| Fan Fiction |
by DTLCT
“This is great,” Ming Dao commented. “Not only do we get to see them perform, but see their works…” He stops in mid-sentence when he could see the price on one of the art pieces.
“Unbelievable how such simplistic painting could cost so much?” Qiao Qiao asked.
Ming Dao shakes his head. “At least we’re not forced to buy them.”
“I think it is more about selling the art pieces than the actual performance today.”
“Either way, we get to see a performance.”
“Oh yeah, why are they a duo instead of doing solo work? I mean it’s not like a band, forming to complement each other with both strong and weak points or something.”
“They’re brothers.”
“Oh.”
“If you read their profile in this one magazine, you would know. They grew up competing their artistic talents. But later, they became a duo because they discover the importance of siblings. They also vowed to stick together and become successful no matter what. They managed to keep that promise until now. That’s why I really respect them since they finally become famous, but still keep that bond.”
Qiao Qiao smiles. “Like you and Sam?”
Ming Dao stops walking and turns to look at Qiao Qiao.
Qiao Qiao regrets the words right away since she could see his serious expression.
“Sorry,” She mumbled.
Ming Dao shakes his head. “It’s all right.” He begins to walk again. “It’s just that I think I failed badly the last time. I mean I could have convinced him through other ways. But my frustration just got in the way. If this was a test of our friendship, I failed.”
“At least everything’s resolved now, right?”
Ming Dao sighs out. “I guess so.”
“Come on. It’s not something that serious. At least we got it worked out. Thanks to Ehlo. I guess even though he was pretty rash that time, but at least he brought up everything everyone wanted to say. If not, we’ll still be playing that silly game. Or at least feeling bad and drifting apart again after Jacky left, right?”
Ming Dao glances sideway at Qiao Qiao. “Yes. I’m surprised that Ehlo could do it too.”
Qiao Qiao shrugs her shoulders, smiling. “Anything could happen, I guess. I mean he’s Jacky’s best friend after all. Maybe it’s the courage from standing up for a friend.”
“If you don’t mind me asking, are you and Chen Yi…”
“Don’t tell me you believe what Jacky said.”
“So you two are…”
“We’ve been friends since…” She gestures her hand. “…I don’t remember exactly when anymore. But sometimes during our high school years. Yan and I know him and Xin Yu around the same time. We have this strange friendship all these years. Chen Yi was known as a ladies’ men throughout the years, especially when people see us girls with him. And then when we were at the university, some of our classmates begin this rumor about our little triangle, which was funny. It was around the same time Xin Yu moved away.” She turns to him. “What about you and Bianca though? You two seem to get along pretty well since the first time you met.”
“We’re friends. You can see how outgoing she is. She’s easy to get along with. She’s like one of the guys.”
“What about me then?”
“What about you?”
“Are my like one of the guys?”
“With that you’re wearing right now, I would say no.”
“Hey!” She hits him on the shoulder. “What do you mean by that? I look like one of the guys the other times?”
“Hitting me just proves it.”
Qiao Qiao hits him gently on the shoulder again.
Ming Dao smiles at her reaction. Silly girl, he thought.
Before they could say anything else, someone calls for their attention over the microphone. It’s finally time they start. It’s a bit later than said on the program booklet they picked up earlier. They begin to head back to the other sections to find seats. They’ve been deep in conversation that they didn’t know the Soulfest Duo are already onstage – ready to perform.
The event lasts about two hours long. When the show is over, Ming Dao and Qiao Qiao stay in their seat until most of the people either gather around the stage for pictures with the painters or scramble over to the artwork displays before getting up themselves since they didn’t want to be step over. Even though they are quite careful as they exit, Ming Dao has to pull Qiao Qiao out of the way several times as they make their way out of the patio. When they’re finally back at the entrance of the theater, Ming Dao breathes out a sigh of relief.
“I can’t believe it,” Ming Dao said. “These people’s behaviors are so…”
“Exactly,” Qiao Qiao agreed. “Seems more like they’re going to a rock concert than some art event.”
