************
"So." Smiled Ken, staring at his open-mouthed bestfriend. He just finished telling Jerry about the whole thing "What do you think?"
Jerry running his hands through his sticky hair. "I--how--can I--wow.." He was actually fell into speechlessness.
Ken held up his hand and looked up at his wristwatch. "'Cause you know? If you wanted to do the whole cheesy-straight-from-the-movie thing and stopping the wedding before I do's, you'd better gotta do it fast 'cause you only have like--eh! WHERE ARE YOU GOING!!"
********
"Are you sure about this?"
Barbie glanced to the huge mirror before her and met her cousin's eyes. "Yeah." She nods
"Are you positively sure that you wanted to do this? Since you know how--"
"--Eddie!"
Edward Ou Di holds up his hands in a mock surrender. "Fine." He sighed.
Barbie turned around and looked up to him. "I just want you to walk me down the isle."
It was actually her Pa's job, but because today's also a special day for him, Barbie decides to change the rule a bit.
*It's not like this was my first one, anyway.*
Edward strodes towards his cousin and then stopped in front of her. He played with her veil a bit. Little tugged in here and there but didnt say anything.
"The first thing that through my mind that day, seven years ago, when I saw Jerry from my peeping hole, was to grab something sharp and killable to end his life."
Barbie smiled and nodded. "And yet you didnt." She whispered. "Killed him I mean. And also forgot to inform me."
"I thought that I did the right thing." He said, looking at Barbie straight in the eye. "Didnt I?" He was daring Barbie to argue.
A beat
"You are the one who says that Zai was for keep." Barbie shifted her eyes and fiddled with her painted fingers. "And beside, Bao Long had already signed the divorce papers."
Her tubby cat, who was sitting in the sofa looking up when he heard someone saying his name.
"Meow."
"Not you, big butt." Chastised Edward and sticking his tongue out to his feline nemesis. He then looking back to Barbie and say "Michelle filled me in about the whole thing the other day."
"Michelle doesnt know what she's talking about."
"She sound like she does to me."
"Eddie--"
Edward sighed and kissed Barbie on the forehead. "I love you, coz. And I want you to be happy." He said, tilting Barbie's chin's up "You know that right?"
Barbie nodded silently. Her eyes were now started to feel blurry.
"Whatever you do," Whispers Eddie. Staring into his cousin's eyes solemnly "whoever it is that you're going to end up with in the end, please, just make sure that you're making a right decision."
********
Michelle peered through a curtain. A half dozen limousine had just arrived in front of the church where the wedding is going to happen in a couple of hours.
"Oh, man. Look at all those circus freaks in tux." Groaned Michelle. "It's a wonder that the witch didnt put a red carpet in front of church to welcome the guest." She said sarcastically.
Rainie chuckled. "Be careful what you wish for."
Zhou Mama had actually succeed to make all the politicans from Hongkong and Taipei to attend her only son's wedding. Obviously she needs to lobby them for her project. That's the only reason why she's so excited about the whole thing. Heck! Just a week ago she called Barbie a gold digger and unsuitable for her son.
The past couple of days had been a quite experience for the mostly blue-collared residence of Kending. With all the reporters and their cameras walking around the neighbourhood, knocking on people's houses just for the sake of old story, to find a scandal from the past life of Barbie's Hsu. They have yet to find anything though.
"Where's Ken?"
"He should've been here by now." Answered Zhi Ling. She was wearing a peach-colored bridesmaid dress.
Michelle looked down at her own gown and groaned "I thought I had already told Bie about how I feel with the peachy thing."
Rainie bursted into a giggle. Michelle eyed her evily. "Yeah, you can laugh now. But just wait, cause--"
"--I just got a call from Ken." Cuts Vanness, interrupting the girls.
"So?" All the three women chorused.
Vann slowly broke out into a huge grin "He doesnt know if he could find a ride back from Jerry's cabin."
*********
~~~~~~~~
"I love you. Dont you ever doubt that!"
~~~~~~~~~
"Do you think every Jerry has a Barbie and every Barbie has a Jerry?"
