The Manobans

Prologue

HONGKONG DISNEYLAND, 2007.

Ten-year old Lisa looks around in awe.  It is her first time at the theme park, which is rather surprising because she had been living in the United States her whole life where the amusement park originally came from.  There are even several parks scattered all over the country, but for some reason, her parents never brought her and her sisters there. 

That doesn't matter now, because this version in Hongkong doesn't disappoint.

Lisa holds onto her mother's hand as they queued for ice cream at the nearby stall.  She scans the crowd and finds her father and three siblings not far away, enjoying their cotton candies.  Then Elsa from Frozen crosses her line of sight and her eyes lights up.  The Princess waves at her, and Lisa excitedly waves back.

Remembering something, she tugs at her mother's hand.  They are still far down the queue, so Chitthip crouches down to talk to her daughter.

"Mom, what's a soulmate?" 

A look of amusement shows in the older woman's face.  Chitthip reaches forward to stuck a stray hair behind Lisa's ear.

"Where did you learn that, honey?"

"I heard it from Seulgi last night.  She was talking with her bestfriend and they were going on and on about soulmates and true love.  I know what love is but I don't know about soulmates."

Chitthip chuckles.  Her eyes wander to find her oldest daughter Seulgi and finds her laughing with another one of her children, Jisoo.  Finally, her sight lands on six-year old Ryujin, her youngest child, sleeping in her husband Marco's arms. 

"Aren't you too young to be talking about love, young lady?  And what do you know about love, hmm?"

"It's what you and dad have."  Lisa states like it is the most obvious thing in the world.

Surprised, she stares at her daughter for a bit, then her lips forms into that fond smile.

"Yes, sweetheart.  Your father and I love each other so much."

"Tell me about soulmates, mom."  Lisa pouts, starting to sound impatient.

The woman decides to indulge her daughter.

"Hmm, let me think."

Chitthip has no idea on how to exactly define a soulmate, but decides to just wing it.  Maybe she has a bit of an idea.  Her eyes search for her husband again and finds Marco staring back at her with a smile.  She smiles back, and the feeling of warmth envelopes her heart. 

"A soulmate is someone you would feel deeply connected with, I think."

"Like how?"  Lisa stares curiously.

"Like, they make you feel like they are a part of yourself.  Like a missing puzzle."

"I like puzzles."

Lisa ponders as she fiddles at the hem of her shirt.

"Tell me more, mom."

"I believe it is also a love that is selfless, a love that makes you want to be the best version of yourself."

Lisa smiles dreamily.

"That sounds beautiful, mom."

Chitthip adoringly strokes her daughter's long, ash blonde hair.

"It is, indeed."

"Do I have a soulmate?"

Chittip feels the strain of crouching and finally stands back up.  She tightens her hold on Lisa as she takes a few steps forward, moving up the queue.