"That's it, I'm calling the local police," Abahai said, heading out of the Soontornvats' tourist shop. The second Chaluai returned, with a new girl to hook up with, he stormed out. Ushi and I struggled to catch up to his big strides. "Xiong's a creep!"
"I do not understand English!" Ushi said in broken English.
"Xiong is a creepy stalker!" Abahai translated, fuming. Locals of Hēi'àn De Mìmì stared at us as we sped around the town. "This is not funny, Ushi! If Xiong knows Xiran's name, it'll be hell for him if he lays a hand on her—"
"Xiran's a popular name, I think!" Ushi supplied.
He spun around. "That's no excuse—"
I sighed. "Abahai, think about this rationally. Xiran is a popular name in China—"
"I don't care!"
"But—"
"Please, we're going to the local police—"
"ABAHAI SOONTORNVAT!" I screamed, my cheeks heating up. The townsfolk looked at us as I wrapped my arms around my waist. I managed to cause a scene, I prayed that Bàba didn't hear me. "I-I mean, it's not a big deal."
Abahai groaned again, going into a dark alley. It was known as 'Golden Alley' because a lot of tourists would go there to relax. Thankfully, today, there was none. Abahai sat on a wooden crate, calming down. "I apologize, Xiran. You too, Ushi."
"Apology accepted," Ushi said, sitting down.
"Xiran?" Abahai asked hopefully.
I chuckled, sitting down. "Of course, I do."
"Xiran, what do you want me to do? Go to the police or not?"
I fiddled with my olive-skinned thumbs. "I don't want to upset anyone, especially not Bàba or Māmā. I say...don't tell them. Maybe for Xiong, he assumed my name. Some people just know."
"If you say so."
"It's getting late," Ushi said, noticing the darkening sky. "Well, I need to rehash to my bàba why and how I got a 67% on my math test. Wish me luck, thank you very much. Pray that I will not get sent to America for my studies."
"What?!"
"You missed a lot, Abahai." I snorted. "Good luck, Ushi, though."
She left, skipping down the street. I glanced at Abahi, whose hands were slowly clawing down his face, letting out a slight groan. He was utterly tired, I could tell. "Ushi's bàba is going to send her away. This is the last straw."
"We'll hope," I replied, gently patting his hand. "You look exhausted, go get some rest at home, maybe sleep, Abahai."
He shook his head. "After what happened with Xiong, I'm walking you home, come on. I'm not letting anyone hurt you, Xiran.
YOU ARE READING
Elixir of Immortality
Short StoryXiran Shen lives in Hēi'àn De Mìmì, a remote and mysterious village in Asia, with her friends, Ushi Chang and Abahai Soontornvat. Love has always been difficult for her, one way or another. However, things change with she meets the dark and lurking...
