Fan Fiction 1: Love in my dreams - 14 chap (comp

[sowfoong]

Fan fiction 1: Love in my dreams

Chapter 1

Felix was sitting in a booth with Ken, laughing at some jokes when Michael walked in.
Michael’s eyes narrowed and he was about to walk out of the lounge when Felix spotted him. “Hey! Where do you think you are going? Didn’t you see us? Take a seat. Andy is on his way. I thought we could have a drink before going to the bowling alley to have a bowling session. It has been so long since we last got together”, Felix chatted on, not noticing the tension that had built up between Michael and Ken. “Michael, what is the matter with you? Do sit down; you are making me strain my neck, talking to you while you are standing up. Ken just came in from Shanghai, so I invited him to join us. It is almost like the good old days in 1980’s”. Finally it dawned on Felix that the two men were still staring unsmilingly at each other. “What is the matter?”

Michael: “Felix, look I know that you meant well, but there is nothing to discuss and I do not wish to sit down at the same table as Ken.” Michael turned on his heels to walk out.

Felix: “Hey, You are serious, aren’t you? Please sit down. Why are you both so hostile to each other? We are like brothers. Whatever the problem is, it can be solved. Perhaps it is just a misunderstanding. Let me be the peace broker. I really wish that we can all be friends again and put aside our differences. Do sit down, Michael so that we can talk things over”, half pulling Michael down.

Ken: “Felix, I am sorry but I agree with Michael, there is nothing to discuss. I have no wish to sit near him just as Michael has no wish to sit near me”. Ken was getting up. “I will call you to set up a date for a drink”.

Felix: “No, both of you stay put”. Felix spotted Andy coming through the door. “Help me, Andy, to get these two hard headed guys to sit down and make peace with each other”.

Andy looked at the three of them and laughed. “Give it up, Felix. The hatred between these two guys is real. They are just like two old ladies, holding a twenty year old grudge against each other over a girl”.

Felix was perplexed, asked, “ Over which girl? What are you talking about? They are both married!”

Andy: “Well, over Barbara. Who else do you think had such great hold over these two guys’ hearts?”

Chapter 2

Felix: “Barbara? She died 20 years ago and though it was tragic, why would Michael and Ken harbor animosity towards each other over her? So you two are not speaking to each other because of Barbara?” Neither Michael nor Ken would give Felix an answer, but Andy managed to get both of them to sit down at the table.

Felix: “You know, it is weird that you mentioned Barbara today. I had a dream about her two nights ago. She appeared in my dreams, looking just like WY in LOCH, there were no signs of aging. She gave me the cheeky grins, hugged me and called me Jing Gor Gor! But the sparks of cheerful laughter and life were gone from her eyes. Then she started to cry and begged me to help her. I tried to ask her how I could help her but all she did was begging me over and over to help her. Then it was as if a force pulled her away and she disappeared and I woke up in cold sweat. I was wondering about the dream and now that you mentioned Barbara, I wondered if there is any connection here”.

Michael and Ken asked simultaneously if Barbara looked like she suffered.

Felix, “No, but she was very sad”.

Michael had tears in his eyes. As he glanced over at Ken, his fists clenched in anger and he shot up from his seat, “I am leaving”.

Felix was perplexed. “Michael, I was just as shocked and sad as you were when Barbara died. I loved her too; she was such a great colleague, lovable, cheerful and helpful. I have always thought it was a great tragedy to lose her in such a senseless way. I think Ken was just as sad, so let us not break our friendship over her death that happened 20 years ago”.

Michael: “I will never forgive Ken that he drove Barbara into kill herself”.

Ken: “That is enough. I am not going to sit here and listen to your accusations. I took the rap for you, Michael. I took all the punches and screaming insults from her friends and fans that I was responsible for her death. I even moved to Shanghai to start a new life in peace. But I never did have any lasting peace. I love Barbara and have never stopped loving her. Once again, I am not responsible for her death. I am not going to take all these accusations from you, Michael. Of all people, Michael, you should be the last person to throw any accusations at me”.

Michael: “What are you trying to say? You treated Barbara shabbily. You drove her to despair with your philandering ways. You flirted and cheated on Barbara with other girls, while Barbara was loyal, sitting at home, waiting for you and defending her relationship with you. You killed her with your callous attitude. You are a cad, the worst kind, to treat Barbara shabbily. She was the nicest and kindest girl in the world and loved by everyone. You deserved to be hung and dried in the sun!”

Ken: “No, Michael, get your facts straight. I love Barbara. I still love her, and she still haunts me in my dreams. The one who is responsible for her death is you!”

Michael: “What did you say? That I am responsible for Barbara’s death?”


Chapter 3

Michael jumped up from his seat and lunged at Ken. “You SOB! You dare try to place the blame on me? I am going to give you the thrashing of your life for the way you treated Barbara”.

Felix and Andy grabbed Michael and held him down.

Felix: “Look, Michael, calm down. We can talk things over”.

Andy: “Sure, like it is going to happen with these two hot heads!”

Ken got up and calmly looked down at Michael. “I am not lying or trying to place the blame on you. It is true. You are the one responsible. Barbara killed herself because of you. She loved you but she couldn’t have you. You were the one who broke her heart. I have hated you for years but now I can only pity you”. With that, Ken turned and walked out of the lounge.

Michael: “I don’t believe him. He is lying. He had to be!” Michael has tears rolling down his cheeks.

Felix: “Look, Michael. I don’t know what happened all those years ago but maybe you should sit down with Ken to clear things up. I have a feeling that, this is the reason that I had that dream about Barbara. Perhaps she was unhappy because she didn’t get closure. Or perhaps she felt bad that you and Ken weren’t speaking to each other. We were like brothers and it hurt me to see the split in our love for each other”.

