LOVE SYNDROME [NAN & MAC] - Short Stories

Chapter 09 - Romance

" I'm not hungry"

That's the second time this week Wei has declined eating, focusing on his phone instead. Mornings, he made breakfast as usual but they have had a slightly burnt egg this week, a salt less cognee and finely sliced cloves of garlic, served with fish to Mac? Looking up in confusion, Mac had to stop Wei before he brought that dish any further.

" Wei.... are you alright? Do you have a fever?" Mac asked.

" er..what? No...nothing...eat now, don't wait for Hia, he will be late" Wei persuaded. Sensing Wei's thought have eluded him, Mac put his cutlery down, elbows on table and really looked at Wei. He seemed ... bothered? Talking less to Mac, inattentive, this was new with him. Usually , he was the one who prepared everything in order, even packing sauces for the tempura he sent in Mac's lunchbox but once, there had not been rice with Mac's ginger and spring onion stir fried beef. Thinking Wei had put Mac on a diet, he had plucked at his tummy, flesh pinched between the thumb and index finger, measuring. Finding no difference, he just assumed Wei had forgotten while munching on a beef slice, ginger and spring onion picked one by one and sent back in retaliation in an unwashed box. Whoever called him petty, was welcomed to exchange places with him.// no takers, unfortunately// Back to the present, Mac stared.

" did I say anything to offend you?"

" nonsense Mac...there's nothing...why the questions?" asked Wei.

" if I didn't do anything and you don't have a fever, why are you serving me fish with garlic?" Mac asked.

" what!!!....no, don't eat that....shit...sorry Mac...I.... wasn't thinking " said Wei, quickly taking away the said dish from the table.

" you want to tell me what wrong?"

" no, nothing... nothing at all" Wei evaded.

" okay, so I'll just tell Nan you served me garlic" Mac said plainly, picking up his spoon to continue eating.

" No...No...don't tell Hia...He will kill me " Wei begged. Hia's violent encounter with Frog at the hospital was legendary, told by the man himself. Wei did not want a repeat, he valued his airway very much. Glancing at Mac, he was smirking. Mouth chewing, the twinkle in his eyes// Yup, definitely a brat//. Sighing, he folded his palms together and sat at the table, ready to spill.

//well...well// Nothing a little blackmail can't solve, thought Mac, taking in Wei's posture and reaction. Taking his next spoonful of cognee , Wei mumbled something along the lines of " thereisthisgirlnearthisplace ifrequentltvisitandshesopretty". Halting the spoon mid-air in front of his face, mouth going 'Aaa', Mac blinked. Once. Twice.

" there is this girl near this place I frequently visit and she so pretty..." Wei repeated softly. Swallowing leisurely, Mac smiled cheekily. A girl eh? This is interesting. Finally something to tease Wei about.

" go on...I'm listening "

" the place where I pick up fencing supplies for the track, well ... there is this girl selling moo ping in a pushcart, parked opposite the shop. Hia was late to pick me once, so I had that. Her mom is the seller and sometimes, she keeps her company. Then lately, her Mom had taken ill , so it was only her. I mean... what can I tell you Mac? she's sweet, sweet like moo ping // blushing, Wei?// speaks softly and is really kind. I once bought some moo ping for the schoolkids passing by and maybe she felt good about it too, so she gave me her number last week" Wei explained.