MING LAN

Chapter Ten: Oh! Ming Lan

Feeling so happy to go out together again, I quickly call out, telling the housekeeper who happens to come to the living room that we are going out.

I drove them out. I stopped my car in front of a big furniture shop, parked it nicely before I unlocked the doors. Ming Lan is already out of the car, standing at the front door, waiting for me.

I walk to her side and help father out of the car. Locking the car, I walk him into the shop. I remember never walking with my father anywhere since Ming Lan left home. Just an evening walk around the house with me. I hold his hand. It is not as strong as before. I walk his pace into the shop.

Ming Lan is already in the shop talking to the owner.

“Can I see your best bed? I mean a comfortable one.” I heard her asking the owner.

The shop owner smiles and takes her to the further end telling her, “These are all we have for now.” Showing a range of branded big mattresses.

She tried sleeping on every bed after asking for permission from the owner. I watch her doing that. My Dad goes near her, pressing the bed with his hands. Smiling at his daughter. “How about this one?” He asked her. My Dad seems in a good mood.

“I think so.”

“Take two.” Said my Dad to the shop owner. “One for you.” He turns smiling at her.

“Oh. Thank you, Appa.”

“You need a new bed, Keong?”

“I’m fine with it. Still good.”

“Get three of these. Can you deliver it today?” My Dad asked the shop owner.

I paid for everything and gave the guy the house address. Then we led the lorry back to the house, since no one is shopping anymore. I feel that my family is back with Ming Lan’s positive caring attitude

The men carry the beds upstairs. I ask the guys to take our two old beds out of the house. Gladly they did. Ming Lan’s bed is put in the store room since it is seldom being used, still in good condition, according to the housekeeper.

Ming Lan is in her father’s room at night. Lying beside him, rubbing his arm as she tells him of her long holiday. She really went for a long holiday, doing odd jobs at eateries for a few hours from state to state as she travels, saving her budget.

She leaves her father’s room when he falls asleep, getting changed into her pyjamas. Her clothes are still nicely hung in the cupboard, smiling to herself. Keong hears her talking from his room next door, feeling happy for both father and daughter. So is the next night.

I feel happy doing what I should do in the house, not bothering Ming Lan until my Dad did.

“I have something important to say to both of you, today.” He looks at us one after another.

“I only have you two in my heart. It would make me very happy to see you two get married.” He stops again looking at both of us.

“Ming Lan ….I love Ah Keong as I love you. He is a good businessman. A good son to me. That test result is nothing to me. He is still my son and I have a daughter now. I hope both of you do not object to my suggestion.” My Dad said that after our dinner, sitting in the living room.

Ming Lan is quiet. Looking at the table top then at my Dad. He is watching her reaction, so am I. There is not any. I do not know how she feels right now, she is not showing it. It is her second day after being away for a year.

“Give me time, Appa.”

“How long? You said that to me last year” He asked her back. Looking up at her face.

She shrugs her shoulders. “I need to think about getting married. I don’t want to get married.” Her words are softer to the end.

My Dad turns to me, gesturing to me to say something. What? Now? My blood rose to my face. How can I say what is on my mind? My mind is blank. I cannot do it now. I’m so unprepared. It's so sudden. I’m speechless looking at my father. He should have hinted to me earlier but he did not. I'm not sure how Ming Lan feels about me, exactly, now.

I realised we are not like when we were at grandma’s house anymore. She keeps her distance from me in the house after she comes back. That hurts me a lot. Always unhappy with me. I have to endure everything though I have a lot to say to her. Most important is to tell her that I love her. I don’t want her to run away again, so I just keep quiet.

Right now I cannot say anything. I do not know how or what to say to her anymore. Everyone is quiet and it ends there.

My father called me back for lunch, saying it is important. I drove home immediately and saw a nice car on the front porch. I have never seen it before.

I walk in. I stood still, stunned. I was too shocked to see a man sitting in front of my father, next to Ming Lan. Who is he? I just look at her, too stunned to say anything. I feel myself blushing red. Then the blood goes to all parts of my body, even to my fingertips. Worst of all, my heart hurts.

This is not a good sign. How can she bring home someone else when I am still right in front of her. What about me? Who am I? Doesn’t she have any feelings for me anymore? This is too cruel Ming Lan. Too cruel. I can’t take it. I can’t sit and face her now. Too hurt to see the man beside her. Seeing her looking back at me hurts the most. ‘Aaaah!’ I turn away.

I quickly walked out of the house and drove away. I almost cried. Feeling so hurt, angry and hungry.

I had my lunch outside by myself not knowing what I ate. With a lot of things going on in my mind and thinking. I am hurt. Just too hurt to think straight.

I stroll along the beach. What is my worth in her eyes actually? Questioning myself. Didn’t she see me at all, even if I'm no more in her heart. Ming lan, Ming Lan! What are you doing girl? You said you are not getting married! Who is he?

