MyStandIN: Back to Joe (alternate ending)

17- Lost in the shuffle

The engine stopped, the boat reaching its destination. I was relieved having a little distance between Ming and me, although he was never really far away. A handful of passengers got off the boat. In contrast, the dock was crowded, the next passengers quietly waiting in line. Ahead of us a wide road, Ming took my hand. Where was he taking me? I was trying to follow his vigorous footsteps through small, lively streets. A slightly noisier stretch led us to a imposing gate, sheltering a large market.

- I'd planned something else... but I figured out you'd prefer this place.

I turned to him, puzzled.

- You didn't seem very impressed with my credit card earlier...

- I didn't mean to...

- It's fine... I always wanted to bring someone here for a date... in my former... but it never happened.

I waited, his gaze lost on the crowd.

- You can't leave me on this... I need to know more !, I pleaded.

- Only if you promise me another rendez-vous!

- Weren't you supposed to tell me a secret today?

- Not that one. Another... What do you want to know?

- Hmm... In that case... Something very embarrassing!, I rejoiced.

- Will you return the favor?

- I never agreed to share my secrets !

- In this case, I won't say anything! Today's going to be very boring, Joey... Unless you...

How could he make me languish like this, it was really cruel. Vexed, I let go of his hand, entered the market. Endless multicolored stalls, food, decorative items, souvenirs, clothes... A hustle and bustle, an endless movement, silhouettes highlighted by colourful lanterns and small lights. Intoxicated, I took a deep breath. Work, shooting movie scenes, promotional campaigns, hiding my relationship with Tong... that was all my days were filled with. Another inhilation filling up my lungs, to sweep away these outdated memories, to hold on to the present minutes, wishing they would freeze in me.

- Daydreaming again?!

Ming moved closer, whispering in my left ear.

- I should touch... or kiss you more... to bring you back... every time you seem to escape me.

I could feel my cheeks redden in the cool evening air. Ready to reprimand him, he threw the following words at me:

- Eating first... or go for a walk? I just saw a basket Mum had been looking for a long time...

Last time, these type of dates led me to rejoice for a relationship that had far too little potential.

- I think it's a bit early to buy things for home together...

The multitude of colors and textures, the scents of cooked dishes were gradually whetting my appetite. My mouth watered as I approached the stalls full of tourists. Making my way towards the skewers, I turned around, Ming was gone. Left, right, no signs of him. I called out to him in the crowd. No answer. Distressed, I took my phone out, no messages. I dialed his number, it rang in a vacuum. Alone again... I paced up and down the market, unable to find him. Five... ten minutes... nothing. I looked for him in the crowd, through all the other faces. Discouraged, I went back over every stall we had passed, rushed to the market's north gate. 

A man was looking just like him, same clothes... At last I found him. Furious, I hurried in his direction when I saw him holding hands with a little girl. Taken aback, I stopped in my tracks. Tears running down her cheeks. Ming knelt down to wipe her eyes. Shortly afterwards, a young woman ran towards them, took the child in her arms, thanked Ming wih multiple wai. The girl held her mother tight, smiled in her arms. She then turned to Ming, handing him a lollipop, waved goodbye before disappearing with her mother into the crowd. Watching them leave, his eyes met mine. He came running to me.

- I'm sorry, a girl lost her Mum... I should've called you.

- It's ok, I just found what I wanted to eat...

Grabbing his hand, I led him to a display of shiny fried meats and doughs. Lined up behind the wide-eyed foreigners, Ming was smiling. I let go of his hand, crossed my arms over my chest. Soon we were served. Bags full of sweet-smelling food, we headed to a quiet place to eat. Ming seemed to know a suitable place, so I followed, trying not to lose sight of him this time. At the southern entrance to the market, a path, lined with benches and bushy trees, bordered the river. In the cool of the evening, the sky was changing color before our eyes. From a light blue to a soft violet, shades of pink blanketed the huge clouds. Stunned, I silently admired the spectacle, while Ming rested his head on my right shoulder.

- You wanted an embarrassing secret, right ?!

Curious, I turned to him. He brought his face close to mine, softly laid his lips on my cheek, inhaling my scent.

- Sadly, that's as much as I can confess here...