TIMEezine at l'atelier bonita
established since december 2002
ONCE
UPON a
TIME
ezine at l'atelier bonita
established since december 2002
| L'INVERNO
by Jun-Lei |
Foreword If you've watched "Love Letter" (1995, starring Miho Nakayama) and "Il Mare" (1999, starring Jeon Ji Hyun), then you'll know the idea behind this fic isn't new, & definitely not as touching as the two movies. Fans of those, don't shoot me, ok? LOL. Cast: Kelvin Jill Rachel Chris Chapter 1: Letter to Wade Dear Wade, I know you won’t be able to read this. You left for America three weeks ago, and I’m just being stupid writing a letter you won’t ever get to read. It’s just as well, since you won’t ever know how much you’ve hurt me. Did you ever know that I cared very much for you? I know, you’re attached, you have a wonderful girlfriend and you two are going to get married sometime in the future. But did you ever know that once, I used to care a lot for you? I didn’t only like you very much, I came to love you. I was there when you felt down after being played out by this girl you liked. I consoled you, supported you, was there to provide a listening ear. Did you ever realize it? I still remember the time you asked me out to watch "The Mask of Zorro". I know, you made it very clear that it was just a platonic outing between friends, that I shouldn’t get any ideas. And I remember assuring you that I wouldn’t. But inside, I was elated. And we had a good time during and after the movie, didn’t we? I still remember you told me you like sweet popcorn, and that you hate people who preferred the salty kind. I still remember a lot of things that you’d rather forget. Why didn’t you tell me you’d gotten attached? If we were good friends, wouldn’t you have let me know? Must I find out from others that you two have been dating for a month? And I had to pretend to be so happy that you’ve finally gotten over your heartache and have the courage to start a new relationship. Did you know I cried after you left for lunch that day? I could go on and on. I filled two diaries of our times together. I missed the you that I had gotten to know. Now, you’ve changed. And we no longer talk as much. We only exchange pleasantries, and I know it’s pretty hard to talk like we used to. It must have been me, right? I know it must have. It’s always the problem of me. But I know I’m not good enough for you. So I wish you the best. I know, I shouldn’t have brought all this up. You wouldn’t have remembered any of this. I have no hard feelings, only a lot of regret. All best, Jill. *** Jill stared at what she’d written, then with a long sigh, folded the letter and slotted it into an envelope. She had no intention of ever sending it, not to Wade’s address in America, nor to the place where he used to live. What was the point of pining for a man who had never loved her? Then she caught sight of the clock. She was late, damnit. Rachel was going to kill her. Hastily, Jill changed, grabbed her keys, and dashed off to the airport. Her darling elder sister was coming back, and she had to be there to fetch her. *** Rachel plonked her luggage in the boot of Jill’s car. "What’s up?" she teased. "Forgot I was coming back?" Jill flushed a little. "No, I was just busy writing something." "Oh. A letter to Wade perhaps?" Rachel asked, lifting her eyebrows politely. Jill sighed. "Why would I write to him?" They got into the car and drove off. "So, whatever made you decide to come back? Thought you decided to stay in London for good." Rachel shrugged, observing the scenery outside. "Hong Kong sure hasn’t changed, at least not in the last five years," she remarked casually. Jill hid a smile as she made a left turn. Of course she knew why Rachel had come back. But if her sister didn’t wish to elaborate, then she wouldn’t force her. Back home, after having put away her things, Rachel relaxed as her sister made dinner. The two shared a light meal, then curled up on the comfortable couch and exchanged updates on their lives. As they talked, Jill scrutinized her sister. Rachel hadn’t changed much. She was still the simple, kind-hearted girl at heart. She wouldn’t hurt a flea. Jill could never understand why any man would want to hurt a wonderful girl like her sister. Damn that callous boyfriend of hers. At least they had broken up before she came back. If that man had followed her sister back, Jill would have shot him. Rachel didn’t wish to elaborate on that messy affair. But she was interested to know if Jill had found someone nice. "No. The answer remains no," Jill replied woodenly. "And obviously you’re not being active in this," Rachel