Reyona’s Revenge

They requested that the first course be Chinese chicken meatballs, much to Junior’s delight.

The sticky, yet savoury dish was an eye-opener for Reyona, and she wondered how much more she had been missing.

It was garnished with sesame seeds and green onions, which did nothing to detract from the slightly spicy taste of the mouthwatering meal.

After that, they had Kung Pao chicken, sweet and sour pork, Peking roast duck, Mapo tofu, chow mein and Wonton soup successively.

By the time they rounded everything up with mango pudding, the pipa music that was trickling in from the room next room had risen in frenzy.

Even Junior was silent, as they simply enjoyed the culture of another country through the food and music.

By the time they were leaving, the attendants informed them that their private room was next to a shopping centre where they could get their children any Chinese paraphernalia and clothes they might want.

Though Reyona felt a bit weird when the attendants assumed they were a family of a couple and their children out for a good time, she didn’t say anything to dispute the fact.

“Why not?” she said, and Maxwell nodded as well.

“Who wants to go shopping?”

“Me! Me! Me!” they both chorused.

Reyona wished they would forever be as happy as they were at that moment.

The mega-shopping centre that had been cleverly nestled close to the restaurant had a large variety of items, from the most practical to the silliest of toys and gifts.

When they were getting clothing for the kids, they cajoled Reyona to try something out too.

“Please, do,” Maxwell added to their plea. “I just know you are going to look magnificent in whatever you put on.”

Reyona eventually tried the Qipao.

The dress fitted her like a dream.

The cream-coloured, tight-fitting, shin-length dress has a standing collar with an asymmetric left-over-right opening and two side slits.

It was beautifully embroidered with the emblem of a magnificent phoenix rising in a wraparound way that goes from the back to the front. Exquisite knot buttons adorned the front to the midriff and the hazel green embroidery matched well with Reyona’s eyes.

“Woah! Reyona, you are so beautiful!” Junior exclaimed loudly as she came out of the dressing room.

His exuberant statement grabbed the attention of others and Reyona quickly told him “Thank you,” as she bent down towards him to prevent people from staring at her.

That was when it hit her.

What are they doing?

This was supposed to be just an arrangement that was known to only them and people close to them.

What if someone recognised her and…

As she hastily stood up, she came face to face with Maxwell, who had come closer to her.

He leaned towards her and gave her a quick peck on the cheek as he said “He is right, wifey. You are breathtaking. Now, how can I be the odd man out? Wait here.”

With that, he went to get into the store and came back in no time with his regal-looking Changsan robe which made him look like a prince.

Then he raised the slitted robe and wiggled his eyebrows as he showed the Ku trousers he had underneath.

Reyona doubled over with laughter at the bulky-looking cream-coloured trousers that seemed to be held in place by the elastic band of the trouser end.

“What is this?” Reyona said as she tried to curb her laughter.

“You look silly” Allysyn said as Maxwell threw his head back arrogantly and struck a pose, then he raised his arms and started moving in what was supposed to be a regal walk but ended up looking like a waddle because of the bulky trousers.

“Oh, please, please. Just stop, okay? You look…” Reyona sucked in her breath to stop her laughter as Junior clapped his hands while jumping around, which only egged Maxwell on. “You look ridiculous”

She finally managed to say, then almost squealed as he suddenly caught her in his arms and dipped her in a semblance of a dance.

“What are you doing?” Reyona muttered in a hushed whisper as she looked around to see if they had attracted attention again.

“Let…”

Maxwell stopped her statement with a resounding kiss, after which he grinned at her surprised face and said “I love to see you laugh.”

Reyona wanted to go change, so they could leave, but he told her to leave it on.

Before Reyona could protest, Junior had started clamouring that he would like to change into his Hanfu as well.

Even Allysyn was quick to say she didn’t mind changing.

Just like that, they left the centre dressed like a Chinese family on tour.

Reyona had no idea why, but she started feeling uncomfortable about the whole thing.

Maybe they should have just stayed at home and found a different way to entertain the kids.

Just when Reyona thought the kids would be tapped out, Junior asked if they could go watch Doctor Check Up at the cinema.

He had heard a friend at school say they were recently showing it.

“Doctor checkup? Never heard of it.” Maxwell said, then he asked Reyona. “Have you?”

“Not at all. I suppose it might be a cartoon though” she said as she took out her phone to check.

She smiled as she looked away from the phone.

“What?” Maxwell asked.

“I think you might have a boy who is obsessed with everything Chinese on your hands.”

“Don’t tell me it is about…”Content rights by NôvelDr//ama.Org.

Reyona showed the phone to him.

The cartoon has magical Chinese characters in it.

“Are you sure you are not tired yet, Junior? This will take about an hour and a half, you know,” he asked.

“No, I am not tired. And there is no school tomorrow!” he said while jumping excitedly at the back of the car.

“Allysyn, what about you?” Reyona asked.

Allysyn shrugged and said “I am not feeling tired, and it is just some minutes past six,” she said as she looked at her watch.

“I guess we are watching some cartoon tonight?” Maxwell said as he looked at Reyona with a grin.

“I can’t wait,” Reyona said in resignation as Maxwell started the car.

Junior hooted in excitement and Reyona smiled.

Moments like these are fleeting after all.

Why not take it when she can?