I know she does not have a boyfriend. She must have borrowed him from somewhere. Like in movies. Her colleague! Yes! This Ming Lan can do anything. Or, she could really have met someone in a year away from home. She told my Dad that she is not getting married. Another new trick of hers? ‘Aaaahhh’.

My Dad has been asking me to get married before I met Ming Lan. I did not give it a thought then.

I like Ming Lan after knowing her. I like her character, what she did, and how she acts. She is a unique girl, someone I have never come across before. I learned to love her but do not know how to tell her without her knowing that we are not siblings, earlier on.

I am her brother, to her. I know she refrains herself, so did I. I could sense it. Especially after grandma passed away.

What happened to those feelings? We are obviously so into each other but thinking that I have to talk it over with my Dad, I did not confess to her. My Dad did not seem to object to my loving Ming Lan. So I wait and see Ming Lan’s side. Nothing. I am in a dilemma but I am still holding on. Am I? After today? ….Ming Lan and that man?

Aaaahhhhh! I look up at the sky. A few birds are flying above the coconut trees. I feel hurt, embarrassed, and feeling full of regrets now. Regret for not acting fast enough when she comes back, staying in the same house eating at the same table with her. That was two days ago. Two days?

Our staying in my father’s house together made no difference in our relationship. We seemed to drift further apart, until my father showed her the three pieces of the test result. She changed. Totally avoiding me after that day, taking a long holiday and staying away even after she is back.

I kept my distance too after that. I don’t want her to leave again because of me. Feeling useless and worthless in her eyes. I should have cleared it up and solved it then. But I didn't do that. My mistake, being too cautious, too slow. Now, she brought home another man while the matter between us is still left hanging.

The thing is, how to solve it now. My Dad had voiced out his mind to see us getting married, but she brought a man home instead. She rejects me? Give me the hint? Or taking revenge on me for being timid? Everything is possible with Ming Lan. It is best for me to stay away for now. Feeling embarrassed at the same time, hurt. I’m not going home, feeling so humiliated by that girl.

I drive to work in the morning in my suit I have in the car boot. Then I go home before noon to pack my bag of clothes. Feeling hurt, I intend to stay out for the time being, telling my Dad. He nods at me. Understanding how I feel at the moment. Broken hearted.

A few days later, my Dad calls me home saying we have to solve this somehow. I listen to him as usual. Always the obedient Ong Beng Keong, at twenty nine. Sitting in the living room, he is telling out his plan to both of us, not wanting to hear any objections anymore. He warns us first before anything else.

“I, as a father to both of you, hate to see two of you behaving like this. One in, one out of the house. Enough of that in and out. No more, ok?” he looks at Ming Lan then at me, back at Ming Lan. It feels funny thinking of Ming Lan running away twice. What a girl. My Dad continues talking.

“I have arranged your marriage, Ah Keong, and Ming Lan. I’m not asking you anymore. I’m ordering you. Anyhow, I want you two to get married. No objections on both sides. Most importantly, I don’t want to see any more negative happenings in this house until the wedding day. Is that clear? I love you both just the same. I think you understand me.”

I listen to my Dad speaking without looking forward to it. Ming Lan is quiet too. Looking at the table top. None of us respond. Nothing for me to say actually, not that I agree. I listen, curious about what is in my father’s mind although I can guess it.

“Ah Keong, you as the brother take her out shopping for the wedding. Locally or somewhere else I don’t care. Just do it. Prepare your personal clothes, wedding gown, suits, shoes, bags, whatever, for the wedding. I’ll prepare the other items. ….Err… did you give her credit card?”

I look at my father shaking my head. “She always runs away, Pa.” I defend myself.

My father pulls out a few pieces of tissue paper from the box with both hands, crumples it and throws at me tightening his mouth and sighs. He never does that before. Then he continues.

“Keong. Get her to choose her own jewelleries, wedding ring and other accessories she needs. You settle every single bill from today. Any questions?”

Both of us are too stunned to say anything. I look at her. She looks at me. ‘So soon’ I thought.

“Appa. Can it be delayed? Too soon.” I said. “I don’t think that Ming Lan wants to get married to me, Appa. Look at her.”

Ignoring me, he shakes his head. “I looked for good dates. I came up to this date. A month is enough for you two to get prepared. We don’t have many relatives, no fuss. You call up these hotels for your wedding dinner. Confirm with one.” He goes on.

“I want to make this wedding public. To make up for the mistakes I made to Ming Lan. The city will know her as my daughter-in-law. You as my son. Nothing changed about that. We don’t have to say anything to anyone about the test result. Our secret remains in our mind. It’s very important for our business image. Don’t mess up what we already have.”

“I want to bring Ming Lan home in great honour publicly. This is the only way I can think of. I regret neglecting her and her mother. I have fixed it with our housekeeper for that day.” My father said, looking at us, left and right. He goes on.