Andy: “I agree with Felix. Michael, you need to have a talk with Ken about what really happened”.

Michael showed up at Ken’s hotel an hour later. He stood outside Ken’s room, debating with himself if he should confront Ken about his claims or just to walk away. Felix’s words echoed in his head, “Perhaps Barbara was unhappy because she didn’t get closure. Or perhaps she felt bad that you and Ken weren’t speaking to each other”. Michael is willing to do anything for his beloved Barbara, even to sit down and listen to Ken’s lies, but a voice in his head whispered, “What if Ken wasn’t lying, what if Barbara had loved you?” No, it is not possible, Michael tried to reason; Ken had to be lying. They were a couple and he felt guilty that he drove Barbara to kill herself so he made up lies to excuse his behavior. But I have to know the truth, even if I have to beat it out of him. Michael knocked on the door and Ken opened after the third knock. “I have been expecting you.”

Chapter 4

Flashback: Over 20 years ago

Sharon: “That was one tough scene and I am so glad it was a wrap. I am famished. Hey Barbara, care to go for some fish ball noodles?”

Barbara: “Oh yes, I am famished too. All the bones in my body are aching. I too am glad that it was a wrap. I am so glad that I don’t have to do my scenes until 9 or 10 in the morning. Just give me ten minutes to shower and change my clothes and we can go and grab a bite”.

At the food stand: Both Sharon and Barbara were busy chomping down on their noodles. Ken came by and sat himself down at their table unceremoniously. “Hi girls, may I join you?”

Sharon: “Seems like we don’t have a choice since you have parked yourself at our table”.

Ken: “Tsk, tsk, Sharon, such hostility doesn’t become you.” Ignoring Sharon, Ken continued to engage Barbara in a conversation. After the midnight snack, Ken offered to drive the girls home but Sharon declined his offer so Ken drove Barbara home.

The next day, during a break, Sharon and Barbara were munching on some snacks and trying to memorize their individual lines. Barbara sighed, put down her scripts and turned to Sharon. “Sharon, can I bother you for a few minutes? I have something on my mind and I simply cannot concentrate on my lines”.

Sharon: “Sure, what is up? You do look tired, didn’t you get much sleep last night?’

Barbara: “No, not much. I kept tossing and turning in my bed.”

Sharon: “Judging by the blush on your face, it must be over a man. So, who is the lucky guy?’

Barbara: “It is Ken. He has been trying to ask me out for dates ever since we were introduced to each other. He is so sweet, handsome and persuasive; I just don’t know what to do”.

Sharon: “Barbara, you are now in Hong Kong and in the acting business. You must be careful with your behavior. Hong Kong is a much more complicated place than England. Sometimes, people are not as honest and genuine. I have been here all my life and even I have to be on guard with my feelings and love life”.

Barbara: “What are you trying to tell me? That I cannot trust Ken?’

Sharon: “I am not trying to tell you that Ken cannot be trusted. His feelings for you may be genuine since you are an exceptionally beautiful girl with a generous spirit and heart. But I must advise you to be careful. He has many girlfriends and he juggles a few of them at one time. Just don’t commit yourself until you get to know him better and you are sure of your feelings”.

Barbara took Sharon’s advice to heart and was cautious. She was young and felt lonely without her mom, though they kept in contact by long telephone conversations. She was also very busy with the TV series she was in, but during her off-time, Ken was there keeping her company and soon they went on dates more often. When Barbara was injured, Ken was at her bedside almost daily, holding her hands and reading entertaining articles from the magazines to her. Soon Ken won over Barbara’s heart and they were dating exclusively.

Chapter 5

When the series ended, Barbara soon got a lead role in another series. She enjoyed working with Felix, an honest, handsome and helpful actor. One day, another actor showed up at the set. He was a tall, very handsome man with a gorgeous smile. Felix: “Hey Barbara, this is Michael, my buddy. He got the part of the villain and please remember that I am the good guy in this series”.

Michael: “Hi Barbara, great to meet you at last. I have heard so much about you from my buddy, Ken”. Michael extended his hand to Barbara. Their hands touched and it was as if a shot of lightning jolted through them.

Barbara: “Hi Michael. I am not aware that you knew Ken. He never said anything about you”. She was a bit flustered at the sensation caused by their handshake and snatched her hand back.

Michael: “We are best buddies. But I guess he wanted to keep you for himself and afraid of competition even from his best buddy”. Michael too was slightly flustered at the sensation and tried to make a joke to cover his reaction. The beautiful girl, with the most gorgeous pair of eyes he had ever seen, caused him to have butterflies in his stomach. It was the similar sensation & nervousness he felt when he kissed a girl for the first time and good gracious, he thought he has outgrown the insecurities of a teenager!

Barbara: “I have to go for a touch up on my make-up. I will see you around. It has been nice meeting you, Michael”. Barbara almost tripped over in her haste to get away. “Why am I running, and what am I afraid of?” Barbara refused to ponder over these questions, afraid to search too deeply into her heart.

Michael stared after Barbara as she made her way to the dressing room.

Felix: “Hey, Earth to Michael! What is wrong with you? I have been talking to you the last five minutes”.

Michael: “What could be wrong? Let’s go to somewhere quiet and we can practice our scenes together”.

The next few days, Michael saw Barbara from a distance working with Felix. He was working with Sharon on another set. They worked well together. Sharon is an experienced actress and enjoyed showing Michael the ropes. One day Sharon caught Michael staring intently at Barbara from a distance. Sharon: “She is very beautiful, isn’t she?”

