Saturday, May 8, 2010

Paper Stars - Chapter Twelve

Chapter 12 – Love Exists



“You're still awake...”

Nadine looked back, and saw Paolo walking up to him. She was at sitting at the balcony that night, and since she could not sleep yet, she decided to go outside and gaze at the stars. “I can't sleep. My insomnia is attacking again.” she said. Paolo nodded his head, and joined her. “I can't sleep too...” he said. Nadine gave her a confused look. “Why?” she asked. “I don't know... Maybe I don't want to go to sleep. There are times that I dream that I am drowning...” he said. Nadine let out a faint smile at him. “Maybe you're slowly recovering your memories.” she said. Paolo smiled, and shook his head. “When I have that dream, all I can see around me is black...”
“Do you always have those nightmares?”
“No. Most of the time, I have good dreams.”
Nadine let out a smile, and sighed with relief upon hearing that. “Glad to know that.” she said.

She looked away from him, and then gazed at the stars. “Are you waiting for shooting stars?” Paolo asked. She shook her head. “I just like looking at the stars. If I see shooting stars, then lucky for me.” she said. “Then why do you like looking at the stars, if you're not waiting for shooting stars?” he asked. Nadine smiled, and shrugged her shoulder. “I don't know, it has been a habit of mine since I was a kid. When I was young, I would always look at the stars when I can't sleep.” she answered. Paolo let out a smile as he sat on the chair next to her. “You love stars?” he asked. Nadine nodded her head. “I'm always fascinated by stars. I don't know... maybe because of how they shine brightly all through the night... how they sparkle... how I wish that I could reach them and take them at the palm of my hands...”

She looked at him, and smiled. “And maybe because I do believe that one of the stars up there will lead me to the one that God prepared for me.” she said. Paolo threw her a confused look, and Nadine could only giggle as she saw that expression on his face. “What did God prepared for you?” he asked. “It's not a what, it's a who. My soul mate.” she explained. “Soul mate?” he asked. Nadine smiled and nodded her head. “I do believe in those craps, all right. I do believe that one day, God will let me meet the man whom I am meant to spent the rest of my life with... the one who will love me forever.” she said. “So, how would you know if you found him?” Paolo asked. Nadine looked away, stared up at the night sky, and smiled to herself. “My heart will know if I found him...” she said.

Then, she looked at Paolo. Seeing the smile on his face suddenly made her heart beat fast. It has always been this way every time she turn to stare at him. Sometimes, she wonders why fate brought him to her. Everything has its own reasons, she knows that, and having Paolo in his life have a reason, although she isn't sure what that reason could be. Maybe it's to keep herself grounded. There are times that she end up being too serious of work, not that Paolo gives her the comic relief she needed, but his innocent and childish ways could only make her smile, despite the fact that she had a long and tiring day.

“Do you think that I also have a soul mate?” Paolo asked. “Of course you do, silly boy. I believe that everyone in this world has someone meant for them.” she said. Paolo smiled to himself as he looked up at the stars. “Do you think I will meet her soon?” he asked again. “We'll meet them soon. Don't worry...” she said. She leaned back to her chair and continued to gaze at the stars. “Eh... speaking of stars... I remember an old tale from before. It's about the weaver girl and the cowherd.” he said. Nadine looked at him, and smiled. “It's a good thing that you are slowly remembering something.” she said. “Just this story. Do you want to hear it?” he asked. Nadine smiled, and nodded her head.

