Watching cartoons, Hyson commented, "Ellie, you're just like Doraemon."
"Am I now?" questioned Raelle and looked up at the cartoons playing on the tv. She looked at that blue cat called Doraemon and tried to find out why she was like that cat?
Hyson nodded his head vigorously, "Yes, you are."
"Are you calling me a robot?" asked Raelle. Hyson looked at her as she continued, "Isn't that a robotic cat?"
Hyson facepalmed himself, "That's not what I meant."
"Then please do tell what you really mean."
Hyson pulled up his legs and sat cross-legged while facing her. "It's like this, whenever something goes wrong with Nobita, he goes to look for Doraemon."
"That boy really likes complaining," Raelle came to that conclusion while watching these cartoons.
"Nobita goes to Doraemon, not because he knows that Doraemon will be able to help him it out," explained Hyson.
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇt"Then?"
"It's because Doraemon is his spiritual pillar!" stressed Hyson. "Doraemon is that existence is his life whom he knows he can depend on in any kind of situation. He knows that even if everything went wrong, Doraemon would be there for him."
"Where are we getting with this discussion?"
"I'm just letting you know that you're also my spiritual pillar. Although you aren't as resourceful as Doraemon, you have your plus points as well."
"If you want to compliment me, just do it," said Raelle. "There is no need to go round and round about it."
Hyson shook his head at her and turned his head towards the tv as he said, "Indeed, you're pretty awesome."
Even though Raelle didn't like cartoons since her childhood, she still didn't ask Hyson to change to another channel. Since he wanted to watch it, she won't be getting in his way. In fact, as always she stayed quietly beside him. And even watched the cartoons with him as if she was absorbed into it.
Shui Xian got up and brought some packets of chips. He offered it to both Raelle and Hyson. He also opened cans of beer and placed them before them. He was really thoughtful as he even opened the can of beer and offered it to Raelle while he took a seat on his other side this time.
With his one arm draped over her shoulder, he fed her chips with his other hand.
Hyson unconsciously took his favorite paprika-flavored chip pack and opened it. His hand dug into the pack and thin but flavorful crisps went into his mouth. He let out a content sigh, "This is delicious." Suddenly, he paused and looked at the pack of chips with an unsightly expression. "This has so many calories. I shouldn't eat it." He tried to drop the pack of chips but then didn't with the excuse that, "I already opened it now. Let's just eat it. Wasting food is not good."
"What is he doing?" asked Shui Xian in a low voice.
"He is showing you how much of an idiot he is," answered Raelle. "Don't mind him. He is happy in his own world. You really don't have to give him unnecessary attention."
"Okay," replied Shui Xian and yet he couldn't look away from the hesitation on Hyson's face as he continued to convince himself that only one pack of chips won't hurt him.
Shui Xian didn't know how it happened but it seemed that along the way, his own attention was drawn to the tv. And just like that, three grown-up adults spent their evening watching cartoons with gusto.
"If I had that Anywhere door, I'd have made a trip to the beach right now," said Hyson in a distressed tone.
"Why this sudden urge to see the beach?" asked Raelle.
"I just feel like it," replied Hyson.
"Fai really knows how to speak up his mind," commented Shui Xian.
"What's the point of hiding it in your heart?" retorted Hyson. "Things get rotten when they are left inside for too long. And humans are no different. Once we stop speaking out our minds, our thoughts end up eating us... Inside out!"
"Fai, are you alright?" asked Shui Xian in worry. He didn't know why he felt strange looking at Hyson like this. Although he was still his happy self, Shui Xian could tell something wrong.
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏm"I'm fine," replied Hyson with a toothy grin. "Sorry for taking your couple time but I just wanted to spend some time with Ellie. Sorry for intruding like this."
Shui Xian shook his head, "That's not what I meant. I just thought that if you have something on your mind, you can say it all."
Hyson chuckled at him, "Xian Ge, I really am not the kind of person to keep things in my heart. What needed to be said, I have already shared it with Ellie."
Raelle patted Shui Xian's hand that was on her shoulder to reassure, "He is fine. Don't worry about him."
Once his wife had spoken up, how could Shui Xian say anything else?
After reassuring her husband, she turned to her best friend and said, "Now, scram!"
Hyson nodded his head and stood up saying, "Now I know. You are really a changed person now. Actually, kicking out your best friend for your husband? So cruel!"
"You're going or not?"
Hyson stood up and took a can of beer along with a few packs of chips saying, "I'll take these as my consolation fee. Bye-bye!" As he was about to leave, he turned around and called out, "Xian Ge!" Shui Xian looked back at him as he went on, "Enjoy your bedtime story. In tonight's episode, my handsome debut in Ellie's life is happening. So, make sure to enjoy it!"
It Shui Xian a moment to realize what Hyson's last words meant. And his thoughts cleared when Raelle said, "He is right. I did meet him because of that third kidnapping."
Shui Xian's body stiffened. He couldn't help it.. Kidnapping in itself was horrible but hearing about Raelle's experience made him feel a whole lot more worse.