| Fan Fiction |
by DTLCT
“What’s with you this morning, man?” Ricky asked.
Jacky turns to Ricky. “What?”
“You’re unusually quiet. Contrary to yesterday.”
Jacky shrugs his shoulders. “Didn’t sleep well. Must be ‘cause of unfamiliar habitat.”
“Liar.”
“What?”
“You got rejected?”
If he wasn’t feeling so miserable, he would’ve strangled Ricky already.
Ricky pats Jacky’s shoulder. “I’m just kidding, man. I’m still rooting for you.”
Jacky gives Ricky a sarcastic smile before turning to water one of the flower pots again.
“Don’t kill her plants or she’s going to kill you.”
“Jan?”
“No, I’m talking about Auntie.”
Jacky seems to be a little cautious with tending the plants at that instant.
Ricky smiles. “That’s the spirit.”
Jacky suddenly remembers something so he turns his attention to Ricky again. “There’s something very strange.”
“What? Don’t say about anyone’s behavior here. They’re just unusually friendly around this neighborhood but I can’t guarantee for the rest of the town though.”
“No. I meant…” Jacky hesitates, not knowing how to phrase it.
“Spit it out before I die of impatience.”
“Why do I have the feeling like I’ve met Auntie before?”
Ricky lets out a laugh and glances into the kitchen real quick before turning back to Jacky. “You read Mandy’s file, right?”
Jacky wrinkles his face, not knowing what Ricky meant. Why is he so slow lately that he feels like he’s the most idiotic person on this entire planet?
“Ask Jan.”
With that, Ricky walks back into the kitchen, leaving Jacky behind staring after him with a puzzled look. He’s done watering the plants by this time already so he decides to tag Ricky and make Ricky tell him. But when he walks back into the kitchen, he hears the front door being opened. Jan and Jessica are back from their shopping trip and are carrying several bags each. Before Jacky could react, he hears Ricky’s voice from the kitchen counter.
“Are you a man or not?” Ricky asked. “Go help them.”
Jacky unfreezes himself from the spot he’s standing but before he could step forward to help the girls, he sees a shadow zooming by him. He realizes it’s Huxley. He could see Jan handing her share of the bags to Huxley. Seeing that his help isn’t needed anymore, he walks towards the counter to help Ricky instead.
“When did you become so slow?” Ricky whispered.
“I’m helping you here,” Jacky said.
“Do I need your help?”
At that time, Joey walks over with a pitcher of lemonade in her hand. “Stop pestering him.”
“I’m giving him pointers here. At his turtle rate, Huxley will definitely win. Want to bet?”
“If you’re so good, why don’t you go and convince us?” Joey asked.
Jacky could see the mischievous glint creeping into Joey’s eyes. He hasn’t seen that look for… He stops his thoughts. He mustn’t think about it when he’s here on the holidays. It’s bad enough that he still needs to sort some matters out. When he returns his attention to the conversation at hand, he realizes that Joey is gone already and Kenneth’s the one standing next to Ricky now. He decides to go talk to Joey instead – since she’s the only one not teasing him or giving him a hard time at that time.
“Careful!” Ricky yelled out.
Too late! Well…almost. His reflexes haven’t failed him at all although his mind has been conspiring against him these past days. He has stopped in time before he bumps into Jan. When did she approach them? Did she hear Ricky? Before he could think up of something to divert the attention away from himself, Jan speaks up.
“You got a minute?” Jan asked.
Jacky nods.
“I want to talk to you about something.”
“Something along the line of a confession since someone’s so slow,” Ricky teased.
Jacky turns to give Ricky a glare.
“What?”
“Knock it off, man,” Kenneth interfered.
“Ignore him,” Jan said. “Let’s go.”
Jan grab Jacky’s hand and drags him away from the kitchen and towards the sliding door. She makes sure to shut it tight behind her before turning to him again. The whole time he was being dragged away from the scene, his mind has been spinning nonstop, pondering about matters. What is she up to this time? He stares at her intently with his hands crossed – his eyes filled with both concern and puzzlement.
