Stars

‘Let’s meet up Melinda. Let’s go for a picnic.’

I read Leo’s text again and again. This was random. I felt uneasy going to meet him when he was so busy preparing for the world tour. Isn’t it a bit late for a picnic? Anyhow, it was the weekend and I had nothing to do at 5:00pm. I got ready and told my mum I was going out. I walked to the front door and texted Leo to ask for the details. I opened the door and jumped. “Leo! You scared me!” I breathed. He held a picnic basket and a picnic blanket was rolled neatly and placed on top. He smiled handsomely and kissed me on the forehead. I was so used to it that I didn’t flinch anymore. I heard my mum clear her throat behind me. I turned around and blushed. “Hello Mrs. Tran.” Leo bowed. “Hello young man. I’m just giving this umbrella to Melinda because the forecast said it may rain later.” My mum explained. “But mum, I don’t have anywhere to put it.” I said, showing her my bare hands. “Just bring it along.” She insisted. I sighed and took the umbrella. “Have fun.” She said in her mum-tone. I lightly rolled my eyes and smiled at her. “Bye mum. See you later.”

Leo took me further than I expected. He took me to a beautiful park with lovely green grass. I noticed that there were other people, couples, having picnics at this park too. “This park is famous for their peaceful scenery adequate for couples. They also have a special event at 6:00 which we will be able to see.” Leo said. I couldn’t help but overload with glee when he said “couples”. Were we a...couple? I smiled to myself. “Let’s sit.” Leo said. We found a nice space and spread out the picnic blanket. We ate, laughed and watched the sun set before us. It was nice to enjoy Leo’s company.
“Melinda, I have something to tell you…” Leo said slowly.
I looked at him and raised my eyebrows curiously. My mouth was too full with food to talk.
Leo gave a slight chuckle before telling me the news. “VIXX will be going on a world tour soon…”
My heart sank. And to think that the day was starting so well.
“We’ll – I’ll be gone for a long time and…I’m sorry for the bad timing.” Leo continued. He rubbed the back of his neck nervously.
“I know. It’s OK Leo.” I smiled weakly. “VIXX deserves this world tour, you’ve worked hard.”
“But, with everything that’s happened so far, I want to be there for you when you’re sad.”
“I wont be sad.” I said shaking my head. I knew I was lying. My life has been a rollercoaster of ups and downs; there is absolutely no guarantee that I will stop being sad.
“How will I protect you?” Leo asked me. “Who will come to your rescue when you need it?
I playfully punched his arm. “I don’t need protecting. I’m a big girl who can protect herself.” I said happily.
Leo looked sadly at me. Almost as if he wanted me to be weak and frail so he could protect me. His hands crept over to mine and held onto them. He looked deeply into my eyes and spoke. “Melinda, will you be my – “
There were sudden shouts of joy and excitement. I turned my head to see what was happening. Fairy lights on the trees lit up the night. People cheered and clapped. People started walking the way that the trees lead. “Let’s go.” Leo said with a cheeky smile. He offered me his arm, I looped my arm around his and we followed the other people.



We arrived at an open space which was decorated with more pretty lights and lanterns.



An orchestra was sitting on the side. The conductor smiled and bowed to everyone. He lifted his hands and the orchestra started playing a slow dance. “This is the event.” Leo said while smiling. The couples started dancing with each other. He held out his hand to me. “Shall I have this dance?” I gladly accepted his invitation and we started to dance. I wasn’t the best dancer. I’ve never danced like this before. He wrapped his arm around my waist and I rested my arm on his shoulder and we started slowly dancing. 1, 2, 3… 1, 2, 3… 1, 2, 3… and spin. Dancing was OK. It wasn’t as hard as I thought it would be. Without warning, Leo dipped me. I almost slipped because I didn’t see it coming. He held me in the dip and looked sharply into my eyes. I swallowed nervously. He brought me back upright. His eyes darted around anxiously before he spoke. He shoved his hand in his pant’s pocket. “Melinda, will you be my – “ We jumped at the sound of my ring tone blaring out of my pocket. “Sorry…” I excused myself. I let go of him and walked to the grass. I answered my phone. “Hello mum. What’s wrong?” I asked. “Dad is coming back early!” she said excitedly. “Hurry! I need you home so we can throw a ‘welcome home’ party! He’ll be home in 16 hours and we don’t have time tomorrow! I need you home now!” My mum was super excited to hear that my dad was coming home. Leo walked over to me. “Is everything OK?” he asked quietly. “Yeah. My mum wants me home right now because she wants to prepare a ‘welcome home’ party for my dad.” I smile at him. “I’m sorry if this ruined our – “ the word got caught in my throat, I couldn’t say it, I couldn’t say the word ‘date’. “time together.” I finished. Dammit all Melinda. You can’t say the word date in front of the guy you like? That’s just fabulous. He had a sad aura surrounding him, but he nodded and escorted me home.