“Are you all right?”
Qiao Qiao smiles. “Yes.”
She’s about to raise her hand up to her face to tuck a strand of loose hair behind her ear again when she realizes that Ming Dao’s still holding onto her hand. She clears her throat and tugs on their linked hand lightly.
Ming Dao lets go of her hand. “Sorry. Almost forgot.”
Qiao Qiao smiles. “It’s all right.”
Ming Dao glances around nervously. “Crazy crowd, I’m telling you.”
“Okay. Where to now? Want to get something to eat or…”
“Don’t you have work?”
“Asked Orchids already. Since I got some of the cases done ahead of time, she let me off just this time.”
Ming Dao scans the area casually. “Oh. Where do you want to eat then?”
“Hmm…”
“Don’t tell me you want to go to Uncle Ben’s place.”
“Not really. Reminds me of all the times we spent there with Jacky.”
“You really missed him, huh?”
Qiao Qiao shrugs her shoulders. “I don’t know. It’s strange without him around though. What’s even stranger is that I know him for only a short time and it already feels strange without him around. Maybe ‘cause I never have anyone who is like a brother to me before.”
“What about Chen Yi?”
“He’s different. He doesn’t fit the brother role for some reason. More like a friend to chat and hang out with to have fun, but…with Jacky, I can talk about more serious stuffs or just complain senselessly away and he wouldn’t mind.”
“Who knows? Maybe he’ll be back soon.”
“Who are we kidding?He might not be back at all.”
Ming Dao sees Qiao Qiao’s sad face. “Come on now. Be optimistic. It’s not like you to give up like that.”
Qiao Qiao looks over to him. “How would you know I’m not like that?”
Ming Dao shrugs his shoulders. “I don’t know. I guessed. I mean since you seem very energetic and optimistic over other things.”
Qiao Qiao sees Ming Dao’s awkward look. “Sorry. I shouldn’t blab away about Jacky and all.” He eyebsbrighten. “Hey! How about going to the mall first? Maybe we’ll find some place to eat along to the way too.”
Ming Dao smiles. “All right.”
Once again, their cheerful smiles are back on their face as they increase their pace, heading towards the nearest shopping center – also the place where Bianca works at.
Half an hour later, they end up eating ice cream instead of real food as they browse through different stores inside the mall. Ming Dao’s eyes light up as he spots the bookstore. He turns to look at Qiao Qiao and gestures for her to go in. They browse around different sections before Ming Dao stops at an aisle.
“Look.”
“Hmm?”
“Hold this.” He hands her his ice cream cone before pulling out a book from the shelf.
She could see some kind of artwork as the cover of the book. When Ming Dao places the book right side up in front of her, she realizes it’s Soulfest Duo’s book.
Ming Dao smiles. “They were talking about it earlier.”
“Oh.” She feels a little embarrassed since she only half paid attention earlier. Luckily, Ming Dao turns back to the shelf to look for more books again, not seeing her face turning a shade or two.
Ming Dao turns to Qiao Qiao again. “Look. This other book contains their previous interviews. I’m going to get this one also.”
Qiao Qiao smiles at how excited Ming Dao could get over this little discovery. She waits patiently until he finishes before walking with him to the cashier. They leave the store after he paid. Qiao Qiao gives Ming Dao his ice cream cone back as they’re walking towards the other stores again.
Ming Dao smiles. “It’s not bad spending a break day like this. At least it’s better than walking around at weird places with Bianca.”
“Oh?”
“Uh…sorry…can’t tell you. Not that I don’t want to tell you. I don’t even know what she’s looking for myself.”
“It’s all right.” Suddenly, Qiao Qiao’s eyes brighten again.
“What is it this time?”
Qiao Qiao points towards a shop with her free hand. Ming Dao directs his vision towards that direction. He sees a jewelry store of some sort nearby.
“Girls and jewelry, huh?”
“This is different. Come on.”
