| Fan Fiction |
by DTLCT
Ray *stops his laughing fit – Alice had stopped when she heard Mr. Cho cleared his throat – and sits straight up again*: Not yet! There’s one last surprise you have to see.
Ray gets up and goes to the kitchen. Everyone turns around and looks at what he’s doing. He opens the oven and takes out something. They couldn’t see it because it’s blocked by the table. He brings over a circular, opaque looking cake stand.
Alice: Not another type of dessert! I’m so full!
Ray *setting the stand in front of Mr. Cho while Jessica moves Mr. Cho’s glass and plate away*: This is made especially for you. *smiles*
Mr. Cho looks at Ray’s secretive look before pulling the top off. Before their eyes is a cake decorated with flowers and green leaves in cream designs just like any other cake, but Mr. Cho’s expression changes.
*Flashback*
Woman: Daniel! You’re home! I want to show you something.
Daniel: I’m so tired from work.
Woman: This will cheer you up! *grabbing his hand & pulling him to the kitchen*
Daniel *upon seeing the cake on the table*: Honey! How did you make it? It looks beautiful. You learned something new?
Woman: It’s a family recipe. It looks like any other cake but it tastes different. Sit down! Make a wish!
Daniel: What?
Woman: Honey, don’t tell me you don’t remember your own birthday.
Daniel *slapping his forehead with his right hand*: I’d been busy with work that I forgot. *sits down on the chair & pulls his wife to sit down in the seat next over* Honey, but don’t you need lighted candles to make a wish?
Woman: This is different! You don’t need candles, you just need to close your eyes and make a wish. Candles make your wishes blow away into the wind and carry away to who knows where. You only need to keep your wishes in your heart and cherish what you have. *smiling at her husband warmly*
Daniel: Interesting concept, Sheryl dear.
Sheryl: Come on, make a wish now!
Daniel closes his eyes and makes a wish. He opens it again in a few minutes.
Sheryl: What did you wish for?
Daniel: It’s a wish, Sheryl. I don’t want to say it or it won’t come true.
Sheryl: If you don’t tell me, how will I make it happen?
Daniel *chuckles & shakes his head*: Alright. I wish that our son will grow up just like you!
Sheryl smiles as her husband takes her into his arms and they hug happily.
*End Of Flashback*
Kevin: Mr. Cho? Are you alright?
Mr. Cho *snapping out of his flashback*: Yes.
Alice *knows that Mr. Cho had zoomed out on them so she summarizes what they just said*: We just made some compliments about the cake. Ray made it. Can you believe it? He asked you to make a wish. *Looks at Ray* But how could he make a wish if there isn’t any candles?
Ray: You don’t need candles. Candles make your wishes blow away into the wind and carry it away to who knows where. You only need to keep your wishes in your heart and cherish what you have.
Jessica: That’s an interesting concept, hun.
Mr. Cho stares at Ray and Jessica, seeing a scene all too familiar plays in front of him, except he’s still the guy who has the birthday.
Ray: Ok, make the wish so we can eat the cake, Dad!
Jessica: Ray!
Ray *shocked at his own words*: I mean, Mr. Cho. Did I say "Dad"? Probably because I think you’re a good fatherly figure. *smiles nervously*
Mr. Cho looks at Ray for a bit then closes his eyes to make a wish. He lets out a sigh before opening his eyes. He hopes that his wish will come true like the one he made twenty one years ago.
Ray *smiling at Mr. Cho*: Well? What did you wish for?
Alice: You’re so nosy, man. It’s Mr. Cho’s business.
Ray *clears his throat*: Ahem. It’s traditional that you tell others what you wish for so they could help you make it happen.
Alice: What tradition is that?
Ray *getting irritated at Alice's questions*: The Bak Family tradition, ok?
Alice: Mr. Cho isn’t a Bak, he’s a Cho.
Ray: I’m a Cho too, but he has to go all the way or it won’t come true!
Mr. Cho *sensing the intensity between them*: Alright. It’s not a secret. I just wished that I will find my son and daughter again like I said earlier today.
Ray: That’s kind of hard to accomplish *nervous laugh* but we can help you! *smiles*
Ray cuts the cake after that. Everyone mutters about being full so Ray only cuts small pieces out for them to taste a little, leaving the rest for Mr. Cho to bring home later.
Kevin: Man! I didn’t know you could cook that good. Are you sure you didn’t buy it?
Ray: No. My mom taught me. It’s the only recipe I can actually do.
Jessica: Well, it’s really good. *smiles warmly at him*
Ray smiles back at Jessica.
Kevin *taking a sip of iced tea before asking*: How did you make it that fast though?
Ray: I got home before you!
Kevin: Figures. But I didn’t know you could hide it so well.
Ray: You never look in the oven for anything, man.
Kevin: True.
Mandy takes a bite at the piece of cake on her plate and remembers something. She’s deep in thoughts again until she feels someone tugging on her sleeve.
Charmaine: Are you alright?
Mandy: Yea. I’m surprised he can make it this good though.
Ray *hearing the comment*: Finally you say something nice to me! It’s definitely from the heart, right?
Mandy smiles at him, not feeling like arguing, and then goes back to eat her piece of cake.
Wallace: You put…..
Ray: Don’t say it! It’s family secret! *looking at Alice*
Wallace *smiles knowingly*: It’s a clever ingredient to put in this recipe, by the way.
Ray smiles, feeling proud of himself.
They eat in silence once again.
Another 15 minutes pass by.
Mr. Cho: It’s almost 10:30 now. I should go.
Ray: Ok, Mr. Cho. Hope you enjoyed the night.
Mr. Cho: It’s one of the best nights of my life. Thanks to you all for making it happen.
Ray: I’ll walk you out the building.
Mr. Cho: I’m not that old of a man and not be able to remember where I parked my car.
Ray: Of course not. That wasn’t what I meant.
Mr. Cho *pats Ray on the shoulder, turns to the others*: You young ones take care.
They exchange goodnights and all the good stuffs before Mr. Cho leaves. Mr. Cho walks away from their apartment – carrying the rest of Ray’s cake in his hand – smiling happily and warmly.