Showing posts with label Destined 遐想. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Destined 遐想. Show all posts

Monday, January 14, 2008

Destined 遐想 - Chapter 40 [The End]

Chapter 40: Destined

Yasuo giggled excited in his usual high pitched chuckles.

Ying: Naughty... boy...

Roy stared in utter shock at the sight before him.

Ying's hand had grabbed Yasuo and pulled him back onto her. And since Yasuo would giggle excitedly everytime Ying touched him, he was now filling the entire room with his loud chuckles, cos his mummy was now holding him in her arms and speaking to him for the very first time.

Roy stumbled over to Ying's bed and grabbed her hand tightly.

Roy: You're awake!!!! Please tell me this is real!!!! And I'm not dreaming!!!

Ying: Yes... I'm awake... You're not dreaming... And you're hurting my hand...


Roy: YING!!!!


He pulled her into his arms and hugged her tightly. Tears flowed from his eyes. The emotions that he had been withholding for the entire period when she was unconscious overflowed all at once.

Ying: You're squashing Yasuo... Roy...

Roy: Oops...


He pulled himself apart from the hug and smiled embarrassedly. Both Ying and Yasuo smiled at Roy.

Ying: Give me the mitten... I'll put it back on for him...

Roy passed the mitten to her and she slipped it gently back onto Yasuo's hand.

Ying: There... Aren't you an adorable baby? Let Mummy give you a kiss...

She bent down and gave Yasuo a peck on his forehead. Yasuo gave another loud excited squeal in response.

Roy: Let me carry him, you just woke up... You must be feeling weak... I should go get the doctor to come and check on you...

Ying: It's okay... I want to hold him for a while... You can go get the doctor...


Roy got up and walked towards the door. Then he came back.

Ying: Forgot something?

Roy: Yeah... Promise me that you guys will both be here when I'm back...


Ying: Yes... We will...


He leaned in and kissed Ying gently on her lips.

Roy: I love you... Thanks for waking up...

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
After the doctor gave Ying a thorough check-up, she was confirmed healthy and she could be discharged after a week's observation just to make sure everything was fine. Roy couldn't contain his excitement. He called everyone immediately and informed all of them that she had woken up, and moved the celebration for Yasuo's full month to her room instead. Everyone came over to Ying's room to visit her.

Ning: Ying... Oh my gosh... You are finally awake couz... you've been asleep for too long... who did you think you were? Sleeping beauty?

Ying: Ha ha ha... I don't think I am THAT beautiful to be called that...


Roy: Well you are... to me...


Jun: Since when did you learn to be so glib-tongued? I thought you were always the most quiet one???


Roy: I don't know... Maybe it's cos I've been talking so much while she was asleep... since Yasuo can't talk... and she wasn't responding to me...


Wilbur: I don't think talking a lot equals to becoming glib-tongued... Otherwise Zax should be a very smooth-talker now... Since he talks so much...


Zax: Hey!!! I didn't even say anything... And who says that I am not a smooth-talker? I am a host okay!!!


Ting: Ha ha ha... Guys... I think you are making too much noise... Bring it down... Or the nurse will come anytime soon...


Show: That's right... We'd better lower the volume or we'll disturb the other patients... We should definitely take this out somewhere else... When can you be discharged Ying? Can't wait for a huge celebration party...


Milk: Drop it guys... You're gonna give Ying a headache... And make Yasuo cry... Let me see how is my god-son doing first...


Milk walked over to Ying who was carrying Yasuo, Milk reached over to try to take him from her arms, and Yasuo's face started to change.

Zax: I think you'd better step aside for the next better player... He looks like he's going to cry... Come on Yasuo... let god-daddy Zax carry you...

Zax tried to baby talk to Yasuo before trying to take him from Ying's arms, and when he was laughing at Zax, Zax took him from Ying. But again, once his body left Ying's arms, his face changed.

Wilbur: Ha ha ha... Ahem... I think he prefers a more handsome god-daddy to carry him... Yasuo... god-daddy Wilbur will carry you... come on sonny boy...

Wilbur too tried to carry Yasuo, but again the same thing happened.

Wilbur: What's wrong Yasuo? You don't like your god-daddies anymore?

Yasuo smiled at them and turned back to look at Ying.

Roy: I think he just wants his mummy now...

Ying smiled and looked at Yasuo, who smiled back at her.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
It was time for Ying to return home. Roy had been waiting too long for this day. He had prepared the house for her return since the day he first bought it. It was furbished as a home for a married couple with a baby. At long last, the place would finally have a lady of the house. He would propose to her tonight during dinner and make her his forever. He never wanted her to leave him again.

Roy: Welcome to our home!!!

Ying walked into the apartment slowly, looking around as she walked in with Yasuo in her arms.

Roy: You want a tour of the house?

Ying: Okay...


Roy: We'll go to Yasuo's room first so you can put him down in his crib... Come...


Roy ushered Ying to Yasuo's room, and she placed him into his crib. The room was painted baby blue, there were clouds with a rainbow and a sun on the ceiling, and it had loads of toys and baby essentials neatly arranged in the ample cupboards.

Roy: Let's go check out the kitchen now...

He guided her back out to the kitchen, it was all in silver and white. A very clean and modern look. Even the fridge was made of stainless steel. There was a wide working area and 3 stoves, with an oven and microwave. There was even an espresso maker.

Roy: Last but not least...

Roy took Ying's hand and brought her to the master bedroom. She felt her heart beat faster when he opened the door to the room and she saw a king size bed inside, with a LCD TV hanging on the wall opposite the bed. The room was painted in a dreamy shade of sky blue, again the ceilings had clouds, rainbow and a sun.

Roy: And the toilet... You'll love it...

Roy pulled her over to the attached toilet. There was a massage jacuzzi inside, along with a shower cubicle which was partitioned with clear glass. The toilet was tiled in a lighter shade of sky blue.

Ying walked back out to the living room and sat down.

Roy: So what do you think? You like it?

Ying nodded.

Roy's thoughts: Great!!!

Ying: Your house looks nice...


Roy's thoughts: It's yours too...


Ying: Since I've already brought Yasuo back... And he's not crying... I think I'd better go back to my apartment...


Roy: Don't you wanna stay here with us?

Ying: Erm... my stuff are all at my apartment...
and I need to get a change of clothes... This is what I wore when I first went into the hospital...

Roy: Okay then... I'll drive you back later... But let's have dinner first yeah... I've made something special for you...


Ying: Alright...

Roy: You wait over here at the living room first... I'll call you when the food's ready...

Ying: Okay...


Ying went over to the living room and took a seat on the sofa. She looked over at Roy who was busy pulling out stuff from the fridge. He smiled at her when he noticed her looking over at him. She smiled and turned back to look around the living room. There was a huge LCD TV on the wall, and loads of fancy players and audio equipment on the console. Ying was bored and so she wandered around the house again. She walked into a room that he didn't show her earlier. It was a soundproofed audio work room. She could see all his guitars, keyboards and audio mixing equipment in this room. It was really messy so she didn't enter the room. She closed the door and moved to Yasuo's room. Yasuo was having a good time by himself reaching for the hanging toys above him.

Ying: Yasuo...

When he heard her voice he squealed and moved even more excitedly, anticipating for Ying to carry him up. Ying moved next to the crib and reached down to carry him out of the crib.

Ying: Hey baby boy... Missed me?

