| Fan Fiction |
by Moon Mistress
“With all your education, no man will dare to marry you. You should get married soon Hebe. When I was your age, I already had four children.” Third Aunt would nag relentlessly like a broken record whenever she saw Hebe.
Raised in a middle-class family whose economic mainstay has been growing tea leaves, Hebe had shrugged off all attempts to be matched with any eligible bachelor when she was a teen. As an avid scholar, she strove to excel academically so that she could justify her unwedded status till she turned twenty-five. And indeed, she had succeeded in achieving her goals, during every test and examination, she never failed to excel. If she had been a boy, she would have been the pride of her parents, but she wasn’t.
Third Aunt intervened and harangued on the stigma of remaining single at such an age, while the entire horde of relatives ducked their tongues when she demurred and insisted on furthering her studies abroad, especially the United States, as Hebe believed that education was her passport to freedom.
Meanwhile, her submissive parents resigned themselves to the domineering intrusion of their well-meaning relatives. Thus, the wheels were set in motion for the quest of an eligible bachelor who would be compatible with Hebe.
Finally, a university lecturer in his thirties, a swinging bachelor was sought out and Hebe found herself indubitably drawn to his alluring charisma and vast store of knowledge about the Chinese culture and language. He was what you would call a dream man to Hebe, with everything she ever wished that her spouse would be.
Professor Aaron Yan found Hebe refreshingly naive, unlike the younger and bolder girls he used to date. However, he knew right down to his heart that he was not attracted to her. But of course that did not mean that they could not get married, surely you wouldn’t have to undergo a lie- detector test to get married.
The timing could not have been more impeccable as ambitious Aaron was applying to a renowned university in the United States. The Board of governors had stipulated that priority would be given to applicants who were “preferably married”.
Whenever he spoke of his dreams to work in the United States, Hebe never failed to be enthralled as it was certainly her dream too and she could not have been more delighted to have founded such a like-minded spouse. Both families were overjoyed and spared no expenses in staging a grand wedding for the couple.
On the morning of her wedding, Hebe felt a lump in her throat as she contemplated on the implications of her decision – cutting off the moorings and entering an entirely foreign domain was more than an intimidating experience. Furthermore, she barely knew Aaron who was always busy preparing for their move to the “land of their dreams” as he would often quip.
She had helped her girfriends prepare for their weddings, and they were usually extremely excited and thrilled. True, many of them would cry and feel a longing feeling for home, but ultimately, they knew that they would have a blissful marriage. However, Hebe wasn’t sure; she didn’t know if that applied to her too, her feelings were in turmoil.
However, her understanding mother reassured her that once they were settled down in America, she would have a wealth of opportunities to develop her relationship with the man whom she was going to share her bed with. Though they might not be passionately in love at the moment, didn’t they say that love can be nurtured?
The initial months of marriage were characterized by a flurry of activities. They managed to purchase a small but cozy apartment which was within the premises of the university. Both managed to adapt quite swiftly to the new environment and Hebe then threw herself into studying with zeal while Aaron was busy preparing lessons and networking with other lecturers so that he could secure another contract to continue teaching in the United States.
Although Hebe knew that her marriage was sterile and lacked the spark of any romance inherent present in most newly-weds, she accepted that as she knew that once her studies were completed, she would be able to fulfill her role as a wife. She still believed that as long as they were married to each other, they would one day wake up and finally see the love they shared for each other.
But alas, our dear girl had forgotren an important point— the most important point. Though no one can really say if love can be nurtured, one should know that love needs to be cared for and nourished regularly or even the most passionate relationship would eventually turn into nothingness.
What about our couple here? Were they doing all that was needed to ensure a happy marriage? Wasn’t there a saying, you reap what you sow? But alas, all the books blinded them of the real and vital knowledge of life.
When the dust had finally settled, she shelved her thesis to learn the art of keeping house in a way that benefited the wife of a university lecturer. Aaron was palpably absent most nights. Hebe’s dream of freedom and leading a life blessed with affluence did not afford the enduring satisfaction she had envisaged. She knew there was a void that seemed to well up within her and the pain of neglect began to gnaw within her soul.
Just then the phone rang, derailing her train of thoughts. She picked up the receiver and a familiar voice on the other side greeted her.
“Hello Hebe, Mom here, your Dad and I just wanted to wish you and Aaron happy first anniversary. How are the two of you getting along? Bet you're having lots of fun. Got to go now, enjoy today, okay? Your anniversary only comes once a year! Oh… I’m sorry sweetie, but I’ve got to go—you dad is calling me. I love you. Have fun!”
The whole conversation was over even before Hebe could answer and reply anything. It took her awhile before it finally struck her that it was their wedding anniversary.
Was it fate playing its part to give these two a chance? She didn’t know, but she decided to find out.
It was a make or break situation now. If their wedding anniversary celebration goes well, it would be a perfect turning point for their relationship. Hebe attempted to make an effort in hope to work on their relationship as she eagerly dialed Aaron’s hand phone number. Her heart was palpitating as she visualized her reunion with her husband, and in a few years time, the new additions to their family. It was now all within an arms reach.
“Hello Aaron, it’s me, Hebe. You remember what day it is, right?” she asked cheerfully as she started planning on how they could spend the evening. They will first go to his favorite restaurant for a romantic dinner and round the whole day by going to the beach to look at the stars. They both loved the stars; in fact, Hebe wanted to name her children after the stars.
To her great disappointment, however, Aaron replied hastily, with rather heavy breathing, “I don’t really know what you are talking about. Don’t wait up for me— I will be home late. I really got to go now. Don’t call me unless absolutely necessary, I am very busy.”
The already heartbroken Hebe heard a female voice giggling and a short grunt before he hung up. That definitely tore her heart up.
He had totally forgotten about it. And he wasn’t going to ever remember it. It was always like that ever since they met each other; they never really noticed each others likes and dislike but only their academic success. This was what would probably continue for as long as they stayed together.
Hebe slumped on her red designer leather sofa as she felt all the bitterness within her welling up, shaking her out of her delusion for she finally realized that all her dreams of having a better life by marrying a successful man was nothing more than a sham marriage which she took part in due to her naive nature.
She would now pay the final price with a life of vanity.
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That's all! :D
Hmm, practically no one commented... I totally feel that this is what one will call a failed one-shot.
But oh well, Bebu babies jia you okay?
Oh anyways, big thanks to luv_aaron for this pretty poster.
And oh, should I continue this story like make a part 2 for Bebu? But if I do, do you promise to help me with it in terms of inspiration and comments?
Anyways, if you think that I should make part 2, do send me an email with a summary on what you think might happen okay? Because, my idea now is REALLY weak...
And should I continue posting my essays? Will you all tell me how to edit them?
Finally, to end it all, please comment? I don't really want to put a nummerical figure because I see no meaning in doing that. So comment please?
Moon Mistress :D/D: (Depends on whether you comment!)