Love 020 : Love and family

Chapter 9 - Shining hope

Weiwei returned to the dorm next morning with a silly grin on her face. She had slept poorly and the whole week had been excruciating, but, for the first time in a long time, she was deliriously happy. As she entered the room, her sisters pounced on her. Over the past two years, the four sisters had grown very close, they had become a pseudo family even if Weiwei was hesitant to admit to it.

Er Xi : " Weiwei, you are back! Happy birthday! And wait, you look so happy! What did you do last night?"

Xiaoling," Yes, happy birthday! Were you really at your off campus apartment? Does that even exist? We wanted to celebrate with you"

Sisi, " Sister, you are hiding more from us than usual. You have been so up and down emotionally.  We don't mean to pry, but we are really worried. Happy Birthday!"

Weiwei took a deep breath and smiled. " Thanks Sisters! Someone very close to me had an accident last night and I stayed in the hospital to make sure everything was okay. I didn't want to alarm you , so I left you the note saying I was at my apartment because I didn't want to worry you. And yes, it really does exist. I will invite you some day. And about that emotional roller coaster, well, it should all be fine now."

Xiaoling, " We will hold you to that promise. I know you don't like talking about some things. We respect that. But you are our sisters and one day, we want you to trust us enough to share everything. But, on a more pressing note, what was up with you this past week? Also where are we going tonight to celebrate?"

Weiwei: " I didn't intend to keep any secrets from you. It's just not easy for me to talk about. I will explain everything about this week soon." As she was speaking, her phone rang, it was Nai. She held up a finger to her sisters, gesturing she needed to take this and ran to the balcony, "Hi", she breathed.

Nai:" Hello love.Happy birthday! Just wanted to let you know that I have been discharged and I have a top priority task to complete."

Weiwei, " Thanks. I'm so relieved that you are doing okay. Did you give Uncle and Auntie the good news that you were doing okay? Also what task?"

Nai, " Oh! I gave them both pieces of good news. They are relieved about the first and over the moon about the second. The task, my dear lady, is that as your boyfriend, I owe you a proper birthday celebration. Now, before you panic, nothing extreme, just dinner. I thought we should give it another shot at Aunite Jian's. You never got to taste the amazing dishes and experience the pleasure of my company", he said teasing her.

Weiwei blushed, " I... You.." thinking about the double entendre of his words.

Nai, " Has my lady been overcome with emotion? How I wish I could see the rosy tint on your delicate cheeks. No matter, tonight at 6?"

Weiwei regaining some composure said, " Its a date" and hung up. Her sisters were about to burst with questions as they had been observing her expressions. Weiwei needed to prepare herself before another inquisition. So she went on the offensive and said, "Sisters, I know you have questions. I promise I will answer them all. It's all good. But, it's almost 9, you have that English exam( Weiwei had already passed it last semester) and I need a few hours of sleep. It will all become clear to you shortly." Weiwei planned to talk to Nai about telling her sisters.

They all gave her a hug and gave her a birthday present , a bottle of perfume that smelled like rose ( her favorite scent). Reluctantly, her sisters left assured by her promise and also her cheerful demeanor.

Weiwei slept past launch and woke around 4, her sisters were still not back. The first message she saw was from Auntie Lin and Uncle Xiao -" Happy 21st to our beloved daughter! We are so happy and really wish we could celebrate with you today. Thank you for staying with Nai last night, I'm glad he had you and his brothers. Nai told us all about the unexpected return gift you gave us.We want to see you two love birds as soon as we get back home. Lots of love."

She responded thanking them and that she was excited to meet them as well. Then took a nice warm shower and towel dried her hair . After debating for a good 30 min with herself, she put on her only dress - a Vera Wang knee-length sleeveless red chiffon shirt-dress, with tiny floral prints and a black ribbon around the waist. The dress had been a gift from Mrs.Lee and she had never worn that before. She dabbed some rose perfume that her sisters had given her in the morning, some strawberry lip balm, left her hair open and finished her look off with black sandals. She hadn't taken the jade bangle off since Nai placed it on her wrist this morning. She arrived at Auntie Jian's, quarter to 6 and saw Nai already waiting for her, looking handsome in his black shirt and khaki slacks.

Nai saw Weiwei walking towards him, looking drop-dead gorgeous in her dress and the evening sun complimenting her silhouette with a soft glow. His mind went completely blank, when she reached close, without thinking, he took her in his arms and kissed her soundly. They pulled apart, breathing heavily with some color on their cheeks, realizing they were in a public place.

Weiwei, " That was some birthday welcome", looking around for people self consciously, " We should go inside"

Nai recovered. Her beauty had disarmed him." My love, you drive me crazy. Words can't describe how delectable you look, smell and um..taste. I can't keep a pure thought in my head around you today. Let's go inside, lest I be any more ungentlemanly with you", he said winking at her.

Weiwei laughed," You are crazy"

Nai: " Yes, crazy about you. I mean I had always registered that you were beautiful, but wow" he said as they walked in. They sat down and this time the atmosphere was very relaxed. Auntie Jian had brought Weiwei's favorite dishes out this time ( courtesy of Auntie Lin) and they ate in companionable silence sitting next to each other with their arms touching. Nai's phone rang breaking the spell.

Banshan " Bro, where are you? We are waiting for you at the basketball court"

Nai " The game doesn't start for another hour. Why are you calling me?"

Houzi, " Bro, everyone is warming up! I know you can't play today because of the injuries but we still need you at our last game. Besides, all your admirers are waiting in the bleachers, where are you?"

They were so loud that Weiwei could hear everything. Smiling at her, " I'm on a date."

Banshan, " Date? Bring her to the game. We all want to meet her." Nai raised an eyebrow at Weiwei who simply nodded yes, indicating she would go.

Nai :" Okay. We'll see you in some time" and hung up.

Weiwei: " Nai, I need to tell my sisters about us. They were worried about me and I barely escaped their inquisition this morning." Weiwei thought since Nai was telling his brothers, she would tell her sisters after the game. That way everyone would see everyone else.

Nai smiled wickedly, he had other ideas. He said, " Sure love.I have an idea to share our news. Let's tell everyone today"  as they walked out of the restaurant.

Weiwei: " I had a wonderful time. Thank you for my birthday gift" . Her eyes quickly scanned the area to make sure no one was around ,gave him a quick kiss and made to leave. Nai was not ready to let her go just yet, so he suggested they take his bike to the basketball court. Hesitantly, Weiwei got on his bike.