“Once upon a time, there was a cowherd. He is a a very hard-working boy. Not only is he hard-working, he's also honest and kind-hearted. His parents died when he was a child. Later he was driven out of his home by his sister-in-law. So he lived by himself herding cattle and farming. One day, while he is doing his work, he came to the river, and saw a beautiful woman taking a bath. This beautiful woman is the weaver girl, a fairy from heaven, who secretly came down to earth. The cowherd fell in love with her in an instant. So, he took her clothes, and when she came looking for it, she saw the cowherd, and the cowherd immediately asked her to marry him. The cow herd farmed in the field and the Weaver Maid wove at home. They lived a happy life and gave birth to a boy and a girl. Unfortunately, the God of Heaven soon found out the fact and ordered the Queen Mother of the Western Heavens to bring the Weaver Maid back. With the help of celestial cattle, the cow herd flew to heaven with his son and daughter. At the time when he was about to catch up with his wife, the Queen Mother took off one of her gold hairpins and made a stroke. One billowy river appeared in front of the cow herd. The cow herd and Weaver Maid were separated on the two banks forever and could only feel their tears. Their loyalty to love touched magpies, so tens of thousands of magpies came to build a bridge for the cow herd and Weaver Maid to meet each other. The Queen Mother was eventually moved and allowed them to meet each year on the 7th of the 7th lunar month.”

After Paolo finished his story, he looked at Nadine, and saw her fell asleep on the chair. A smile formed on his lips. He stood up from his seat, and then carried Nadine back to her room. As he laid her onto her bed, he stared at her lovely face for a long time. He brushed away the strands of hair that's obstructing her view. “Ni shi... wo de zhi nu... wo de tian shi (You are my weaver girl, my angel...) he said. He let out a smile, then he leaned towards her and kissed her on her forehead. “Wan an (Good night...) he said. He pulled up her blanket up to her chin, and then turned off the lights of her room. As he left the room, Nadine smiled to herself. In her dreams, she was the weaver girl that Paolo was telling him, and Paolo was the cowherd.

--

While he was busily wiping the tables, he felt Angelo nudging him. “Shen Me? What?” he asked. Angelo gave him a playful smile, and pointed at a group of girls sunbathing outside. Paolo glanced at them, and saw the girls giggling as they sun bathe. “What?” he asked again. “Don't you think they are pretty?” Angelo asked. Paolo shrugged his shoulder, and continued wiping the table. Angelo could only sigh in dismay at him. Seems like Paolo is not interested in any girls at all. “Hay, Paolo... what's wrong with you? Are you gay?” he asked. Paolo shook his head. “Bu shi... I'm not. Why would you think of that?”
“Because you don't look at pretty girls.”
“Why should I?”
“Because we, as guys, should always check out gorgeous girls like our guests.”

Angelo put his arm around his neck and gave him a smile. Paolo could only glare at him. “If you like them, why don't you go and introduce yourself to them.” he said. “You are gay.” Angelo told him. Annoyed, Paolo brushed his arm away. “I wonder what's wrong with you. You're always scared around girls. I guess the only girls that you can be with for a long period of time is mom, Kara, Manang Helen and Ate Nadine. But even if you are around ate Nadine, you seems so scared. Well, not that I can help it, I know Ate is a scary creature... but around other girls... you seemed so... shy... and tensed. That I can't understand.” Angelo said. “I guess I'm just not used around girls.” Paolo said. “Maybe in your past life, you got raped by girls that's why you are so shy. Or, if not, maybe you are gay.” Angelo said.

Paolo just let out a smile at him. Angelo will never understand why he is scared around other girls, except of Nadine. He tried to stay away from other girls, because he was scared that Nadine will get mad at her, or be jealous. He doesn't want his angel to be mad at him. And some girls scare him, especially when they try to seduce him. “So what if I'm gay?” he told Angelo. Angelo made a disgusted expression on his face, and moved away from him. “Stay away from me, all right!” Angelo said.

Just then, Nadine came up to them. “Angelo, Paolo, can you help me out?” she asked. Paolo immediately nodded his head. “If this concerns those beauty outside, then I'm more than willing to help you, sis...” Angelo said. Nadine just glared at his brother. “Yes, it concerns them. Thank you, Angelo.” she said. “OK, what is it?” Angelo asked. “Can you help give them their orders? It's back at the bar. Thanks!” she said, patting the back of the two.