Jan clears her throat before speaking. “I’m sorry about last night.”
Jacky still remains silent, waiting for a possible explanation.
“I know I shouldn’t care much about what others say or act that way towards you.” She realizes Jacky’s intense gaze. “You’re still mad?”
Jacky is once again lost for words. He suddenly realizes that he had lost that special connection with her already. He can’t seem to figure her out anymore. “I would never be mad at you.”And he meant every word of it.
Jan nods. “I just…”
Jacky extends his hand out to stop her. He places his hands on her shoulders before speaking up. “Whatever it is, I just want you to know that I will be there for you no matter what. So if there’s anything wrong, could you treat me like a friend and tell me?” It hurts him to say the word “friend” for some reason, but he has to say it. He can’t just jump out and say the words in his heart at that moment. Not now, he thought. She’s troubled. He mustn’t give her anymore pressures. “Well?” He finally lets go of her shoulders, but still hold her eyes with his gaze.
“I’ve been acting silly. Just because Ricky and the others are teasing us doesn’t mean I have to prove anything to them, right?”
Jacky winces mentally, feeling like he had been brutally stabbed without her even making a move. However, he manages a smile on the surface. “Right.”
“Then let’s go inside, okay?”
Jacky nods.
When they’re back inside, Jacky could see Ricky’s stare. As he’s about to issue another round of jokes, Kenneth speaks up to shut him up before he could start. Jacky sends Kenneth a gratitude smile as he joins Joey by the kitchen table. She’s setting the table at that time. Jacky ends up occupying his time helping her as Jan goes back into the kitchen to prepare the food with Charmaine and Jessica.
“You all right?” Joey asked, concerned.
Jacky nods, not trusting his voice at that time.
“She’ll understand one day.”
Jacky turns his attention from the table and gives Joey a look.
“I’m not your sister for nothing.”
“Thanks.”
Jacky feels slightly better after that knowing that he has Kenneth and Joey as back-ups. However, he couldn’t help staying silent for the rest of breakfast also, wondering still about Jan’s behavior. Although she had made up that excuse but he doesn’t believe her. It’s one of those rare times that he doubts her or dare to associate the word “excuse” with Jan. She’s not that kind of girl. What’s really going on here? She has been cheerful and seems to be anticipating their reunion since she invited him here. Why this distance behavior now? What had happened in just a day? He promises himself to get to the bottom of the problem – even if it does lead to the worse in the end.
*****
Ray lurks around the corner of the entrance, acting so suspicious that if Stan doesn’t personally know him, he would’ve already arrest him on spot. Mandy couldn’t take it anymore so she walks up to him and taps on his shoulder.
“Ge!” She called out.
“Ahhhh…!” Ray screamed out, alarmed. He turns around to face his sister with a slightly annoyed expression on his face. “So much for being my sister. Are you trying to scare your brother to death? It’s the holidays too.”
“You’re being paranoid. Get back here and help me haul Auntie’s stuff in already.”
“Oh...” Ray lets out a foolish laugh before following Mandy back to the car.
It is Monday morning. Ray and Mandy had stayed at Ms. Bak’s house for two days already. They managed to convince Ms. Bak to come back with them for the holidays, plus introduce their friends to her also. She has agreed since she hasn’t celebrated the holidays with so many people for a long time and really misses it.
When they got off the train, Ray retrieved his car back from the station’s parking lot. After that, they drive all the way back to Constant Comfort without any delays – which could be considered as a miracle because of the season. Upon arriving at Constant Comfort, Ray parked his car and got out to inspect on matters while Mandy and Ms. Bak waited in the car. However, Ray seemed so suspicious that Mandy had to get out of the car and tell him not to be so paranoid.
