To the other end of the Dream

9

After the script reading session, that night

"I. AM. GOING. TO. KILL. YOU. TWO. TODAY!" 

Shen Jin shouted at the top of her voice seeing the two trembling boy and girl in her apartment. Rou Rou desperately clung onto Su Su's back while the latter gulped nervously. Even though Shen Jin is a cute, easy-going and cool-headed girl most of the time, they knew she had a side of her nobody would want to bring out. They had pissed her really bad today, and Rou Rou even flinched when Shen Jin directed her next words to her.

"How can keep such a big thing like this from me Rou Rou? Do you think I would have forbidden you to take that role?"

"I-I-j-just wanted...to..to surprise you." Rou Rou stammered behind Xiao Su.

Shen Jin took a deep breath and closed her eyes to calm herself. When She opened her eyes, she saw Rou Rou already on the verge of tears and Xiao Su gulping.

"It's okay. Don't be too scared. I- I just overreacted. I was so scared when you did not inform me anything and I was almost having a panic attack seeing you as a cast in the drama. I am sorry."

Su Su and Rou Rou heaved a sigh of relief.

"It's okay Jin Jin." She came forward and hugged her best friend. "I am sorry too. I should not have kept this big thing from you. You have every right to be mad at me. I am sorry. Forgive me, pleeeeease?"

She blinked her eyes eyes and pouted her lips, mustering all her strength in the world to act cute. Shen Jin melted instantly at her cuteness.

"Gosh! How does Su Su manage her cuteness? You are truly a genius, buddy." She thought to herself.

"I can. But I have a condition."

She felt the other two tense up.

"W..what do you want?" Rou Rou gulped noticeably.

"Celebrate your debut as an actress with me. You promised me but never did it."

It was Shen Jin's turn to pout now.

"Oh! That. We were going to tell you that only. Let's celebrate tomorrow. How about eating out?"

"Okay!" Shen Jin chirped excitedly, totally forgetting the tantrum she was throwing just a few minutes ago.

"Okay then. I am going to make all the arrangements." Xiao Su smiled and left the room even before the two girls could react.

"What arrangements?" Shen Jin wondered out loud.

"Nothing. Nothing Jin Jin. He will be booking the seats and, you know...decorating the place."

"Woah Rou Rou! Come on, we are not having a birthday party. Just a descent restaurant and good food will do."

"I-I know, I know. He will do exactly that. Now. Come on. Don't think too much. Sleep. Go go go go."

She literally shoved Shen Jin into the bed. Shen Jin frowned at her in confusion but decided to leave it and focus on the more important topic at hand. 

Chu Xiuming

Jin'er, be brave. You have written this story, you are the master of this story. Nothing can stop you from telling this story.

Shen Jin lay on her bed and smiled.

Don't let your shock get the better of you. You can do it. I believe you. Go on, tell our story to the world.

"Chu Xiuming!" She squealed internally. "You are so cool. Always."

She wriggled under the sheets for sometime, unable to contain her excitement.

You can do it. I believe you. Go on, tell our story-

Shen Jin stilled.

"Wait-what!?"

Her eyes widened as realisation hit her.

"Why did he say 'our' story?"

"Huh?"

Rou Rou, who was just done showering, entered the room and saw Shen Jin talking to herself.

"Were you saying something Jin Jin?"

Shen Jin did not hear a single word, her mind still on Chu Xiuming's words.

"I need to talk to him."

"Whom?"

"I need to talk to him." In her fazed state, she continued to mumble. Rou Rou panicked seeing her sudden maniac state. She quickly shook her shoulders.

"Hey Jin Jin! Hey look it's me. What are you saying? Whom do you want to talk with?"

Shen Jin looked at her best friend with tearful eyes. 

"Chu Xiuming...does...does he remember?"

Though Shen Jin's voice cracked, her eyes showed the little bit of hope she had been holding onto. Hope that someday, her love would remember her. Someday, Chu Xiuming and Shen Jin would be able to fulfill their third promise to each other.

Rou Rou needed no further explanation. She quickly hugged her best friend and patted her back in an attempt to soothe her.

"Jin Jin. Believe in destiny. He would surely come back."

Shen Jin was by then crying her eyes out in Rou Rou's embrace. All she needed now was answers. She had waited long enough.

On the other side

Chu Xiuming picked up the upcoming call after seeing the caller ID.

"Yes."

"She agreed. All arrangements done."

"Thank you. Any other news about her?"

"She has been crying her eyes out, wanting to know whether you remember her or not."

Chu Xiuming was silent.

"I got it. Good night."

He cut the call and tossed his phone on the bed. He once again fixed his gaze on the stars and sighed.

It's time now.

~You return like autumn

and I fall every time.~