As soon as Nadine left, Paolo gave Angelo a hesitant look. “We... will give them... their... orders?” he asked. Angelo nodded his head. “You know what the boss said. And besides, we agreed already.” Angelo said. He could see the worried look on Paolo's face, and he could sense that his worry is because of his fear of girls. “Don't worry, Paolo. I'll help you out.” he said. “But... but...”
“They won't hurt you. They're just a bunch of girls.”
“But still...”
“What are hesitant of, Pao Pao? Those are just girls. And this is a good chance for you to overcome your fear of girls.”

Angelo winked at him, and then pulled him before he could react.

--

As he turned around with a tray filled with drinks on his hand, Paolo gulped hard. “I. Have. To. Give. The. Drinks. To. Those. Girls.” he said. Angelo walked up to him, and let out a sigh. “Come on, Paolo... it's not as hard as you thought it to be. You see, this is the only way that you could overcome your fear of girls. And look at those pretty girls! Don't you want to have a pretty girlfriend like them?” Angelo asked. Paolo gave him another hesitant look. “Ke shi... wo zhi xi huan ni de jie jie. (But... I only like your sister...)” he muttered. Angelo gave him a confused look. “Whatever. Anyway, I'm telling you... think of this as a practice on how to approach a girl. Just stick with me, and in no time, you'll find yourself a girlfriend.” Angelo said. “Bu yao...” he said, pouting at him. “And stop speaking in Chinese, will you?” Angelo said. Angelo walked towards their guests' direction, and he stood still in his place. “We don't want the guests to wait, Pao Pao! You know Ate always says that!” he heard Angelo shout at him. He let out a sigh, and followed Angelo.

The girls were smiling at them as they handed their drinks. “You're so cute...” he heard one of them say to Angelo. Paolo looked up, and saw Angelo already flirting with their guest. “But you are much cuter. What's your name?” Angelo asked. Paolo let out a smile, and shook his head. Angelo always had his way with girls. Then, he handed the last glass to another girl. “Hi, you're cute. What's you're name?” she asked. Paolo just smiled politely at her. As he was about to go, the girl held his hand, making him freeze in place. “Come on, tell me your name, cute guy.” she insisted. Paolo shook his head violently. He made a step back, but the girl stood up from her seat, and walked up to him. “You're so cute when you're shy.” she said, biting her lower lip. “I... I have to go. Sorry. Bye!” he said. He took his hand away, and ran back inside.

Nadine was outside, and saw what happened to Paolo. When she saw the girl trying to flirt with Paolo, she suddenly felt jealous, but his scared reaction, and him running away from the girl somehow appeased that jealousy, making her smile. “He's always scared of girls...” she thought as she shook his head. Paolo came running her way, and the girl followed him. “Wait, cute guy!” she shouted. Paolo paused upon seeing Nadine. He looked back, and saw the girl running after him. He then immediately went behind Nadine to hide.

“Hey, cute guy... don't hide from me!” The girl said. Nadine smiled at the girl, and folded her arms. “I'm sorry miss... but you see... my brother here is scared of girls.” she explained. The girl pouted at her. “Why? Am I scary? Is he autistic?” she asked. Nadine laughed as she shook her head. “No, he's not autistic. And you're not scary. It's just that he is scared of girls.” she said, pointing at Paolo. “Why is he scared of girls?” the girl asked again. Nadine looked at Paolo, then smiled at the girl. “He's gay.” he said.

Paolo's eyes widened with surprise. “Gay?!” he exclaimed. “Gay?!” the girl exclaimed. Nadine simply nodded her head. “Oh, OK... I get it. Nice meeting you, cute, gay guy.” the girl said. She turned her back on them, and went back to their group. As she left, Nadine turned to Paolo, who was furious at what she said. “Gay? Who said I'm gay?! Wo bu shi gay!” he shouted at her. Nadine smiled at him as she folded her arms. “Who scared the hell out of himself when that girl approached him. Definitely not me. I'm just doing you a favor, so that she won't run after you.” she said. Paolo lowered his head. “Sorry...” he said. “I think you should thank me. And besides, I know you're not gay. You're just scared of girls.” she said. Paolo shyly looked up at her, and smiled. “Xie xie... thank you...” he said. Nadine reached up to his head, and ruffled his hair. “You're welcome.” she said. Then, she turned him around, and pushed him inside the inn.