~~~~~~~~~
"I'm just this naive small town guy who actually thought that he'd win his bride back by showing her how much she means to him. He who foolishly thought that she'd ran back to him from her all that fiance, and forgets about her fancy life in big city and back to being a small town wife of nobody."
~~~~~~~~~
"..it's also why I have to be the one to walk away this time."
~~~~~~~~~
Barbie covers her hands on her ears and shakes her head violently as Jerry's voice ringing through her head.
"Stop it!" Sobs Barbie. "Just stop it!!"
She slid to the ground, and started to cry.
Bao Long the cat stopped from what he'd been doing and pulled his face long enough from Edward's sock to look up to his master. He then lazily lifted his big body and walked towards his 'Ma'. He lets out a soft meowed. But Barbie didnt seem to understand. So he climbed to her laps and at stared at her. He then soon started licking Barbie's wet face.
Barbie stared down at her cat and hugged him to her chest. "Dont tell me that you too of all creatures also think that I'm about to do a biggest mistake in my life."
The cat meowed again.
"Oh god."
"Bie?" Edward poked his head on the door "It's time."
*********
Barbie tried not to meet her girlfriends accusing eyes as Edward walks her down the isle. She instead looked up and met her parent's worried eyes. She mouthed I-love-you to them. The Hsu had just finished their own wedding vows and now waiting to hear their daughters. Hsu Papa mouthed the words back and squeezed his wife's of thirty years hand.
Barbie shifted her eyes to the guest rows.
*Gosh, I didnt even know half of them.*
She met Zai's Mama's eyes. She nodded to her stiffly and then looked away.
Finally, she focused her attention to her soon-to-be husband. Who's waiting at the end of the Isles. ZaiZai stood stoicly. His face didnt show any emotion whatsoever. He finally smiled at Barbie when she and Eddie reached his side. ZaiZai then took her hand from Eddie's.
"Take care of my girl." Said Eddie. ZaiZai nodded solemnly.
*This is wrong*
Just like in cartoon, Michelle's accusing face pops up on her left shoulder.
*You can't do this Bie. I know that you love Jerry not ZaiZai!*
This time, Rainie's on her right shoulder.
"No, please not now." Barbie muttered under her breath.
ZaiZai glanced down at her and asked "Are you okay?"
Barbie nodded sheepishly. But then her own inner thoughts started to wonder.
The scenes from the past started playing through her mind again. All the reason why she cant marry ZaiZai or anyone else in the world.
"Dear beloved." The priest started as he opened his bible. "We gathered here today to celebrate the union of ZaiZai and Barbie Hsu."
*This is wrong Barbie*
~~~~~~
"I love you, Barbie. Dont ever doubt that."
~~~~~~~
"The couple had request of my--"
Barbie couldnt hear a thing as she trapped in her own world of whys
~~~~~~~~
"Please, Barbie. Dont leave me again."
~~~~~~~~
"If any man can show just cause why these two shouldnt be together eternally and not lawfully joined together, let him speak now or forever hold his peace."
The silence was unbearable. Rainie, Zhi Ling, and Michelle are all itching to object. But before they could even opened their big-fat mouths..
"I do."
Someone said clear and loud enough to everyone inside the church to hear. They're all chuckled nervously. Wondering what happens
"Eh," Chastised Ana Zhou to her son. "It's not coming to that part yet."
"No." Said ZaiZai calmly "I do object this marriage to be happen."
Barbie closes her eyes and lets out a small smile. But she still doesnt understand ZaiZai though.
"And may I asked you why?" Glared the mother.
"Because she's still married to me." Thundered someone. It was Jerry. He stood tall and handsome inside the church. Determination shown on his stubborn face as he made his way towards the couple.
Rainie and Michelle high-fived instantly
All people gasped and swifted their heads towards the intruder's voice.
"She still hasnt signed her divorce papers."
Barbie winced at her own stupidity. And boy what a relief she had because of it.
Barbie turned around and her eyes met her stubborn husband's. Jerry looked like he was prepared to fight for his right. That is to claim his legal wife.