When they’re finally unloading all their luggage and lock Ray’s car, they make their way back towards the entrance again. This time, they enter the lobby without any suspicious gestures like what Ray did before. Stan still keeps a close eye on them but lets his guard down as soon as he sees Mandy smiling at him. He waves back and walks over to them, offering to help.
“It’s all right, Stan,” Ray reassured him. “Aren’t you on holidays?”
“No one to celebrate with this year, so…” Stan said.
“Too bad.”
“Ge!” Mandy scolded him.
“I didn’t mean it in that way.”
“It’s all right,” Stan said.
“Want to join us later for a celebration?”
“That will be nice, but are my interrupting your family reunion?”
“The more the merrier. It’s the holidays after all, right? I’ll look around for you later then.”
Stan nods and parts way with them.
They continue their way to the elevator after that.
As they’re waiting for the elevator, they set the luggage down to take a rest also. Ray and Mandy only let Ms. Bak carry a small bag so it would be easier for her. Ms. Bak’s luggage had been hauled by both Ray and Mandy earlier – with their other hands carrying their own luggage also.
The elevator on the left finally opens and they let Ms. Bak enter before hauling in the luggage. Ray’s about to hit “Close” after he gets in but he could see Wallace entering the lobby. He changes his mind and pushes on “Open” again. Wallace spots him seconds later so he increases his pace and manages to reach the elevator a minute later.
“Did I tell you that you could run a marathon with that amount of speed?” Ray asked.
“I’ll take that as a compliment then,” Wallace said, smiling. As Wallace’s saying that, he punches on the “Close” button since he’s closer to the keypad at that point. When he turns around to face them again, he finally realizes Ms. Bak’s presence. “Hi...” He leaves it hanging on purpose as he extends his hand to shake hers.
“Call me Auntie,” Ms. Bak said.
Wallace smiles. “Auntie.”
After they let go of each other’s hand, Wallace turns to Ray.
“I’m a genius,” Ray said proudly. “I know.”
Wallace couldn’t help but burst out laughing. After he regains himself, he apologizes to Ms. Bak for his rudeness while Ray looks slightly annoyed. Ray doesn’t have time for revenge though since they reach their floor at that time. However, Wallace takes it into his hand to take Ms. Bak’s luggage off the Cho siblings’ hand, earning a point from Ray – but that doesn’t mean he had forgotten about Wallace’s little insult on him.
When they reach Kevin and Ray’s apartment, they stop while waiting for Ray to unlock it. After they manage to haul everything into Ray’s apartment, Wallace excuses himself to go back to his apartment but promises to be back later. Mandy helps Ms. Bak unpacks while Ray prepares lunch for all of them.
About an hour later, they all settle in the living room to eat lunch. Wallace joins them like promised and brings over his own food to share also. Ray informs them that Nnadia and Yoyo will be joining them in a bit as well.
“This is a great Christmas gift actually,” Wallace commented.
“I told you already, man,” Ray said.
“Yea, genius.”
“I thought you said Nnadia bring luck to us,” Mandy reminded him. “Or do you mean you’ve suddenly became a genius?”
“That’s not funny!”
Mandy laughs.
The doorbell rings at that time so Wallace gets up to open the door. He closes the door after the girls pass by before going back to his seat.
“Introduction…Mom, sis, Wallace, Nnadia, Yoyo,” Ray rattled out.
After a round of handshakes, they settle down to eat again. Wallace’s the first to speak up after they’re done passing foods to the girls.
“You’re so lazy, man,” Wallace said.
Ray smiles. “Thank you.”
“That wasn’t a compliment.”
“It is to me.”
“So…what are you guys doing for the rest of the time off?”
Ray shrugs. “Kevin and I will be hungry for a while so it’s okay whatever we do. Besides, he probably won’t be back until weekend.”
“How about a little celebration of our own then?” Nnadia asked.
“Ahead of you.”
“Tonight?” Wallace asked.