Yasuo reached a mitten covered hand up, and Ying took it and gave it a kiss.

Ying: Yeah I missed you too... Let me see what Daddy bought you that you can play with now...

She took some toys from the cupboard and sat down to play with Yasuo.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Roy: Ying... Dinner's ready...

Roy turned around and noticed that she wasn't in the living room anymore. He walked towards the rooms and found her sitting on the floor playing with Yasuo in her arms.

Roy's thoughts: I think it shouldn't be hard to get her to say yes... Cos I have a strong advantage in my favour... Yasuo...

Roy: Dinner's ready...


Ying: Oh...


Roy walked over to them. He bent down to take Yasuo from her arms and placed him back into the crib.

Roy: Sorry Yasuo... It's Daddy's turn with Mummy now... You can play with her later...

Ying laughed.

Ying: You make me sound like a toy...

Roy: Well... If you were I'd hide you away somewhere safe where no one else can take you away...


Roy reached his hand out to help Ying get up. Ying went over to the crib.

Ying: Yasuo... Mummy's gotta eat now... See you later... Let us know if you're hungry too okay...

Roy pulled Ying's hand to lead her out of the room.

Roy: Oh you bet he will...

When they walked towards the dining area, Ying noticed that Roy had dimmed the lights, and the place was lit with candles.

Ying: What's happened to the lights? How come you're using candles?

Roy: You know... We haven't had any candlelight dinner before when we were in Taiwan, since I was too poor as a student to afford it... So I'm making up for it now...


Ying: You really don't have to go to such extent for me you know... I'm fine with just a simple meal... And it's already special as you've cooked it yourself...


Roy: No I think you deserve something more... Cos you're special to me...


Ying: Awwwww... That's so sweet...


Roy pulled the chair for Ying to get into her seat, and waited for her to be seated comfortably before he went over to his own seat. There was a bowl of soup in front of her.

Roy: It's beetroot soup with carrots. Good for replenishing your blood platelets and your resistance...

Ying: Wow... Very well researched I see... Let me try...


Roy observed Ying as she took a sip from her spoon.

Ying: It's sweet and very nice...

Next he took away the soup when they had finished and served the main course - pan-seared cod fish steak with butter sauce with some blanched vegetables as side. Ying took a sniff of the plate before her.

Ying: Wow it smells really nice...

Roy: I prepared fish cos it's more healthy for you... We can have real steak when you get better...


Ying nodded and looked at the plate.

Roy: Go on... Have a taste...

Ying: Okay...


They enjoyed the meal together and last but not least was the dessert. It's almost the end of the meal. When was Roy intending to pop the question?

Roy: This is the last dish for the day... Your favourite... Dessert...

Ying: Yeah... Can't wait... Haven't had desserts for such a long time already...


Roy: I bought this... Cos you know I can't make desserts... So here's your favourite... cheese cake...


Ying: Oh fabulous... can't wait to taste it...


Ying enjoyed her dessert tremendously, unsuspecting and enjoying every forkful of the creamy sensation that overwhelmed her everytime she placed it into her mouth. Suddenly...

Ying's thoughts: Hmmm... How come there's something hard in the cake... Ying: It's just normal cheese cake right? No nuts or anything right?

Roy: Yeah it's just normal cheese cake... Why?


Ying: Nothing... I thought I felt something hard in the cake. Let me see what it is...


Ying slowly used her fork to pry the cake away to reveal what was the hard object that she had felt when she was eating. As she did it Roy slowly moved over to her side...

Then she saw it...

A princess cut white gold diamond ring...

Roy took the ring from her plate, and wiped it with a tissue before getting down to his knees in front of Ying.

Ying: Roy... I...

Roy placed a finger on her lips to stop her from saying anything.

Roy: Shhh... Let me say what I wanna say first...

Ying nodded her head and waited. Her heart felt like it was going to explode. Her head was dizzy with happiness. She felt like she couldn't breathe properly.

Roy: I still think it was a miracle when I first met you... I don't know how to repay you for appearing in my life... For bringing me back from the gallows of loneliness and emptiness... For giving me your love... For giving me the most wonderful gift in the world - Yasuo... And for waking up from your long sleep... The only way that I can think of is to spend the rest of my life taking care of you... pampering you... and loving you... Will you let me clear my debt this way?

Ying was lost for words. She hadn't expected this. Especially since she had just came out of the hospital. Everything was happening so fast. She didn't know that while she was comatose, he had been praying for this day, everyday... Roy took Ying's hand in his.

Roy: Will you marry me?

Ying: I...


Roy looked at Ying lovingly, anxiously awaiting her positive answer.

*WAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHH*

Both of them looked up in surprise. It was Yasuo crying.

Ying: Oh no... I think Yasuo's hungry... I'd better feed him first...

Ying left the table and rushed over to Yasuo's room, leaving Roy behind still kneeling and in shock.

Roy's thoughts: Yasuo!!!! Daddy was about to succeed and your cries spoilt everything!!!

He got up and walked towards Yasuo's room. The door was closed but slightly ajar. He pushed open the door and saw that Ying was breastfeeding Yasuo, who was now all quiet and blissfully feeding. When she saw him enter, she turned away from him embarassingly.

Roy: You know you don't have to be embarrassed. It's not like I've not seen you in the buff before...

Ying: SHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!! Not in front of the baby okay... And that was a long long time ago...

Roy: Yeah... But you're still the same...


Ying: Roy!!! Stop it...


Roy: Ha ha ha... Okay... Okay... I'll let you finish up with the baby tyrant first...


Roy walked out of the room mumbling angrily.

Roy: Naughty Yasuo... How dare you snatch Mummy away when it's Daddy's turn to spend time with her...

Ying smiled when he walked out and looked down at Yasuo.

Ying: Yeah... Naughty boy... I don't know how we're going to continue the meal later... Now that the momentum's been interupted... It's gonna be so awkward...

After Ying finished feeding Yasuo, she put him back into his crib. He had already fallen asleep. She walked back out into the kitchen area. Roy was already gone.

Ying's thoughts: Where could he have gone to?

She walked over to living room. Not there too. Then she wandered to his music work room. Indeed he was inside there.

Ying: How come you are here? Not eating anymore?

Roy turned around when he heard her voice.

Ying: Sorry... Am I disturbing you? I'll go on out first...

Roy dashed over and grabbed her hand.

Roy: No... It's okay... I was just listening to some of my music as I waited for you... I didn't know how long you'll take to get Yasuo to sleep... He always gives me a hard time when I try to put him to sleep...

Ying: Really? He fell asleep immediately after he had his fill...

Roy made a face.

Roy: That means he's been bullying me since day one...

Roy's thoughts: Or maybe its cos he knows I'm not his Mummy...

Roy: Only you can make him calm down as easily as you make him excited...

Ying: You've not spoken to him when he's feeding? I mean... I always spoke to him when he was still in my tummy... So maybe he's used to hearing my voice... So...

Roy pulled Ying closer to him, he couldn't take the suspense anymore. But yet he didn't know how to re-ask the question again, now that the entire mood has been destroyed by Yasuo. He looked at Ying. She looked back at him with a blur face.

Ying: I think it's time I head back... It's quite late already... And I really need to change out of these clothes...

Roy's face dropped. He loosened his arms around Ying.

Roy: Alright... I'll just go to the toilet first and grab my keys... Wait for me at the living room yeah...

