Paper Lanterns

Chapter 3 Φ

Chapter 3 Φ

"Dear Mr. Steve," I tried putting my thoughts into words, clicking the pen that I was using. For the last few minutes I had been pondering on how I should start this letter and let my intentions be known, in a way that it wouldn't sound like I was suddenly bragging. Or worse, make it sound ungrateful.

I'm going to college, but I don't need your money.

I immediately put a line across the sentence. No, that sounded a little bit rude, especially coming from someone who had been thoroughly sustained with everything that she needed to stay alive for the last few years. I leaned against the chair, rocking it back and forth several times, before I started writing another sentence again.

"Dear Mr. Steve," I wrote. "I've received your letter..."

***

Dear Mr. Steve,

I've received your letter and also the money. Thank you so much for everything you've done for me until now. I'm doing well. And just like you said, the weather here is also awful. It keeps on getting hotter each day. The fresh breeze from the ocean sometimes brought us relief, but I bet that the AC in your place must be doing a better job than that.

The Lantern Festival went well, still as beautiful as before. Natalie was with her boyfriend that day. But don't worry, I didn't end up alone. I met this guy, who was probably a little older than me, and he was alone as well, so we'd ended up helping each other. Sadly, I haven't heard from him since then, nor did I get the chance to know his name.

But before you get some funny conclusion in mind, no, I don't like him like... like like. I've always lit my lantern with Natalie. It's just he was the one I'd ended up with during the festival and I'm just telling you about it

Okay, so enough about him. I wish you could drop by here when you're not busy and watch the festival with me one day. Oh, you also forgot to greet me for my birthday. I'll forgive you, because you only forgot it this year. Next year, make sure you'll remember it. Don't you have a secretary to remind you of things like that?

On a more serious note, Mr. Steve, I'm planning to go to college, but I want to go by my own means. I hope that doesn't sound rude. I'm afraid that I've been a bother to you for the last few years, and I also want to prove something to myself.

It may take some time, but I'll get there. You'll be the first one to know when I get accepted. I want you to be proud of me too and let you know that all your kindness did not end up in vain.

Thank you again, kind sir. I'm still hoping to see you someday soon. I'll write to you again when I can.

Sincerely,

Chelsea

***

I folded the letter and put it inside an envelope. Even at this age, we both preferred to make use of letters instead of the emails or texts. Mr. Steve was the one who had started it. At the same time, there was something about sending and receiving letters that had always fascinated me.

Grabbing my clutch bag and slipping my feet inside my shoes, I headed off to the postal office. As I was about to make a turn at the intersection, I slowed down my bike because I saw Natalie outside the shop, talking on the phone.

I pulled the brakes, and Natalie noticed me. I mouthed, "Who?"

She held the receiver and answered, "Boyfriend."

With a nod, I said back in a low voice, "Tell me later. I'll be going now."

Natalie quickly nodded, before she started to giggle again while whispering something on the phone. I hadn't seen her act this way ever since junior high, when she had her last boyfriend. Feeling happy for her, I headed off to the next street, where the postal office was located.