"yes father, I'm fine . just landed here. I feel a little dizzy, can I call back a couple of minutes later? " he drags his grey suitcase with semi - faded miniature buzz light year stuck up on the back, from the shelf up above, which his five foot eleven self wasn't far from the reach.
He climbed through the stairs down to the land, feeling the breeze after hours of being in the congested flight
"It's summer in the US, it feels weird to accept the fact that it's June right now " he chuckled, feeling the cold air "will I get used to it? who knows!"
He hit on the nearest taxi and muttered "Hall acres street, avenue four " he read out loud what's on the message box
riding the taxi, looking though the streets passing by, the same streets he grew up in, felt like a jamais vu, his smile disappeared gradually, like a transition from Cresent moon to a no moon sky as he couldn't recognise what he should be "was I forcing myself to remember? Ha, it's been seven years. it's all-natural I guess "
the driver glanced at him through the rare view mirror "is it your first time here?"
Cyan cracked a laugh at his remark "I might seem so but of course not .things changed probably why I need to use this" he shook his phone with maps on the screen.
"human memory has its limitations, sadly "
he signalled the driver to pause
"I don't think your stop has come"
"well, I'd like to have a stroll around the town " he slipped his hands to his pocket and pulled out his wallet and handed couple notes
swinging his arms, he looked around the cheery market place, different smells, sounds and scenes, from beautiful to unpleasant, landscape flowers and smoke of tourist cars, walked into a retro cafe to quench his thirst.
his eyes lit upon seeing a man in his twenties in a grey hood. he grabbed his arm " Jade?? you're here?"
"uh..yeah.."
"We need to talk"
"...." Jade stared at him, nonchalantly.
They sat in the lounge next to the counter. he was impatiently tapping his fingers as Cyan glancing at him from top to toe.
"so..why are you here? since when and what are you doing here. why aren't you staying at dad's place? " Cyan asked, furiously.
"do you expect me to answer it all at a time?"
"no, take your time while our order drops in, excuse me! one spinach and corn wrap . and you?"
"cappuccino, please" he rolled his eyes
"so...I am here to work on my new project with my laptop. I find it at ease here . " he pointed at the table where he put it at.
"and about that...I have taken care of father well and he's fit .. actually, a little too fit..he keeps on having people over and I absolutely hate it. y, you know that right? " he said, fidgeting his fingers.
"I bought a flat for cheap .no roommate. free WiFi. it's all cool..so now.. bye" he gulped and slid away through the door
"OY! WAIT!!! WHAT ABOUT THE... cappuccino" Cyan sighed, drooped eyes in disappointment. he wanted to have a meal with his brother after such a long time being afar.
He pushed the door, staring into space, walking around with his hands in his pocket and his eyes suddenly met with a girl's near a small antiquated stall, strayed away from the streets and the noise. His eyes widened and without a blink he stared at the girl with golden locks, laughing loud with her friend watching a french rom-com in her phone.
"GIRLS! GIRLS! may I have your attention over here? we got a customer and y'all are lost in that movie ! " an old man wrapped in a shall, shook his wooden stick and hit on their backs, signalling to cyan, who was lost in the girl's eyes and didn't even notice that he was watching her all this long, he pinched his cheeks to wake into senses, placing his fist on his heart "why.is it beating relentlessly..it hurts" he muttered
"hey! get up! whatcha doing anyways! watching a lovey-dovey movie ..get the hell up! up I say! " he screamed
"We see it ..to..um..learn french! we love being multilingual!" she smiled cheekily. the old man didn't look any amused " Miss Sho Rin, go ahead and show over the young man and tell him about our package! we better not lose out one and only customer of this day. I beg you!! now go!!" he whispered to her
Rin giggled and ran to him, her locks floating in the air as she hopped next to him
"hey! you!"
"uh, yes, me??" he looked surprised to see her calling out for him.
"of course you! the one who's been gawking at us! 20 dollars? "
"what-" he exclaimed, all flustered.
she came closer to him, beaming a smile "30 dollars, then? Woah. that'd be a lot to see."
"s, s, ee w, w, hat" he stuttered, his face burning like a hot stove
"eh..is it still not satisfying? we have to rush things up before its night ..it's going to be a special night " she whined, brushing her hair
"is it your first time?"
his face turned as red as a tomato " do you just hit on.. whoever you meet!!" he yelled
"pardon?? you were the one who wanted it!"
"I never said that i-" he took few steps back
" don't you want to tour around? I'm a tourist guide . may look too young for it " she went all up into his face.
the atmosphere instantly got quiet as the misunderstanding got eliminated off his mind. feeling quite embarrassed of what he assumed wasn't for a fact.
"I'm sorry" he cried out "20 dollars seems fine " he adjusted his collar tie
"I see. 20 dollars, by the way, covers the purple hills, the city markets and finally the Mela. you're one lucky dude! TSTK, the band that's been formed here. they got worldwide and are touring a concert this night! so quick! purple hills are our first destination and we should be there by six. by hook or by crook! "
she linked her arms around his and rushed to the nearest bus stop.
"We take the bus on left to the hills. are you fine with your outfit? it looks like you'll feel cold soon wearing that alone!" she picked the ticket from the conductor and tapped next to her gesturing him to sit, he was all smitten, no doubt.
"purple hills" the bus conductor shouted out loud to make it audible to all, especially the back seats. "oh, come on! waste no time!!" she unbuckled both of their seat belts and by a kilometre bicycling they made it to the foot of the hills
"Usually, we have more tourists in the month of May. this is an odd time to be here but don't worry. it's still beautiful." she panted, out of breath. "Yo, you can keep it low . you're clearly tired but you're bursting out like a boom-box" Cyan teased, flapping his hands for some air.