Ying nodded. She walked out of the room and went to the living room. She wandered over to the dining area. The ring was still on the table. She took it and looked at it for a while. Then she slipped it into her wedding ring finger. Perfect fit... She smiled, and scribbled a note and placed it on the table and slipped out of the house quietly.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Roy: Alright... Let's go...

Roy walked out of the room into the living room. Ying was nowhere to be seen. He went from room to room and couldn't find her. Then he ran into the dining area and noticed that the ring was gone, and there was a note on the table.



He grabbed the note and stared hard at it. He couldn't believe his eyes. She had agreed! Since there was no one else in the house, and he sure didn't write the note, and Yasuo obviously can't write. It was definitely Ying who wrote it. He ran out of the house excitedly.

Ying was waiting for a cab at the front of the building. It had suddenly started raining, so she was moving backwards hurriedly to prevent herself from getting wet. And she felt herself bump into someone, and as she was trying to turn around to apologize for her blunder and to take a look at who it was, Ying felt a pair of arms go around her waist and pull her closer.

Roy: Why are you always leaving alone??? Or were you purposely making me come out to look for you, so that you can bump into me like this???

It was Roy.

Ying felt Roy prop his head on her shoulder, and she could feel the familiar warmth of his hug as he embraced her tighter into his arms.

Roy: Isn't this like when we were on summer vacation?

Ying: You still remember?

Roy: Yeah... I gave you the necklace then... Of course I remember...

Roy reached one of his hand down to grab Ying's left hand where she was wearing the ring, and raised it up.

Roy: Now... I'm giving you this...

He pulled her hand over and kissed the ring on her finger. Then suddenly, he slipped both of his hands under Ying and whipped her up into his arms, swirling her round and round.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
One year later...

In the same cathedral where Roy met Ying...

They had their wedding...

On the same day...

Christmas Eve...

At the same time...

The ceremony started minutes before Christmas arrived so that they could be pronounced husband and wife at the stroke of midnight, when she first extended the invitation out to him...

It was a very non-conventional timing for a wedding, as it was Christmas eve, and most churches were busy having Christmas service, but Roy managed to convince them to let them have the wedding there as it was a special place and time for them. Invited guests were not many, but they were all close friends and relatives.

Roy was bleaming with joy when he stood at the front of the cathedral waiting for Ying to walk towards him. When the wedding march played, Ning and Jun entered the cathedral, pushing Yasuo in a stroller, who had the wedding rings on the small cushion on his lap. Next was Ting and Show. Roy fidgeted anxiously as he waited for Ying to enter. When he saw her walking in, he felt like his heart was going to explode and form fireworks in the sky. He was too happy for words. Finally she reached his side. He extended his arm out to her, and she slipped her hand around his arm.

The ceremony was too long for Roy. He was mentally counting down to midnight.

Master of Ceremony: ... I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss the bride now.

Roy turned to face Ying. The guests were now counting down from 10.

All: 10, 9, 8...

He flipped her veil gently over her head. He leaned in.

All: 7, 6, 5...

Roy: I love you...

All: 4, 3, 2...

Ying: I love you too...

All: 1!!!!!

Roy kissed Ying.

The crowd went crazy screaming and shouting and releasing poppers everywhere. It was a very happy and festive scenario. Everyone dashed forward to congratulate Roy and Ying. Ning carried Yasuo out from the stroller and brought him over to his parents. Roy took Yasuo from Ning.

Roy: Yasuo... Daddy did it!!!

Ying: Ha ha ha...

