The Travelling Corpse

10. Date with a Celebrity

Our taxi stopped in the middle of a busy road. "Chinatown Food Street" a nearby sign read. As we exit the cab, Arthur grabbed my hand and started swiftly walking through the crowd. I followed from behind with my eyes fixated on our now intertwined hands.

"I hope you don't mind eating street foods." Arthur murmured without looking at me.

"I don't mind at all." I answered meekly, my eyes still on our hands. 

Totally out of focus, I didn't notice a man carrying a load of cargo on his back emerged from the crowd going in the same direction as us. He was in a hurry.

"Jie guo! Jie guo!" the man chants repeatedly as he sprint to the crowd.

I only noticed him when he was already an inch behind me.

"Birang!" He shouted.

Almost instantly, Arthur pulled me towards him; the cargo missing me only by strand

"Ni gei wo gun!" Arthur shouted to the man. Then turning to me he said "Are you okay??" while checking me from side to side.  His eyes full of worry.

"I'm okay." I uttered while smiling.

He sighed loudly then hugged me. "Stay close." He said as he slowly let go.

Then, he grabbed by hand again. This time his grip was tighter than before.

****

"Tadaaaa!" Arthur exclaimed as we reached our destination. Seeing the smile and awe in my face he's obviously pleased taking me there.

"This is a street food haven! I don't know where to start!" I excitedly exclaimed.

"You're my guest. So you seat here." He said while grabbing the wooden chair under the table nearby.

"Where are you going? Don't tell me you're going to leave me here?" I said worriedly.

"I don't want you getting bumped by some random people again. I don't want to see you get hurt." He started.

"Just wait here while I buy us food. I know all the best finds in here." He continued while smiling.

****

Who is this guy? I thought to myself. I no longer see him as a celebrity of some sort of. I mean I never would've imagined him eating in this kind of place. I no longer see a band boy, I see a genuinely nice guy.

****
Arthur returned with a handful of food, behind him was a small middle-aged lad also placing food in our table. Arthur handed him a tip before he walked away from us.

"WOW!" I exclaimed.

"I know right?" Arthur answered grinning widely.

"This is a complete Chinese food feast!" Not exaggerating I said.

My mouth is watering from just looking at this beautiful sight. There is a complete dim sum dish set, dumplings, kung pao chicken, sweet and sour pork, tofu, wonton noodles, spring rolls all paired with fresh sodas.

"Are you sure this is just for the two of us? Or are you expecting more company?" I continued.

"This is just for the two of us. To celebrate us meeting here in Singapore" He smiled.

"Hey by the way, I didn't know you speak Mandarin." I suddenly remembered. I'm already chewing a mouthful of wonton noodles.

Arthur taking a pause from eating answered. "I have Chinese blood remember?" Then seeing the blank expression in my face he continued "Oh. You didn't know? And I thought you are a fan." He chuckled.

"Haha! Yes I am! And apologies master. I was not aware knowing you ancestral history is a prerequisite to be your fan." I sarcastically answered while holding in a laugh.

"No worries. You're not just a fan now you're something more." Arthur answered sounding more serious now.

"You mean like a friend?" I smiled.

"No. Something more." He smiled.

****

Walking on a full stomach is so hard but Arthur insisted that we should already be going because we have a lot of things to do ahead of us. He is holding my hand again and I'm actually okay with it.

****

Our first stop was the iconic Merlion Park. "Any trip to Singapore wouldn't be complete without taking pictures here." Arthur introduced. I know that too well but I didn't say anything.

I took out my phone and gave to Arthur. "Here take pictures of me." I said smiling. Immediately, he noticed the notifications for unanswered messages, texts and emails on my phone.

"You're phone is almost red with all these notifications. It seems a lot of people miss you. You must be popular" He looked amazed.

"Nevermind that!" I said.

He took a lot of pictures of me both on my phone and on his camera. I took pictures of him too. We also had a lot of selfies. I laughed spontaneously as he mocks the poses of "supermodels" on his pictures.

"Hey let's ask someone to take a picture of us." I suggested.

Arthur stopped a couple walking. "Qing ni bang wo paizhao?" He said. The couple nodded their head then the guy took the camera from Arthur.

****

We are walking eating ice cream. After four roller coaster rides, I'm starting to feel tired. We are now in Universal studios.

"You're the bravest girl I ever met!" Arthur declared. "Never have I met a girl who agreed in ridding the Battlestar Galactica!" He continued.

"Then you're hanging out with the wrong girls!" I laughed.

He chuckled then his face turned serious "But I think I found the right one now."

I laughed but he didn't laugh. I'm feeling awkward and so I inquired.

"Where to next Mr. Tour guide?"

"Actually, I'm taking you home now." He answered.

"Huh? Our tour has ended already?" I answered sounding confused. Did I do something wrong? I thought to myself.

He smiled. "We have a ball to attend later tonight remember? You invited me. I thought we needed time to prepare for that." He explained.

"Besides, you looked tired already" He continued.

He's right I'm actually feeling weary right now. This is the first time in so many months that I have stayed outside for more than an hour. And yes, we need to prepare for that ball. I almost forgot about that. But what is that ball anyway?