Imperfect Desires

We often hear people say that love is when you instantly feel happy seeing the person you love happy. But why do people not talk about friendship like that? In my opinion, love and friendship aren't that far off from each other. Oftentimes, there is a very thin line between the two. So can't we say, the best way to define friendship is when you feel happy just seeing your friend happy?

Well, at least, that's how Dylan described friendship. And for that very reason, he was skipping around, whistling like a fool as if it wasn't Darren who found the love of his life but rather it was him. Xiu had been right about him, he really had managed to keep his childlike innocence even though he saw the worst of people. Just like the fact that even though he was heartbroken and he stopped looking for love that didn't mean that he stopped loving. 

Instead, for some reason, Dylan really learned the value of love when he felt heartbroken for the first time in his life. And that's why he loved everyone around him with even more passion. That's why he was so protective of everyone around him including Darren.

As he arrived at his parent's place, looking like an idiot, he met the housekeeper at the door and inquired about his mother. And knowing that his mother had been in the kitchen since the time she had talked to him over the phone, Dylan's smile widened. He put off his coat and gave it to the housekeeper, rolling his sleeves, he went straight towards the kitchen. 

His senses were overwhelmed even before he entered the kitchen because of the delicious aromas assaulting him temptingly. Slowly and sneakily, he came behind his mother and... "Boo!"

"Ah!" Zhao Wei placed a hand over her chest and hit his head with the spatula in her hand saying, "Hedi, aren't you old for these pranks now? You scared me so badly."

Dylan didn't mind her rebuking him as he wrapped his arms around her waist from behind and placed his chin on her shoulder saying, "Ma!"

"What?" replied Zhao Wei as she picked up a new spatula to stir the vegetables on the stove.

"Ma!" said Dylan once again but this time dragging his words a little like a kid.

"What is it?" said Zhao Wei with a slight annoyance in her tone. Just as Dylan opened his mouth, she added, "If you called me once again, I'm gonna hit you again." Dylan didn't speak after that but he didn't let her go either. Whenever his mother moved around the kitchen, he followed along like a lost child. "Son, what's wrong with you? Why are you following me like you used to do when you wanted a candy? Your food is almost ready. Go and take a shower, I'll serve it for you."

Dylan shook his head saying, "I don't wanna let go."

A line appeared between her brows. She placed a hand against his cheek and asked, "What's wrong? Why are you being this clingy today?"

"Nothing, I just missed you," answered Dylan straightforwardly.

"You missed me? I wonder why is that?" questioned Zhao Wei as she narrowed her eyes at him suspiciously.

"Ma, I can't miss you? I always miss you the most. Well, I actually am missing dad even more. I haven't seen him in months. Can you both stop fighting already?" Dylan whined while tugging at her apron with a pouty face.

"When did I fight with your dad? He is just busy. Don't assume things on your own. By the way, you only come to me when no one else gives you attention." She pinched his cheeks saying, "Are you looking for mom's attention again? My attention seeker!"

Dylan smiled unapologetically as he nodded and said, "That's not all. Today, I'm really love deprived as well." He was stuffed with Darren and Xiu's show of affection so much that he needed someone to remind him that he was the most beloved child. And what better way than to look for the person who loved him unconditionally?

Zhao Wei sighed out and beckoned him to hunch a little. As he did, she caressed his head saying, "Your dad is right. It's all my fault that you're so spoiled. Who comes to look for their mother at this age when they are feeling lonely?"

"I do," replied Dylan as if it was something to be proud of. Zhao Wei facepalmed herself and shook her head while he said, "By the way, why are even listening to dad? In my opinion, the person who spoiled me the most is my dad himself."

"I wish, I could disagree," replied Zhao Wei and pushed him out of the kitchen saying, "First take a shower. I'll bring dinner out."

Dylan puffed up his cheeks as he shook his shoulders before stomping away. Zhao Wei gaped at his reaction as she wondered out loud, "At this rate, I think he needs a babysitter rather than a girlfriend. Which girl would want a big baby like him? He really worries me to death!"

Just before entering the bathroom, Dylan had texted Darren as something came to his mind. The text read; "You said to your girlfriend, we don't fight. But would you really not want to fight if she is the one you're fighting for?"

Just when Dylan came out, he was drying his hair with the towel when his phone dinged and he picked it up to read Darren's reply. It read, "I can fight for Sweets anytime with anyone. She's the only one who's worth fighting for in my life. But that doesn't mean I'm willing to lose a brother like you. So stop overthinking!"

A smile spread on his face as he read the text and was startled when he heard his mother's voice, "I heard if someone smiles while reading a text. That person is so destroyed."

"Ma, I told you a million times to knock the door before entering," said Dylan.

"So?" Zhao Wei shrugged her shoulders nonchalantly. "It's not like you're hiding a girl in here. I'd be over the moon if there was a girl hiding in here." She hit her shoulder with his arm as she wiggled her brows asking, "Stop trying to distract me and tell me who was texting you."

"Darren," replied Dylan and even shook his phone screen before her eyes. 

Zhao Wei's smile vanished into thin air as she muttered, "At this rate, I think you should marry Darren then." Dylan almost choked on his own saliva as he gaped at his mother in disbelief. 

"Don't even think about it, do you want his girlfriend to strangle me or something? She already is looking for excuses to run me over with a car. Even planned to bury me in her back garden but it's fortunate that she didn't have a back garden." 

Zhao Wei listened to his rambling before hitting his head. "You idiot son of mine! Even my Regan found a bride. When are you gonna do it? I want grandchildren."

Dylan hugged her small frame and said, "Ma, I don't want to. If I really had a child, you'll give all my love to him. I don't want that. I'm already sharing you with my niece. Don't test me more than that."

Zhao Wei hit his chest and said, "You childish and dramatic bitch! Grow up!" Dylan gaped at his mother in shock because of her choice of words. His mother had to take a moment before she calmed herself and said, "Where is Regan? Why didn't he come with you? I cooked so much food. Ask him to come as well."

"He went on a dinner date with his girlfriend," answered Dylan trying to hide how he rolled his eyes.

Zhao Wei thought about it before saying, "Tell him to bring her with him. I have to meet her anyway."