Gui Gui dialed his number for another time. She wondered if the phone would be turned off again.
"Happy Birthday!" she heard the familiar, though half-dreaded, repeated voice wishing sweetly. Gui Gui spun around instantly, only to find out there was a pair of couple not too far behind her. The guy was holding up an almost human-sized teddy bear to the girl. He spoke again and it was the same kind of cheerful tone as a few seconds ago. Only that, the words were not meant for her. He sounded exactly the same as Wang Zi, up to the limit which her ears could recognise. Well, who else could not be? As long as he is a guy in this world, no one's can be any different. The girl accepted the lavish gift and they hugged. Gui Gui turned about to avoid giving way to the sharp stab of envy hurting her heart. She grasped tightly onto her summer checked shirt, in a painful attempt to suppress the flow of emotions rushing furiously about within her.
The sound of agitated raindrops pushed through the humid atmosphere. Next second, a heavy downpour succeeded in drowning out all vain city noise. Gui Gui wiped her face and looked up at the clouded sky. She got even wetter as a result. Everyone now raced for the nearest cover available.
Having reached under the bus-stop shelter, Shi De sighed with relief. He took out his cellphone and speedily pressed her number. After some ringing tone, he got an incoming message alert. Noticing from a corner of his eye of a girl becoming drenched in the rain not too far away, he was about to hurry over when out of the blue, he saw a lady approached her and offered an umbrella. He figured she mouthed a word of thanks and the thing handed to her looked startlingly similar to Phoebe's. Scared that she might be soaked thoroughly in the midst of such weather, he quickly opened the text message and set off for another round of searching her again. He was determined to find her this time.
Gui Gui opened the umbrella with disappointment. Her only consolation was a kind soul had caught sight of her helplessness. She then walked slowly over to a public bench, sat down, and watched on as more and more puddles on the road before her started to form.
She longed to listen to that soothing clear voice once more, but it has since ventured beyond her reach. Now, each way she turned, every corner she went, was the same old authoritative utterance that clinged onto her for what seemed like ages. Whenever any guy started talking, she would have heard of him countless times before, because his voice belonged to every male she has ever come across.
Gui Gui dug into her bag for an old worn notepad and pen. She breathed hard and closed her eyes for a brief second to calm her feelings. Then, in complying with her routine, she started writing...
"Wang Zi,
I know you must have gotten intensely fade up with my series of apologies. Yes, I have to face it that I have failed again, much to your anger. There has been endless instances you have to put up with my cluelessness. My reaction to that person is a serious embarrassment to you and I understand how you feel. Sorry, I have yet to overcome this silly problem of mine. May I ask of you to caution me against making a fool of us both by giving me more visible hints and using gestures to gather my messed-up attention. In crowded areas, too many people talking at the same time will hinder me from telling each person's words apart, just as you have always known. Thank you for forgiving me again, and please do so for I really need it.
PS Just as you wanted, this 100 word-note I have managed to produce. Only better, an excess of about 30 words for your bonus pardon...
Yours affectionately,
Gui Gui."