"This is better than soaps." Whispers Xu Mama from the front row to her husband. The latter nods.
"Oh man. What took you so long?" Groans ZaiZai to now-panting Ken Zhu. "I almost tempted to say other wise."
"I--" Ken wipes his sweaty brows "had to hitchhike and then had to fight this idiot from barging into the church."
"Dont you think it's too late for that?" Grinned Michelle "Thank god you came on time, J." She then looked at Barbie accusingly "have I not told you on how I feel about bows?!!" She pointed the huge one under her chest. "I looked like an over ripe melon!"
"Ei, that's his Ma's decision, you know?" whispered Rainie. "Not Bie."
"WHAT'S GOING ON IN HERE!!!!" Shouted Ana Zhou angrily. "And who is this trash?" She pointed to Jerry.
Barbie steps out and blocking her from strangling Jerry. "He's my husband. And dont you dare calling him trash!"
"Why you little bitch!" She screamed and lunged to Barbie "I knew it from the beggining that you were nothing but a cheap little whore."
"ENOUGH MA!" Thundered ZaiZai. He then looked at Barbie who's hand now laced with Jerry's. "You two better go now." He winked.
Barbie pulled away from Jerry and stared at ZaiZai tearily "Zai, I'm sorry for eveything and I--"
He raises a finger to Barbie's lips to shush her. "I understand. I appreciated the efforts. But Barbie you dont love me."
"I do." Smiled Barbie
"But whatever you felt about me didnt even measures on how you feels about Jerry, right?"
Barbie bits her bottom lips and nods. "You have no idea how sorry I am, Zai."
"I know you are. And that's the reason enough for you to save me from the whole humiliation, right? By trying to keep the engagement on."
Barbie closes her eyes.
It's heard to tell your mind to stop loving someone when your heart still does. ZaiZai knows that first hand. He cupped Barbie's face and making her to look up "Remember when I said that my heart is going to break into million pieces with the idea of you with somebody else?"
Barbie nodded tearfully
"Well," he said in a strange voice "there goes number one."
Barbie lunged forwards and sobs in his chest. ZaiZai pulled her tighter as Jerry and the rest of the church watching them.
Jerry smiled sadly to himself. He knew that this was going to be hard for everyone. Especially to ZaiZai. He had been in ZaiZai's shoes anyway.
The two finally pulled away. "You looked horrible." Teased ZaiZai.
Barbie laughed
"You had mascara all over your face and who could forget the red nose."
Barbie laughed again.
ZaiZai shifted his attention to Barbie's husband "I think I'm going to past this one for you, Jerry. She's too ugly for my taste."
Barbie punched his shoulder playfully.
ZaiZai laughed and glanced down at his beloved almost-wife.
People say that you know you trully love someone when their happiness means the world to you
..even when you're not a part of it..
And you cant actually hold onto something that doesnt want to be held onto. That's for sure.
"I'll be okay." He assured Barbie. To Jerry he said "Take care of her for me, Jerry. What a great woman you have here as a wife."
"I will Mr Zhou. And yes, she is. I definitely am a lucky one." He looked at Barbie. Love was flowing freely in his deep eyes.
"It's ZaiZai." He said as he holds out his hand. Jerry shakes his hand back anthusiaticly as the two men in Barbie's life exchanging understanding looked.
"Oh, alright."
"WHERE DO YOU THINK YOU'RE GOING, WHORE?!" Zhou Mama stopped Barbie from walking away. "We're not done yet! Just wait cause I'm going to sue the hell out of you!"
"Mrs Zhou, I'm sorry for everything, really." Apologized Barbie. She doesnt care about the name-calling 'cause she knew that she deserves it.
"And you think you can just forget everything with a simple 'sorry? Did you know how much it costed me for the whole fucking thing?"
"Ma!"
But Zhou Mama was on the roll that she didnt care about her son's warning tone. "How dare you! How dare *you* humiliated me in front of the world!" She looked at the reporter who had been camping outside the church since yesterday and now crazilly taking pictures of her "EH! I want the copies or I'll sue you too!!"