Both leaned in and gave Yasuo a kiss on his cheeks.

~~~~~~THE END~~~~~~

Saturday, January 12, 2008

Destined 遐想 - Chapter 39

Chapter 39: Heaven must be missing an angel...

Ting: Isn't he adorable? Look at the pudgy fingers... Ang-gu-gu... ang-gu-gu...

Ting played with the baby's fingers.

Ning: His eyes are so big and lively... Ang-gu-gu... ang-gu-gu...

Roy smiled as Ting ang Ning baby-talked with his newborn son in his arms.

Suddenly, a nurse dashed out of the room hurriedly, and came back with a few more nurses and another doctor. Roy stopped one of the nurses.

Roy: Is something wrong?

Nurse: We're not sure yet sir... Sorry but I need to get back inside now...

Roy looked at the room door.

Roy's thoughts: Please be alright... Please.... Don't leave me... And our son...

Roy looked down at his baby son in his arms who was bustling with life.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
A week passed...

Due to some unknown complications during delivery, Ying had gone into a coma. The doctors weren't even sure when she would wake up. Roy had already finished filming and he had to soon go back to Taiwan, but he couldn't leave Ying here alone in the hospital. But he couldn't take care of his son all by himself too. He needed help.

Roy: Morning sleepyhead... Our son's a week old now... And he can go home today... Aren't you going to come home with us too?

He looked at Ying who looked like she was sleeping peacefully in the hospital bed, but nevertheless, not responding to his words. He placed his son back into the crib, and sat down beside Ying, taking her hand in his.

Roy: By the way... I've named our son Yasuo Chiu Kangsheng 邱康生. You know why I named him so? Cos he was born so healthily, I want him to live healthily for the rest of his life... And I hope that he will bring health to you too... So you can wake up soon and stay with us for the rest of your life...

Tears fall from his eyes. But there was still no response from Ying.

Roy: Wake up my dear... It's time to go home... I can't take care of our son alone... He needs you... I need you too...

He leans in and kisses her forehead, and wipes his tears away.

Nurse: Mr Chiu, you can go get the paperwork done for your son now... You can bring him home after settling the paperwork...

Roy: Okay I'll be right with you...

The nurse walks away.

Roy: I'll be back in a while... Yasuo will keep you company first...

As Roy walked out, a tear flowed down Ying's face.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Another two months passed...

It was now Yasuo's full month celebration, and Roy had made arrangements with his company so that he could move his work to Singapore so that he could spend time with Ying, and his family could help take care of Yasuo when he was working.

Roy had brought Yasuo to the hospital to visit Ying before bringing him to the restaurant for the full month dinner celebration. Roy had placed Yasuo on top of Ying so that she could feel how much he had grown.

Roy: See how much Yasuo has grown? He's much heavier now isn't he? Can you feel how chubby his hands are now?

He guided her hand to feel Yasuo as he spoke. Yasuo giggled, kicked his feet and moved his hands excitedly as Ying's hands touched him.

Roy: Ha ha ha... Yasuo-chan... you are happy to see Mummy right?

Yasuo gave out a really loud high pitched chuckle.

Roy: Yes you are... Daddy knows... Mummy's excited to see you too I'm sure... So you'd better wake up now Ying... You can still make it for his full month dinner...

Roy looked at Ying's face. She was still lying motionlessly on her bed.

Roy (looks up and prays): I hope you aren't mad at me cos I have one of your angels here with me. Not a day goes by that I don't thank you for her... You've blessed me with my angel on Christmas day though I think don't deserve her... Cos before she appeared in my life, loneliness was my best friend... So no matter what happens, I'm not letting go of her again... I don't want to be alone in this crazy world... Oh... How I love her so... I'll sacrifice it all just to have her back in my life... Please don't take her away from me now... Yasuo needs his mummy... And I need her... Please I beg of you... Let her wake up now...

He looked back at Ying. She was still motionless. While Yasuo was moving energetically on top of her. He stood up and carried Yasuo back into his arms.

Roy: Say bye bye to Mummy now Yasuo... We've gotta go, otherwise we'll be late for the dinner...

Roy took Yasuo's hand and waved to Ying. Then he sighed and walked out of the room. As Roy walked out, a tear flowed down Ying's face and her heartbeat flickered abnormally.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

As Roy was waiting for the lift at the hospital with Yasuo in his arms, he heard a commotion going on, but since it was a hospital, he didn't think too much of it. He looked down at Yasuo, then he noticed that one of his mittens were missing.

Roy: Ah... Yasuo... see you got so excited one of your mitten's fallen off... Now where could it have gone too... We'd better find it back now... Otherwise you'll look weird with only one mitten when we take photos during the dinner...

He looked around and traced his way back to Ying's room slowly. As he gradually approached her room, he realised that the nurses and doctors were rushing towards the direction of her room.

Roy's thoughts: Wait... Don't tell me...

He picked up speed and half-ran to Ying's room. Indeed there were a whole bunch of medical staff gathered in her room, but the curtain was drawn, so he couldn't see anything. When one nurse ran out from behind the curtain towards the door, he stopped her.

Roy: Sorry miss... Is there something wrong? What's happening? Did she wake up?

Nurse: I'm afraid not sir... Her heart beat was dropping drastically just now, so we were alerted...


The nurse dashed off, and Roy was left more worried than ever.

Roy's thoughts: I asked you not to take her away from me... I want her to wake up and to be with us... I cannot imagine life without her again... Don't you dare...

The curtain was pulled open at this point in time, interrupting his thoughts. The medical staff streamed out one by one. Ying's doctor was the last one to leave, and Roy approached him anxiously.

Roy: How is she, doctor?

Doctor: Her heart beat was very irregular just now, and it was dropping drastically... Her condition is stable now...


Roy: Is she going to wake up soon?


Doctor: We've already done what we can for her... But I'm afraid it's up to her now whether she can wake up or not...

Roy: Thank you...


The doctor left the room. Roy walked towards the bed and sat down beside her.

Roy: You gave me a scare just now... I thought...

He shook his head. He didn't want to say those words to her or Yasuo... He had to keep himself positive.

Roy: *sigh*.... My dear... We're back again!!! Cos Yasuo's lost his mitten... I figured he probably dropped it here when he was "playing" with you... I thought I'd better find it back for him before all his full month photos have him without one mitten... Let me see where he dropped it...

He placed Yasuo on Ying and looked around and found Yasuo's mitten on the floor 2 metres away from her bed.

Roy: There... Found it... Probably fell onto the floor just now in all the commotion...

He looked at Yasuo, feet kicking and hands flying everywhere while lying on Ying, who in contrast was still motionless as before.

Roy: Stay here Yasuo... Daddy will go over to get your mitten... I'll be back in a jiff... Stay still okay...

Roy stood up and walked over to the mitten on the floor. He bent down to pick it up.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Roy: YASUO!!!!

When Roy's back was turned, Yasuo had slowly kicked his way to the edge of Ying's body and was dangerously going to fall off her bed. And since he was away from the bed, he wouldn't be able to make it in time to stop him from falling.

Saturday, December 29, 2007

Destined 遐想 - Chapter 38

Chapter 38: Why...

Most unfortunate thing happened...

Roy's seat was directly opposite me! Feeling utterly awkward, we tried to avoid eye contact with each other by paying utmost attention at the producer, director and Roy's manager, since they were the ones doing most of the talking in the meeting.

I stole a glance at Roy from across the room. He was paying full attention to the director and producer, and was pretty expressionless.

Ying's thoughts: He still looks the same after so many months... But his eyes... The look in his eyes... Is back to the way when I first met him at the cathedral... Cold and hostile...

I looked back down at my pile of scripts, schedules, notes, etc and continued taking notes on what the director was saying.

Roy pretended to look through his script and stole a glance at me. I was already back to note-taking and was nodding time to time at what they were saying, while looking down to take down notes. He felt stab of pain in his heart. The woman he once loved, and still loved, was sitting opposite him now, but he could no longer call her his, as she now belonged to someone else. And that was killing him painfully, and slowly...

Roy's thoughts: I wished I had never left you alone that day... If I asked you to leave with me... You wouldn't be sitting opposite me now and treating me like a total stranger... I feel like I am invisible to you...

