Wednesday, December 16, 2009

Always And Forever - Chapter 14

Chapter Fourteen: So Near Yet So Far




He looked at the girl sitting beside him.

It was a sunny afternoon, and the two of them were at the park, watching people as they pass by. He found out it has been a habit of hers, observing people who passes by her. Once in a while, he looked at the crowd, watching them just like how she did, but his eyes would always find its way to her smiling face. He could never take his eyes off her. It's a wonder how can a beauty like her could be sitting right beside him. She wore no make up, and yet she is more beautiful than that night he met her. It's a wonder how he failed to notice those big black orbs. He failed to notice her long eyelashes which compliments her pretty eyes. He asks himself why he only noticed her soft cheek, and the loveliness of her face as she smiles.

He never failed to notice those things. It just so happen that it felt like he was seeing her again for the first time.

“What are you staring at, Calvin?” Ella finally asked. Calvin turned away from her, and she could see him blush. “Nothing.” he denied. “Nothing? You were staring at me. Did you even hear what I just told you?” she asked. Calvin looked at her again. He let out a smile and shook his head. Ella pouted at him. He found her really cute when she pouts like this. “How can I waste my saliva on a bean pole like you.” she said. Ella folded her arms, and looked away from him. Calvin smiled to himself as Ella pretended to be mad at him. He then poked her sides, tickling her to make her smile. Ella was trying her best not to laugh, but Calvin stopped tickling her. “Aiyo, stop it!” she said as she looked at Calvin. She was still pretending to be mad at him. “Don't be mad at me, my dear wife... please?” he said, giving her puppy eyes. Ella couldn't help but laugh at how silly he looked. “OK, I forgive you. Stop looking at me like that.” she said. Calvin smiled at her, then the two of them burst out laughing.

He put his arms around her, and Ella rested her head on his shoulder. He sighed with content as he looked at the girl he loves. He wished they could be this happy for the rest of their lives. He wish this moment would last forever. Although he know that Ella is only forced to marry him, he's still hoping that one day Ella would learn to love him. “What are you thinking, Calvin?” he heard Ella ask. Calvin looked at her again, and smiled. “Nothing...” he said. “Oh really? You've been awfully quiet...” she said. “Does a handsome man like me have no right to be quiet, especially when he's beside a very beautiful lady?”he asked. He let out a playful smile at her. Ella gave him a nudge on his side, and Calvin could only flinch in pain. Upon seeing the pained look in his face, Ella laughed.

As Calvin looked at the other side of the park, he saw two old couple walking through the pathway. The older man looked lovingly at the his wife who was walking beside him. The elder woman looked up at him, and gave him a kiss on the cheek. He could see the smile on the man's face as his wife kisses him. “They look so happy together... seems to me their love stand through the test of time. I wish Ella and I would be like them someday...” he thought. He could already imagine his future with Ella. He could imagine himself growing old with her, just like the old couple he saw.

--

Andy stood outside the school gate. He heard the bell finally rang, and soon, the students rushed outside. He looked back, and saw Genie walking towards the gate. Then, he saw her pause as he saw her. He smiled at her, but Genie looked away from her. “Genie!” he called. Genie turned her back from him. “What is he doing here?” she thought. As she looked up, she saw one of the popular girls in school looking outside the gate. “Hey, isn't that Andy Chen from Eng Kai Academy?” she heard her say. She looked back, and saw Andy already surrounded by girls. “That stupid guy... and I though he came here for me. Aish! Who am I kidding? He just came here to babe-hunt!” she thought.

Meanwhile, Andy found himself being swarmed by girls who wants to get to know him. He tried to look for Genie from the crowd, but he could not find her. “Where is she? I just saw her a while ago!” he thought. “Hey, tell us, do you have a girlfriend here?” he heard one of the girls ask. He looked at her, and shook his head. “Hey, do you happen to know Genie Zhou?” he asked. “The new girl? The nerdy one?” another said. Andy nodded his head. “Genie's his girlfriend?” he heard another girl ask. “I think she already left. She took the back gate.” another said. Andy smiled at them. “Where's the back gate?” he asked. “You need to go around the block to get there.” another said. He said his thanks to the girls, and excused himself. He fought his way to the crowd, and run around the school's block, hoping to see a glimpse of Genie.

As soon as Genie got out of the back gate, her car stopped in front of her. “Good Afternoon, Miss Genie.” The driver said as soon as he got out of the car. He then opened the door to the back seat of the car, and Genie got inside of the car. As the car drove away, Andy was able to reach the back gate. But he was too late. He saw the car leaving, with Genie inside it. “Genie!” he called. He ran after the car, but he was too tired that he couldn't run anymore. “Genie...” he called again. No matter how loud his call is, he knows Genie could never hear him, for she's already gone.

He's too late. And he will have to try and corner Genie on another day.

--

it was morning.

