduction unfinished.

She gasped as it dawned on her who he was, “Oh my goodness, I didn’t realize.”

“That’s okay.”

Nathan was tugging at her hand, “Mommy, can he come in?”

She looked at the visitor and asked, a little hesitantly, “Uh, would you like to come in?”

“Sure.”

Nathan was overjoyed being close to a real basketball star and Rachel said with a happy smile for her son, “I guess you have another fan.”