He couldn’t object or say anything else since Qiao Qiao is already heading towards that direction. Ming Dao wonders aimlessly around several displays as Qiao Qiao looks around. Suddenly, something catches his eyes. He had finally finished his ice cream several stores back so his hands are free now. He signals for the salesperson to take out that item for him. The lady smiles and shows him the item. He gestures to her that he’ll bring it right back. He turns around to see Qiao Qiao’s back to him. She’s probably looking at something interesting again. He walks slowly towards her, not wanting to alarm her. But when he’s about a foot from her, she turns around also. She has a smile that mirrors his. She also has something in her hand also. She probably finished her ice cream while browsing, he thought.
“Look what I got!” Ming Dao and Qiao Qiao exclaimed out at the same time.
They laugh.
“What?” Ming Dao asked, eyeing the item in her hands.
“You got something too?” Qiao Qiao asked.
Ming Dao nods.
They both extend their hand to reveal a similar item. Actually, it looks somewhat similar at a first glance, but it’s very different when inspect more carefully. Ming Dao is holding a hairclip in his hand while Qiao Qiao’s holding a tie clip in hers. They stand there staring at it for a full minute before looking up at each other again. They don’t know what to say except smile.
Ming Dao clears his throat. “I guess we found the item, huh?”
“I thought it would suit you. It’s subtle yet sophisticated at the same time.”
Ming Dao wrinkles his face. “You’ve changed your occupation?”
“Come on. You’ve got to admit it looks good, right?”
“All right.” Ming Dao brings the hairclip up to her eye level. “What about this then?”
Qiao Qiao reaches her other hand out to take the hairclip from Ming Dao. “Uh…”
Before she could take it from him, Ming Dao snaps his hand away and brings the hairclip up to her hair, placing it gently on her hair. He turns to a salesperson nearby and asks for a mirror. She smiles and takes one out from the back counter for him. He places the mirror in front of Qiao Qiao and smiles.
“Well?” Ming Dao asked. “It’s silver. It goes with anything.”
“Hmm…”
Ming Dao gives the mirror back to the salesperson before Qiao Qiao could object. He takes the hairclip off Qiao Qiao’s hair also. Qiao Qiao’s eyes follow the hairclip anxiously, thinking that Ming Dao would give it back to the other salesperson as he’s making his way back to the front of the store. She knows she lost her chance since she hesitated. But then she remembers that she’s still holding the tie clip in her hand so she turns to the nearest salesperson for assistant. Ten minutes later, they walk out of the jewelry store, both feeling happy and disappointed at the same time. Their expressions return to its normal state as they pass a couple more stores.
Ming Dao looks at his watch. “I think Bianca has her break now. Let’s go visit her.”
Qiao Qiao feels her hope falling even more as Ming Dao increases his pace towards the other side of the mall where Bianca’s at.
Five minutes later, they see Bianca sitting at a bench, reading a book. Qiao Qiao’s heart falls again as she sees the cover when Bianca snaps the book close upon seeing them coming towards her. They could see that Bianca’s chewing on an apple.
“Hey, you two!” Bianca greeted them with a smile. “Didn’t expect to see you two here.” She could see Qiao Qiao’s expression. “What’s wrong?”
“Nothing,” Qiao Qiao lied. “Just tired from all the walking, I guess.”
Ming Dao turns to look at Qiao Qiao. “Let’s sit down then.”
Ming Dao walks over and sits next to Bianca as Qiao Qiao settles down on Ming Dao’s other side.
Ming Dao finally sees Bianca’s book. “I see you bought it.”
Bianca nods. “So far, so good. I think they should become authors instead of painters. I mean their art aren’t as impressive as their writing techniques, you know.”
“What are you talking about?” Ming Dao asked, sounding a bit defensive. “You should have seen them today.”
“You went?” Bianca asked, surprised. “I thought you said they’re out of tickets since you called in too late.”
Ming Dao smiles. “You won’t believe it, but Qiao ordered on Sunday and got some.”
“That’s awesome. Then you didn’t miss it after all.” He glances at Qiao Qiao again. “You look nice today. What’s the occasion?” She turns back to Ming Dao. “Oh…lucky…”
“What’s that supposed to mean? Doesn’t she usually dress like that for work?”
