Fiction: Group 4
standing in the sky.The arched hollows on the wall are penetrated by the sky, painting the arches with
sky blue, and an occasional splat of white.Aaron arrives in brown shorts and a white t-shirt at 9, half an
hour earlier than our arrangement.
‘You’re early,’ I say.
‘It wouldn’t be nice to leave a lady waiting.’
I grin, and take out an egg tart for him.
‘Thank you.’
After he finishes, I ask,‘Do you know the story behind the façade?’
‘No,’ he answers, shaking his head, with his eyes on me.
‘During a typhoon in 1835 a fire started in the Cathedral, and burned down most of it.
The structure was so damaged the government ordered demolition, while keeping the southern façade,
the one you see now, intact as it was not completely destroyed. Later, concrete and steel were added to
the façade and what’s left of the cathedral was turned into a museum.’
His eyes are fixated on mine. He says,‘Wow, an egg-tart vendor, and a historian.
Impressive.’
‘Hey, I am part of the tourist industry of Macau; of course I need to know something
about it.’
He smiles, a sweet, boyish smile, and remains silent. His head then turns towards the façade.
Come on ask me to show you around, ask, ask, ask, ask, ask!
‘So…would you like me to show you around?’ I ask.
My heart is up in my throat. He looks at me. His eyes are brown and electric, sending a
current all over my body every time he looks at me. His hair is like leaves: short, and fluttering every
time a breeze passes by. His features are strong, with a defined jaw.
He opens his mouth, and says,‘Yes, please.That’ll be nice.’
Aaron
I put my bag onto the floor of my apartment, and turn on the television.
‘Earlier today the pro-government and pro-democracy protestors, also known as the blue
ribbons and yellow ribbons, had yet another conflict…’
The 2 days of serenity in Macau are turning into a distant dream.
But who am I kidding; there is no serenity in the Pearl River Delta.All there is is growth,
growth and growth – fast-paced, intense living with the sole aim of increasing competitiveness, even
with our family and friends at disposal.
I sigh, and tilt my head backwards so that I can rest on the rim of the sofa. Suddenly, I see a
piece white piece of paper with words scribbled on it lying on the white, glossy floor:
Linda: +853 6403 9823
Let’s chat some time
A smile spreads unconsciously over my face. Never have I seen such a strong, independent
woman: the sarcasm in her voice, the conviction in her eyes, the determination in her face. I guess that is
the product of progress. Nowadays females depend less and less on males, and some of them are even
wealthier and more successful than males.After all, gender equality is stressed nowadays, and as one of
the most developed and international regions in China, the Pearl River Delta is sure to be first to
experience its effects.
On the LED screen are more images of people shouting, fighting. It may be a concern in
the first few days, but the continuous bombardment is getting tiresome. I long for Linda – her long black
hair swaying like hula dancers in the wake of the breeze, her face that is filled with color and lights up
like fireworks when she talks. I take out my phone, and dial her number.
‘Hello?’ a female voice says through the speaker.
‘Hey,’ I say in a sweet tone, smiling.
‘Who’s this?’ her pitch rising, as if soaring into the endless space above.
‘Don’t you remember me?’
‘Should I?’
I hesitate for a moment, and say,‘It’s…Aaron.’
‘Oh,Aaron! I’m sorry. Guess I should’ve asked for your number too,’ she giggles.