Producer: So Roy...

The producer's voice interupted Roy's thoughts and brought him back to the meeting.

Roy: Yes...

Producer: Is there anything you would like to voice out with regards to the script, since you've already read it right?

Roy: Nope... I'm okay with it...

Producer: If so... that's about all there is for today's meeting... See you guys for wardrobe fitting tomorrow...

Everyone got up and gathered their stuff and bee-lined out of the meeting room. I was the last one to leave, as I had the most things on the table, and I stole another glance at Roy when he walked out with his manager. His manager was saying something to him, and he was still as expressionless and nonchalant as before.

Ying's thoughts: This is going to be HARD... But bear with it... Just a couple of weeks and it's over... I can get my life back to normal... *ouch*

The baby kicked me. I placed my hand over my tummy and started rubbing it in circles soothingly.

Ying: Baby, you cannot bully mummy okay... Cos you are all I've got...

I took a deep breath to prevent myself from tearing. Then I gathered my things and went out of the room, back to my workstation.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
For the week, I had to bring Roy everywhere for his wardrobe fittings, bring him to the locations, sms or call him to remind him of his filming schedule, etc, since I was the production manager. I had to coordinate all the talents and the locations. And since he wasn't local, my producer had specifically asked me to take him around for the various activities.

We would sit quietly in the car, as I drove. He would look out of his window, and I would take the cue to keep quiet and drive. We didn't even speak once, out of the umpteen times I've driven him around. The only time we talked was when I needed to remind him of his schedule. Even then I just spoke the bare minimum, and he just murmured yes to everything I said.

I never felt more alienated from someone before. I guess it was partly my fault, as I didn't even try to make conversation. But I didn't think that he would want to speak to me too. So I stopped myself from starting anything.

The next week, filming started. The shoot would take place over 2 weeks, and I would be helping out for the filming, as I was due in a month's time, and would be on maternity leave after delivery. And the shoot should finish before I deliver.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Last day of filming...

Director: All right everybody!!! Thanks for all your hard work!!! It's a wrap!!!

Everybody cheers and starts packing up. Suddenly the lights dim in the studio. Everyone was confused at what was happening.

Everyone: What's happening???

Suddenly...

*Happy birthday to you.... Happy birthday to you... Happy birthday to Roy... Happy birthday to you...*

Producer came out with a cake in her hands, and walked towards Roy, who was quite surprised too. So was I.

Ying's thoughts: Oh no... I forgot it was his birthday today!!!

Roy: Thanks everyone... How did you know?

Manager: Cos I told them...

Roy: You... You guys didn't have to do this... Seriously...

Producer: It's okay Roy... It's just a cake... And since it's your first time spending your birthday in Singapore. We wanted to make it a special memory for you... Moreover it's a wrap day... So we have an excuse to celebrate today...

Roy: Really... Thanks so much... It's been some time since I've celebrated with a cake... with so many people... You don't know what this means to me... It's really a special birthday...

Producer made him make a wish and blow out the candles and cut the cake. After sharing the cake, the crew hung around to chat for awhile, before all going off since it was already late when we wrapped the shoot. I was left to help clear up the stuff. Roy and his manager left after the crew, producer and director left. I was left alone to clear the mess. I felt a kick on my tummy.

Ying: Baby... It's daddy's birthday today... I know you're happy for him too... But don't get too excited in there okay? *ouch*

This time it wasn't a kick, it was more like a tugging feeling at the tummy. It felt like a contraction. I quickly sat myself down and took a deep breath. I needed to see if it came again. It didn't. So I continued clearing the stuff. An hour later I felt it again, this time I sat down again to see if it came again. After 15 minutes, the contraction came again. I got myself up slowly and walked slowly to throw away the trash I gathered and locked up the studio. I walked slowly towards the lift, using the wall as my support. Once I reached the ground floor, I walked to the car. I needed to drive myself to the hospital. I sat inside the driver's seat. Another contraction came, and it was unbearably uncomfortable. I leaned my head backwards, closed my eyes, and took a couple of deep breaths.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Roy was already on a cab on his way back to his apartment, but he felt uneasy and kept having a bad feeling. He had noticed that Ying was the only one left clearing up the studio while the rest had already left.

Roy: Sorry.... Can you turn back to where you picked me up just now?

The cabdriver gave a pissed off look.

Cabdriver: Can't you make up where you wanna go first before you get on? So troublesome...

He grumbled, but he turned the cab back. Roy reached the studio in 10 minutes' time and as he was rushing into the building, he noticed Ying's car with the door open. He walked over and saw Ying sitting inside the car, with her eyes closed and hand grabbing onto her tummy. He ran over immediately.

Roy: Ying... Are you okay?

I looked up when I heard Roy's voice. His face was all worried and he was squatting in front of my car. I took a deep breath and spoke.

Ying: I think the baby's coming... But I can't drive cos of the contractions...

Roy stood up.

Roy: I'll drive you there... You lead the way...

He got up and helped me out of the car seat. As I was in too much discomfort to reject him, I let him help me over to the passenger seat. He rushed over to the driver's seat and drove me to the hospital, with me giving him directions.

When we reached the hospital, he parked the car, and rushed over to push over a wheelchair and helped me get into it, and pushed me inside. I was arranged into a ward to wait for my water to break. I called Ning and Ting, and they rushed over to the hospital. When they arrived, my water had already broken, so Roy had to wait outside the ward for them.

Ning: ROY!!! What are you doing here??!!!!

Roy: I drove her here... She was getting contractions when we just finished filming...

Ning: NO IDIOT!!! I MEANT WHAT ARE YOU DOING OUT HERE???!!!!

Roy: *blur*... The nurse said I had to come out...

Ting: Why? I thought...

Ting stopped herself from blurting the truth out, as Ying had already told them not to mention anything to Roy, since it was already clear to her that he didn't want the baby.

Roy: What? How come she only called the two of you? Where's her... erm... the baby's dad? The nurse said only one family member can be inside... So I had to wait out here... Since I'm not a family member...

Ning was boiling inside. She knows that Ying didn't want to force Roy to take responsibility. But she felt that Roy being here was making things worst for Ying, she didn't see why he should be here when he didn't want to take responsibility. And what was he talking about the baby's dad? He was the baby's dad!!!

Ning: BAKA!!! WHAT ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT? YOU ARE THE ONE WHO SHOULD BE INSIDE THERE WITH HER NOW... NOT US!!!

Roy: What do you mean? The nurse said family member... I'm not her family member... Her husband should be in there with her now... Where is he now?

Ning: ARE YOU TRYING TO BE FUNNY? YOU'RE THE BABY'S DAD!!! IF YOU DON'T WANT TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY, THEN WHY ARE YOU EVEN HERE IN THE FIRST PLACE!!!


Ting and Roy were both shocked by Ning's sudden outburst. But Roy was even more shocked by what she had just said. He grabbed Ning by her shoulders.

Roy: What.... what did you just say?

Ning: You're the baby's dad...

Roy: Why didn't she tell me?

Ting: She did...

Roy was dumbstruck. He searched his memory. But he didn't recall Ying ever telling him about the baby being his.

Roy: When?

Ting: She sms-ed you when she knew... But you never replied... So she assumed that you didn't want to have anything to do with it... So she decided to take care of it herself...

Roy took a step back and steadied himself against the wall. He was too shocked for words.

Roy's thoughts: I'm such an idiot... I should have known when you mentioned the due date... And I even asked you about the baby's dad... How stupid I must have sounded... You must have felt so hurt...

Ning: Well... Are you going to go in or not? If not I'm going to head on in...

Ning's words interupted Roy's thoughts. He looked up at her apologetically.

Roy: I'm so sorry... I didn't know... My phone was lost in Taiwan when I left her that day to rush to see my sick grandma... That's why I wasn't contactable... And I was at my grandma's for a month... So by the time I went back, she was already gone... And I lost all contact... Until I met Milk...

Ning: You mean you didn't know this whole time?

Roy: No...

Ting: And Milk didn't tell you about the baby?

Roy: No...