He walked me up to my door. I tried to open the front door but it was locked and the lights inside my house weren’t on. I guess I had to wait for mum to get home from where ever she was. Leo was nice enough to wait with me too. “Today was wonderful.” I said to him. “Thank you for taking me to a special place.” “A special place for a special girl.” He replied. What? Did he just…? I felt my cheeks burn with embarrassment and joy. “A special girl with a special place in my heart…” he continued. I looked at him with wide eyes. He turned to face me. He stepped forward and I stepped back, but the door behind me limited me. I felt the cold wood through my shirt but I still felt hot. Leo put his arm on the door near my head and tucked hair behind my right ear. I didn’t bother untucking it, I couldn’t untuck it because my arms were stiff by my side. He slowly leaned in to me. Was this the moment? I closed my eyes and slowly leaned forward. I felt his warm breath against my lips and my heart leaped out of my chest. Suddenly lights flashed in my eyes. Leo moved away. The light blinded me and I couldn’t see anything but yellow. “Melinda! What are you doing?” my mum called. She pulled the car into the drive way and got out. Leo bowed before my mum and looked at his shoes. “Did you just get home?” mum asked me. “No, I’ve been waiting for you to get home…” I replied. “Silly girl. Cindy is home. You should have knocked or called her or something.” My mum unlocked the door with her set of keys. When the door was open she turned around to look at Leo. He bowed again, “I’ll be leaving Mrs. Tran. Good bye Melinda.” He said quickly. My mum gave him a suspicious look and he quickly walked away. She turned to me. “What were you doing with that boy?” she asked me.
I shrugged my shoulders. “Nothing.” I lied.
“Do you really expect me to believe that?”
I nodded.
“I’m not dumb, Melinda.”
“I know you’re not.”
“Then tell me what you were doing.”
“It’s not what you think!” I insisted.
“Oh. Yeah. OK then Melinda. To me, it looked like you were kissing.” She scoffed.
“But we didn’t.” I said with a cheeky smile.
“Are you dating that boy? No, he’s a young man.” She raised an eyebrow at me.
“No.” I said truthfully.
“I’m not dumb, Melinda.”
“I know you’re not.”
“Then tell me if you’re dating.”
“We’re not!”
“So, you almost kissed someone you’re not dating?” my mum asked.
I opened my mouth to retort, but she was right. I almost kissed Leo when we’re not even official. I guess my mum saw how confused I was so she sighed. “This is not the time to be talking about this. Help me get the bags into the house. We have the welcome home party tomorrow and we need to set up now!” she said. I helped my mum bring massive bags of groceries and plastic plates, bowls and cutlery. The three of us quickly wiped the house clean and moved the furniture around.

By the time we had finished setting up, it was already 12:00 in the morning. “I think I should take a day off tomorrow so I can cook…” my mum suggested. I sluggishly shrugged. “Can I go to bed now?” Cindy and I asked in unison. “I’ll take a day off work tomorrow.” My mum said gleefully.

I pulled the blanket up to my chin and snuggled in bed. I was so tired. It was odd that mum was taking a day off work for dad, then again, she loved my dad more than anything. I hope she doesn’t get in trouble. I wish one day, I could love someone as much as she loved dad.

Notes