Rock Dog: The Songs We Sing

Chapter 16 - Hold You

5 Years Ago, in 2014

Swifty let Jade rest on his shoulder as the film was about to close its final act. The maid and the family arrived at the airport as the maid was able to fly back to The Philippines. The family could no longer afford to hire her.

"This is so sad," Swifty remarked. "She and the boy had to go their separate ways."

Jade could only watch as the maid entered the airport. It was time to go. Jade shed a single tear as the movie reached close to its end.

Ten minutes later, the credits rolled and everyone except for the pair left the theatre. It was only after ushers told them the movie was over that they left.

As they head back to their university dorm for the night, Swifty found Jade holding on to his paw as they navigate their way.

"Doesn't that feel too cliché already, Jade?" Swifty asked.

"Honestly, every love is a cliché," Jade provided the perfect response to Swifty's query. It was the re-screening of Ilo Ilo, one of Jade's most favourite movies of all time and Swifty only agreed to watch with her because football (or 'soccer') practice was cancelled for the day.

They crossed the road. Only about six minutes before they arrived at the dormitories and Swifty's heart rate reduced to a normal level. He felt nervous over going out with the red fox at first, but he felt comfortable after the screening.

"I'm scared of one thing, Jade," Swifty tried to confess something.

"What would that be?" Jade turned to Swifty.

The arctic fox gulped but was able to mask his nervousness. "Losing you in that flood. I still have nightmares over it."

Jade clasped his paw further. "To be honest, I'm glad we're able to rescue you and your mum. I don't want to lose an innocent arctic fox to the flood."

Swifty started to smile. Maybe she really thought of him, for once.

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Present Day, Spring 2019

As PB, Lemmy and Leopold were setting the scene for a surprise, Swifty took a seat at where he and Jade were seated on the day of that screening. He had paid out a sum to rent out the theatre for the day because it was the anniversary of that screening.

It has been a good five years, but finally, he had the courage to propose to her to become his engaged. Five damn good years.

"You need anything, Swifty?" PB asked to Swifty, still seated at that exact place. His foster brother was equally concerned over ignoring his advice from a few weeks back.

"Nah, I'm good," Swifty told his brother as he stood up. "Let's finish this up."