Ning: Go on in now then... She needs you now... Explain to her later... Don't explain to us... We're not important... She's the one that needs to know all these... Not us...

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Roy walked slowly into the room. The nurse came up to him to stop him.

Nurse: Sir, are you a family member or the spouse? If not you can't stay in here...

Roy: I'm the baby's dad...

I looked over at him when she heard him say that.

Ying's thoughts: Did Ning or Ting say anything to him? How come he's suddenly acknowledging this baby?

Nurse: Oh... Then it's okay... But please put these on.

Roy put them on and walked over to me. He grabbed my hand.

Roy: I'm sorry...

Ying: Huh? Why are you apologizing?

Roy: I didn't know... My phone was lost in Taiwan when I left that day to rush to see my sick grandma... That's why I wasn't contactable... And I was at my grandma's for a month... So by the time I went back, you were already gone... And I lost all contact... Until I met Milk...

I was surprised at his sudden apology. And when he told me what had happened, I felt a huge stone get off my back. It was as if I finally knew why he left that day suddenly and became uncontactable for months...

Ying's thoughts: It wasn't because he was trying to ditch me... It wasn't because he didn't love me... It was just a cruel joke of fate... That's all I needed to know..

Ying: So you didn't get any of my calls or smses?

Roy: No... I only got your address and contact from Milk when I met him a few months ago before I came here for filming... And he didn't tell me anything...

Ying: Aaaaaah.... *ouch*

Roy: Are you feeling okay?

Doctor: I think it's almost time for you to start pushing, your cervix is already fully open...

Ying: Yes doc... It's okay Roy... We'll talk later... I need to concentrate now...

Roy grabbed my hand tighter and stood beside me.

Roy: Wakatta... Ganbatte kudasai...

I smile at him and take a deep breath. I push with all my might. After an hour of immense pushing and loads of deep breaths, I finally felt my baby coming out from me, and I heard him crying for the very first time.

Roy: You did it!!!

Nurse: Congratulations, you've got a baby boy...

The nurse passed the baby to Roy. He carried him gingerly and leaned over to me. I looked at the baby and smiled. I felt very drained and exhausted, but contented at the same time. I kissed the baby's cheek softly, and gave him my pinky to grasp. He took it immediately and I played with his little hand lovingly.

Ying: Hello baby... Glad you made it for daddy's birthday... And... Thanks for being so sweet to mummy... I love you...

Roy was smiling at the baby and then at me.

Roy: *giggles* He has your eyes...

Ying: Yeah... And your nose...

Roy: Thanks for giving me such a beautiful son... For my birthday... I love you...


He leaned in and gave me a kiss on my forehead.

Roy: I'm gonna go show our son to Ning and Ting first... I'll be right back...

Ying: Okay...

I watched tiredly as he walked out with our son in his arms. I could hear Ning and Ting's excited screams from outside. But my eyes were very weary and heavy and I closed my eyes slowly.

Nurse: Miss... Miss...

Tuesday, December 18, 2007

Destined 遐想 - Chapter 37

Chapter 37: Is this a joke?

For the next few weeks, even though it was still feeling slightly awkward, Roy dropped by almost everyday after school to hang out and bring me around the various sights of Taiwan. We went to the theme park, where he dragged me into rollercoaster rides that made me scream until my face went white when I got off. Played the various stall games and won myself several huge prizes. Actually he won some and gave them to me.

As I got to know him better, I could literally feel him opening up to me. Compared to the first time when I met him, he was so much more open, chirpy and animated. He would even play pranks on me!!! Of cos I am a blur queen, so there are some times when I don't even know I've been punked and I still look confused. But when I finally realise it, I would be chasing him around trying to get my revenge.

The few weeks was all very carefree and leisurely. We were acquaintances before. But now we were friends. Good friends. But that was all I could say. Nothing more. Don't let your imagination run wild. Guys like him won't even notice girls like me. Might not even treat me as a girl. Just a buddy. We were just good friends. But that was until my cousins came to visit. I stopped hanging out with him, and let's say I made myself unavailable to him.

I can't say that I avoided him totally. But I made sure I was busy with my cousins everytime he dropped by. Everytime he was so excited, but when I said I can't, I could tell that he was disappointed. But I didn't want to become too close to him, or I might just...

I don't know... I just didn't want to get hurt when I am alone in a foreign land... It was a natural protective shield...

But no shield could protect me from him...

It was destined that I would meet him that Christmas eve...

And that I would ask him back...

And that I would fall for him...

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Present... Back at Roy's house...

Roy pulled away the blanket and slipped himself inside and onto the guest bed. He snuggled up next to me and turned to look at me as I slept soundly.

Roy: I love you...

He leaned in and gave me a kiss on my lips. I stirred in my sleep and opened my eyes when I felt his lips touch mine. I saw him lying beside me on the bed.

Roy: Hello sleepyhead...

Ying: It's morning already? I fell asleep?

Roy: You fell asleep... But it's not morning yet...

Ying: Oh... Then go back to sleep then... It seems late... I'll see you tomorrow morning then...

I flipped over and closed my eyes to get back to sleep. I expected Roy to go back to his own room to sleep. But after some time I didn't feel or hear him getting off my bed so I turned back and realised that he was still there looking at me.

Ying: You're not tired?

He shoke his head.

Ying: You still want to chat, or do something together then? We can watch something on the TV...

He nodded his head.

I got up and walked to the TV and switched it on. It was showing a romance movie "Ever After".

Ying: Oh... Nice one... You wanna watch this?

Roy: Anything's fine...

Ying: Alright then. I sat up on the bed and puffed up some pillows to support my back against the headboard. Roy did the same and snuggled closer to me. Instinctively I placed my head on his shoulder and he placed his arm around me, pulling me nearer to his body.

Somewhere into the show, I was crying from the plot.

Roy: What's wrong? Why are you crying?

Ying: It's the show... Just ignore me... I'm a crybaby when it comes to such shows...

Roy: How can I ignore it when you're crying?

He pulled me to face him and wiped the tears from my face.

Roy: It's only a movie my dear... Don't be so sad...You're breaking my heart...

Ying: I can't help it... My tears just flow... Maybe I'm just a hopeless romantic that wishes that all love stories will end happily ever after...

Roy: I don't know about others... But I know yours will... Cos you've got me... I love you...

He leaned in and gave me a soft kiss. I reached up and placed my arms behind his back. When he felt my arms around him, he pulled me closer to him and kissed me harder and more passionately. In the heat of the moment, we made love to each other.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The next morning...

I woke up with the sun shining into the guest room. I looked around but Roy was already not around. I got out of bed and got my clothes back on, and walked over to his room. He wasn't there either. I walked downstairs and the entire house was empty. I made myself a coffee while I waited for him. I noticed a note on the counter.

Morning sleepyhead,
Sorry I gotta rush off. Something cropped up. You can head on back first, as you've got classes later. I'll call you later.
Love ya,
Roy xxxx

I made myself some breakfast and cleaned up before leaving the house. I took a bus back to my hostel to change my clothes before going for my classes. I didn't hear from Roy later that day, soIi sent him a text message letting him know that I am already back at my hostel. I didn't get a reply even until the next morning. I was starting to get a bit worried.

I went to his hostel, and there was no one there. I left a note there too. Another week went by and there was still no response or news from him.

Wilbur: So we'll do it like this right? Ying? Ying... Ying...

I gazed up at Wilbur blurly. We were discussing some project and I was totally distracted with thoughts of Roy.

Milk: Ying... What's up with you these days... You seem so distracted...

Zax: Yeah... And I haven't seen Roy around for some time already... Did you guys have a fight? That's why you're so distracted?

Wilbur and Milk threw Zax a dirty look.

Once I heard Roy's name. I darted back to life.

Ying: Roy... Where is he? Is he here? You saw him? Where?

Milk: No Ying... He's not here... What's wrong with you guys? Are you okay?

Milk and Wilbur gathered around me to calm me down. By now I felt so desperate and depressed that I wanted to cry. Bottled up feelings flooded my mind and my eyes started to tear.

