Big Sister Al was getting married!Shi Ai was at the top of the moon that they were going to be at her wedding.Sitting in the moving bus the coordinator madam had lectured them on the importance of good behavior.She said that Sister Alicia's husband to be was a very important man.He had planned the wedding as a surprise and so they must behave nicely and not ruin his surprise.
Shi Ai thought that Brother Long was very good and well suited with her sister.When all the children had realized that they were going to get to see a wedding and that too their favorite sister's they had been very excited.Most of them had not been outside the walls of the orphanage other than going. Shi Ai also stared wide eyed at the pretty places and the sheer number of cars..
Shi Ai was very good at drawing and had prepared a small sketch of sister Alicia and Brother Long.
Though Shi Ai was at first scared of Brother Long,since he did not smile at all,she saw that his eyes were kind.And Sister Alicia had chosen him so he must be good!Boldly,she had told him,"Why are you inviting us?Do you wish to do charity?"
Aunty Wu came forward to shush her but Brother Long stopped her.He went down on his knees in front of her and said,"I am inviting only the members of my family and Alicia's family for the wedding.And since you all are her family,you are invited as well."
She was testing him with authority but he had surprised her,"You are also going to be Sister Alicia's family so does that mean you are our family too?
"Of course!",was the unhesitating answer she received.
Satisfied with the answer,she placed forward her demand,"Then brother Long,we do not have any clothes worthy of being at your wedding."
Ryu Long smiled at that and said,"They need not worry and that it had been taken care of."
After that Shi Ai had been in for a long lecture about propriety and manners."
A few days later,some people had brought in a large array of clothes in all sizes and all the children had been told to choose. Auntie Wu had tried to stop them at taking only 1 dress each but the people told her that all kids must choose 3 outfits each. Shi Ai had carefully chosen 2 frocks and a set of jeans and a new top.
Thinking back to the incident,where Shi Ai had been too bold, Auntie Wu went to her and started lecturing her again to not be too bold and retaining her manners. Shi Ai listened to her carefully and nodded along her head.Soon they had reached big hotel.The mouths of not just the kids but even Auntie Wu fell open.
Alighting from the bus the kids all looked around at the sparkling lights and water fountains and were mesmerized.They almost fell that they had reached heaven.Just then Ryu Long's brother Ah Hai Long came forward to welcome them.He was in charge of the security at the wedding and was supposed to keep a check on every person.Standing with him was Neil Long who had also come to meet the kids.As the kids came down slowly,Shi Ai was at the end of the line. Shi Ai felt as if she was in a dream and did not want to wake up.Getting down,still lost in her world,and trying to lug her heavy bag,she missed a step,and almost tumbled down the steps when suddenly Ah Hai caught her and held her hand to help her.The little girl looked at her savior and was struck dumb!She really seemed to have entered a dreamland!Even the prince charming here was more good looking that the one in the book.He helped her straighten up and patting her head moved ahead,guiding the children to the suite rooms that had been booked.The kids looked around in marvel but little Shi Ai had lost interest in her surroundings.Her eyes only followed the prince charming.
The next morning:
Shi Ai dressed in her pretty top and jeans,the next morning anxious to see her sister Alicia and her prince charming.At the buffet,Shi Ai did not see her prince charming for awhile and was almost depressed.She saw him some time later standing with the big brother yesterday and a pretty girl who called herself sister Alicia's friend.Suddenly worried that someone was going to snatch away her prince charming,Shi Ai rushed to the buffet table and picked up a little flower made from an apple and rushed to them.The girl had left by then so Shi Ai fastened her pace.As her prince charming was about to turn away,she ran to him and caught hold of his hand.Stuffing the apple flower into his hand,Shi Ai smiled prettily and said,"Big brother,will you wait for me until I grow up?"
Confused at her words,Ah Hai gave a confused nod but this made Shi Ai smile even more!"Ok then..please marry me when I am all grown.Thank you!"
Ah hai and Neil Long:"..."