Fan Fiction |
by Jess
Being with Hang Yee, I felt myself lightened up and smiled more often than I ever did. She was childish, yet her immaturity was very endearing and comforting for the spirit. With her, I did not have to worry about my past catching to me nor do I need to relentlessly be on alert. I was finally relaxed and at peace, even with her constant disruptions and intrusions.
During these short few weeks, I had contemplated whether or not I should remain in this island and never return to the city where blood will once flow with my homecoming. I was tired of it all. I knew that I could stay here forever, and no one would be able to find me. However, I was still worried, and that worried feeling was not misplaced.
Early the next morning, I heard a slight knock at the door. Thinking that it was Hang Yee, I smiled to myself, wondering where else in this small island will she take me to next. Although her time on the island was only a day or two longer than mine, she had insisted on being the tour guide of this exotic island, dragging me to every and any place that she thought was worthy of a second glance.
It was rather strange that she hadn’t already started knocking and yelling incessantly when I did not answer her after ten seconds. It was too quiet for the uncomfortable of heart. Shaking my head at the idea that someone could be here, I laughed at my silliness. I was being my old self again, and I did not like that.
I swung the door open, expecting Hang Yee’s wide grin to welcome me like it had been for the past weeks. However, I was disappointed to see no one there. My sight slowly fell on the small white envelope lying lifelessly on the ground in front of me.
I immediately picked it up and opened it. I could feel my body stiffened as I read the letter inside the envelope. It was a reminder that I was still part of the cruelty that my life once was, and I had a task to complete. The consequences of going back on one’s words were more painful than death itself.
I could feel that my days in paradise were about to end.
I halfheartedly closed the door behind me and walked back to my bed. Letting myself fall, the springs of the bed supported me as I went down with a loud thump. I stayed on the bed with my face smothered against the linen for quite a while until I could no longer breathe properly.
I turned my face to the side, and I stared directly at the manila envelope that I had brought along with me three weeks ago. I had not touched it once ever since I arrived. I could see the thin layer of dust settling on top of it. Reluctantly, I reached my hand over to the nightstand where the envelope was and grabbed hold of it. The information inside was still a mystery to me.
Letting out a deep sigh, I might as well get it over with. However, as I was undoing the string that held the flap of the envelope closed, Hang Yee’s singing voice interrupted me following by a series of loud knocks, “Ray-ee-oh! Rise and shine!”
Without a second thought, I jumped up from the bed and threw the envelope onto the bed. “Coming,” I said out loud as I made my way towards the door. Before I could reach it, Hang Yee had already opened the door with an expectant smile.
I narrowed my eyes disapprovingly at her. She let out a giggle and defended herself, “You always left your door unlocked. Besides, you did say you were coming.”
“What if I was still in my underwear?” I retorted back, which only served to egg on her giggles as she mumbled, “Wouldn’t I love to see that?!”
I could only shake my head in defeat at her juvenile behavior. As I close the door behind me, I asked, “Where are we going to visit today, Miss Wu?”
“Some place good,” She responded mysteriously as she winked at me. I could only roll my eyes and let her lead the way. I was willing to follow.
As we exited the inn, Hang Yee let go of my arm and screamed out, “I forgot my bag! Wait here, I’ll be back really quick.” I nodded with a smile as I watched her bounce up the wooden stairs. A minute later, she reappeared from the stairs and jumped down.
Once again grabbing hold of my elbow, she dragged me along and excitedly said, “I can’t wait to show you the new aquarium that had just been built a few blocks away. It’ll be so great! I heard they have sharks swimming in there as well!”
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The sun was setting, signaling yet another day was ending, and the stay in paradise was getting shorter. My return to the city was drawing near and inevitable. After our excursion to several tourist spots, Hang Yee had led me back to the beach where we spent our first night together gazing at the stars.