The sunlight on the window awoke him. And as he slowly opened his eyes, the sight of her sleeping beside him greeted him. He smiled to himself as she watched her sleep. He reached for her, and gently caressed her soft cheeks. He found himself thanking God he was able to meet this girl. He thank God for her, for giving him a chance to love again. Maybe there is a purpose why their paths crossed – so that he will learn how its like to fall in love once more. He moved closer to her, planting a small kiss at the tip of her nose. He heard her let out a soft moan, which made him laugh. Then, he looked at her, his face moving closer to hers once more, gently kissing her lips.

After he kissed her, he saw her gently open her eyes. “Good Morning...” Ella said, smiling at him. Calvin smiled at his wife. She still seemed a little sleepy, and he finds that cute. “Good morning, princess...” he whispered. “Was it me, or did I dream that some prince charming just kissed me?” she asked. “I guess you just dreamed of it.” Calvin said. Ella let out a laugh. Then, Calvin leaned towards her, and kissed her on the lips again. He opened his mouth to speak, but as he was about to say those three words, he paused. He doesn't want Ella to be scared just because of it. And besides, why would he ruin such a perfect moment just because of what he was about to say?

He caressed her cheeks again, and planted a kiss on her forehead. “its my first day of work... will you miss me today?” he asked. Ella let out an evil smile, and looked away from him. “So, if you'll work today, then I'm a free woman. I can do whatever I want, right?” she asked. “Then, I guess I won't go to work today so that you'll stay here. I want to spend the whole day with you, Ella...” he said. Ella smiled at him, and pinched his nose. “You have to go, Calvin... you know how strict my dad is. Don't worry... I'll just go to Chun's shop, and I'll be back home before you do.” she said. “Promise me you won't stay out too long. I want you to be here when I come home...” Calvin said. Ella nodded her head. “I promise, my dear husband.” she said. With that, Calvin kissed her again on the lips.

--

Genie walked towards the school gate, and just like the day before, she saw Andy waiting by the gate. “What does he want?” she thought frustratingly. She turned her back to go in a different direction, but as she made a step, she heard him calling her. “Genie!” Andy shouted. Genie slowly turned back, and saw Andy smiling at him. In his hand, she saw a bouquet of roses. She sighed as she marched her way towards her. “OK, to whom will I give that roses. Tell me now, so that I could find the girl before I go home.” she said. Andy let out a laugh, which made her even more mad. “What?!” she said angrily. “OK, can you give this to a girl name Zhou Wen Xuan?” Andy said giving her the roses. Genie gave him a confused look. “What's her English name?” she asked. Andy smiled at him. “Genie. Genie Zhou Wen Xuan.” he said.

Genie was surprised at what he said, that she fell silent. She was too surprised that she became speechless. “Can you tell her not to come home yet? I want to ask her out to have some snacks. Can you tell her that I want to be friends and that I want to get to know her much better?” Andy said. “Why would you care? She was asking...” she said. “I will tell her as long as she agrees to go out with me.” Andy said. Genie suddenly became suspicious of his motives. Maybe Andy is playing tricks on her. He have broken her heart before, and he can't let her hurt her again. “Wei, are you playing games? Can you just tell me what you want?” she said to him. “Why are you impatient?” he asked. “Why are you doing this? Can you go back to your school and just give these flowers to those girls whom you're hanging out with?!” she shouted at him. She shoved the flowers on his chest, and then turned her back on him and walked away.

“I don't like those girls.” she heard Andy said. Genie paused, and looked back at him. “If you're talking about Gui Gui and Senda, believe me, they're not even my type. I have my eyes on only one girl ever since.” Andy said. “Then go and give it to that girl. Stop pestering me!” she shouted. “But she shoved the flowers to me. I don't know... maybe she doesn't like roses... what's your favorite flower, Genie?” he asked. She was even more surprised at what he said. “I... You like me?” she asked. Andy nodded his head. “I have a crush on you, Genie. And sorry for acting like a jerk... it's just that...”
“You're too cool to hang out with me?”
“Right...”
“And that you're scared that you will be the laughingstock of the school when they found out that you have a crush on a nerd like me?”
“I'm scared the girls will hurt you if they found out that I do like you. I did that to protect you, Genie.”

Andy walked up to her until he reached her. Then, he gave the flowers to her. “You know how mean Gui Gui and her gang could be, right? You've experienced it... I just don't want them to hurt you more if they found out that I do like you... because I know once they found out who the girl I really like is, they will bully her. I'm sorry... if I only had to the courage now to tell you how I feel...” he said. Genie looked down, and took the flowers in his hand. “Well, I'm hurt, all right. You always laugh at me whenever I do something stupid. You laugh with them whenever they bully me. I'm sorry, but I don't think I can accept you right away, even as a friend. But thanks for the flowers...” she said. The smile on Andy's face was replaced by sadness upon hearing what she said. “So, does that mean you're not giving me that chance?” he asked. Genie shook her head. “Let's see... give me time to forget all the bad things you did in the past.” she said. With that, Andy smiled at her again. At least, she was not closing the doors on him. “I'll do my best, Genie.” he said. “I'll prove to you that I'm worthy of you. I won't give up on you. I promise you that.” he continued.

