Chapter 3

"Oh dear where was he all these years? why did he come all of a sudden? Ask Him to visit us sometime. I wonder how he looks now. I miss Amanda so much.", asked mom.

"He said he-...", as she was about to utter the words the doorbell rang.

"Ding dong..... Ding dong..... Ding dong....."

"Yes coming who's there??", asked mom.

When Mom opened the door, she was in total shock.

It was dad.

Dad was very depressed. He asked mom to come to another room. He was different than usual days. Sharlene decided to eavesdrop on their conversation.

"Dear, I dont think its proper to say this in front of Sharlene but...

Tears started coming out uncontrollably from Sharlene's eyes when she heard it.....

Sharlene burst into tears ....

"Dear it's not appropriate to say in front of our Sharlene but the doctor said I have been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer...... The doctor said it is in .... the first stage and .... can be cured.... if we operate it ... soon.... but.... but where do we... get all those money? It's nearly 20,000 yuan", Dad's eyes were full of tears.

                                                                                               *Note: 1 yuan is 0.16 usd*

Tears rolled down mom's cheeks. Dad's eyes were also full of tears.

.....

After half an hour they came back to the living room, as if nothing happened. Sharlene knew everything, but she decided not to ask further more as they didn't say to her either.

Sharlene couldn't sleep that night. She knew pancreatic cancer was hard to treat and the living chances were also very low.

In her small room she sat, depressed, miserable and disheartened, not knowing that her fate was going to be more cruel than ever.....

She cried the whole night. Her face was red, her eyes were puffed out and she couldn't sleep.

She knew her mental health could get worse if someone whom she loved dearly left suddenly again...

...

Sharlene was sitting on the bench under the soft shades of cherry blossoms, thinking how she'd help her dad overcome the disease. Daniel happened to pass by. He saw her depressed and sad.

"Hey, what's up? Why do you look so depressed??", He sat down beside her.

"Oh, when did you get here?", Sharlene hurriedly wiped off her tears.

"I was passing by. What happened?? Why do you looked so depressed??"

"Nothing....", said she, her voice crackling as she spoke.

"You can't lie to me. I know when you are lying and when you're telling the truth okay? So tell me what's been bothering you today?"

"I.... My dad.....my dad is diagnosed with....pancreatic.... cancer", a single drop of tear rolled down her cheeks.... she couldn't hold her dejection anymore.

She started sobbing, tears fell off uncontrollably. Daniel hugged her softly and patted her head.

After crying and spilling all her anxiety, she calmed down.

"I'm.... I'm so sorry I made your T-shirt dirty.", Sharlene pointed at his T-shirt which was soaked with her tears.

"T-shirt is not a thing to worry about. Well, Don't worry my cousin is a high post doctor at Ruijin Hospital. I will ask him if he can help.", said he.

Lex was passing by. He saw Sharlene crying with a guy. He hurried towards them.

"Little meoww... Why are you here?? Who is this guy?? Why are you crying?? Did this guy hurt you??", said Lex.

"Why do you always appear out of nowhere?...... And how many times did I say you not to call me .....Little meow...", Sharlene was agitated.

"Who is this guy?" asked Lex nervously.

"He.... he is Daniel.", said Sharlene. 

Lex felt heavy feeling in his stomach. He knew it was all over for him... But he wouldn't give up.

"Okay you guys sit here I will buy some drinks.", Sharlene sighed.

She went off.

"Wow! What a surprise! So you are the Daniel Wu whom Sharlene talked about day and night??", asked Lex with a smirk.

"Yes, and who are you? I don't think I've ever seen you.", Daniel glared at him, fidgeting his fingertips.

"I am her best friend, Lex, and know that I just hate you and your ugly face.", said Lex narrowing his eyes.

"I dont think I like you either, and.....I don't remember asking for your opinion. Looking at your face makes me feel disgusted.", Daniel was rather annoyed.

"You like Sharlene?", asked Lex, embarrassed by Daniel's reply.

"What if I do? Does that have anything to do with you?",  Daniel was irritated.

"Yes, I like her....", he was about to say other words too but then Sharlene arrived.

"Hey guysss, Here you are. Daniel, I bought your favourite milk tea, here you are lex."

Lex was sneering. He felt a burn inside himself...

"Okay Let's go, oh and Daniel mom has invited you for dinner do you have time today if you don't have time then you can come later too", said Sharlene.

"It's okay I can come today. Lets go.", said Daniel

Lex pressed his lips flat. He clenched his teeth. He couldn't stand seeing Sharlene with Daniel.

"Lex do you want to come too? We can have dinner together.", said Sharlene.

"No, Besides I am very busy today. Lets have dinner some other time", said Lex.

"Okay then we're off. Bye Lex."

"Bye Sharlene, be careful on your way home."

....

Ding Dong.... Ding dong....

"Coming who's there", shouted mom from the kitchen.

"Mom its me....", came a voice.

Mom opened the door.

"Good evening Mrs. Jennifer", said Daniel.

"Good heavens! Who is this handsome guy? Is he your boyfriend Sharlene? Why didn't you tell me before?", her mood lifted.

"No momm... don't you recognise him? he's not my boyfriend! He's Daniel...",Sharlene was blushing.

"Wait what did you say? Daniel? He is....D-Daniel?? ", mom gasped. "Oh dear, i didn't recognize you. You've grown to be much more handsome and taller. Come in! "

They talked for nearly 2 hours and had their dinner. After a long talk Daniel returned back home. But the thing that bothered him was that he was not the only one liking Sharlene and he knew it would not be easy.

"tuntuntooooou troroororo rorororo tuu uuuuu", the phone rang.

"who could it be at this hour.", thought Sharlene.

"hello..."

"hey...its me Daniel", came the voice.

Sharlene's heart fluttered..... hearing his voice cheered her soul

They talked the whole night sharing all their joy and sorrows...