Imperfect Desires

Ying was yawning as she waited for the food she ordered and for the person she called. She was feeling like a huge burden was off her shoulders knowing that Destiny wasn't Xin Zimen's daughter. So, now even her will to stay awake was waning away. She could just put her head down on the table and sleep peacefully. After all, she was used to sleeping at odd places.

But before she could act upon this certain ridiculous thought, Cali had already taken a seat beside her. "Where is she? How is she? She must be tall now? And very beautiful with her plump cheeks. She was always so adorable, I want to see her now. Tell me already."

Cali's excitement had literally no effect on Ying who was moving at her own pace which was like a sloth's pace, to be honest. Was she acting in a slow-motion picture or what?

"Can you tone it down a bit?" said Ying in annoyance. "My head is hurting. I can't handle your cheeriness at the moment."

Cali scowled unhappily at her before kicking her on the shin under the table. However, Ying's instinct was stronger and sharper than hers. Cali was used to street fights, Ying was a professional. They both had a huge gap. That's why Ying managed to escape so easily, unscathed.

"It'll take you another lifetime before you can hit me," challenged Ying making Cali's mouth twist.

"Are you really gonna waste time? I'm dying here from curiosity!"

The server put several dishes before Ying who rubbed her hands eagerly before picking up her chopsticks and digging in. "Curiosity killed a cat! Let something go in my stomach first. I'm famished."

Cali didn't say anything. She waisted so long, she certainly could stay a bit patient now, right? Well, it wasn't easy though as she saw Ying relishing in her food. Not being able to help herself, Cali also took that steak from her side and started eating without asking her. Not like Ying cared, she only gave a fleeting glance.

"Before I tell you who she is, or how she is. You need to know two things about your cousin," began Ying keeping a calm voice. "First, her name is not Destiny anymore. Second, she has no recollection of her time as Destiny as well."

"What?" Cali squinted her eyes at Ying.

"Amnesia. She has amnesia. She doesn't even remember you or anything related to you. Heck! She doesn't even remember her own previous self."

Cali was staring at her with a baffled look. She had expected this scenario once in her head that perhaps, Destiny had lost her memory and that's why she never reach out to her. Why did it come true?

"I'm very serious," added Ying before she could even question her. "After her mother's death, she was adopted into a very nice and cozy family. It's actually her best friend's family that took care of her like their own. And right now, she has a good job. She also has a very good boyfriend. And she is also very happy. Most of all, she's a very likable person. One you'd instantly want to get close to."

"You know her in person?" Cali voiced her question because the way Ying talked about Destiny showed that she knew her. As in she knew her personally. Not just from the information she had gotten.

Ying nodded her head, "Yeah! She turned out to be a friend's girlfriend. I can't even tell you how close she was and I'd been looking for her everywhere. It really blew my own mind at this bizarre coincidence."

"I want to meet her," said Cali.

Ying had expected this reply. She was actually waiting for those words. She wiped her face with the napkin and said, "I can take you to her but I met her doctors who said that any stress on her brain can be harmful to her mental health. Besides, she really does seem happy with the life she's living. It's been over five years but she seems to be living perfectly without those memories. It makes me question whether she really needs the reminder of those bad memories."

Cali looked at Ying who continued, "The girl watched her mother die. She was alone and must have been scared back then as well. Must have faced some other bitterness as well. Maybe her brain really doesn't want her to remember those things again. Maybe that's her defense mechanism against her sadness." She took a brief pause before adding, "And you might know that even sadness can kill a person."

"I don't want to hurt her," said Cali. "I just want to see her. I want to get close to her before telling her who I am. I think in that way, her mind would get accustomed to me."

Cali might be an Orthopedic surgeon, but she was familiar with how dangerous it could get if he acted carelessly around Xiu. People with mental health issues had to be handled with care and gentleness. It was necessary to stay patient with them and she was gonna be just that. Apart from that, every word that Ying said made perfect sense. There has to be a reason why Xiu wasn't able to recover her memories. Maybe she really didn't want to.

Ying thought about what Cali said and felt like she was right. Before telling Xiu anything they needed to make sure that Xiu was calm and composed besides, her mind was comfortable in Cali's presence.

"Okay. I'll take you to her. But I just visited her place yesterday, I can't just barge in today as well," said Ying with a thoughtful look. Indeed, she had an excuse yesterday but if she made another stupid excuse, Xiu would catch up to her. "How about we plan it for another day? You can also study about her situation well."

Cali also thought it was right to do. She shouldn't be hasty. Besides, it was more than enough to know that her cousin was okay. And she was happy. Also, that she was living her life fully. 

"I say she's better than you though," said Ying as she took a sip of her lemonade. "Don't glare at me. She is younger than you and yet she has a boyfriend, a sister-like best friend, a good sense of fashion, and a bright future. Where are you at girl? Because I just saw you at the lonely single's street!" Ying laughed at her own stupid words while Cali only pressed her lips into a hard line.

"Shouldn't you look at yourself before pointing your finger at me?" Cali really didn't weird being so casual with Ying now. 

"I've decided to die alone. I'm gonna embrace myself from now on and look at the bright future with myself."

"That sounds like something a heartbroken person would say."

"Shut up!" Ying grumbled at her making Cali chuckle.

Cali was in a very good mood now that she had information about her cousin. Even though she didn't know Destiny's new name or her address or anything. It was enough that Ying knew for now. 

'We'll meet soon, Cousin!' Cali smiled to herself at this thought.