Fate 缘 Chapter 8
2nd September 1999, Thursday
“Dan! I’ve got a job for you.” Ken ran towards Dan who was walking towards the swimming pool getting ready for their weekly Dragon Boat training.
“Oh, really? Where and what job?”
“Service crew at China Black.”
“Pub? I don’t think so, Granny would not be happy to hear that.”
“For two reasons, I think you would want to keep Granny in the dark and take up this job.”
“Two reasons? What?” Dan raised his eyebrow.
“First, you said you want a job which you can concentrate on your studies and earned some good money. I know the boss, I can get him to give you a higher pay than the rest. Plus, you only need to work on Fridays and Saturdays nights. Second, you would love me for this! Ash frequents China Black. I bet you would not give up the slightest chance to see her, right? Go home and think over the weekends. Let me know the answer next week.” Ken winked.
17th September 1999, Friday
“Dan, why are you here?” Ash was shocked to see Dan at China Black.
Dan never liked the clubbing scene. He always said that it was too loud and smoky for him; on top of that, he was sensitive to alcohol. On his 18th birthday, Ash and Pat celebrated his birthday for him. They bought a few bottles of beer to drink and Dan started developing rashes after his first bottle. The condition worsens on the next day and after seeing the doctor, he was told that the rashes were a case of sensitivity.
“I work here.” Dan replied.
“What? Does Granny know about this?”
“Nope, help me to keep it from her.”
“Ok. But I thought you hated these kinds of places?”
“Well, Ken knows the boss here. I get pretty good pay. Plus I am only required to work on Fridays and Saturdays. In that case, my studies would not be affected much.”
“Oh, I see. Then I shall see you around, I’m going over to my friends now.” Ash pointed to a bunch of girls near the restrooms.
Deep inside, Dan was relieved when he saw no guy in the group. Subconsciously, he was actually smiling to himself.
“By the way, how do you usually get home?” Ash suddenly turned around and asked.
“We get to claim cab fares.”
“I see. In that case, you mind going home together after this? My friends do not live in the same area as me and I always have to take a cab by myself.”
“Sure! But you would have to wait till 4am. That is when they closed and then I can leave.”
“No problem on that. I’ll meet you at the lift lobby at ground floor!”
Ever since then, Ash always hitched a ride from Dan when she goes clubbing at China Black on Fridays. That became the only reason Dan looked forward to work.
24th December 1999, Friday
China Black was having a Christmas Countdown party. Dan was working as usual. At 11pm, he spotted Ash just like every Fridays for the past few months. However, there was someone else other that her usual clique. Behind the girls, Dan saw Leo. After the day, Leo broke the news to Dan that he was going after Ash, both of them never say a word about that. They pretended like nothing ever happened.
Dan was not sure what to comment on his buddy going after his beloved. Leo wants to keep his promise to Ash as he would not want to lose his chance with this special girl who met all his criteria of a goddess.
Leo noticed Dan looking at him from the bar counter, he smiled. Dan has forgotten if he returned the smile as he heard Ash’s voice amidst the loud music.
“Dan, I would not be sharing a cab with you tonight. Leo insists on sending me home later.”
“Oh, that’s fine. Enjoy yourself.” Dan forced a smile and walked off in the other direction as he saw Leo approaching them.
Throughout the night, Dan seemed to vanish into thin air. Ash saw no sight of him anywhere. Leo could see that Ash was not enjoying herself at all. He knew that she was bothered as he noticed Dan’s disappearance too. Leo was not very pleased about his date looking out for another guy. To suppress his anger, he ordered jugs of beer and gulped them down as if it was plain water.
It was 4am in the morning when Leo and Ash left. Wobbling with every step he took, Leo made his way to the car. Ash stood by the passenger’s door and hesitated. Leo spread across the seat and popped his head out.
“Why aren’t you getting in?”
“Leo, you are too drunk. Let’s just get a cab.”
An angry Leo stepped out of his car and walked towards Ash. He opened the door and shoved Ash in before slamming the car door. Within seconds, Leo speeded out of the car park, got to the main road and soon they were on the expressway.
“Leo, slow down. You are going too fast!” Ash shouted as she held tight to her seat belt.
“Shut the crap! You were always the one to call the shots. Now, it’s my turn!”
