Episode 19: Another world

Lily looked through the mirror and brushed her hair neatly. She had very short hair, so she had no idea how to style it properly and appropriately. She usually loved to tie her hair to one side and let some strands of hair escape freely on the other. It made her look a little messy, but she preferred it that way. But with this exceptionally beautiful dress on her body, the usual style seemed awkward on her head.

“You look very pretty, Lily.” Daisy’s voice came from behind. It made Lily jump, and she immediately turned around. Her sister was standing by the door of her room, bedazzled by her appearance. Daisy had always loved to enter her room without knocking or asking her first. It was kind of irritating at some circumstances, even just now, but seeing the smile on her face, Lily made up her mind to save the naggings for later. By the way she really needed help with her hair.

“Is this okay? I think my hair looks awful with this dress.” She said meekly.

“Here, I’ll help you do your hair. Sit down.” Daisy replied. The offer was willingly accepted by Lily. She knew Daisy was used to this. Daisy was the type of girl who loved reading fashion magazines and wearing nail polish and making herself look pretty. Even though they couldn’t afford expensive clothes, Daisy, however, still managed to make herself appear presentable in front of other people.

After a few minutes, her hair was already set in a cute little bun at the back of her head. Lily seemed more elegant now, far from the messy and casual Lily that she had always been. She could not believe that she was actually looking at her own reflection in the mirror.

“Thank you Daisy. I look… different.” She muttered. Daisy smiled, admitting her sister’s words as true. “I wonder what Alex will say about this,” she managed to add. Lily’s face immediately changed. What will Alex say? She wasn’t trying to give him an impression, but he rented this dress for her just because of the party. Of course, she knew, Alex didn’t want to be seen with a sloppy girl as his partner in front of all his friends. Doing all this seemed like she was losing to him and giving in to all his terms. Going to this party wasn’t her choice in the first place.

Lily frowned and walked to the window. The sky was already darkening. She finally decided that she wasn’t really giving in or anything. She was just trying to prove that he was wrong. Even if he felt threatened by her, it was none of her business. Even if she appeared as a sloppy girl in front of everybody, it was not in his hands to decide. That is how she was going to play the game.

Alex arrived on time, just as he had promised. This time, Lily felt even nervous than the day before. It was due to the fact that she was going alone this time, and that she didn’t know how to confront him in a situation like this. Lily planned in her head to try avoiding eye contact with him. She descended the stairs slowly, trying to calm herself as she advanced each step downwards

Alex was waiting beside his car in a very smart formal outfit. He was busy playing with the car keys in his hands. It felt like dejavu to Lily. As she reached the peak of the steps by the entrance, Alex looked up. His eyes fixed on her like an officer scanning a criminal. Lily couldn’t help but froze on her spot, trying hard to contain herself. Her plan on avoiding his eyes had utterly failed. Those blue coloured bead-like circles shifted upwards and downwards, probably amazed by the sight in front of him. Lily quickly lowered her gaze.

“You’re five minutes late,” he spoke after a moment of silence. Lily felt her blood collecting in her cheeks. She hoped she didn’t look too red. Well what did he expect? Of course she wouldn’t be running down gaily with an I-can’t-wait-for-this-party face. She felt the urge to snap back at him, but thought it better to be otherwise. Alex opened the door of the passenger seat next to the driver for her, and she entered without a single word.

About half an hour later, Alex parked his car in front of a very classical-looking bungalow. There was a nice big pond in the garden, and a wooden gazebo overlooking the view. Slightly raised planks arranged closely together in a continuous manner formed a path from the patio towards the gazebo. From the gazebo, the raised planks continued over the pond, forming some kind of a bridge, and away towards the back yard. Plants of many types decorated the view along the way. It was definitely a wonderful sight, something Lily had once imagined having when she was a child.

The two made their away across the patio towards the front door. A few other people were doing the same, except that some were not really with their partners. A couple of girls walked passed them with their heads towards Alex. They were whispering something between each other, and obviously eyeing Lily with envy. It made Lily feel quite uncomfortable, but Alex did not seem to take notice. He must have lived with all those irritating stares.

As soon as they entered the front door of the bungalow, Lily’s jaw dropped open. The interior was remarkably beautiful, with antiques decorating a long cabinet at one side of the hall and draping curtains from the huge window overlooking the garden. All of a sudden Lily felt alienated from the world. It was as if she had just stepped into an unknown territory. The people occupying the huge living room were all very poised and composed. They spoke in a clipped tone, and wore elegant clothes. They were just like the people she saw in dramas and movies.

