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YIN AND YANG
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“What’s this?”
“A gift,” Johnathan replied, smiling.
A grey box, with red ribbon tied to a bow and a note tucked underneath it. Maeve tentatively opened the box. Inside it a simple, round gold pendant of a north star compass. The cardinal and intercardinal points raised above the base plate and embellished with small diamonds. Maeve smiled.
“It’s beautiful,” Maeve whispered. She pushed her hair aside. Johnathan picked up the delicate necklace and clasped it around her neck. Next, she read the note.
"When you think you’ve lost your way or that you’re on your own. When you’re tired or defeated or just feeling all alone. When you’re taking on a challenge and the end is yet unknown. Your compass will guide the way until you’ve reached home."
"The last thing your mother ever wrote me,” Johnathan said, putting a strand of hair behind her ear. Maeve swallowed hard and nodded. Jack stuffed his hands in his pockets, uncomfortable with the delicate exchange. He bumped lovingly against Maeve and she in return gave a teary grin. “Frankly, she was always better with words than I ever will be.”
Jack rolled his eyes. “Although, you’d think at least a professor of literature could write something,”
Johnathan smacked the back of Jack’s head and Maeve laughed.
“Thank you,” Maeve pulled both men into a hug, squeezing them with all her might. Jack squirmed under her grasp. She released them reluctantly. Behind them, the Conte family and Wang watched. The dinner had been smooth. Everyone chatted idly and exchanged stories about Maeve. Wang had none of his own to offer but Maeve noticed how he listened intently and often chimed in with questions. The seating arrangement was supposed to help them get comfortable, but both found it difficult to concentrate fully aware of the other’s body. A slight shift or breath fuelled their nerves. Else had tried to draw up a conversation but it dwindled down as quickly as it started.
“It was a lovely evening and an honour to meet you all,” Wang said. “Thanks for letting me tag along, Else.”
Else dismissed it with her hand. “You wouldn’t take no for an answer.” Else cast Maeve a look, who was walking back to the group with her family in tow, and sighed. Before they were within earshot, Else pointed at Maeve and threatened with a smile, “Do not fuck it up.”
“Language!” Kevin exclaimed, frowning. Else shrugged but pointedly look at Wang.
Maeve snaked a hand around Else’s waist and kissed her cheek. “Thank you.”
“Let’s go home,” Kevin declared whilst opening the passenger door for his wife. Maeve grabbed her jacket and bag from Deborah with a smile. Else kissed Maeve's cheek and patted Wang’s back. It wasn't lfriendly and promised a warning. Be careful, it seemed to say. Maeve opened her mouth to say something but Else quickly skipped towards the car and snuck inside.
“Mr. Byrne, with your permission I would like to take a walk with Maeve,” Wang requested. He glanced at Maeve, “Of course, if she would join me.”
A pause.
“Would be a shame to waste a beautiful night,” she agreed, beaming at him. Johnathan pursued his lips and grunted in agreement, gritting his teeth together. Jack stepped into the backseat. Jonathan followed suit, rolled down the window and whistled at Wang. Maeve froze.
“2m distance. Home by midnight,” he warned. Jack chuckled beside him, surprised at his father’s leniency. He remembered his father chasing a young boy around their front garden with a shoe for holding Maeve’s hand. Wang gave a curt nod. He took Maeve’s bag and slung it over his shoulder; his smile silencing her protest.
“Aren’t you missing something important?” Jack reminded, nudging his fathers’ side and mimed a kiss with a low moan. Jonathan's eyes widened
“No touching!” he screamed.
There it is, Jack smiled showing teeth. Kevin honked twice and Maeve waved as the car peeled off. Wang offered his arm and she chuckled.
“You heard him. 2m distance,” she teased. “Breaking the rules right off the bat?”
“What he won’t see, won’t know,” he winked. Maeve looped her arms around his. They strolled casually, naturally falling into a rhythm. The moon bathed the city in grey, the clouds hiding to offer the beauty of a few stars. The streets were almost empty minus the few cheering in drunken glee. Maeve’s eyes wandered to Wang, who guided her with ease towards the River Thames that lay in the distance.
“How do you know Else?” Maeve asked, breaking the silence.
“We’re in the student committee together. We get on well,” he answered. “You two seem close.”
Maeve nodded.