Just when Leo finished his sentence, his Lamborghini was turning round in circles. He had lost control of the car. The next moment, screeches were heard followed by a loud bang as the car hits the center divider before overturning and landed with four wheels up. A taxi coming from the back saw the whole accident; the driver stopped his vehicle and dialed for help.
Leo and Ash were rushed to the hospital. Dan informed Ash’s parents after she was wheeled into the operation room. He happened to be the passenger in the taxi behind them. Waiting outside the operation room, Dan could not help worrying. Ash’s dad was consoling Ash’s mum who has been crying after putting down the phone with Dan. The red light outside the operation room finally went out at 12.30pm on Christmas Day. From the looks on the doctors’ faces, Dan and Ash’s parents could not help imaging the worse that could have happened inside for the past 8 hours.
Gathering all his courage, Dan opened his mouth and asked, “Doctor, how is she?”
One of the doctors removed her mask and said, “We managed to keep her. But..”
There was a pause which seems like eternity to them.
“She might be semi-paralyzed from her waist down for the rest of her life. Her face injuries, we have tried our best to keep them at minimum. She is in an unconscious state now and we have no idea if she would ever be able to wake up.”
Ash’s mum fainted when the doctor finished her sentence. The blow was too great for her. Weariness from the lack of sleep took a toll on her too.
The doctor’s words echoed inside Dan’s head as he sat beside Ash. Her face was all bandaged and there were a few bruises on her hands. Tears rolled down Dan’s face as he held Ash’s hand with both palms.
“If only, I…”
Pat and Ken barged into the ward.
“Ash!” Pat cried as she stood by the bedside.
Ken placed his hand on Dan’s shoulder without saying a word. He knew that no amount of words can take away the hurt in Dan’s heart at that moment. Then he walked over and held Pat by her arms from behind.
“Ash is a strong girl, she would be fine.” Ken said as Pat turned around to find comfort in his hug.
“Ken, if only I’ve listened to you and start to court her all over again. This would not have happen. If I’ve stopped her from seeing Leo, she would not be lying here.”
“You mean Leo is the one who causes this?” Ken fumed.
Just then, the door opened and the Li’s family walked in.
“Our son was equally hurt and he knows that he is wrong. We would pay for Ms Zhang’s hospitalization fees.” Zen spoke.
“My dad has checked with the doctors. They said that even the best surgeons would not be able to help Ash get back 100% of her looks, scars definitely would be there. But we would still try our best to help source for one and pay for everything.” Leo said.
“Equally hurt? Mr Li, he only has a few scratches and torn clothes which probably with your fortune can buy millions of that. This girl lying here might never wake up again. Even if she does, she would be semi-paralyzed for the rest of her life. Just because your family is rich, you folks think that money can settle everything?” Dan stood up and looked at them with eyes flaming with anger.
“At least we would try to help her to get back her looks for you. I mean who would want an ugly girl for a girlfriend, right?” Leo tried to reason.
“For me? You were the one who said you are serious about her. I was a fool to give her up to you!”
“Hey! Let’s be fair, ok? I’ve said she scored full marks for my perfect kind of girlfriend. But now, she has lost her looks, so…” a blow from Dan stopped Leo from completing his sentence.
“Dan, no!” Ken grabbed Dan before he start beating the hell out of Leo.
“So, your name is Dan. For that, I can sue you for causing harm to my son.” Zen pointed his finger at Dan as he stood in front of Leo to protect him.
“Dad, forget it. Let’s just leave. These people aren’t appreciative of our help at all.” Leo helped himself up and stormed out of the room with his mum.
“On Leo’s account, I’m letting this rest. However, you better watch that temper of yours.” Zen warned.
“They are too much!” sobbed Pat.
“Forget it, treat that we never know that fishing bastard!” Ken said as he let loose his grip on Dan.
17th August 2001, Friday
It was graduation day for the students in the School of Business, Business IT and Accountancy. Each graduating student was given two tickets for their guests to attend the ceremony. Ken and Dan’s Granny were Dan’s guests. Pat’s parents were present to witness their daughter’s graduation.
“Dan, aren’t you staying for the reception?” Pat asked as she saw Dan walking out of the Grand Hall.
“No. I just received a call from Ash’s parents. The hospital called to inform that Ash has awakened. I need to rush down now.”
“My dad drove here, let’s go down together.”
Dan with Granny, Ken, Pat and her parents make their way to the hospital in Pat’s Dad’s Mazda 5.