*

To Be Continued...

Episode 18: Plain And Special

“It’s a good thing I suddenly decided to cook something special today, Lily. You didn’t tell me he was coming.” She whispered to her back in the kitchen. Lily frowned as she turned the drumstick in the frying pan.

“I didn’t know that he was coming, mother.”

Daisy helped take out the plates and glasses and placed them on the table, smiling sheepishly towards Alex as she did that. Alex watched them calmly, also looking around the house as he waited for them to prepare the meal.

Half an hour later, lunch was neatly served on the table. Alex gazed towards the modest meal that consisted of rice, a bowl of vegetable soup, fried chicken and gravy. This was not the kind of food that he had everyday. This was not even close to what the chefs back at home made for him during lunch. Mother spooned some soup into a smaller bowl and put a piece of tuna in his plate.

“I’m sorry this is all we have. It was really a coincident that I decided to cook this today. Usually we’d have fish and chips, or maybe porridge.” Mother said humbly. Lily fed herself quietly, watching very closely towards Alex as if he was a predator trying to attack his prey at any time. Alex picked up a spoon and started to spoon some soup into his mouth. He seemed quite hesitant, probably trying to imagine what the food might taste like, being cooked by the hands of common people. Never in his life had he eaten any food other than those from his favourite exclusive restaurants and those cooked at home.

“This soup is a secret recipe inherited generations to generations from my great-great grandmother. It’s very special in our family,” mother added. Alex slowly took a sip from the soup in his spoon. The warmth entered his mouth like a ray of light entering from the windows on a bright summer day. The soup didn’t taste like anything he imagined. It wasn’t as good as the ones he usually had at home, but it tasted okay. He felt warm inside, not really because of the fact that the soup had just been taken off from the stove, but a different kind of warm. It was a good one. Alex finished the rest of the soup, almost forgetting about the rice and fried chicken in his plate.

Alex hung around for the rest of the afternoon. Mother made Lily show him around the neighbourhood, despite the big frown she gave her and the nasty glare she gave him afterwards. Luckily she managed to force Daisy to come with her.

The sun shone brightly above their heads despite the cool weather. The three of them walked around, going pass rows of small shops and roadside-pushcarts. Lily learned that Alex had never tasted hotdog bought from a hotdog stand before. She thought that was lame. No one has never ever admitted not eating from a hotdog stand before.

Daisy was the only one showing Alex around, to be exact. She even felt it a privilege to be having the opportunity. Lily didn’t care less. She hated this feeling whenever Alex was around. Being stuck with him in unexpected situations was even worse.

So the rest of the afternoon was spent walking around the area, visiting little shops and pushcarts and introducing new things - that were actually just common to us normal people - to Alex. Each time Alex showed his bedazzled expression towards something, Lily felt like kicking his guts for being so ignorant. She rolled her eyes so many times, that if there was law against rolling your eyes, she would have absolutely been fined and sent to jail.

They returned to the doorstep of the apartment building at about 3 o’clock. Daisy purposely made up an excuse to leave them there and went upstairs just to let her sister have some private time with Alex, which was not what Lily had in mind. Nevertheless, she ended up all alone with Alex by the doorstep, feeling very awkward and annoyed. She only hoped that Alex would just leave soon.

“Thanks for showing me around, you were very thoughtful.” He uttered nonchalantly. Lily noticed the hint of mockery in his words. As a matter of fact she had concluded all the amazement he showed towards the simple little things as a hoax, a means of trying to win her sister’s heart.

“I’d be very glad if only it had helped teach you to become more thankful of what you already have.” She said.

“That does not concern you. But I must say, your mother’s soup was just nice, though not as good as those served at home.”

“And if I was given a choice between both, I’d still pick the one made with love and sincerity. I don’t care how beautiful it may seem, or how delicious it might taste if it has no significance at all.” She said. Alex decided not to give any response. He turned and was about to walk away when he suddenly remembered something.

“Don’t forget this evening, and be sure to be ready when I arrive. I don’t like waiting.” He uttered slowly and progressed down the steps. Lily watched him through the corner of her eyes as he walked to his car parked nearby. Just before he entered his car, Lily turned and entered through the door of the building.

*

To Be Continued...