As she turned her back on him and walked away, Genie smiled to herself. She buried her nose on the roses, and smiled giddily. She just couldn't believe that her dream boy likes her too.

--

Evening came.

As Ella came out of the bathroom, she saw Calvin staring outside the window. He was too deep in his thoughts. “Anything wrong, Calvin?” she asked. Calvin looked back at her wife. He smiled at her, and shook his head. “Nothing...” he said. Ella folded her arms as she walked towards him. “Nothing? Here we go again, Calvin...” she said. Calvin let out a faint laugh, and looked outside the window again. Then, he felt Ella held his hand. “Is something bothering you? Did my old man made your first day in the company really hard?” she asked. Calvin shook his head. “You're dad's OK as a boss. Strict, but OK.” he answered. “Just tell me if he is making things hard for you, so that I can kick him out, OK?” she teased. With that, Calvin let out another laugh.

Then, he looked at her. Even in the dark, her beauty glows that he couldn't help but be mesmerized by her. “Ella... can I just say something? Will you promise me that if I say that, you won't get scared of me, or that you wont change?” he asked. “What is it? You want a divorce?” she asked. Calvin shook his head. “We just got married, why would I want a divorce?”
“Because you finally realized I'm not worth it.”
“You are worth everything, Ella...”
Ella was taken aback by what he said. She looked away from him, and hugged herself. “Maybe one day you will realize I am not. When people say nasty things about you because you married me... you will soon come to your senses, Calvin...” she said. “How many times do I have to tell you that I don't care about what people say about you? I don't care about your past, Ella. All that matters to me is that you're here with me right now.” he said. Ella closed her eyes, and took a deep breath. Then, she turned to face him again. “Calvin, I know you had no other choice but to marry me. If you ask me for your freedom, you know I would gladly give it to you. Just tell me...” she said to him.

Calvin looked at her. He touched her cheek, and gazed into her eyes. “I don't think I would want my freedom anytime soon. I'm still enjoying being your husband. We're just starting, and I know if we work hard, we can make this marriage work. I still believe that...” he said. Then, he moved closer to her. He leaned towards her, and gave her a long kiss on the lips. “Do you remember the time at the summer house, when I asked you if you could give me a chance to love you?” he asked. Ella nodded her head. “I know you're scared. I know you have built your walls so that you could protect yourself from being hurt. Ella, can you give me a chance to breakdown that wall? Can you give me a chance to heal your heart? Ella, can I love you?” he asked.

Ella turned her back on him, and walked away from him. Calvin could only sigh in frustration. It seems that whenever he tries to reach out for her, she would turn away from him. “Ella, I know you don't want the past to happen again. I won't let that happen again. I won't hurt you like your dad did. I won't break your heart like how the other guys did. Just give me a chance...” he said. “I married you, Calvin... isn't that enough?” she said. “It's not, Ella. I want to make you feel special, but how can I do that if you always turn away from me? I know you're scared. I know you're being careful not to break your heart... but please take the risk with me, Ella.” he said. “I might hurt you, Calvin...”
“I don't care.”
“I'm not ready...”
“I'm willing to wait until you're ready.”

Ella faced him again. “Why are you doing this, Calvin?” she asked. “Because I love you.” he said directly. Ella was speechless because of what he said, and the only thing she could do is look at him as he walked towards her. “I love you, Ella. I don't know how, I don't know when. All I know is that you found a place inside my heart. I love you, Ella. That's the plain truth.” She opened her mouth to speak, but before she could, Calvin silenced her with his kiss.

--

Calvin went inside his office, and as he sat down, his mobile phone rang. “Hello?” he said, as he answered the call. “Calvin, it's me...” he heard a familiar voice say. He was surprise to receive a call from her. “Oh... hey...”
“Look, I'm going home next week. Let's meet up, OK?”
“I... I don't think that would be a good idea...”
“Why not?”

Calvin took a deep breath as he began to think of an excuse. “Calvin, you know exactly why I'm going home. We need to talk.” the girl on the other line said. “Look, Joanne...”
“Stop making excuses, Calvin. I heard everything, and you've got some explaining to do.”
“Joanne... I don't have anything to explain to you.”

There was silence on the other line.

“You don't love my cousin anymore, right?” he heard Joanne said. “You don't love her anymore that you married another woman?” Calvin closed his eyes and sighed. The last thing he needed is her blaming for what he have done. “Joanne... look, it's not use talking about my marriage over the phone. I'll see you when you're here in Taipei.” he said. “Yes, we are, Calvin.” Joanne said. He heard her ended the call. The only thing he could do is lean back on his chair and sigh. “She's coming home...” he thought.

And he knew that once Joanne is back, everything will be more complicated for him and Ella.

Labels: Always and Forever, fan fic