“Probably. Better start when the idea is fresh.” He pauses briefly. “We have to go grocery shopping though.”
“Same as last time?”
“Meaning?”
“Girls stay home and cook while us guys go buy the food.”
“We’re badly outnumbered it’s not even funny.” He pauses again as if remembering something. “No, wait. We have Nnadia with us so it’s not that bad.”
Yoyo points her spoon at Ray. “You’re so mean. I wonder how she always tolerates you.”
“It’s all right,” Nnadia said.
Ray smiles at Yoyo. “See?”
Wallace’s cell phone rings at that time, except instead of a typical tone like the last few times, a song comes on. That earns Wallace a stare.
“What?!” Wallace exclaimed out at Ray before picking up. “Hello?”
“Guess what?” Vincent asked.
“Don’t have to remind me but I might have to…”
“Don’t have to be late ‘cause I have to cancel.”
“What?! It’s Alyssa’s tickets after all.”
“As the story goes…”
“Get to the point, man.”
“Short version of it? Some of Dad’s business partners came for a visit. They were talking about being unable to acquire a certain ticket for a certain upcoming concert so…”
“That’s not even short. But that means you have to give them away? How does Alyssa feel about it?”
“Alyssa was so sweet about it that I swear if I didn’t know her better, I would’ve thought she was trying to kiss up to my parents.”
“No worries then. I was going to cancel on you anyway. But great that someone took the fall for our failed plan. Anyway, new plan.”
“What new plan?”
“Ray and the rest of us are holding a celebration with Auntie, so want to come? You call Alyssa and I’ll tell Cyn. Guys shopping and girls in charge…like last time that you missed.”
“Sounds like a plan. Which Auntie though?”
“You’ll know when you get here.”
“Okay. Bye.” Wallace hangs up without saying ‘Bye’ since it’s already given.
Wallace’s a bit surprised that the others are only talking silently while he has been on the phone. As he’s putting his phone away, Ray turns to hm.
“I guess your plan failed?” Ray asked.
“Lucky too since I was going to cancel first,” Wallace said.
“Yes! And someone said that my plan was falling apart.”
Wallace doesn’t say anything else but just smiles at Ray’s childish attitude. He can’t blame Ray though since Ray managed to overcome the worst these past few days.
“Oh yeah, want to call Tim?”
“I think he’s still visiting relatives.”
Ray nods. “Oh…” His eyes light up again. “What about Lieutenant Ma and the princess? I want to meet that princess too!”
“I’m telling Jess jie!” Mandy said.
Ray still has on his wide grin. “Go ahead.” He turns back to Wallace. “How about Brad or George or whoever else that’s still around here?”
“I doubt they have break until the end of the week since Joey’s on break right now.”
Ray’s jaws drop. “You mean Detective Meng actually took time off ?”
Wallace smiles, knowing what Ray means. Although Ray might not know Joey as well as he and Jacky do, but it’s a miracle already that Joey’s taking time off just like that.
Ray gets up at that time. “I guess we’re pretty much done here with the meeting. Let’s move it, gang!”
Everyone get up at the same time. It is not because they like to obey Ray, but they know that the sooner they divide up tasks and get things done, the sooner they can gather again. The group ends up preparing for the little celebration at Ray’s place throughout the rest of the afternoon. When Vincent arrives, Wallace and Ray head out to go shopping after the girls are done making a list. This time, they take Wallace’s car to let Ray rest from his trip back to town. Mandy has suggested that Ms. Bak go get some rest after lunch to let them take care of everything to which she agrees.
Like promised, they invite Stan over that night to join in with their little celebration also.
It seems like a miracle has happened exactly at the right time just for Ray.
*****
“Dinner time, people!” Ricky exclaimed out.
“We heard you, no need to rush,” Joey said.
“He’s always like that,” Jan said. “Don’t mind him.”
“I don’t think she ever does, dear cousin.”