"Mama enough!"
She pushes ZaiZai away and continue. "Did you know that I almost closed the deal with the realtor for my project?" She was now shaking Barbie by the shoulders. "And I actually invited them all here to your wedding? And this is all I get for a thank-you??!!"
Barbie clenched her hands into ball of fists. She wont get her emotion running because of this. She had to stay calm. No matter what.
"She didnt ask for any of that you 'sicko witch!" Protested Michelle. "You are the one who invited them!"
People started to chuckle.
"Mrs Zhou," Xu mama stepped aside. Trying to calm the other lady down. "I'm sure that there's a solution for this. Zaizai himself was the one who stopped the wedding."
Zhou Mama glares at her almost-in-laws "What do you know you hilly billies? Why dont you go home and cook something." She sneered.
That's it!
One minutes, the old dragon was yakking non stop miles an hour, and the next she was sprawling on the ground, clutching her now swollen cheek
"No one talks like that to my Mama and get away with it." Yelled Barbie as she massage her left hand.
"Ouch." Grinned Zaizai "That was quite a blow." He assisted his Ma to stand up. "What I have told you about manners, Ma?"
There are snickered all over the room. The friends, leads by Michelle started to clap. Making Zhou Mama furious.
"You can take the girl out of the ghetto but you cant take the ghetto out of girl." Laughed Ken as he watched his bestfriends walking away hand in hand outside the church
*********
Jerry had been pacing back and forth for half an hours now but still hasnt opened his mouth.
Barbie looked at him fearfully. She doesnt know what in his mind right now. It was easy when they were around people earlier but now..
They were now at the local park outside the city. She and her friends used to play here as a kid.
"Jerry." She sits on a swing and pleaded "Talk to me."
A beat
"I was on my way to airport when Ken stopped me." Admitted Jerry as he took the swing next to hers. "My first plan was to go to somewhere far far away from Kending and making myself rich and succesfull and someday making a huge comeback to our hometown. I wanted to show you that I could be like Zaizai, you know? I want you to be proud of me too. And probably you then'd changed your mind about ZaiZai."
"I am proud of you Jerry. No matter what you are." Whispered Barbie. "You dont need to impress me with anything."
"My second plan was to kidnap you in the middle of the night before the wedding." Sighed Jerry as he took the swing next to hers.
"I wish you did."
Jerry looked down and then shakes his head "Too bad that I was too chicken to do that."
"I was wrong when I thought that I could live without you." Admits Barbie "I thought I could just move forward with my life and go on with the future." A lonely tear falls down her cheek. "I'm sorry for bringing this whole wreck back into your life, Jerry."
Jerry turned his swing towards Barbie's direction. "I hate to see you cry, Shan-Shan." He wipes her face with the back of his hand. "I'm a small town guy. How can you be sure that you'd even be interested in me now." He motioned towards her "I mean, look at you. You are gorgeous."
Barbie's cheek pinken with the flattery. "I may not have liked you, but I've always *loved* you. I'm pretty sure you havent liked me much either, but because I know you havent really changed--not in the way that really counts--I know that you loved me too. Why else'd you have known exactly how to drive me insane."
"Maybe that's just who I am." Jerry suggested, raising an eyebrow. "I drive Zhi Ling and Rainie in regular basis."
Barbie chuckles.
Jerry met her eyes and she saw the mood shifted. "I'm yours Barbie. I've been yours since I even knew what love really was. But I was too blind back then. And the idea scares the crap out of me. When you left, a part of me dies. You took my heart with you. The desolation that was left is something I pray that you never have to experience."
"Jerry." Barbie said with a shaky voice, knowing it was true, having *felt* it only moments before. Her guilt crashed down on her in a wave so intense, her knees weaked and she felt herself falling.
"Dont." He said, pulling his hand from her face to place a silencing finger on her lips. Bie was amazed and humbled beyonds words at the gentleness of his gesture, even as he was unceremoniously telling her to be quiet. "I need to say this."