Michael slightly embarrassed asked: “Whom are you talking about?”

Sharon: “I am talking about Barbara. I saw you staring at her on a few occasions. Are you interested in her?”

Michael: “She is very beautiful, but I cannot be interested. She is Ken’s girlfriend and you know that Ken is my best buddy”.

Sharon: “It is a pity that you are not interested in Barbara. She is a very sweet and beautiful person and Ken is going to break her heart one day. You know that Ken cannot stay with one girl for too long.”

Michael: “I don’t think that Ken will hurt her, she is very special, so different from all the other girls that I have known. Ken will take care of her because he will see the same qualities in Barbara as I did.”

Sharon was not too convinced, “ If you say so, Michael. After all, you know Ken better than I do”. She left Michael standing there looking worried.

Shortly after, Jaime came to the set to visit Michael, “Hi Michael, I haven’t seen you for a few days so I thought I will drop by to see how you are doing”.

Michael: “I am doing well, I was just too busy with work. Our director is a meticulous person and wants every line to be word perfect and 100% of our effort put into the series. I don’t mind the hard work though because it is a great series”.

Jaime spotted Felix walking with a girl towards them: “Hey Felix, it has been so long since I saw you last. How are you?”

Felix: “Hi Jaime, yes it has been a long time and life has been treating me well. By the way, this is Barbara”.

Jaime summed up the beautiful girl with one glance, she is going to be a tough opponent, guys will fall for the damsel in distress type, so she plastered a forced smile on her face: “Hi Barbara! You are Ken’s girlfriend, aren’t you? We should do a double date one night, you, Ken, me and my boyfriend Michael”.

Barbara: “I will be glad to, I will check with Ken and get back with you. I have to go, see you soon”. Barbara was anxious to escape from this beautiful woman. So this is Michael’s girlfriend. Somehow she felt sharp pain in her heart and she wondered why she should feel that way about Michael’s girlfriend. Maybe you are jealous, her heart told her. That is nonsense, Barbara denies vehemently. I love Ken, so why would I be jealous of Michael’s girlfriend? Yes indeed, why would you? Her heart asked.

Michael, a little annoyed with Jaime: “I would appreciate it if you would to consult me first before suggesting a double date”.

Jaime pouted: “Why are you so upset? I thought you would be happy to get together with your best buddy Ken and his girlfriend”. A calculating gleam entered her eyes, unless you are interested in the girl yourself, Jaime mumbled to herself.

Michael: “Did you say something? No, I am not upset. Just let it go. I will take you home”.

Chapter 6

Days flew by fast; Barbara was kept busy working up to 18 hours a day. She was exhausted at the end of the day but she was happy. She enjoyed working with all the veteran actors, Sharon and Felix. As for Michael, they did not have much screen time together. Barbara went out of her way to avoid being in Michael’s presence. Something about being near Michael made her excited, anxious and yet frightened at the same time. But it didn’t stop her from watching him from afar when she thought no one was watching. She felt guilty about the attraction she felt for Michael, he had shown no signs of being interested in her. Ken had been so patient with her and worshipped her. With her hectic schedule, they were unable to spend as much time together since he was busy with another TV series. Barbara found that she didn’t miss Ken as much as she should.

One day while acting out a fighting scene with Michael, Barbara accidentally hit him hard in his eye with her weapon. Michael kneeled over in pain, clutching his eye. Barbara ran over, ashen faced and cradled his head in her arms, telling him over and over that she was sorry for hurting him. Despite excruciating pain, Michael gave her a grin and reassured her that he would be all right.

The director stepped in: “Alright, everyone move out of the way. We need to bring Michael to the hospital for a check-up. The rest of you take a short break”.

Barbara had wanted to go with Michael to the hospital but the director told her to stay with the rest of the cast members. Since it was uncertain how long it would take to examine Michael’s injury, they shouldn’t be hanging around the hospital because they couldn’t help Michael in any way. One of the assistants would stay with Michael and update the others on his condition. The show must go on, as the professionals would say. For the rest of the day, Barbara tried to concentrate on her scenes but she found herself worrying about Michael. At last the director gave her permission to leave the set early. Barbara was apologetic but was glad to be able to leave early to go to the hospital.

Sally, the assistant met Barbara at the nurses’ station. Barbara walked down the hall to Michael’s room. Just as she was about to push the door open, Jaime opened it from inside.

Jaime: “Hi, Barbara. How nice of you to come and visit Michael”.

Barbara: “Hi Jaime. How is Michael doing? Have the tests come back yet?”

Jaime: “No, but they have sedated Michael because he is in so much pain. I will be spending the night with him and I will let him know that you came by to visit”.

Barbara was disappointed: “Oh, may I not go in to have a quick visit?”

Jaime: “ Well, I don’t see the point since he is sleeping but go ahead, you may have a minute with him”.

Jaime followed Barbara into the room and watched over Michael like a hawk. Barbara, her heart heavy with guilt and remorse for hurting Michael stood at the bedside, he looked so defenseless and pale in the hospital bed, and thick gauze covered his right eye. Barbara longed to flung herself into his arms and tell him that she was sorry but with Jaime guarding over Michael, all Barbara could do was to stand by his bedside and silently prayed for a swift recovery and left after five minutes.

Due to the long hours of shooting the scenes, Barbara got off past midnight almost every night. Every chance she got, she called the hospital and every time she got Jaime on the phone, telling her that Michael was doing fine and she need not come to the hospital.

