Tuesday, October 20, 2009 @ 5:00 PM
Chapter 2: A DanceSuggested song/music: Parrot (live) - Kim Jeong Hoon
(http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=48Xz4QfRLQw)
Sitting alone while the his classmates indulge themselves in a game of soccer, Jun Xiu shut his eyes tightly, closing out the world, just like how he had closed off his heart from the world. When he was eight years old, for the first time in his life, he felt fear. He had just been transferred to a prestigious school which his parents labeled as ‘branded’, and nobody wanted to be near the transfer student. During sports class, they ostracized him, and trampled upon his young and tender heart. Every aim they made was at him. Every kick delivered was full of force. Every hit at him tore his heart away bit by bit. His parents didn’t understand when he told them. They told him to grow up and start acting like a man. He learnt. To protect himself, he must distance himself from all others, even if it meant loneliness and sadness.
Xuan Na heaved the basket off the ground with all her might. The basket contained the props required for their annual village event, the village performance. Her heart lurched at the thought of it. She has always been looking forward to turning twenty. Pa promised to let her join him onstage for the village performance once she turned twenty. Having just reached her dream age a couple of months ago, she has been looking forward to the day of the performance. She paid utmost attention when she was practicing, perfectly her little errors here and there. Now, she dare say she was the best puppeteer in the entire troupe, even surpassing You Tian who had picked up the skill before her.
“It’s just another one week before the performance. Xuan Na, are you prepared fully?” the aged man turned to his daughter questioningly. Xuan Na nodded her head, unable to reply since her mouth is full with rice. You Tian chuckled and reached out a hand to pinch her cheeks. Xuan Na swallowed her rice in a gulp and yelped in pain. “Don’t pinch me!” rubbing her cheek, she scowled at her stepbrother who replied with another round of chuckling.
Xuan Na’s high spirits were slightly dampened when her father told her about his plans to let her dance on stage as the opening for the performance. She couldn’t dance. The only thing she was good at and is interested in is being a puppeteer. “You’re twenty this year. It’s time you got married and settle down with kids. I want to carry my grandchildren before I drop dead. If you dance in front of the entire village, it will increase the chances of having my wish answered.” Xuan Na frowned slightly at her father’s explanation. She had no wish to marry any other guy. She wanted to stay with You Tian forever. However, she could not defy her father’s orders. Although unwilling, she gave her consent. Clapping his hands, he rushed her to the village’s dance school to get her prepared for her little solo stage.
As the car drove pass the VPT, Jun Xiu found himself wondering about Xuan Na’s whereabouts. She wasn’t at her usual spot, practicing with her puppets. He stretched his neck to its fullest, wanting to look into the house when Zai Zhong’s question brought him back to earth. “Are you looking for someone?” he teased with a smile hanging on his lips. How could he not know that his young master have been admiring the youngest daughter of the Jin family since the first time he saw her? They had just moved to the village at that time under the order of Jun Xiu’s parents. Just in time for the annual performance held in the village. At that time, Miss Jin was only a teenager, and she was seen backstage helping out with the props. Her serious work attitude was the irresistible charm which worked its way into Jun Xiu’s locked heart.
“You can only do something simple since we don’t have many days left. I’ll teach you a easy dance, then we’ll decide on the costume you can wear.” the dance teacher. A hand rubbing her nape, Xuan Na shrugged. It didn’t matter what she would wear and perform. She didn’t want to attract any unwanted attention. ‘It’s best I got something ugly to wear… I don’t want to get married.’ Xuan Na was led to one of the many rooms. The dance school might be in a village, but it was well-structured with many spacious rooms to hold its students. Even people from the city would flock here just for dance lessons. Xuan Na had heard of its wonders, but never really stepped into the place before. This new place attracted her attention almost immediately.
Doing the tedious warm up exercises, Xuan Na regretted having agreed to this. The dance instructor strictly corrected every bend, every hand raise. Xuan Na felt her limbs growing numb from staying in the same position for too long. Hand loosing its grip on the bar, Xuan Na fell hard onto the floor. “Ouch!” she winced, rubbing her sore limbs. Almost immediately, a pair of strong muscled arms wrapped themselves around her waist, bringing her back onto her feet. The familiar scent - no doubt it was You Tian.
Placing his bag gently on the table, Jun Xiu sat down to remove his school shoes. He has been toying with this idea for many years. He wanted something different for this year’s birthday party. Although they sent him to this rural settlement, his parents has always made it a point to get Zai Zhong to organize a birthday party for him. Every year at that time, he would finally get to see his parents. People say absence makes the heart grow fonder. However much he hated his parents for abandoning him, he would always look forward to his birthday party. And this year, he wanted something special for once…
“Zai Zhong, do you think it is possible to arrange for a puppet show for my birthday party?” Jun Xiu brought up the matter as casually as possible. Zai Zhong raised an eyebrow, pretending that he didn’t understand Jun Xiu’s intentions. Jun Xiu lowered his head, biting on his lower lip nervously. “I want to see a puppet show.” Zai Zhong nodded his head with a smile playing on his lips. He knew too well that the young master didn’t want to see a puppet show. The young master had wanted to see Miss Jin.
A/N
sharp eyed readers will be able to catch that this fic is angsty ever since the beginning :D
i've tried my best to protray the emotions, even though i do not know if you readers can feel it.
can you feel it? drop my a comment and tell me about it :D
xiaoxi,loves.
NEXT UPDATE
Date: 30 OCTOBER 2009
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