P/S: Chapter 9 for tomorrow is scheduled to be posted at 12.30pm. =)
“Dan! I’ve got a job for you.” Ken ran towards Dan who was walking towards the swimming pool getting ready for their weekly Dragon Boat training.
“Oh, really? Where and what job?”
“Service crew at China Black.”
“Pub? I don’t think so, Granny would not be happy to hear that.”
“For two reasons, I think you would want to keep Granny in the dark and take up this job.”
“Two reasons? What?” Dan raised his eyebrow.
“First, you said you want a job which you can concentrate on your studies and earned some good money. I know the boss, I can get him to give you a higher pay than the rest. Plus, you only need to work on Fridays and Saturdays nights. Second, you would love me for this! Ash frequents China Black. I bet you would not give up the slightest chance to see her, right? Go home and think over the weekends. Let me know the answer next week.” Ken winked.
17th September 1999, Friday
“Dan, why are you here?” Ash was shocked to see Dan at China Black.
Dan never liked the clubbing scene. He always said that it was too loud and smoky for him; on top of that, he was sensitive to alcohol. On his 18th birthday, Ash and Pat celebrated his birthday for him. They bought a few bottles of beer to drink and Dan started developing rashes after his first bottle. The condition worsens on the next day and after seeing the doctor, he was told that the rashes were a case of sensitivity.
“I work here.” Dan replied.
“What? Does Granny know about this?”
“Nope, help me to keep it from her.”
“Ok. But I thought you hated these kinds of places?”
“Well, Ken knows the boss here. I get pretty good pay. Plus I am only required to work on Fridays and Saturdays. In that case, my studies would not be affected much.”
“Oh, I see. Then I shall see you around, I’m going over to my friends now.” Ash pointed to a bunch of girls near the restrooms.
Deep inside, Dan was relieved when he saw no guy in the group. Subconsciously, he was actually smiling to himself.
“By the way, how do you usually get home?” Ash suddenly turned around and asked.
“We get to claim cab fares.”
“I see. In that case, you mind going home together after this? My friends do not live in the same area as me and I always have to take a cab by myself.”
“Sure! But you would have to wait till 4am. That is when they closed and then I can leave.”
“No problem on that. I’ll meet you at the lift lobby at ground floor!”
Ever since then, Ash always hitched a ride from Dan when she goes clubbing at China Black on Fridays. That became the only reason Dan looked forward to work.
24th December 1999, Friday
China Black was having a Christmas Countdown party. Dan was working as usual. At 11pm, he spotted Ash just like every Fridays for the past few months. However, there was someone else other that her usual clique. Behind the girls, Dan saw Leo. After the day, Leo broke the news to Dan that he was going after Ash, both of them never say a word about that. They pretended like nothing ever happened.
Dan was not sure what to comment on his buddy going after his beloved. Leo wants to keep his promise to Ash as he would not want to lose his chance with this special girl who met all his criteria of a goddess.
Leo noticed Dan looking at him from the bar counter, he smiled. Dan has forgotten if he returned the smile as he heard Ash’s voice amidst the loud music.
“Dan, I would not be sharing a cab with you tonight. Leo insists on sending me home later.”
“Oh, that’s fine. Enjoy yourself.” Dan forced a smile and walked off in the other direction as he saw Leo approaching them.
Throughout the night, Dan seemed to vanish into thin air. Ash saw no sight of him anywhere. Leo could see that Ash was not enjoying herself at all. He knew that she was bothered as he noticed Dan’s disappearance too. Leo was not very pleased about his date looking out for another guy. To suppress his anger, he ordered jugs of beer and gulped them down as if it was plain water.
It was 4am in the morning when Leo and Ash left. Wobbling with every step he took, Leo made his way to the car. Ash stood by the passenger’s door and hesitated. Leo spread across the seat and popped his head out.
“Why aren’t you getting in?”
“Leo, you are too drunk. Let’s just get a cab.”
An angry Leo stepped out of his car and walked towards Ash. He opened the door and shoved Ash in before slamming the car door. Within seconds, Leo speeded out of the car park, got to the main road and soon they were on the expressway.
“Leo, slow down. You are going too fast!” Ash shouted as she held tight to her seat belt.
“Shut the crap! You were always the one to call the shots. Now, it’s my turn!”
Just when Leo finished his sentence, his Lamborghini was turning round in circles. He had lost control of the car. The next moment, screeches were heard followed by a loud bang as the car hits the center divider before overturning and landed with four wheels up. A taxi coming from the back saw the whole accident; the driver stopped his vehicle and dialed for help.