The beautiful sights remained unchanging. The stars still shone brightly against the pitch black sky while the moon light sparkled upon the blue ocean. Both of us gazed out in the darkness of the sea and silently enjoyed the view.
“Hmm… I hope that we can stay here forever,” Hang Yee said softly with a twinkle of hope in her eyes. I could only nod silently to the idea. I wished we could, too. Then, she turned to me with a pout as she tugged at my shirt sleeve childishly, “I don’t want to return to the city.”
“Then don’t,” I replied simply.
She broke out in a big grin and asked with uneven eyebrows, “Are you going to support me for the rest of my life then?”
“I could that is if you want me to,” I answered genuinely. After so many years of working in my line of occupation, I had more money than I ever needed. I never knew what to do with them even as they piled up. I had put them aside and hope that I could figure out later on what I would do with them and the thought of supporting Hang Yee for the rest of her life did not sound like a bad idea to me.
“Thank you, Raymond,” Her voice became somber for the first time ever since we encountered. I glanced sideway at her profile and saw that tears were forming at the corner of her eyes. She was the first woman to cry because of me.
“…But you have a job to finish…” She trailed off as she produced the manila envelope from her backpack.
I looked at her in puzzlement. “How did you get this?” I asked solemnly as my eyes narrowed at the envelope.
“Open it,” She instructed as she placed the envelope in my lap.
“What is the meaning of this…” My question died down when I finally looked inside the manila envelope. Suddenly, for the first time, I could feel the tears gushing up and breaking the barrier of the tear ducts as they escaped from the corners of my eyes. “Why…?” I asked chokingly.
“Because my days on earth have been numbered,” She replied as tears stained her once smiling face.
Silence engulfed the night.
Shaking my head furiously as I threw the envelope back to her, I stated with resolution, “I refuse to do it.” Springing up from my spot, I immediately walked away.
“Please don’t run, Ray-ie,” She pleadingly called out. I could hear her voice choking up from the tears, and I couldn’t bear to see her cry after endless days and nights facing her sunny smiles and childish pouts.
Spinning around, I asked angrily, “Why? Why me?! Why did you have to give me hope and now crush it like this?!”
“I never knew that fate would let us meet again so soon,” She answered, a wry smile curling at the corner of her lip. “Meeting you… before my death… was the best thing that happened in my life.”
I remained silent. Confusion and shock were setting in. I felt like I was dying inside.
“You never failed once that is why I asked for you.”
I burst out in response, “No, don’t give me that shit. I don’t want to hear it. No matter what you say, I won’t do it. Don’t be selfish, Hang Yee.”
I was livid. How could she ask me do something that was not within my power? Reason and common sense had evaporated, and all I could feel was the level of anger rising dangerously within my body, ready to explode.
“Please, Raymond.” She said as she gazed unwaveringly into my eyes, begging me. “It’s my last wish.”
Anger overwhelmed me as tears furiously streaked my cheeks. Reluctantly and devastatingly, I nodded to her request after a moment of deliberation. How could I refuse her last dying wish?
However, I had a demand of my own, “The deadline isn’t until two days away, and I won’t do it until the very last moment. Unless you agree to that, I won’t do it.”
A sad, grateful smile spread across her face as she looked sweetly at me. She stretched out her hand expectantly, her smile widening. Tearing my gaze away from her eyes, I looked down at her hand and impulsively I grabbed it.
She immediately placed her head on my shoulder and closed the distance between us just like she had once done. She grinned excitedly and declared, “Let’s make the last two days worthwhile and the most beautiful days you and I could possibly spend on this planet.”
I silently nodded.
She then released my hand and ran happily away. Turning her body around as she ran backwards, she smiled at me childishly, “Then what are you waiting for?!” I stared at her in confusion.
Raising her hand and waving, beckoning me to join her. I couldn’t help but laugh as I picked up my feet and ran after her.
“Come on! Ray-ee-oh! Life doesn’t wait for anyone!”
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THE END