It was a slow recovery for Michael and he spent almost a month in the hospital. He had many visitors but Barbara was not one of them. He was disappointed though he tried to put on a happy face. Jaime was at his bedside, attending to all his needs and keeping him company, cheering him up with jokes and reading funny articles in the magazines to him. At the end of the month, Michael was fully recovered and came back to work. He was more reserved with Barbara, thinking that she didn’t care about him, no one told him about her visit or her daily calls to the hospital.

Chapter 7

Ken bounced into the room: “Hey Barbara, I have got good news. I got a role in the new TV series you are in with Felix & Michael. Three Tigers & a Beauty, not bad, huh?”

Barbara was not as enthusiastic as Ken about them working together. Though it was true that they would be able to spend more time together being in the same series, she was afraid that Ken would find out how she felt about Michael.

Ever since that accident which happened in the last TV series she acted in with Michael, she felt a change in Michael. He was more distant and reserved towards her. He had to be still upset with me, Barbara thought with sadness and a heavy heart. He never once returned her calls to the hospital inquiring about his health. Barbara had thought that her concern for Michael was a result from the guilt she felt in causing him injury. But she knew that it was more than that when she stood over his bed, seeing him so defenseless and pale, she realized the extent of her love for him. She would gladly trade places with him if only he would get well soon. She wanted to tell him how she felt but Jaime’s presence prevented that. Well, judging by the possessiveness demonstrated by Jaime, they were a couple and very serious with each other. I must hide my true feelings from him in order not to embarrass him. But with the upcoming show where they played a couple, it would almost be impossible to conceal her love for him. Added to the complication, Ken will be there looking over their shoulders!

Michael was facing the same dilemma. It had been quite a few weeks since he last saw Barbara and he found that he missed her beautiful eyes and cheeky grins. It was more than just an attraction to a beautiful girl; he was in love with Barbara. But she was not meant for him, she belonged to Ken, his best buddy. There was a line not to be crossed and he must never betray his best friend. He had been very disappointed that she had not once visited or called him while he was in the hospital. It meant that Barbara didn’t care for him and he must conceal his true feelings from her so as not to embarrass her.

The series made smooth progress. It wasn’t difficult to convey the love of the character played by him for the character played by Barbara. Everyone on the set was commenting about the chemistry between Barbara and himself, little did they know that he was just allowing himself to express his love for Barbara in the guise of acting. He immersed himself totally in his role and was hoping that Barbara would realize his love for her. When Barbara looked back at him with love in her eyes during the scene at the temple, he almost believed that his prayers at the altar were answered.

The series came to an end and it was a success. Everyone loves the onscreen chemistry between Michael and Barbara and of course the TV network wanted to cash in on that. They were both signed on for another TV series.

[sowfoong]

Chapter 8

Barbara: Uncle Dan! How are you doing? I am so happy that we get to work together again?

Uncle Dan, affectionately: “Little Imp! You are just happy to get a chance to play tricks on me again. Ah! Here comes Michael, your partner in crime!?br/>
Michael: “Hi Barbara. Hi Uncle Dan, good to see you both again! Uncle Dan, why did you say that? You are our Sifu, we wouldn’t dream of playing any tricks on you!?br/>
Barbara, trying to suppress her thumping heart and joy about being able to see Michael again everyday for the next few months: “Hi Michael! Uncle Dan, Michael is right. We wouldn’t dream of upsetting you. We have too much respect for you and we still have a lot to learn from you, Elder.?br/>
Uncle Dan, with a twinkle in his eyes: “If you say so, but I will be on my toes. One of you is mischievous enough, together you will cause the death of me?

The three of them laughed, joked and walked towards the set together.

This TV series was less serious than the one they were in previously, with many light-hearted scenes. Both Barbara and Michael were young and by nature mischievous with a great sense of humor. Not a day passed when one of them would not play tricks on their colleagues, just as Uncle Dan predicted. No one took offence as the tricks were harmless and they were caught up in their infectious laughter and good-naturedness. Everyone was struck by the young attractive couple as they laughingly and insincerely apologized when they were caught trying one of their tricks.

This didn’t mean that there was just fun, they had to work long grueling hours. But in the evenings, they would gather together for cookouts. They would sneak out to get some groceries during the day and had fun camping out when the weather was good, sitting around the fire, singing and laughing at jokes.

Both Michael and Barbara fell more deeply in love though they treated each other outwardly as siblings, thinking that this was what the other wanted. They would sit or lay next to each other on the ground and talked about everything under the sun except for the deeply hidden love they had for each other. One night, they were lying next to each other, looking at the stars when, Barbara excitedly: “Michael, look there is a shooting star! Oh you have to make a wish!?

Michael solemnly: “Yes, a shooting star. You’ll have to make a wish too!?br/>
Barbara, thinking to herself, “I wish I could spend the rest of my life with Michael, just like tonight, peacefully with no distractions, no worries and that he loves me too.?br/>
Michael: “Did you make a wish? What is it??br/>
Barbara: “Yes I did. I cannot tell you what it was; otherwise it will not come true! Did you make a wish too??br/>
Michael, a little pensive, thinking that Barbara had to be wishing that Ken would marry her, replied, “Yes I did, but I am afraid my wish will never come true. Let us go back to the others.?br/>
Barbara was puzzled and hurt at the sudden change in Michael's mood but was also sad: “He must have been thinking about Jaime and their being away from each other, with him being almost 24/7 on the set of this series. Oh Michael, I don’t want this series to ever end!?br/>
Chapter 9

“Whoosh!?sang the whip as it flew over the heads of the men fighting with Barbara. Suddenly the whip was caught by one of the other men and as he pulled hard, Barbara lost possession of it. Barbara was mad as a wild cat and started hitting out and kicking her opponents with all her might. It was mayhem until the police came.