--

Paolo retreated to his room that night. “Aiyo... so tiring...” he said as he sat down on his bed. He let out a sigh, and massaged his nape. Then, his eyes turned their attention to a plastic bag on top of his bed. He smiled to himself as he took it. He took out the white dress that he bought for Nadine. “Piao liang...” he said as he looked up at it. “Hen ke ai... Nedine will look pretty in this dress.” he said. He looked with awe at the dress, that he didn't notice that Nadine was standing by his door with a shocked look on her face. He knew in an instant what she is thinking. “Nadine...” he called. He stood up from his bed, and walked up to her. “I... sorry to intrude you like that...” she said in an embarrassed tone. She knew it was bad to intrude his privacy at all. “Mei guan xi. Actually, you're here at the right time. I want to give you something.” he said. Then, he showed her the white dress.

A smile curved into her lips upon seeing the dress he is holding. “Is... is this for me?” she asked. Paolo nodded his head. She took the dress from his hand, and then tried it on. “Does it look pretty on me?” she asked. “Very pretty.” he said. He found her blushing with with what he just said, and her blushing somehow made him feel giddy. “I'll wear this tomorrow at church, OK?” she said. Paolo nodded his head. “Thank you for this dress.” she said. Then, she reached up to him, and gave him a kiss on the cheek.

Paolo turned crimson red at what she did, while Nadine suddenly felt shy at what she did. There was an awkward silence between the two for a while. “I... I think... I... s-should g-go back. Yeah. G-go back to my room.” she stuttered. “I... I'll g-go to s-sleep now.” he said. Nadine just nodded her head. She walked to her room, and she could feel his eyes gazing at him. As she looked back at him, Paolo immediately looked away. “Good night.” she said. “Good night.” he said.

--

The sun was setting down.

Paolo sat by the shore, adoring the crimson skies before him. The day's work have ended, and he gets his chance to rest for a little while. It's been over a year since Nadine have found him. A year since all of his memories lost. All those times, she was there to take care of him, making sure that he is all right.

He could still remember that very day she have found him. He knew he was lying lifelessly on the shore, and as he opened his eyes, the very first thing he saw was her, his angel glimmering in the sun. She had this worried look on her face. At that very moment, he knew he have fallen in love with this angel.

“Paolo...”

He looked up, and saw Nadine by his side. She was still wearing that white dress he bought her. A smile curved in his lips upon seeing her once more. “Nadine.” he said. She sat beside him, and then looked at the horizon. “You always like gazing at the sunset, don't you?” she said. Paolo simply nodded his head. “Another day has ended... isn't it amazing how time flies?” she told him. “It's been a year since you found me here. A year, and I still can't remember a thing.” he said. Nadine looked at him, and saw th sad look in his face. “Do... do you feel homesick?” she asked. Paolo shook his head. “It's not like that. It's just that... sometimes, I feel like a burden to you. You're managing the resort, and at the same time, you're taking care of me.” he said.

Nadine hugged her knees, as she looked away from him. “Don't think of yourself as a burden to me, Paolo. I'm thankful that fate have given me to you. Somehow, you managed to make me smile after a long day's work.” she said. Paolo let out a shy smile. She could swear she could see him blushing. “I sometimes wish that you don't have to remember anything from your past... so that you could stay with us forever. But that would be selfish of me.”
“I want to stay here with you. Forever.”
“I want you too... but what about your family and friends? What about the people you left behind?”