said, folding her arms. "Jill, you can’t keep thinking about Wade. He’s gone. He has a girlfriend. He won’t be coming back." Jill shrugged as she popped a cookie into her mouth. "Yeah, I know. I’ve been trying my hardest to forget him. I’ve really tried," she added defensively, seeing the disbelieving expression on her sister’s face. "Oh, ok, whatever you say," Rachel replied, grinning. "You can fool me but not yourself." Jill rolled her eyes. "I’m going to sleep." Rachel laughed as she gazed at her sister’s disappearing figure. Smiling wistfully to herself, she cleared the mess on the coffee table, then padded to her own room quietly. Chapter 2: The Reply Dear Jill, I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to read your letter, which has been sent to me by mistake. But I was struck by the sadness your letter evoked, and I’m just writing to say I empathise with your situation. In any case, I am the new tenant of this place, and I doubt your Wade lives here anymore, seeing as I’ve been living here for the past couple of weeks. The previous tenant was most probably him. I heard the neighbours say that he’s left for America. Hope you’ll be able to contact him, if you wish. I’m enclosing your letter inside this one. I wish you all the best in future relationships. Sincerely, Kelvin. P.S: There’s no right and wrong in a relationship. Don’t keep on thinking it’s the problem of you. Perhaps your Wade was fool enough not to cherish you. There’ll be a better person coming along soon. *** Jill flushed deep red as she read the letter. Then she strode briskly to her sister’s room and knocked furiously. Rachel opened the bedroom door, all innocence. Jill thrust the letter at her. "You sent it," she fumed. "I told you not to touch my things." "I didn’t," Rachel protested. "You left it lying on the table. I was about to post some letters myself, and I didn’t know I’d grabbed yours as well." Jill folded her arms. "Oh? Care to explain why a letter without an address on the envelope would reach Wade’s old place?" Rachel smiled sunnily. "Well, I just thought you might need some help. So I filled it in." Jill groaned. She felt like strangling her sister. "Rachel, what have you done?" she covered her face in her hands. "Now this guy has replied, probably thinking I’m crazy." Rachel quickly scanned through the reply. "No, I think he’s very nice." Jill shot upright. "What? Nice?" She snatched the letter back. "Now, big sis. I’m letting you stay in my house, but don’t go getting any ideas. And I do not need a modern-day matchmaker, ok?" "Well, at least you can reply to him and thank him for not ridiculing your sensitive emotions," Rachel shot back, trying to control her laughter. Jill rolled her eyes. "You can cook your own dinner tonight." With that, she stormed back into her room and slammed the door. Rachel merely stood there, smiling. *** Dear Kelvin, I’m eternally sorry that my letter got to you by mistake, since I had no intention of ever sending that letter. It’s all my stupid sister’s fault. In any case, thank you for sending it back. I hope no inconvenience was caused. Thanks for saying those words to comfort me. I guess I really need them right now. Sorry to bother you. Just wanted to say thanks. All best, Jill. P.S: I seriously doubt that I would make a good girlfriend. If you knew Wade’s girlfriend, you’d retract your words, because she’s really a wonderful girl. And I don’t wish to contact Wade anymore. Although it was unrequited love on my part, I still feel pretty hurt. *** Dear Jill, Don’t say that. It was no bother sending the letter back. But you do owe me some extra postage. Just joking. But I’m glad that you seem to be letting go of Wade. I understand it’s hard, but at least you’re trying. That’s a start at any rate. I hope you don’t mind my saying the above, since we’re total strangers and you might not take kindly to unsolicited advice. But whether someone makes a good girlfriend or boyfriend doesn’t always ensure success in a relationship. I’m sure you know what I mean. I think we’re beginning to be friends. If I can be of help, let me know. Kelvin. To continue reading L'INVERNO, please visit the author's website. ©2003 Jun-Lei ____________ Jun-Lei is a lovable twenty-something beachbum who likes to read and write when not watching football. She has an obsession with Alex Del Piero & Louis Koo, when not fantasising about her male characters. This article is excerpted from http://www.quillicreality.com/ with the permission of the author and website administrator. |
ONCE
UPON
a TIME
ezine at l'atelier bonita
established
since december 2002