Right person, but not enough time.
Somewhat we grew up in a society that adores the fair, the skinny and the ones that fit a specific standard. They kinda forgot that beauty is more than just how you look, skin colour or how much you weigh. Beauty i...
Luna washed the last of the dishes. The clock struck midnight and she still had a lot to do. She turned to see the living room filled with trash. Beer cans, food chip packets and more. "You want to sleep drunk? Go ahead but don't be a prick," she mumbled under her breath.
It was 1 am when she was completely done. Luna climbed on her bed and was ready to go to sleep. But instead she didn't and pulled her phone out.
She scrolled through her gallery one by one and stopped at a particular photo.
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"Why do I have this photo of him? Since when did he got a hold of my phone?"
***********************
Kelly watched the younger one on her left. She knew he had so much to talk about but he didn't know how.
"Hendery, everyone dies in the end." "But you don't know when. I know."
"You're so sure about that? Last time they said you wouldn't survive and here you are a heaping 22 year old worth of mom's dumplings." she ruffled his hair softly. His hair was dry and brittle. Probably because he loved bleaching them.
"Besides, you have the advantage. Live your life to the fullest. Do things you want to do. Do stupid things. Fall in love. Anything."
"Then if I fall in love, I'll hurt them." "What? With you dying? Then what about us? Me? Mom?" "Kelly...."
"Hendery, look at me. None of us would be angry at you. If you can fight anymore. It's okay. If that person you love, loves you. They'll be the same. We love you Hendery. Sure we'd want you to keep fighting but fighting is tiring and sometimes you can't fight anymore. It's okay," she held his cheek softly. Hendery pulled Kelly into a tight hug. He started sobbing.
I'm so tired of fighting this. But I don't want to leave yet.
***********************
Luna rolled off her bed at exactly 5 am. Her body clock needed no alarm anymore.
"Happy birthday,Yue.." she whispered into Yue's ears.
"Luna.... were gonna celebrate today right?" Yue asked half awake. Luna giggled and assured her they will. It's the same every year. Yue would always ask and Luna would always say yes.
Luna took out some tofu and proceeded to prepare for breakfast. She smiled when she remembered what happened yesterday.
~yesterday~
Luna finished the last of her beads. She put down the bodice and stretched her muscles.
"Piggy!" Yun threw a bunch of rags at her. "Shut up!" "Piggy piggy look at those fatty. Piggy wiggy," he laughed out loud. Luna wasn't having any of it, she walked away but Yun being Yun, he yanked her hair hard.
"What is wrong with you?!" "Piggy is angry. Boo hoo hoo." "Stop it Yun," she gritted her teeth.
Luna cleaned the front desk, leaving Yun to mend himself. She just finished the last of her cleaning and sorting when Hendery walked into the store.
"DeLuna what is Yue's favourite colour?" "She likes mint green. Why?" "I want to get her a birthday gift. But I don't know what to get her," he grinned.
"She likes stationeries," Luna answered him. Her eyes were locked onto a piece of paper on the table.
"Come with me. Help me pick," he reached for her hand and pulled her. For a second he acted like a child with her. Luna looked up and smiled. "Sure. But give me a few minutes. Okay?"
Hendery nodded and sat on the waiting chair. He waited for her. At the end of the store he could hear Luna and Yun bickering.
"Oh a boyfriend now. You can't go." "Why? Mom says I can." "Well I say you can't." "I'm going. Bye mom!"
Yun yanked her arm hard. Obviously he was stronger than her. He pulled her hard. "I said no," he whispered hard.
"Yun let her go." "But mom..." "I said let her go..." he released his grip on her arm. Luna quickly walked away mumbling something in Chinese.
"DON'T SPEAK LANGUAGES I DON'T UNDERSTAND!" Yun threw his shoe to her head. Luna turned around and threw back the shoe.
"Boo hoo hoo. I'm sorry because you can't understand me cursing you!!" She mocked him and quickly ran. She pulled Hendery's arm and ran outside.
******************
Hendery woke up to swollen eyes. His eyes itched like crazy. He entered the kitchen and felt his way to the medicine cabinet.
"No more playing with cats," Kelly reached for his antihistamine and placed it in his palm. He giggled. "They're adorable!!!" he smiled and swallowed the pill.
Kelly pulled his hand softly to the dining table. "Sit down and eat breakfast."
They ate their breakfast in silence until Kelly asked Hendery a question.
"Who's birthday is it again today?" "Yue's." "Mom! Our baby is making friends. I'm so proud of him," Kelly pretended to wiped her tears. Mrs Wong joined the fake tears drama. Hendery laughed. He threw some cereal at Kelly.
"Drama queens all of you!!"
"Who cried last night? Was it me, though?" Kelly teased him. Hendery rolled his eyes. "Boo hoo hoo you cried too."
"Enough kids. I don't want you guys fighting in front of a meal. Come on let's get going," Mrs Wong ended their bicker. Kelly stuck out her tongue to Hendery.
"'MOM! KELLY IS TEASING ME!!" "No I didn't!!!"
Just like when we were kids. I miss us.
********************
Luna ran down the road to catch the bus. Every single year on Yue's birthday, she would catch the bus and go to work earlier than usual. She'd clean the store and get everything in order before leaving to celebrate the birthday.
She rummaged through her bag for the keys.
"Early today," Hendery blew in her ears. "MOTHER FFFFF. HENDERY!!!" Luna shouted. He laughed out loud. "Do that again and you'll see stars and moon," Luna held up her fist. He was still laughing at her and apologising. He trailed after Luna who went inside the store and relocked the door.
"Sure wanna hang out with me here? I'm cleaning," Luna asked him for the nth time. He nodded.
Sometimes you remind me of a little sibling. Other time a man who protects me as a whole. And sometimes a puppy which I am not fond of but it's still cute. Who are you? Why are you like this to me?