Paolo pulled up his legs, and hugged them. “I don't know. I don't want to remember them. Whoever I am before, maybe I was a lonely man. I prefer to be who I am today.” he said. Then, he looked at her hopefully. “Do you prefer the me now, or would you like me to go back to who I am?” he asked. Nadine paused, and let out a smile. “I prefer the Paolo that I know now. But whatever you are, whoever you are in the past, I would still accept you.” she said.

There was a blissful silence between the two for a while, as they watched the sunset. Then, she turned to him curiously. “You're Chinese, right?” she said. “I guess so. I speak the language.”
“Do you ever wonder what your Chinese name? I mean like Chung Cheng Ching... or Kwan Chung Fong... or something like that?”
Paolo let out a laugh. “Funny. Chinese name doesn't have to sound like that. And yes, I do wonder what my Chinese name is...” he said. “So, if you will give yourself a Chinese name, what would it be?” she asked. Paolo paused to think for a while. “Wang Zi. It means prince in Chinese.” he said proudly. “Or Chun. It means respect. Or... maybe Xing. It means star.” he said. “I think I prefer that you have the name Xing.” she said. She let out a sigh as she looked away from him. “How about me? What could be my Chinese name?” she asked him.

Paolo looked at her for a long time, thinking of a good Chinese name for her. Then, he broke into a smile. “I think I know what to call you in Chinese. Xia Tian... Ni shi Xia Tian...” he said. Nadine gave him a confused look. “And what does that mean in English?” she asked. “Summer. Because you will always remind me of summer.” he said. Nadine could only smile back at him. “I love summer. I think I love that Chinese name that you gave me.” she said. Paolo just nodded his head. “I'm glad you did...”

--

A figure entered the reception area of the resort. Nadine was busily doing some paperworks, and have noticed the familiar figure approaching her. He paused for a while as he stared into her lovely face. It has been years since they last saw each other, and nothing have changed in her. She was still as pretty as she last remember her to be.

“Nadine...” he called in soft voice. Nadine heard his call. She paused, trying to remember whose voice is it that called him. It was a familiar one, and she could never forget the owner of that voice. She slowly looked up, and saw Vanz walking up to him. She felt her heart beating fast with each step he made towards her. “V-vanz?” she said. He let out a boyish smile at her. “It's been a long time, Nadine...” he said.

She bit her lips. She wasn't ready to see him once again. Although she have wished for him to come back into his life, as of the moment, she doesn't know what to react. It left her with no choice but to turn her back on him, and run away, but before she could, she felt his hand held her wrist. He was pleading her not to go. “Nadine, please... don't turn away from me.” he pleaded. Nadine shot a glare back at him. “Let me go, Vanz.” she said firmly. “No. Not until we talk.”
“Let go of me.”
“Nadine... I waited a long time for this. Please don't take away this chance for me to face you.”
“I don't want to see you. Not now, OK? Let me go.”

Nadine struggled to break free from him, but he was too strong for her. “Let go, Vanz. Let go.” she pleaded him. “Nadine... just talk to me. Listen to me, then I will let you go.” he said. “Not now, all right? Just go... go away from me!” she shouted. Just then, she felt another hand gently held her wrist. She looked up, and saw Paolo glaring at Vanz. “The lady said to let go. Let her go, please.” he said in a stern voice. Vanz remained unmoved by his authoritative voice. Paolo then held his hand, pushing it away till he have let go of Nadine's wrist.

Nadine shook her arm. It hurt from all the struggling she did with Vanz. “I do hope that you are gentleman enough to give in to a lady's request. If you want to talk to her, you have to ask her politely, no force her, all right?” he said in an angry tone. It was the first time that Nadine saw Paolo this mad. It was the first time she saw him this protective of her. Paolo put his arm instinctively around her shoulder, his other hand cradling her bruised wrist. “Let's go. I'll treat your bruised wrist.” he told her. Nadine just nodded her head.

He gave Vanz one last glare before they turn away from him.






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Labels: original story, Paper Stars