“Cut! It is a wrap! Good job, everyone. Take a short break? announced the director.

“Whew! I am glad that is a wrap!?one of the co-stars sighed. “Hey, Barbara, your punch almost took out my eye!?br/>
Barbara: “I am so sorry, Joe. I didn’t mean to land any punches on your eye!?It is hard to control the strength needed to make it look real without hurting anyone.?br/>
Michael came over with a bottle of water, “Hi Barbara, have a sip! I must say that that is one side of you that I have never seen. You really attacked those guys like a man would have done.?br/>
Barbara blushed: “I know, sometimes when I get mad enough the tomboy in me will strike out. Er, I don’t mean that I am mad at Joe, but since the script called for it, I had to make it look real. Did I not tell you before that I was a real tomboy when I was a kid??br/>
Michael: “I don’t believe that you were ever a tomboy, you are too sweet and feminine?

Barbara confided: “I had always been a tomboy when I was a kid. I was the only child and a girl to boot! I did not have any brothers to protect me from those nasty little punks in our neighborhood. When I was in school, I got into a lot of trouble and fought with the boys at school who loved to pull at my hair and teased me. I was ashamed of the number of times my parents had to come to the school when I was put in the detention room! I wished so much that I had an older brother to protect me at that time.?br/>
Michael laughed: “I cannot imagine you being so wild, but don’t worry, from now on I won’t let anyone hurt you. I promise to protect you forever and always!?As soon as the words left his lips, Michael realized that they were words straight from his heart. He reddened slightly and to cover his slip, “after all, I am almost like a brother to you and it is my duty to protect my precious little sister!?br/>
Barbara, a little disappointed at Michael’s open declaration that he saw in her only as a sister, “Yes, I know, you would never let anything bad happen to your little sister.?br/>
“Michael, you are wanted on the other set by the director!?yelled one of the assistants. “I am coming? Michael replied. “See you later, Barbara!?br/>
“Why don’t you tell him how you really felt??Aunty Kam interrupted Barbara’s reverie.

“What do you mean, Aunty Kam??asked Barbara, blushing at the frightening thought that all the other colleagues knew about her hidden love for Michael.

“Child, you don’t have to deny your obvious love for Michael, it is plainly written on your face for everyone observant enough to see? Aunty Kam said gently. “What is stopping you from telling him that you love him??br/>
“Oh, Aunty Kam, I cannot and will never put Michael in that embarrassing position by telling him that I love him. He sees in me only as a younger sister and he is going steady with Jaime! I don’t want to lose his friendship and the precious little time I can spend alone with him because then he would be avoiding me,?Barbara confided in the older colleague who had been like a mother to her, since the beginning of the series.

“I am so sorry, but I could have sworn that he is very interested in you. I had caught him staring at you when he thought no one was looking. So you know for a fact that he is going steady with Jaime? What a pity, I see so much potential in you two, both so young, attractive and compatible and the chemistry that you too generated is too real? Aunty Kam declared. “Do you want me to sound him out? I would love to be a match maker, because you two are a match made in heaven!?br/>
“Aunty Kam, please don’t do anything to embarrass Michael. I know you meant well but I think you were mistaken about Michael being interested in me. I am positive that he only sees me as a younger sister. He told me so, just a few minutes ago!?Barbara begged.

“Precious child, I would never do anything to hurt or embarrass you. If you are so sure that Michael is not interested in you, I won’t do anything. I love you like my own daughter. I want you to be happy. I still say it is a pity that you two are not a couple but who can predict what is in the stars for you two??Aunty Kam was optimistic; there was always a chance for these two young people to hook up.

Over the next few weeks, both Michael and Barbara had to work long hours together. It was hard work but they both enjoyed being in each other’s company. They teased and joked with each other, totally at ease and fell more deeply in love.

“Marry me??asked Michael. Barbara’s heart was beating erratically at those words, wishing they were Michael’s question to her. “I was only joking.?Michael laughed, as in the scripts. Barbara, slightly disappointed, reacted as the script required, laughing off the question with a joke.

“Okay, cut, it is a wrap!?the director announced. “Tomorrow we will be doing outdoor scenes. Let’s hope the weather is nice!?br/>
The next day, Michael was in the gardens with Barbara preparing for their upcoming scenes. They were laughing together, teasing each other; totally at ease with the one they love. They were horsing around, with their heads together, whispering jokes at each other when a reporter interrupted them, “Hey, you two lovebirds, quit being so affectionate with each other.?

Embarrassed, they moved apart. Michael tried to deflect any gossips, which may hurt his beloved Barbara, “Please do not misinterpret the situation, terrible gossips may result. We are not being affectionate with each other. We are only preparing for our next scene. As you know, I am acting as a crook in this series, a rusty one but I still managed to get a beauty like Barbara interested in me.?From then on, they were more cautious and kept a certain distance between each other, not wanting to harm the other’s reputation with ugly gossips that they were having an affair.

“Barbara, do you want to grab a bite together? We had been shooting those scenes all day and I am hungry,?moaned Michael.

Just as Barbara was about to agree to go with Michael for a snack, Jaime showed up at the set. “Hi Barbara, hi Michael! I was wondering if you’d ever have time for me. I haven’t seen you in weeks and I missed you so much? Jaime tried to kiss Michael passionately. Michael turned his head slightly and Jaime kissed him on his cheeks instead.

“Jaime, I am so sorry. I didn’t mean to neglect you, but I had been very busy with this series. I was about to ask Barbara to go out for a snack with me. Shall we all go together??Michael tried to deflect Jaime’s show of affection in front of Barbara.