Ying: I don't know what's happening... One minute he was still around in his house... And the next he was gone when I woke up... Now I can't even contact him... He hasn't responded to my calls or sms-es or notes for two weeks already... I don't know if something's happened to him... Gosh I am going mad with worry...

Wilbur: There there... I'm sure he has his reasons... He's probably busy with school and practice so he can't reply to you...

Zax: Hey... wait a minute... what do you mean by "he was gone when you woke up"... you guys spent the night together at his house!!!

Milk, Wilbur and Zac looked at me. I nodded my head in between sobbing.

Zax: Ah... that explains it...

Ying: What do you mean by that?

Zac: He got what he wanted and... sayo.... *mmmmmmm*

Milk and Wilbur covered Zax's mouth before he could say out the most unpleasant news to me. But I heard it. And I understood what he meant. I wiped the tears from my eyes.

Milk: Ying... I'm sure it's not like what he said...

Ying: It's okay Milk... I can take it... But if you guys can pardon me... We'll continue this tomorrow? I need to take some rest now...

I walked off back to my hostel.

Wilbur: Why would you say something like that to her?

Zax: But that's probably what's happening... You can't blame me if the guy's a bastard...

Milk: That's true Wilbur... Just let her have some peace and quiet for a while... We can't do anything to help her now...

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Last day in Taiwan...

After the painful break of news to me, I cried for an entire day. But I forced myself to get back to normal the very next morning. I acted normally for everything, classes, projects, etc. So that the guys won't worry about me. I told myself that I won't cry another tear for him. He was not worth it. And I managed to do it. I engrossed myself with school work until I had no time to think of other things at all.

My exchange soon ended. And even on the last day, I didn't receive anything from Roy. But I left him a sms saying that I was leaving Taiwan to go back to Singapore. I left Taiwan with a heavy, but broken heart. And I vowed never to trust anyone so easily again. I don't think I could bear another broken heart again. It was too painful.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Two months later....

After my exchange, I was due to graduate in another month's time. After I graduated, I got a job working as a producer in a private media company. Work was very hard and tough, hours were long, and the pay wasn't exactly fabulously glam like how many thought the media industry was like.

One day during a shoot, I was feeling immensely nauseous. And I puked. Several times. Thinking it was a gastric problem I went to see a doctor after the shoot.

Doctor: Congratulations... You're 3 months pregnant...

Ying: What??!!!

Doctor: You're pregnant...

Ying: But this can't be... I... Wait a minute... How many months did you say?

Doctor: 3 months...

Ying's thoughts: Damn it...

Ying: Thanks doctor... I'll just be going now...

I texted Ning.

Doc said I am 3 mths pregnant... How ironic is that? Ha ha... I'm dead... What am I going to do?

I got a call back immediately.

Ning: What are you talking about?

Ying: I'm 3 months pregnant...

Ning: WHAT?!!!! YOU.... What you don't have a boyfriend now... Who's baby is that? Don't tell me it's...

Ying: Roy's...

Ning: Are you gonna tell him?

Ying: Even if I do... I don't know if he'll respond to me... Ah heck it... I'll just send him a sms... If he replies, then he replies, if he doesn't he doesn't... I don't care anymore...

Ning: But he's the baby's dad... He should take responsibility...

Ying: It's okay Ning... I can take care of the baby myself... I created this mess... I'll take responsibility for my own actions... Bye...

I sent Roy a sms.

Hi Roy,
It's been some time since I've last heard from you. I know this may be kind of abrupt. But just to let you know, I'm pregnant with your baby. I don't know what's your decision on this. But I'm keeping it, with or without you. That's all.
Regards,
Ying

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Another 5 months passed....

No news from Roy at all. I think you can pretty much say that I have given up all hope in him. I've worked like crazy to try to save more money for the baby. It was 2 more months before my due date. Wilbur, Milk and Zax had sent their well wishes and made prior notice to me that they wanted to be the baby's God Dads, whether it was a girl or boy. They didn't probe much, as they all knew from Ning that Roy was the dad. They just wanted to show as much support as they could at this fragile moment.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
One day on the road...

Milk was driving and he notice a familiar face driving in a car beside his. He looked over and stared. It was Roy. He horned at him. And Roy looked over and noticed Milk. They parked by the road and got off.

Roy: Milk!!! Boy am I glad to see you. It's been a long time... Have you seen Ying? How is she? Is she still in Taiwan?

Milk was boiling when he saw him. Needless to say when he heard Ying's name, he punched Roy.

Roy: What are you doing? Why are you hitting me?

Milk: Ask yourself what have you done. Where have you been all these months? She's already gone back to Singapore. She's not going to wait around here for a heartless cad like you...

Roy: Wait.... what do you mean? She's gone back? My grandma was seriously ill back then, so I left in a hurry to go see her. I didn't even have time to call Ying. And when I reached my grandma's I realised I had lost my handphone and all my contacts. I couldn't contact her at all. I only got back 3 months later... And then I saw her note in my hostel... But I guess by that time she had already left for Singapore... Cos when I went to look for her at her hostel, it was already someone else staying there... Oh my... she must think I was trying to dump her by disappearing... Gosh... I've gotta explain things to her... Do you have her address and contact number? I'll go look for her when I'm there for filming next week...

Milk: You better be telling the truth... Or you'll be sorry...

Milk gave Roy my contact details, and Roy thanked him profusely before rushing off.

Milk's thoughts: He seemed genuinely apologetic... Maybe we were all wrong about him... Oh no... If his phone is lost, that means he doesn't even know he's going to be a daddy...

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
One week later... Void deck of Ying's flat...

Roy got off the cab and was looking around at the void deck, when I came down in a lift to purchase some things from the shop downstairs. When I saw him I got a shock. I didn't expect him to respond to my text. Neither did I expect him to be here. But he got a shock too. He didn't expect me to move on so quickly, and get married and get pregnant.

Roy: Hi Ying...

Ying: Hi Roy...

Roy: How are you doing?

Ying: I'm fine...

Roy: I see you are pregnant...

Ying: Yeah...

Roy: When is the baby due?

Ying: In a month's time... In October...

Roy: Oh...

Awkward silence.

Roy: So how's your erm... the baby's daddy...

He couldn't bring himself to say the word husband, as he could not accept the fact that the woman he loved had now belonged to someone else.

I felt like someone stabbed me in the heart with a 12 inch knife. I was bleeding inside.

Ying's thoughts: What do you mean? YOU are the baby's dad.... If you don't want to acknowledge the baby, why are you here? Doing this? Saying all these?

I took a deep breath and replied.

Ying: He's doing fine too... I guess...

Awkward silence.

Ying: Why are you here? For work?

Roy: I'm here for work... I'll be here for a month, until early November. Here's my card.

Ying: I see... Look I've gotta go now... I need to go to the restroom again... See you... Bye...

I walked off and got back into the lift.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Next day at production meeting...

Director: These are our cast for the drama serial...

In walked Roy.

Ying's thoughts: Oh my god, this can't be happening!!!

Roy's face also showed shock when he walked in and saw me. But he remained professional and shoke everyone's hands and took his seat.

Friday, September 28, 2007

Destined 遐想 - Chapter 36

Chapter 36: Dinner Date

*Ring ring ring*

I reached over and took a look at the alarm clock, it was already 3pm. I had slept through lunch, and it was now already time for me to take my medicine, and...

Ying's thoughts: If I want to meet Roy for dinner at 6.30pm at the Square, I would have to get up now and get myself ready... But do I want to see him again?

I tousled my hair, and got out of my bed, and walked towards the kitchenette to look for something to eat before taking my medicine. I opened the fridge and saw a bowl of porridge with a note on top. I took out the bowl and opened the note.

Ying,
Remember to have some food before you take your medicine.
Here's some porridge from earlier....
I know it doesn't taste fantastic, but at least it'll fill you up before the medicine goes in.
Roy
PS: Warm up the porridge first before you eat it!

I smiled. A warm feeling floated in my heart. For the entire period I was studying here, this was the first time I felt warmth in a foreign land. No doubt my course mates were nice to me, but this just felt was different. I don't know why, but I felt like I wasn't alone on a day when others are spending with their families. And I was alone. Cos almost the entire hostel's students have gone home for Christmas. Except me. I didn't want to waste the money going back to Singapore and back after a few days. So here I am. Spending a family holiday alone in a ghostly deserted hostel, in a foreign country. Fantastic...