“She never wears skirts before. Well, except for that one time when Jacky took her to do her hair or something like that.”
“How did you know?” Qiao Qiao asked in alarm.
Bianca swallows her bite before speaking up. “Chen Yi was complaining about it one of those times when we hang out. I forgot when though. I think before he was on Jacky’s side.”
“Oh.”
Ming Dao looks at Bianca’s book again. “How far are you?”
“Chapter 5. It’s getting interesting.”
“It just came out today. When did you buy it?”
“An hour ago. Bethany got it for me while she was on break.”
Ming Dao’s eyes widen. “Whoa! But these are long chapters.”
“It was addicting though.” She glances at her watch real quick. “Gotta go. I promised to cover for Stevie. See you guys later then.”
Ming Dao and Qiao Qiao stand up with Bianca. They wave goodbye to her as she rushes back to her shop. Ming Dao turns to Qiao Qiao again after watching Bianca disappears behind the front counter of her shop.
“So, want to get out of here?” Ming Dao asked, gesturing towards one of the entrance.
Qiao Qiao nods. “Might as well.”
They walk the rest of the way in silence until they’re back out in the sun again.
“Strange,” Ming Dao mumbled, looking at his watch. “Didn’t realize we’re this late.”
The sun is almost setting.
Qiao Qiao smiles. “Yes. End of another day.”
“It’s getting dark soon. Want me to take you home?”
Qiao Qiao shakes her head. “It’s okay.”
“No. It’s not right to let you go home alone. Come on.”
Qiao Qiao could hear the sincerity in Ming Dao’s voice so she nods her head. But somehow, she feels uneasy and sad for unknown reasons.
*****
Johnny says goodbyes to his manager before getting into a Taxi. He knows he still has a little time so he decides to stop at the mall and pick up the tuxedo for Ehlo. They hit traffic ten minutes later, but manage to arrive in front of the mall about twenty minutes later. Johnny pays the driver quickly and steps out of the car. He walks briskly towards the side entrance, hoping that the shop isn’t closed yet. He remembers Ehlo saying something about it being close early today but isn’t sure. He honestly hopes it’s not today. He scans the area and is relief that the shop isn’t closed until 7. He still has time. As he’s walking by the food court, he spots Bianca sitting at a bench just outside of it, reading a book. He walks over to her and stands in front of her. She seems unaware of his presence. He couldn’t help but smile at her placid face. She looks so adorable when she’s so engrossed in reading a book. He finally clears his throat to announce his presence. Bianca finally looks up.
Bianca smiles. “Hi! What are you doing here?”
Johnny sits down next to her. “Picking something up for Ehlo. How about you? Off work yet?”
Bianca shakes her head. “Was supposed to be off work already, but I’m covering for a friend later.”
“What are you reading?”
Bianca holds up the book cover for him to see.
“What chapter are you on?”
“Four.”
Johnny smiles. “Wait until you get to Chapter 5. It’s quite interesting.”
“When did you buy it? It just released this morning.”
“Actually, I’m going to buy it later.”
“Oh? How come you know Chapter 5 is interesting then?”
“Borrowed from one of the crews while we were doing a shoot today. Some equipment was having problems. So we stick around until it’s fixed since none of us wants to come back tomorrow.”
“Oh.”
Johnny looks at his watch. “Anyway, I’m going to pick up that particular item for Ehlo and get out of here before traffic hits again. Have fun reading, okay?” He gets up and starts to walk away.
“Hey! Wait!”
Johnny turns around to face her again. He could see a piece of paper in her extended hand. He takes a step towards her again. “What is it?”
“Discount for the book.”
Johnny takes the coupon from her. “What about you though?”
Bianca waves the book in her hand. “Do I look like I need it?”
“That means…?”
“Bethany used her coupon to buy the book for me since she got it in the mail, but wasn’t interested in the book at all. So I still have mine with me. I was going to give it to Ming Dao, but it’s only good for today and I’m not going to see him anyway.”
