Winter.
The only season of the year that Hao Tieng hated. He hated how his sinuses made him feel like a stuffed chicken. He was envious, envious of his other family members enjoying the cold weather while all he could do was stay in bed and stare at his phone all day, waiting for his girlfriend to send him a text. He kept on waiting hopelessly like a little German girl waiting for her Dad to come back home. Unfortunately he was disappointed once again, he had been waiting for her text or call or anything cause he was desperate but as the day passed by he got nothing. He tried calling Shao Mei's phone but it was switched off. It seemed like she was avoiding him .
Deep down he knew something bad was gonna happen but he still insisted on not losing hope.
He got out of bed and wrapped himself up , making sure there was no space left for a single breeze to infiltrate his body. He grabbed his phone and went down stairs to get a cup of hot cocoa. He heard laughter downstairs and wondered what could be so funny. He slowly went down the stairs not wanting to draw attention to himself but as he reached for the last stair, all eyes in the room were darted on him . He felt like a million nails were piercing his body as he swiftly shifted to face everyone.
Without hesitation he asked cautiously" What are you all looking at? You've Neva seen a grown man wear too many clothes or what?"
"You look like a frickin stuffed bear, you behave like a little kid no wonder Shao Mei dumped you", Lu Feng his elder brother sput.
"What did you say? She didn't dump me. I've been trying to reach her since winter started"
" Oh little brother, am deeply sorry that am the one who has to deliver this news to you but she left a message on the answering machine 2 days ago and she dumped you. If you don't believe me then check for yourself"
"Hey, Hao Tieng I wanted to talk to you b4 winter break but I couldn't so..... I'm sorry but I can't do this anymore, I can't pretend like am in love with you anymore. your a nyc guy but u just ain't my type .I like guys with excitement in their lives and am not going to find that in you. So....am breaking up with you. OK Bye". When those words reached Hao Tieng's ears he felt like he was going to burst. 1st out of shame and 2nd out of disappointment. All his hope, his time , wasted just like that
He slowly walked out of the living room and into the kitchen, he got his hot cocoa and a packet of Oreos then he stormed off to his bedroom where he locked himself. His Mom, Dad, sister and brother tried to get him out of there but it was useless. Hao Tieng switched on the TV and repeated all seasons of 'This is Us' while he yelled" Why me, what did I do to deserve this, why am I the unfortunate one. First I lose my job then my girlfriend dumps me. I'm really cursed. This is why I hate winter. nothing good comes from this shitty season. He yelled till he couldn't anymore or at least till he cried himself to sleep.
Hao Tieng woke up in a puddle of his own misery but refused to be broken by this. He had one mission and that was to get a new job first thing this cursed season was over and with that he got out of bed , cleaned himself up and walked to the dining table. Every1 looked at him with unbelievable gazes and before they could ask him anything he interjected." I know want your gonna ask but am fine....OK.. so need to worry about me . I've left the past in the past and it's a new day. So let's eat breakfast and enjoy the last days of winter as the happy family we are "
Everyone looked at themselves and wondered who this person was and what they had done with Hao Tieng but just went with the flow.
The last days of winter were the best Hao Tieng had had since it started and was happy to have spent them with his family.