Fan Fiction |
by manggang_hilaw
*****
Meanwhile on the other side of town.
“Well, aren’t you going to ask me?” Xiao You asked Shan Cai.
“Ask you what?” Shan Cai was confused.
Xiao You sighed. She had considered not telling Shan Cai about Lei but quickly discounted it. She knew her friend deserved better. Although physical distance had kept them from each other, Shan Cai will always be Xiao You’s best friend. In the last three years that they were apart, Xiao You had missed her so much. Only Lei’s presence in her life helped alleviate the sadness brought on by Ximen’s rejection and her separation from Shan Cai.
“We’re not you know….” Xiao You began.
“Not what?”
“Lei and I are not together. I mean, we’re together yes. But not together, together….” Xiao You explained.
“I know.” Shan Cai told her gently.
“You do?” Xiao You was surprised.
“Xiao You.” Shan Cai admonished her. “I admit at first I thought you two had somehow fallen in love and I was glad. Lei…well, you know how I feel about Lei and I’m sure you and him had talked about what had happened with Ah Si and I after you left. I guess I wanted to believe it because I wanted the two most important people in my life…Well, next to Ah Si of course…” she smiled. “to finally be happy.”
Xiao You felt relieved. “What made you change your mind?”
“The truth?”
Xiao You nodded.
“When Ah Si lost his memory, there were times I wanted to give up because it was so hard. I think all I ever did then was cry. And Lei…he was just there. Always there. Do you know that for a while I was tempted to go with him to Japan?” Shan Cai gave an embarrassed laugh.
“But you didn’t.” Xiao You whispered.
“No. I didn’t. Because deep down I knew, no matter how hard it was, Daoming Si was the only one for me.” Shan Cai was quiet for a moment. “Do you remember the time when you asked me not to judge but just to wish you luck?”
Xiao You nodded again.
“You reminded me of myself then. And I knew. You don’t get over a feeling like that. You knew then didn’t you? In the same way that I knew Ah Si was for me, that only Ximen would do for you.” Shan Cai told her gently.
And just like that, Xiao You’s tears started falling. “I’m sorry Shan Cai.”
“For what?”
“For not being there when you needed me.” Xiao You hiccupped.
“Don’t be silly!” Shan Cai scolded her. “I should be the one apologizing to you. Maybe if I hadn’t scolded Ximen too much about going after you, he wouldn’t have sent you away.”
“No..” Xiao You whispered. “It wasn’t your fault. We are all independent beings. We all do what we want to do. If he had wanted to go after me, he would have.”
Shan Cai couldn’t say anything to dispute that so instead she said “And what now?”
“Now. Now I have to try again.” Xiao You said simply. “Third time’s the charm?” she attempted to laugh.
“And Lei? Where does he come in?” Shan Cai asked curiously.
“Lei was just being a friend to me. We both thought that you and Ah Si had it in your heads that we were together so we just sort of decided to ride along with it in the hopes that Ximen would care enough to get jealous.”
“I knew it!” Shan Cai whispered.
”Stupid huh?” Xiao You gave her an embarrassed laugh.
“On the contrary…” Shan Cai replied. “it just might work.”
“You think?” Xiao You asked hopefully.
“Yes, I think.” Shan Cai told her emphatically, but she was keeping her fingers crossed under the table.
***