Leo and Ash were rushed to the hospital. Dan informed Ash’s parents after she was wheeled into the operation room. He happened to be the passenger in the taxi behind them. Waiting outside the operation room, Dan could not help worrying. Ash’s dad was consoling Ash’s mum who has been crying after putting down the phone with Dan. The red light outside the operation room finally went out at 12.30pm on Christmas Day. From the looks on the doctors’ faces, Dan and Ash’s parents could not help imaging the worse that could have happened inside for the past 8 hours.
Gathering all his courage, Dan opened his mouth and asked, “Doctor, how is she?”
One of the doctors removed her mask and said, “We managed to keep her. But..”
There was a pause which seems like eternity to them.
“She might be semi-paralyzed from her waist down for the rest of her life. Her face injuries, we have tried our best to keep them at minimum. She is in an unconscious state now and we have no idea if she would ever be able to wake up.”
Ash’s mum fainted when the doctor finished her sentence. The blow was too great for her. Weariness from the lack of sleep took a toll on her too.
The doctor’s words echoed inside Dan’s head as he sat beside Ash. Her face was all bandaged and there were a few bruises on her hands. Tears rolled down Dan’s face as he held Ash’s hand with both palms.
“If only, I…”
Pat and Ken barged into the ward.
“Ash!” Pat cried as she stood by the bedside.
Ken placed his hand on Dan’s shoulder without saying a word. He knew that no amount of words can take away the hurt in Dan’s heart at that moment. Then he walked over and held Pat by her arms from behind.
“Ash is a strong girl, she would be fine.” Ken said as Pat turned around to find comfort in his hug.
“Ken, if only I’ve listened to you and start to court her all over again. This would not have happen. If I’ve stopped her from seeing Leo, she would not be lying here.”
“You mean Leo is the one who causes this?” Ken fumed.
Just then, the door opened and the Li’s family walked in.
“Our son was equally hurt and he knows that he is wrong. We would pay for Ms Zhang’s hospitalization fees.” Zen spoke.
“My dad has checked with the doctors. They said that even the best surgeons would not be able to help Ash get back 100% of her looks, scars definitely would be there. But we would still try our best to help source for one and pay for everything.” Leo said.
“Equally hurt? Mr Li, he only has a few scratches and torn clothes which probably with your fortune can buy millions of that. This girl lying here might never wake up again. Even if she does, she would be semi-paralyzed for the rest of her life. Just because your family is rich, you folks think that money can settle everything?” Dan stood up and looked at them with eyes flaming with anger.
“At least we would try to help her to get back her looks for you. I mean who would want an ugly girl for a girlfriend, right?” Leo tried to reason.
“For me? You were the one who said you are serious about her. I was a fool to give her up to you!”
“Hey! Let’s be fair, ok? I’ve said she scored full marks for my perfect kind of girlfriend. But now, she has lost her looks, so…” a blow from Dan stopped Leo from completing his sentence.
“Dan, no!” Ken grabbed Dan before he start beating the hell out of Leo.
“So, your name is Dan. For that, I can sue you for causing harm to my son.” Zen pointed his finger at Dan as he stood in front of Leo to protect him.
“Dad, forget it. Let’s just leave. These people aren’t appreciative of our help at all.” Leo helped himself up and stormed out of the room with his mum.
“On Leo’s account, I’m letting this rest. However, you better watch that temper of yours.” Zen warned.
“They are too much!” sobbed Pat.
“Forget it, treat that we never know that fishing bastard!” Ken said as he let loose his grip on Dan.
17th August 2001, Friday
It was graduation day for the students in the School of Business, Business IT and Accountancy. Each graduating student was given two tickets for their guests to attend the ceremony. Ken and Dan’s Granny were Dan’s guests. Pat’s parents were present to witness their daughter’s graduation.
“Dan, aren’t you staying for the reception?” Pat asked as she saw Dan walking out of the Grand Hall.
“No. I just received a call from Ash’s parents. The hospital called to inform that Ash has awakened. I need to rush down now.”
“My dad drove here, let’s go down together.”
Dan with Granny, Ken, Pat and her parents make their way to the hospital in Pat’s Dad’s Mazda 5.
P/S: Chapter 9 for tomorrow is scheduled to be posted at 12.30pm. =)
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