" okay. okay. moving on.." she coughed
" maganta hills of purple hills, derived from the colour magenta is around 1,000 feet or 300 meters. it gets it to name as it's filled with thirty different species of flowers in the shades of purple. you can now see a couple of them here but these are just cornflowers or weeds..in December though, you can see almost every flower bloom! "
After chilling on the wet rocks and having a spice tea, they hit on the road. Cyan with his Polaroid and a handphone recording and clicking simultaneously. Taking pictures of whatever he found beautiful, her. Run was busy blabbering, Fangirling over the band. he couldn't help but laugh inside and store all these lovely memories.
"Oy, did you just film me?" she blinked as the flash beamed on her face.
"uh sorry...I'm -"
She combed off the stray hair with her hand and struck up poses and throwing peace signs into the camera. "Now, it's okay!! " she smiled nervously.
He snorted "Haha, one two three" he set the count down and hurried to her on time "picture perfect!" he teeth-smiled
"yup! by the way, the market place starts from here...but oh, it's almost seven and" she rested her head down disappointed, in blue.
he read the room well and placed his arm on her shoulder. "cheer up. we're going the place finally you anticipated so long! leggo" he dragged her by the arm while she was tumbling upon, recklessly they made their way to the garden where the Mela was held. The lanterns lit up in the sky, the drums near the gates, merry crowd, jolly kids "helium balloons! oh my gosh!!! we gotta try this! ice candy !! hold on ! popcorn, more importantly" she screamed at his face "you go make space for us while I bring the food and tickets, okay?"
"okay go!!!" she pushed him
"alright "
they sat in the front row, he expected to see a bubblegum pop band but to his surprise, he spotted a bunch of men climbing the dais with their violin and trumpets, following a choir dressed in white frilly sleeved ironed uniform
"what ..is this..."
"the band I told you of before " she mumbled munching on popcorn
"I thought we'd have some hip-hop over here..so guess not"
"Nah Nah! that is for the normals "
"then...what are you? "
"I? I only listen to classical. a lady lost in time ..lost in the 80s. sophisticated, rich and posh, which I am, by heart!!" she ranted
he snickered "what an oddball "
"there's not genre limited to set of people"
"oh, shut up. the show's gonna start. let be me. go off " she complained
"I'm leaving"Cyan crossed his arms and stood up "I have someone to check on and it's past eight " he frowned.
"wait, no, I don't mean to-" she said, turning her head back, looking at him go, feeling a little glum.
"he should watch it... at least because he paid for it, damn it " she sulked.
she checked out around the flock to find him. " I didn't mean to ask him to leave me like this..." She found her news club members, Aria and Lia at the old plaza with cups of boiled sweet corn in their hands.
"Ah, Prez!" Lia gazed at their deserted club head, who looked pale as if she got her heart crushed into million pieces.
"Prez, you look exactly like an anaemic vampire . for real. goodness. you're literally twinsies. " Aria fake sobbed, dramatically.
" cut it out. y'all got a death wish??" boo" she shooed them off.
"okay sorry can we walk home together? I have something to say Sho Rin " Aria seemed worried Rin could get the hint and know right away there was something rather urgent to deal with.
The lamp posts were flickering it was a new moon day with hardly any stars in the sky. Aria spat up "you do realise we're in the year three and at times there's set of changes regarding the school clubs this time too..it's not big brainer! Just have to recruit another person the rules say four or more per club so.."
"No BRAINER?? what the hell. that's one huge draining task!" Rin exclaimed.
"Um, I know one person in my cram school he's apparently going to transfer to our high school, fortunately, he wouldn't be exposed to other clubs much not be having a clue on any rumours going around. isn't that brilliant" Lia said fluttering her eyes?
"wait a sec- rumours? like what?" Rin gasped
"uh..you know how crazy they are! none of it is true"
"of course that's why they are RUMOURS. I don't care But think about our reputation. we'll be doomed and have to shut our club, dumbass." she clenched her fists, fuming.
"now prez, how more bad can our reputation go. take a chill pill. we'll be alright like always, remember how many times we got out of hurdles. we made it. and we can be doing so. " Aria rubbed Rin's palm, comforting her.
"it'll be alright. we always expose the bad guys. if that's what makes us awful, fine being so."
"me too " Lia chirped
Rin's face beamed with joy which led her chestnut brown eyes to crystallize with tears . " thankyou. I really mean it " she wiped her tears and initiated a group hug.
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Yang Cyan pulled his room door upon coming to his house. He was pleased to see his brother inside "So you made up your mind to live here. I love you! " He smirked at Ja relaxing on his couch, with his pal resting his hand "ca you bring rest of my baggage. I perhaps let it in the main hall. I'm worn out. can you?"
Cyan was in tears of excitement as a long lost puppy seeing his owner for the first time ever after so long. He could do anything and everything for him. "oh sure!! you just lay down here!."
He went downstairs to the hallway and carried his bags
"ouch..heavy...oops"
"shit. I dropped it"
he bent down to pick up the stuff. everything was scattered. most of it was glittering art supplies, papers, scissors, graphs, measuring tapes, scales and an envelope
"a letter? or not. " he opened it up and slid out a picture, which looked pretty old.
"a kid..? a picture of a child ?? wait..the face..weirdly familiar..hold on! this is that blonde girl who showed me around...how come..plus..she's brunette here...and why is this with Jade..." he gulped, putting the photo back, puzzled.
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