“I am sorry but I have a date with Ken? Barbara lied. “Nice seeing you again, Jaime. And Michael, I will see you tomorrow? Barbara rushed off. She didn’t have to courage to sit with the two lovebirds, acting all affectionate with each other without breaking down. That night Barbara hugged her pillow and wept bitterly, wishing that it were herself that Michael is in love with.

After taking Jaime home that night, Michael spent a sleepless night pacing his bedroom, jealously wishing that Barbara were with him instead of being with Ken.

Chapter 10

On the first day of the new TV series, both Michael and Barbara were dressed in their costumes for the opening ceremony, praying for good luck and smooth shooting days. All the reporters were there to witness the opening and blessing ceremony. Gossips were abundant that both Michael and Barbara were lead actors again, in fact, Barbara’s role was specially written into the script. MB chemistry was awesome and they were the most popular reel couple. Fans went crazy about them, wishing they were a couple in real lives as well as in reel life and the TV network was smart to take advantage of that popularity.

Michael looked so handsome with his flowing costume, befitting of a hero and Barbara, she was a sweet as she could be in her pink and white costume. The director wanted them to cut the roast piglet together so Michael placed his hands on Barbara’s and guided her through it. Barbara gingerly picked up a piece of the roast port, shuddering at the calorie count of that sinful piece which was dripping in grease. Michael on the other hand, had no qualms of getting a big piece, waving it at Barbara and chomping down on it. “Michael, how could you possibly eat that!?shuddered Barbara in disgust.

“Why not??Michael questioned innocently. He laughed at her obvious disgust, “You should try it. You do not have to worry about your figure, you are slim enough plus you would be doing a lot of fighting in this series?

Barbara took a bite, made a face, “Oh! I am going to be sick!?and rushed off to the restroom. Michael was shaking his head comically at her as she rushed off with a hand over her mouth.

Simon laughed: “Why do these girls insist on spoiling our enjoyment of good food with their obsession with their weight? Come on, Michael, more for you and me!?br/>
Michael and Barbara worked well together, and their onscreen chemistry was off the charts. They would still have their private jokes and flirted with each other subconsciously. It was so natural to have Barbara following Michael everywhere in the scenes. Everyone on the set was struck by their compatibility and good looks and took it for granted that they were a couple in real lives. Only the two of them were unaware of each other’s feelings, they still treated each other as siblings, thinking that was what the other wanted.

During one of the breaks, Michael sat next to Barbara, and ate noodles. He noticed a ring on her ring finger. He felt a sharp pain to his chest, thinking that Barbara is now officially engaged to Ken. Casually, he took her hand and touched that ring. Barbara: “It is a promise ring?but she did not elaborate. The truth was that she bought the ring for herself as a promise to love Michael forever. She couldn’t tell Michael that and unfortunately Michael was under the impression that Ken gave her that ring as a promise of his love. Michael’s heart was broken into pieces at the news but he hid his sadness well, and congratulated Barbara on her future with Ken. Michael then left Barbara to wash his hands.

Barbara: “Oh Michael, I don’t have a future with Ken because I am in love with you. If only you would love me too. You seemed so happy for me so it had to be because you don’t love me as a man loves a woman, otherwise you would have shown a little jealousy. But then why would you feel jealous since you have Jaime? I must be more careful in the future and not to reveal my feelings for you and cause you embarrassment.?br/>
Michael, thinking that Barbara was lost to him forever, turned to Jaime who was very happy to have Michael’s full attention. She had, at one time considered Barbara a threat to her relationship with Michael and she never regretted not telling Michael about Barbara’s visit to the hospital or her daily phone calls. She knew that Michael had been interested in Barbara and she was glad that Barbara was involved with Ken. She was quick to take advantage of Michael’s unhappiness to comfort him. By the time Ken and Barbara broke up, Michael and Jaime was officially a couple.

Chapter 11

After their last TV series collaboration, Michael had not seen Barbara. He had kept up with news of her but he had not attempted to contact her since he thought that Barbara and Ken were officially engaged. Michael was very upset when he first saw the ring, thinking that Barbara was lost to him forever. He had always known that Ken and Barbara was a couple but seeing the ring made it official. He wished that he had the courage to tell Barbara how he felt about her and the intense love he had for her before the engagement was made official. It was as if piece of his heart had been torn out, he kept his distance even more, because he couldn’t bear to be near her, knowing that she belonged to someone else. But at night he would dream of her, desperately wishing that through his dreams he could convey his love to her. Every night he had the same dream that Barbara told him that she had loved him from the first moment she saw him and that she would love him forever. The dream was so real that he almost believed it to be true. But as daylight hits, reality set in, it was only wishful dreaming. Jaime was there to comfort him in his unhappiness so he paid more attention to her. But he never got over his love for Barbara and he longed for nightfall when he could fall asleep to dream about Barbara.

After the last TV series together with Michael, Barbara was kept busy with a new young and cute actor in another series. After all the ancient dramas, it was good to be able to spend less time getting the make-up on and not needing the hairpiece. The new actor was easy to work with, both of them were professionals and they had fun together. But it was not the same as with Michael, the magical spark was noticeably absent. There were no tiny electric shocks of attraction every time they made physical contact, as with Michael. Though the teasing was there, the secretive messages behind the teasing that passed between Michael and her were absent. Barbara found that she missed Michael more and more each day. She longed for nightfall when she could fall asleep and dream about Michael, telling him about her love for him and that she belonged to him, heart and soul forever.

