So there I was, in the men’s restroom at the office.

(It took me a couple of seconds to settle on “men’s restroom”, as alternatives like “Gents” “toilet” “men’s room” “restroom” and their combinations went through my mind. Why must there be so many terms for the same thing? But that’s another rant for another post.)

I had just micturated, washed and dried my hands, and was about to go out when…

(Yes, I always wash my hands after I micturate.)

As I was reaching to open the door to go out, someone from the outside pushed open the door and stepped in.

It was a Malay woman in her 40s, garbed in the blue uniform of the cleaning company.

She jumped a little in shock when she looked up at me,

And she Screamed.

It wasn’t a long scream of help, but a short scream of shock. But it was definitely a scream. A loud one.

I was expecting her to then laugh or at least smile in embarrassment. But no. She continued looking at me.

Staring at me.

Staring at me in horror, like I was some kind of freak from outer space.

Staring at me, until I decided to ignore her stare, step past her, and walk out, wondering, What The Hell.