“Oh. Okay. Thanks then.”
Bianca smiles. “You’re welcome.”
“Then I’ll be going now.”
“Yea. Bye.”
Johnny departs for the tux shop after that as Bianca goes back to her book again.
As he enters the shop, a salesperson smiles at him. He smiles back and walks straight towards the cashier. He waits patiently as someone is talking away a storm with the cashier. Ten minutes later, it’s finally his turn.
“Hi,” The cashier greeted him with a smile. “How may I help you today?”
“I’m picking up a tuxedo for a friend,” Johnny said, handing her the receipt.
The cashier studies it carefully before turning to Johnny again. “Please wait here sir, I’ll be right back.”
Johnny gives her a polite smile before she heads towards the back area.
Apparently, that person isn’t “right back” like she promised. He has to wait for another five minutes before she comes back.
“I apologize for the delay, sir,” The cashier said in an utmost apologetic tone. “The orders were mixed up somehow, but we managed to find a replacement for it in storage.”
“Can I take a look?” Johnny asked, extending his hand.
She hands him the bag. “Of course.”
Johnny inspects it carefully, making sure it is as Ehlo requested or as close as possible before turning back to the cashier. The cashier takes the package from him and wraps it up before bagging it. Then she hands the bag to Johnny with a smile. He thanks her and exits the shop.
Johnny heads straight towards the book store to buy the book before making his way back outside. He wonders if Bianca’s still around as he makes his way back to the food court. He spots her still at the same spot, but with two people. Then he almost dropped both of his bags when he recognizes the other two. Bianca is chatting away happily with the two. He watches them for about ten minutes more before Bianca looks at her watch and gets up from the bench. Johnny has to dodge out of the way as he sees Bianca coming his way. After she’s back into her shop, he looks back at where Ming Dao and Qiao Qiao are. He follows a distance behind them and sees that they’re hauling a Taxi. He wonders where they’re going. Luckily, he manages to haul a Taxi and instructs the driver to follow them. The sun’s setting soon, where could they possibly be heading? He finally knows the answer when the car ahead stops in front of a road separating into a different row of houses. Actually, it seems like it’s entering a different world of its own. Johnny tells the driver to stop and pays before getting out. He dodges under a tree and follows them at a distance as they turn towards a luxurious road ahead. He’s glad that they never turn around the whole way there.
*****
Ming Dao and Qiao Qiao get out of the Taxi after paying.
“So…this is it, huh?” Ming Dao said.
“It’s actually down that way,” Qiao Qiao clarified. “But you can go if you want.”
“It’s all right. I said I’ll walk you home, right?”
They continue on their way until Qiao Qiao turns into a smaller road down the way. Contrary to the surrounding houses, the houses here look quite ordinary – run-down even. Qiao Qiao laughs at Ming Dao’s puzzled look.
“It’s not that run-down on the inside,” She said. “The houses here are mostly for filming.”
“Oh. Didn’t realize you live near those places.”
“I got used to them already. I mean after almost half a year living here, you’re no longer amazed with anything.”
“Oh?”
“Yea. My parents love to travel so they finally insisted that I move in with Orchids so they wouldn’t have to worry so much about me being at home alone with the staffs.”
Ming Dao smiles. “Poor little rich girl, huh?”
“Are you mocking me?”
Ming Dao raises his hands in surrender. “I wouldn’t dare, Miss Zeng.”
Qiao Qiao turns left again at the end of that block, taking them back into the view of luxurious houses.
“Why didn’t you take the Taxi the whole way home, but walk around in the neighborhood like this?” Ming Dao pondered.
“Call me paranoid, but I don’t like to let others know where I live, especially strangers.”
“You have a point. I mean look at this place.”
They walk the rest of the way in silence as Ming Dao takes in the place.
When they arrive in front of Orchids’ house, it looks quite ordinary from the surrounding houses.
Qiao Qiao spots Ming Dao’s expression. “Orchids doesn’t like to show off.”
Ming Dao laughs.
“What’s so funny?”