“Ming Lan is to stay at a hotel for a week until the wedding date. You’re not to see each other within those seven days. Of course you can telephone each other to settle anything. So do your shoppings early.” My father goes on.

“Ming Lan, get someone to stay with you in the hotel, to assist you, especially in the morning, on your wedding day. Get rooms for them.”

“You only carry a tea set and your luggage out of the hotel room. The other symbolic items will be prepared here, in the house, by the lady in-charge. Your manager’s wife is my assistant. She is good. You’re in good hands Ming Lan, on that day.” Ends my Dad, leaning back with the list of papers on the table in Chinese writing.

Both of us sit quietly, not saying nor asking anything, blinking and blinking. I can see that it is of no use to say anything.

Ming Lan and I sit quietly looking at each other. Not saying anything to each other. Suddenly she burst out laughing. Turning to me. “Don’t you have anything to say, Keong? Aren’t you going to regret this marriage? I already told you, earlier, I am not marrying anyone. Why don’t you say something? I still don’t get it, until now. You’re a man, aren’t you?” She confronts me unexpectedly. She is venging on me. …Me?

“Ming Lan. Ming Lan! I already said, you must get married anyhow. It is better for you to get married to Ah Keong. Having you in my house is better than having someone else's daughter. Why do you question him?” My Dad complained, getting annoyed with his daughter.

Ming Lan’s face is red now. “Appa. He is a man. He should find his own wife. NOT YOU PICKING ME FOR HIM. (She raises her voice)

“What kind of man is he….This is the modern world. Parents don't do that to their children anymore. Appa. Cancel it. This does not work for me. I don’t want to get married, to any man, at all.”

After raising her voice to her father she points at me, “Him especially, no backbone. He never loved me. He did not even talk to me. Don’t you see that?” She gets up and leaves us in the living room, rushing upstairs noisily. Protesting.

I sigh deeply with a pain in my heart. Again! How can you say that to me, Ming Lan? You don’t know me at all.

“AH KEONG. YOU go and talk to that girl. Stubborn girl....” He raised his voice and sighs loudly.

Me? Oh… can’t he go after her himself? I take my time going upstairs to Ming Lan. What am I going to say to her? She rejected me flat on my face, took a man home before, embarrassing me in front of my father just now. This Ming Lan is too much. I’ll do what I have to do! Say what I have to say.

In her room, she is lying on her bed with her phone. I get up on the other side of her bed and lay beside her, thinking of what to say and how to say to her. I braved myself for the first time.

“Ming Lan, why don’t you want to get married?”

“I thought I told you earlier, when Amma was still around.” She does not sound angry.

“That was two years ago. Now you’re to marry me. Not just any guy.”

“That is the problem.” She turns around and lays flat on her back like me. “If we’re married, I don’t have a brother anymore.”

She closes her eyes and sighs. “To have a brother is better than to have a husband. A brother treats you well, cares for you. I miss that brother. A husband wants you to care for him, if he is not happy he will just find another wife. ….Like Appa….I’ll be left heart broken….like my Mom….Oh! My poor Mom ! A victim…. Appa is that guy. I was angry at him at first. So irresponsible.”

“Ming Lan…. (I take her hand in mine) Don’t you trust me?” I ask sadly, softly. If that is how she thinks of me I’m finished.

“I don’t know. People change. You’ll change too. I’ll change.” She takes her hand back and turns, lays on her stomach again, facing the other side.

“If father cannot leave this marriage issue aside, I have to go back to Amma’s house. Stay there by myself. Peaceful. I can do many things I like there. I’m bored here.” She is quiet again. I am quiet too, thinking over what she just said to me. Very sad indeed to hear that. Ming lan is not getting married!!! Not even to me!

I am so broken-hearted to hear that from Min Lan. I lay still feeling the poking pain in my heart. It hurts, really hurts. She ran away twice. Now, she does not want to get married. What else is coming Ming Lan?

“Keong. Don’t you have a girlfriend? I’m sure many are interested in you. You’re good looking, you know.” She asks suddenly, still not turning to me.

“What’s the use? I don’t need any of them. The person I love does not care at all. Didn’t even want me. You’re too cruel Ming Lan.” I sigh pitifully, exactly the way I feel at the moment.

I get up and leave her room with a broken heart. It hurts badly this time. I don’t want to stay there any longer, for I might react differently. I’m very emotional right now. I have to get away fast.

I lock myself in my room. I made up my mind to go on with my own life, married or not. No one can force me if I don’t want to. Like Ming Lan. That’s it. I’ll be like her. Dad can’t force me. I know he has loved me very much since I was a small boy. He would not do things I don’t like. I’ll talk it over with him. I want to sleep first and forget everything that is said downstairs and in Ming Lan’s room. I need some peace.

The cook comes knocking at my door, for it is dinner time. I told her I’m not hungry and closed the door. I sleep on although it is hard to sleep now, feeling hungry.