Jan could detect Ricky dripping with sarcasm, but she shrugs it off and pastes on a smile instead. Jacky catches a hint of her mischievousness from the past, causing him to smile also.
Ricky points at Jacky. “You’re my next target so wipe that smirk off your face, Zhu Fan Gang.”
“So you’re picking on him again?” Joey asked.
“Like you can defend him all the time.” Ricky looks around. “Where’s Huxley?”
“He went home,” Jan said.
“Finally?”
Jan nods.
Jacky has to stop himself from laughing out loud upon seeing Jan’s indifference when Ricky just said that.
“Don’t celebrate too early,” Ricky said. “I’m still around to sabotage you.”
“Whatever you say, man.”
Joey has been bringing the last of the food out to the dinner table but she’s back again and still sees them gathering around the counter. “I thought you said ‘dinner time.’”
“Not my fault,” Ricky said. “They were being nosy.”
“Was not,” Jacky said. Although he says that, but he follows Joey out towards the table also.
“How old are we now?” He realizes something. “What happened to Kai Tai?”
“Outside,” Joey answered.
“There he is now,” Jacky said.
Jacky quickly sits down between Joey and Jan, causing Ricky having to circle around the table in order to stay close to the group. He sits down at his seat before pointing at Jacky with his chopsticks.
“Clever trick, man,” Ricky said.
Charmaine and Jessica join them at that time.
“What are you guys up to now?” Jessica asked.
Ricky flashes out his innocent smile. “Nothing!”
“They’re always like that,” Charmaine said.
Jessica sits down at the seat to Jan’s left while Charmaine walks to the other side to take the seat across from Jessica. By this time, Kenneth is also back in the kitchen. He walks towards the end of the table to sit next to Joey, leaving the head chair still empty.
“What happened to Auntie?” Kenneth asked.
“She went to our house to have dinner with our parents,” Ricky answered.
“Oh.”
“Exactly. We can talk behind their back without worrying.”
“You wish,” Joey said.
“Like I don’t dare.”
“Want to bet?”
Hawick walks into the kitchen at that time and ends up sitting next to Ricky like many times before. They begin to eat at that time since they’re all present.
Hawick looks around. “Where’s Huxley?”
“Who cares?” Ricky blurted out.
“He went home,” Jan answered.
“I thought this is his home,” Hawick said.
Jan shakes her head. “He just lives here with us so it’s convenient for his job. But it’s getting quite close to the holidays so he’s requesting for a vacation.”
“Good too,” Ricky said, smiling. “So more food for me.”
“Pig,” Joey said.
“Hey, Detective Meng. What’s with picking on me a lot lately?”
“That’s for picking on my brother.”
“Great. So someone needs to be look after.”
Jan suddenly chokes at that time. She has to put her rice bowl and chopsticks down to free her hands so she could cover her mouth, calming herself down.
“Water?” Jessica asked.
Jan nods as she’s trying to get up.
Jessica puts her food down also and gets up to help Jan. She leads Jan back towards the kitchen counter and helps pour some water for Jan. The girls come back two minutes later to find out that Ricky hasn’t moved on from picking on Jacky yet. But for some reason, Jacky doesn’t care or doesn’t seem to pay enough attention. When Jan returns to his side again, he leans over to her and whispers. Ricky picks it up right away as Jan nods.
“Sharing a secret?” Ricky asked.
“Quit it already,” Jessica said. “It’s getting old.”
Ricky smiles. “Not to me.”
Jan tries to go back to eating again, ignoring Ricky. Jacky keeps a close eye on her as Kenneth finally interferes and changes the subject to sport. Although they’ve been getting along like the old days these past days but Jacky couldn’t help but feel Jan’s still hiding something from him. It’s like he’s on the out this time. Or is it that he’s not used to Jan not relying on him like in the past?
© Saturday, January 24th, 2009
Re-posted: Friday, October 16th, 2009