“Guo Qu De Ai Dou Jiao Wo Qi Nei… Yu Jian Le Ni, Shi Jian Dui Bu Dui? Wo Xiang Wo Bing Bu Pa Bei Ju Jue, Wo Pa De Shi Shi Qu De Gan Jue…”

Chapter 20

5pm, time to close shop. Fang Qi has managed to sell all of the bears and she felt a sense of satisfaction. But as she started to wander aimlessly again, once again she felt despondent. She knew very well why she is acting like this.

Since she saw Wei Lian this morning, she hasn’t been able to concentrate. She hadn’t seen him since the last time at the hospital. All the while, she was waiting hopefully that he will come and visit her again, but… She knew Wei Lian’s heart has always been with Cherie.

She knew that they were just play-acting in front of Ah Ma. She knew it more than anyone else. Yes, and she knew deep inside that things have changed. She is not stupid. But she just couldn’t help feeling dejected. She thought she would be able to get over him with time, but no. Not for the moment yet.

“Wah don’t pinch me so hard hor!” “Hmph, who ask you so rude to me just now, I like leh, I like to pinch you cannot meh?” Upon seeing this couple that was pinching and teasing each other on the streets, Fang Qi slumped into a state of glum. The scene brought back the not so distant memories of her bantering and bickering with Wei Lian. It all seems like yesterday. Yet….

“Stupid Tan Wei Lian, why got so many streets don’t walk, purposely must walk here and bump into me. Idiot, too long never get my kick already issit!” With that, her bad habit resurfaced, kicking anything and everything she could find on the street. “Idiot idiot idiot, I already stopped thinking of him liao, why must he come and haunt me!!! Really kiam pa man!” Fang Qi continued to mutter under her breath.

Before she realized, Fang Qi found herself at the beach house again. “Shucks, why am I back here!” Fang Qi turned back to leave immediately. Just then, Wei Lian strolled into the walkway. He is just back after seeing Cherie to the café as she had a date with Jason. He did not like this feeling at all. While he was falling deeper into the relationship with Cherie, he knew that Cherie was after all still putting up a show for Jason. He sighed softly.

Suddenly he smelt a familiar scent and stopped in his tracks. He could sense her presence. How coincidental can it be, to meet Fang Qi twice in a day.

Fang Qi was at a loss for words. She wanted to run, but he was blocking the walkway.

“Eh, sorry I was just walking and walking and dunno why I ended up here.” She blurted out suddenly. Her face flushed immediately and she wanted to slap herself for saying that. As she tried to squirm her way past Wei Lian to leave, he reached out to pull her back at her arm. The immense warmth of Wei Lian’s touch stunned Fang Qi. It felt so familiar, so reassuring, yet so distant….

“Eh, you still got things at the beach house, you forgot ah?” Wei Lian asked after a split second of awkward silence.

Fang Qi totally forgot that she still had stuff in the beach house. She only remembered that she had left in a huff after that heated exchange with Wei Lian, grabbing only her handbag with her.

Feeling the familiarity of the beach house, Fang Qi was at ease once again. “Eh, you very bad leh, that time didn’t come and visit me again.” Fang Qi tried to lighten things up.

Suddenly, Wei Lian said in his deep voice, “Sorry”.

“Huh?”

"Sorry la. That day la.” Wei Lian had been feeling guilty ever since realizing he might have hurt her deeply with his strong words when he shouted at her that day. But he was unable to express himself clearly. He didn't know how. Afterall it's not everyday that he apologised to people. Iya, she should know la, he gambled.

Before Fang Qi could react, a voice suddenly called out. “Kerry!” It was Jake. “I knew you would be here when I couldn’t find you at home.”

Fang Qi was fuming mad. Why must Jake appear at this time when Wei Lian is trying to tell her something! What an idiot!!

“Eh, Jake, how many times must I tell you, it’s impossible between us liao? One million times liao leh! I thought I already told you very, very nicely, I would love to have you as a friend and nothing more than that. Thought you already got my message, why you still refuse to understand ah, hah?” Fang Qi retorted, almost flaring.

Jake was awakened by Fang Qi’s outburst. All along, he had thought that Fang Qi is beginning to forgive him as she had already softened up that time at the hospital. He just refused to accept the truth. But he won’t give up easily.

“Can you just get off my back huh? Please?” Fang Qi couldn’t stand it anymore. The sweet memories of herself and Jake would always remain in a small corner of her heart. Time has passed, feelings have changed, Jake has had his chances and he chose to throw it away from the moment he left her. She no longer felt that kind of love for Jake. All her heart could contain now was Wei Lian.