“Nothing. All right. I guess this is it, huh?”
Qiao Qiao nods. “I guess so.”
Ming Dao takes out a little box from one of his bags and looks up at Qiao Qiao again to see her holding a small box also. They both stop their hands in mid-space. Then they look at the boxes’ signature from the little light provided by the streetlights and smile. They did the little exchange in silence and open it. They look up at each other again with a surprise look.
“You got it after all?” Ming Dao asked, stating the obvious.
Qiao Qiao nods. “I thought you were returning it to that salesperson.”
“I thought you put it back after I walk back to that salesperson.”
They smile again.
“I told you silver looks good with everything,” Ming Dao repeated his answer from about an hour back.
“Yes, it does,” Qiao Qiao agreed.
“Oh yeah.”
Ming Dao pulls out something else from another bag and hands it to Qiao Qiao. Qiao Qiao could see it’s the book from earlier. It’s the book with collections of Soulfest Duo’s past interviews and additional history of the team. Qiao Qiao looks up at Ming Dao.
Qiao Qiao smiles. “Thanks.”
“Glad you like it. Well, let’s just say, hope you’ll like it.”
“Hopefully so.” She puts the book carefully into one of the bags she’s carrying before looking at Ming Dao again.
“Okay, so we’re even from now on, right? I mean aside from me still owing you some of the fees from the tickets. But we can make up for that next time we go eat or whatever. So from here on out, no more mentioning about that accident, okay?”
Qiao Qiao smiles, extending her hand. “Deal.”
Ming Dao takes her hand and shakes it, sealing the deal.
“I’m going to go home now,” He said, letting go of her hand at the same time.
“It’s dark already so be careful.”
Ming Dao nods.
“And don’t go the same way we came from. You can go to the end of the block that way …” She points towards her left. “…and then you can catch a Taxi from there.”
“All right. Thanks.”
“Bye.”
Qiao Qiao watches Ming Dao’s back disappearing further and further away from her view before turning back to her place. She walks tiredly into the house, having mixed feelings about the day. She ends up smiling as she looks at the small box in her hand again.
*****
Why in the world would someone stop so far away from their home? Johnny begins to regret why he bothered following them in the first place. He’s about to turn back when he sees them stopping in front of an ordinary house. He hides himself in the shadow of a house across the street as he tries to make out what they’re saying, but failed. Why are they talking so soft? Even though the place is somewhat deserted right now, but he couldn’t hear what they’re saying since the crickets are chirping so loud. It’s not the peak of the night. How come those crickets are chirping so loud? He could see Ming Dao finally leaving. He turns to leave himself as he sees Qiao Qiao walking into her house. But out of the corner of his eye, he could see someone lurking in the shadow. He could see it because a car just passed by, revealing the person’s hiding place. He couldn’t make out that person’s feature since the little light from the car only allowed him to see it’s someone, not the person’s features. He decides to dismiss it since he doesn’t want to get lost. He increases his pace and follows Ming Dao from the opposite side again, seeing where Ming Dao’s heading. He suspects it’s a shortcut so he doesn’t want to be at lost and have to go back the long way to haul a Taxi home.
When Johnny’s finally in a Taxi, following Ming Dao’s Taxi again, he ponders aimlessly about things. How in the world is he going to break it to Ehlo? How in the world is he supposed to act in front of Ming Dao now? Pretend he didn’t see? What about Chen Yi? Does Chen Yi know? And Bianca. How much does Bianca know? He scratches his head as his brain spins with so many questions in mind. Jacky would know what to do in such situations. Where is he when they most needed him? No, wait. Maybe Jacky doesn’t know either. If he did, would he run away just like that after something so complicated happened? But then Johnny can’t blame Jacky. He probably needed a break anyway.
Johnny’s so glad when he finally makes it home and gives Ehlo his tuxedo. After knowing Ehlo has no complaints, he heads for his room. He needs a shower desperately to wash away all these stressful things. Maybe it was a bad idea after all to snoop on Ming Dao and Qiao Qiao.
© Wednesday, July 9th, 2008