Things were not going that well for Ken and her either. Ken noticed her withdrawals, her small sighs and misty eyes and faraway expressions when she thought that no one was watching. He kept asking her the reason for her unhappiness and she would paste on her brilliant smile and waved it off as his overactive imagination. It did put Barbara on guard in public. She would flash that wide, cheeky grin of hers and joked around with her friends and colleagues as she had always done. No one suspected that her heart was broken and she was slowly dying inside. She felt so empty and lonely. When Ken kept on asking her to marry him, she finally told him that though she would always loved him, she was in love with someone else. Ken had guessed correctly that she was in love with Michael and he was ready to have a fight with Michael for stealing his girl’s heart. Barbara pleaded and then threatened that she would never speak to him again and finally Ken promised to stay away from Michael and would never tell anyone her secret love for Michael. Being upset about breaking up with Barbara, Ken started to socialize more with all the young cute girls. His reputation as a playboy was resurrected.

The news of the breakup of Ken and Barbara shocked Michael. He had thought that they would marry and start a family. He had wanted to wring Ken’s neck for hurting Barbara; and to go to Barbara and to tell her that he was still in love with her and dreamt about her every night but he suppressed that urge. He had other obligations; Jaime and he was officially a couple. Michael did not want to tarnish Barbara’s reputation as a home wrecker and had her good name dragged through the mud by the paparazzi. So Michael kept his distance, he was comfortable with Jaime but his heart would belong to Barbara forever and always.

Chapter 12

Barbara was pacing restlessly in her living room. It had been a few months since she had last seen Ken. With all her heart, she wished that she was still in love with him, but the truth was that her heart had belonged to Michael from the first moment she saw him on the set with Felix. Subconsciously she knew that her heart was in danger. That was the reason she did everything in the beginning to avoid being alone with Michael. She had been going steady with Ken and should have only eyes for Ken but Michael had stolen her heart despite all her attempts to be true to Ken. It was one of the hardest things to break up with Ken. They had been dating exclusively for a couple of years and he had been faithful, loving, had worshipped her and had done everything to make her happy. She knew that Ken had had a reputation as a playboy and had broken many young girls?hearts. But Ken had been faithful to her, spending all his free time with her, ignoring other girls?flirtatious invitations. She still loved Ken but she was not in love with him. She had hurt Ken deeply, but she would have made him very unhappy had she decided to accept his marriage proposal. Ken had not accepted her refusal as final and had kept on pleading his love for her, which made her feel more upset and depressed. If only she could have guided her heart towards Ken, she could have found some happiness, instead she was pining for someone whom she could not get, someone who looked towards her as his little sister, adorable but still to be kept at a distance.

Barbara, thinking to herself: “I am going to make myself a cup of tea, hopefully my nerves will calm down a little.?Barbara went into the kitchen; turn on the gas stove, turned to get the kettle out, and then changed her mind about making herself a cup of tea. Absent-mindedly she went back to the living room, leaving the gas on in the kitchen.

“Dear Lord, please give me the strength to keep on going. Please help me forget Michael. I am hurting so much and my heart is broken but no one must know how poorly I am doing. Tomorrow is a new day, please Lord, give me the strength to get through the day, I am so afraid of breaking down in public with sorrow. Please help me be strong. Everyone thought that I was upset about being dumped by Ken; it is all right. I would rather that they feel sorry for me than to guess the reason for my depression. I don’t ever want anyone to suspect that I am in love with Michael. I do not want any scandal to tarnish his life with Jaime. Jaime is the love of his life, I cannot change that, and I can only pray that she will make him very happy. As long as Michael is happy, I can bear all the sorrow that burdened my heart and life?

“Oh Michael, I have tried so hard to forget you but it is hopeless, my heart belongs only to you, I see you everywhere, I can recollect in detail all the things we had done together, all the tricks we had played on Uncle Dan & others and every word we had exchanged. The happiest moments were the ones I had spent in your arms even though they were required by the scripts for the TV series. I would pretend that the love and endearments you showed your onscreen partner were real and that they were sincere expression of your love to me in real life. I treasured all the sweet nothings because they were the only things I had to hold on to and to remember you by since our last meeting. You were in my dreams every night and in my dreams we were together, in love and happy. That was the happiest time for me; I live for the nightfall to dream about us. Michael, I am so tired of pretending, so tired of putting on a happy face so that no one will suspect my misery and broken heart. I just want to sleep and dream of us together and never have to wake up to face the harsh reality. Michael, my love, I love you forever and always.?br/>
In the morning, an acquaintance found Barbara lying on the floor of her living room, a sweet smile to her face. Her wish to dream forever of Michael and her together in love and never to have to wake up to the harsh reality that Michael belonged to someone else was fulfilled. She never woke up again but she was happy in her endless sleep, she lived on in her dreams of a happy life with Michael.

Chapter 13

In the aftermath of Barbara’s death, fans all over the world were devastated. They couldn’t believe that she was gone, that they would never see that big cheeky grin of hers and her beautiful eyes. The film industry moaned the unfortunate loss of one of their most promising and successful member. Barbara’s fans were very upset with Ken and he was almost ostracized. Ken was heart broken, he had loved Barbara but she was not in love with him and had refused his marriage proposal. He had tried so hard to win her love and now she is gone. All the angry accusations and insults thrown at him could not hurt him anymore because after losing Barbara, he felt himself dying inside. He hated Michael for not even knowing that Barbara had loved him so desperately but because of his promise to Barbara never to reveal her secret, he had bore all the insults and accusations bravely and silently. He had moved to Shanghai to start a new life but he could not forget his beloved Barbara. He still loved her and dreamt of her nightly.