Barbie nodded her head as Jerry pulled his hand away
"It killed me, Bie. Everyday you were gone was a little more of me that dies. You left nothing behind. There was a gaping hole where my heart was and a bottomless pit where my soul had been. But the thing that scares me the most was the realization that almost brings me to my knees. The fact that I'd do it again. I'd live through it again just to have that moments when you showed up on my doorstep. The minute I saw you at Ah Zhen's grave I started to succumb and finally knew I wasnt strong enough to resist you. And deep down I didnt want to. Ever.
There was a reason why I never signed those stupid papers after all. But I remember with every fiber in my being what it was like for me when you left. And the fact that I'm not strong enough to resist you, at the risk of going through it again is horryfying."
Barbie cupped his face in her palms "If sorry was enough.."
He turned his face a bit then kissed the palm of Barbie's hand lovingly.
"When I left here, I had nothing of myself to take with me. Every ounce of who I was, every feeling I'd ever felt, I left lying on the doorstep of our home. I felt nothing, I couldnt even cry. Because I'd left everything in me capable of feeling emotion right here in Kending. Right here with you."
"So I had you and you had me? If we'd only gotten together, we'd have done some damage control, huh?"
Barbie felt a stab to her heart at Jerry's half attempt at humor. He was right. They both had been walking around, each of them halves of a whole.
Barbie felt a lump in her throat, she clenched her jaw. She'd to say this to him, owed him this.
"I want to say that I'm sorry, Jerry. I'm sorry that I wasnt as faithful to you as you were to me the whole time."
"We both did what we had to do, Bie." Jerry said quietly "You'd just have misinterpreted how close Zhi Ling and I are. I know that he was to you too."
"What a fool pair we had been, huh?" Smiled Jerry after a long heart-to-heart realization.
"I guess that's a right words to describe us." Chuckled Barbie "And just because of that thing we had to--"
"Marry me."
Barbie was stunned to hear that. She thought that she was hearing things. Cause never in her live had Barbie expected Jerry to utter that words..to her "What?" She whispered in disbelief
"Marry me Barbie." Jerry said to her again shakily.
"Ben dan." Answered Barbie after seems like forever. She was now laughing and sobbing at the same time. "My stupid Ben dan husband. I am still your wife."
Jerry wipes her face lovingly.
"I never asked you in a proper way." Said Jerry as slids off from the swing and bends to one knee. "I'm afraid that you're going to stuck with me for the rest of your life. So Barbie Xu--"
"--it's Yan." Protested Barbie playfully as tears striming down her cheeks.
Jerry smiled and pulled something from inside his pocket. A small velvet box. Inside laid a simple ring that he'd given her seven years ago.
"You are the single most important human being to ever grace my existance, and I'm hopelessly in love with you." He said as he opens the lids. "Will you remarry me?"
Barbie jumped and hugged him, causing him to fall back to the ground "YES!"
For a second time in month, Barbie received proposal from men who wanted to spend the rest of their lives with her. But this time, she knows that she makes a right decision.
"It's not from Tiffany and I couldnt afford to rent Mr Lau's diamond showroom to give you this." Said Jerry teasingly as Barbie slids the ring back to her finger.
"I'll take this one anytime Mr Yan." Laughed Barbie as she hugged him. "But I dont understand though. Why do you want to remarry me?"
Jerry glanced down and pushes her hair off of her face
"So I can kiss you anytime I want."
And so he did just that
*********
"Ladies and gentlement." Announced Ken as he opened the front door of his house, where he and Rainie celebrated their bestest friends happy day "Please welcome Mr and Mrs Jerry Yan! AGAIN!!"
The group of friends and familly who gathered in Ken's house started to clap as Jerry and Barbie making their entrance.
They were welcome with endless hugs and kisses from everybody.
"Ken." Said Barbie as she and Jerry was about to make their first dance as husband and wife.
"Yeah?" Answered Ken, ready to play his CD player.
"Please make it a slow one."
"Aye aye boss!!!"
'Sweet Home Alabama' from Lynyrd Skynyrd was playing a second later as the newly wed couple exchange loving kisses
Create a free website at Webs.com