I placed the bowl into the microwave and heated it up. After that I finished it in the kitchenette, before taking my medicine. I took the bowl and spoon to the sink to wash up. And as I was washing up. My mind wandered off to the note...

I'll be waiting for you at the Square at 6.30pm...
I'll be waiting there till I see you...

I shook my head and finished my washing and walked back to my bed.

Ying's thoughts: I guess there's no reason why I should not go, since it's an apology dinner. And he was mean to me the entire time, so why shouldn't he apologise? It's only normal courtesy. Nothing more. Yeah I should go. And eat as much as my current sick body can take. So smart of him to give a treat now when I am sick, so I can't eat that much...

I nodded my head firmly, and walked over to gather my things to take a shower and get myself ready. I selected my favourite cream knitted sweater and dark blue skinny jeans, and I took out my deep dark purplish red corduroy jacket. I went for a shower, and got back to the hostel to change into the clothes I prepared, and did my make-up. When I was ready, I took a look at my image in the mirror.

Ying's thoughts: Hmmm... Done... Looking good... WAIT... Why am I dressing up to meet him? It's just a casual dinner.

I walked over and sat down at the sofa. I took a look at the time, it was just 4pm. I decided it was too early for me to leave the hostel. Cos I didn't want to appear to eager. So I switched on the TV to watch some programme.

Probably due to the medicine, I felt drowsy after a while, and dozed off on the sofa.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Roy was standing outside in the freezing cold at the Square waiting for me at 6pm. He arrived early, and had brought a stalk of yellow rose for Ying, as the shop owner told him that yellow roses represent apology.

He watched as couples and families walked by him happily. He took a look at the yellow rose and smiled. Then he looked at his watch. 6.30pm.

Roy's thoughts: Where is she? Will she come?
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I startled awake on the sofa. I looked at the time immediately. 7.30pm.

Ying's thoughts: Oh no!!! I overslept again...

I got up and rushed to the door, and down the stairs. I ran all the way to the bus stop. After waiting for 5 minutes, no bus came. I looked at the schedule. The next bus was 30 minutes later. I started running up the road, trying to hail a cab. But after waiting for another 20 minutes, there was no cab in sight too. I took a look at my watch. 8pm.

Ying's thoughts: It's been 1.5 hours already... I think he must have gone off already... No point for me to go down now...

I started walking disappointedly back to my hostel. And sat myself down on my sofa, and stared at the TV blankly. Slowly, I dozed back off to sleep. Without realising that I had forgotten to do something very important....
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
It was already 9pm at the Square. Roy was freezing in the cold, as he had been standing there for 3 whole hours, and he was worried sick about Ying. He didn't know if she was still so sick that she couldn't come out to meet him, or she just didn't want to meet him. He couldn't take it any more, he couldn't wait another second. He ran towards the main road and hailed a cab.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Roy dashed up the stairs and got to my hostel door, just as he was about to knock, he realised that the door wasn't locked. He opened the door slowly and noticed that I was lying on the sofa without a jacket on. He ran over hurriedly and shook me worriedly.

Roy: YING!!! Are you okay?!!!

I opened my eyes drowsily, and I saw Roy's worried face looking at me.

Ying: I...

Roy pulled me into his arms and gave me a hug.

Roy: I'm so glad you are alright... I thought something happened to you when I noticed the door unlocked and you were lying here unconscious on the sofa... I thought...

I was dumbfounded by his actions. And I didn't know how to react. I pushed myself away from him awkwardly.

There was an awkward silence. As Roy realised what he had just done.

Roy's thoughts: What got into me? I just got to know her. We're not even friends yet. Why am I so worried about her? What am I doing? Hugging her like that?

Roy: Sorry...

Ying: It's okay... I should be the one apologising, cos I... stood you up... I'm sorry...

Roy looked at me. Then he suddenly remembered the rose that he had bought for me. He searched around for it frantically.

Ying: What's wrong? Did you lose something?

Then he saw it, lying on the floor, as he had dropped it when he dashed in straight to me on the sofa. He got up and picked it up. And he walked back over to me.

Roy: This is for you...

He passed the rose to me.

Ying: Thanks...

I took the rose from him and looked at it quizzically.

Ying: Why are you give me a yellow rose?

Roy: I wanted to give you something to show my sincerity, so I wanted to buy some flowers, but I didn't have enough money for a whole bouquet, so I bought one stalk... And the shopowner said that yellow rose represents apology... So I bought it for you.

Ying: Oh... I see... Thanks... But you really shouldn't have... I'm not like other normal gals that love to be showered with flowers everyday... I just need...

Roy looked at me attentively. But I stopped myself from going further. This wasn't the kind of idle chat that I should be saying to Roy. I looked away.

Ying: Sorry I messed up your plans for the evening AGAIN... I guess I really bring bad luck to you... Sorry...

Thursday, September 20, 2007

Destined 遐想 - Chapter 35

Chapter 35: Waiting for you...

Roy stormed out of my hostel and ran down the stairs. His anger and frustration made him run really fast, and the more he thought about what I just said, the more he felt angry, and that made him run even faster.

Roy's thoughts: Why am I so angry with her for asking me to leave? I'm not related to her in anyway, we're not even friends yet... We're mere acquaintances...

His pace started slowing down...

Roy's thoughts: She was nice enough to put me in for the night... But what have I done? I've made her fall sick... And pissed her off... Who am I to judge her for asking me to leave? Why must I be such a jerk to her? When she's been nothing but nice to me?

He stopped at the ground floor of the hostel. Roy turned his head and looked up at Ying's hostel.

Roy's thoughts: And now... The only person who's nice to be and treats me as myself has been driven away by me too...

He felt a pang of guilt hit him. And there was a tugging pain at his heart.

Roy's thoughts: No... I'm not going to let my only "friend" leave me so easily... There must be something I can do to get her back...

His eyes suddenly brightened after some thought, and he dashed off.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I staggered out of my hostel with a blanket wrapped around me, and using the wall as my support. And when I leaned at the edge of the wall to see where Roy had gone to, I saw him dash out of the hostel block hurriedly.

Ying's thoughts: Maybe I was too harsh...

I shook my head determinedly.

Ying's thoughts: NO~~~ I am NOT!!! He's the one that's harsh to me...

Then I sighed.

Ying's thoughts: What's the point of thinking anyway? I am never going to see him again anyway...

I turned and staggered back into my hostel.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
*Ring ring*

I startled awake from my medicine-induced sleep. It was the doorbell ringing. I struggled to get to the door, with a blanket around me. I looked through the keyhole. There was no one there. I started walking back, thinking it was a wrong press of the doorbell. Just as I almost reached the bed, the bell rang again. This time I walked over and looked through the keyhole again. Nothing again. Annoyed, I opened the door abruptly.

Ying: HEY!!! What do you think you are doing??!!!! STOP....

I paused. When I opened the door, I saw no one outside. But when I looked down, I saw Roy squatting down, trying to push something under my door. I was frankly surprised to see him. He gave an embarrased smile and stood up. When he stood up, he towered over me. I took a step back, as I couldn't comfortably raise my head up to look at him without feeling dizzy.

Roy: Sorry... I just wanted to give you this...

I took the piece of paper from him. Before I could read it, he ran away.

Ying: HEY!!! What are you trying to do!!!

Puzzled, I opened the piece of paper, and read:

Sorry for my disturbing your Silent Night...

To make up for the inconveniences that I've caused you...
I would like to invite you to dinner tomorrow...
Do hope that you will accept my apology and come for the dinner...
I'll be waiting for you at the Square at 6.30pm...
See you there...
If you'll be late, don't worry...
I'll be waiting there till I see you...
Roy

Ying's thoughts: WHAT does he mean by this???!!!

I struggled back into my hostel room, and got back into my bed. As I pulled the blanket over myself. A slight grin appeared on my face. And I went back to sleep.