Fast forward to the present

Michael walked into Ken’s room, “So were you telling the truth when you said that Barbara had loved me and died because of me??br/>
Ken: “Yes, I am telling the truth. I promised Barbara to never tell anyone her secret and wouldn’t have if you hadn’t pushed me with your accusations. I loved Barbara and I still dreamed of her nightly and I wished that she would have cared enough to marry me, but she refused to hurt me further. She had only you on her mind and in her heart and she said that she could never love anyone else again. I had to let her go, but never once had I dreamt that she would choose to leave us in this senseless way. I have hated you for years because you were such a fool, so blind as not to see Barbara’s love for you. But now I can see that you were living in similar dark place, as I was, that you had loved Barbara just as much as she had loved you. I am so sorry for the three of us, it was destiny?

Michael fell on his knees and wept his sorrow and regret that he was too blind to see the love Barbara had for him and his lack of courage to tell her and that it was too late for all of them. Seeing Michael’s obvious distress, Ken got down to his knees beside his friend and they hugged. Out of respect and love of Barbara they decided to make up and would forgive and forget and be friends again.

[sowfoong]

Final Chapter

A tall man, in a dark trench coat was walking briskly through the cemetery, searching impatiently for the grave he wanted. As he neared the grave he was looking for, he noticed a group of Asian girls gathered at the grave. They had lighted candles, stuffed animals and flowers in their hands, which they placed in front of the grave. Slightly annoyed at not being able to visit his beloved alone, but touched that she still had so many ardent fans who remembered her, the man stood in front of a nearby grave, pretending to visit that particular grave. From the girls’ American accents, they had to be fans of Barbara from the United States, visiting her grave on the anniversary of her death. They were solemn as they prayed, then they chatted and discussed Barbara’s life and surprisingly about MB chemistry.

So, they were also MB fans, thought the man, surprised. “How could that be, it was over twenty years since the last MB collaborated work and some of these girls were only in their early twenties? With so many young and good looking couples in the Asian film industry, why on earth would they still be rooting for and loving a reel couple from yesteryears?” As he listened, they were discussing their firm belief that Barbara had loved only Michael and that she didn’t die because of Ken but because of her unrequited love for Michael. The man felt a sharp pain in his heart, tears streamed down his cheeks: “These strangers could recognize Barbara’s love for me while I was so clueless. What a fool I was! How could I be so blind, why didn’t I recognize the love Barbara had for me? Why didn’t I have the courage to tell her that I love her? All these wasted years, maybe if I had told her of my love, we could have been together, got married, had children of our own and be so happy: instead we are now in different worlds and I am so alone”.

At last the group of fans left, and the man walked over and stood in front of Barbara’s grave. There were many flowers, stuffed animals placed in front of her grave, the lighted candles were blown out and taken away. The man knelt down and prayed. Tears streamed down his cheeks unchecked as he sobbed his sorrow and regret: “Barbara, I am so sorry that I was so blind and that I didn’t have the courage to tell you that I love you. I honestly thought that you and Ken were a happy couple. Ken was my best friend and I couldn’t be so dishonorable as to betray him. I thought that he could make you happy and your happiness was more important than mine. In all the series we were in together and I held you in my arms, I had hoped that you would feel the genuine love I have for you. It was so bittersweet, having you in my arms, loving you so much, yet had to pretend that it was all an act from the scripts. Barbara, when I said that I love you in those scenes, I meant it sincerely and it wasn’t an act.

Remember that night, we saw the shooting star? The wish that I made was that I could spent the rest of my life with you, just like that night, peacefully with no distractions, no worries and that you loved me too. I was so sad that we could never be a couple because of your love for Ken. I almost told you how I felt, but I didn’t want to make you feel awkward. I was afraid to lose those precious moments that I could spend with you, even though you had only thought of me as a brother. I couldn’t bear for you to get angry with me and refused to spend any more time alone with me. Every minute spent with you was like being in paradise and I would pretend that you loved me too.

After you were gone, a part of me died with you. I spent many long, dark, lonely hours, thinking about us. I was so angry with Ken for breaking your heart. Ken had been so lucky to have you loved him, which was what I thought was the truth at that time. I had hated him for years and hadn’t spoken to him until recently. He told me the truth that you were the one who broke up with him because you were in love with me. Why didn’t you tell me of your love? I was waiting for a sign that you were even slightly interested in me as a lover but all I felt was that you had wanted me only as a friend or a brother that you never had. If I had known that you loved me, I would have come for you, even if I would to lose my best friend, Ken. If only I had to courage to tell you of my love for you, things would have turned out so different for us. You would have been alive, we would have been married, be parents of beautiful children and live happily ever after. That was my greatest regret, that I lacked the courage and by foolishly wanting to hold onto every moment I could spend with you, I’ve lost you! I can never forgive myself for not recognizing the love you had for me, that you were desperate and heart broken and I was not there in your hour of need.

Barbara, my love, you were the only one who held my heart and the only one I had ever loved. I am so tired of pretending to the world that I didn’t love you and that I treated you only as a sister. Barbara, I am so tired of pretending that I am happy and everything is all right in my life without you. I miss you so much but in my dreams you were with me, just like I was with you when you dreamt. You were in my dreams every night and those were the happiest moments because in my dreams, we were a couple in love and happy together, loving and holding each other. I am so exhausted; I just want to stay here with you and dream of us together and I don’t ever want to wake up. I love you forever”.

Epilogue

The next morning the same group of fans came back to the cemetery. One of the girls had lost her handbag with her passport and was trying to see if she had dropped it at Barbara’s grave. They found a man in a dark trench coat, slumped over Barbara’s grave. They turned him over. The man had a sweet and peaceful smile on his face. It was Michael. He was happy to be with his beloved Barbara at last.