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“Else and I met at boarding school,” Maeve explained. They stopped at the traffic lights. Wang glanced down at her, a considerable inch below him, and followed her gaze. They observed their bodies side by side on the refection of the windowsill. They looked good together albeit awkward. Wang cursed himself for his cowardice. Didn’t love stories need courage? Love demanded a leap of faith. Before even facing the cliff, Wang opted for avoiding it altogether. Maeve observed his features darken. Lips were pressed in a straight line, jaw tight and she could see his brows knitted together in annoyance. Does he regret this? she pondered. She didn’t want to know the answer. Maeve pulled her jacket tighter around her, suddenly cold not from the chilly breeze but nerves.
“That is a very long time,” he said.
“I’ve known them since I was fourteen,” Maeve continued. “They’re good people. And, very good to me.”
The conversation naturally trailed off when they saw the river. They crossed the empty street, London Eye standing tall and Big Ben slightly on their left in the backdrop, looking picturesque. They settled by the stairs underneath the Millennium Bridge, unhooking their arms and resting their elbows on the concrete ledge. Wang immediately missed the touch. Maeve’s laugh startled him.
“He said home by midnight,” Maeve reminded, pointing at Big Ben. 11:30pm. “You broke the second rule.”
“I’ll willingly suffer the consequences,” he retorted, grinning. Maeve threw her head back and laughed harder. The turbid brown water crashed against the edges, loud and large in agreement.
“By the way,” Maeve started. “How did Else convince you to come?”
The tips of his ears turned crimson and he rubbed the back of his head, absentmindedly. There was no sand in sight to stick his head in.
“She… didn’t. Last month during a committee meeting, I overheard her on the phone making the arrangements,” he mumbled in a hurry. Maeve’s eyebrows slowly raised in question. Wang explained, “I nagged her until she gave in.”
Maeve threw her head back and laughed. I’m stupid. No guy would do that if they weren’t interested, she reasoned.
“I like you,” she confessed. “I find you smart, kind and charming. Not too bad on the eyes too.”
Wang’s head whipped around so fast he heard a bone click. His eyes widened in surprise, mouth dropping open and he stared at the unapologetic smile etched on Maeve’s lips. Defiant and unwavering. Wang groaned internally.
"Say something!” Maeve pushed. Patience was never her virtue. She continued quietly, “Its okay if you don’t. Wouldn’t be my first rejection.”
“Who would be dumb enough to reject you?” Wang blurted out, instinctively. Maeve’s eyes snapped to his face. Wang swallowed hard and looked at her expecting face, taking in a large breath. He whispered, “I…like you, too.”
“What did you say?” Maeve asked, biting the inside of her cheek.
“I like you,” he repeated, stronger and louder. Maeve split into a grin looking like the cat that ate the canary. Wang found a smile forming on his own face.
“I heard it the first time,” Maeve teased. “Just wanted to hear it again.”
“You’re enjoying your birthday then?” Wang asked.
“Absolutely,” Maeve said. “I just have to see how it ends.”
Wang threw his head back and laughed. They both felt something heavy lift from the air. He reached for Maeve’s hand, of which she enthusiastically gave, and held it in his own, the heat a welcome guest in the chilly breeze.
“No touching. You officially broke all the rules,” Maeve teased. Wang didn’t care anymore. Some rules had to be broken.
Maeve suddenly shrieked and shrugged Wang off, her hands reaching for the bag slung over his shoulder. She ransacked the contents, the strap tugging roughly against his neck and when he was about to question her, she pulled out an object. Wang recognised the polaroid camera, gifted to Maeve from her co-workers. He put down the bag on the floor. Big Ben struck a warning reminding the time. 23:55pm.
“You know, I was born on midnight,” Maeve admitted, twisting the camera in her hands.
“Really?” he hummed.
“Else thinks that’s why I get on well with everyone,” she continued, rolling her eyes. “Something to do with energies…”
“She could be right,” Wang shrugged. “In Ancient Chinese philosophy, it says the world consists of two universal forces,” Wang said, pulling the camera out from Maeve’s grasp. “Yin and Yang. The positive and negative forces of reality that are interconnected. Rather than opposing energies they are complimentary.”
“Yes, and how they are the material energies which our souls are created out of,” Maeve rushed out. Wang looked at her surprised and Maeve shrugged. She simply said, “Else.”
Wang nodded as if it made sense. He switched the camera on. Lights blinked on the screen and the lens swirled out of its socket. Maeve tugged at his jackets sleeve, waiting for him to continue. Wang rolled his eyes.
“They believed those born at night have yin energy. A cold and dark force,” Wang said. “Those born in the morning have yang energy. Hot and light.”
Maeve nodded thoughtfully. “So, if midnight is not yet morning or night…They have both?”
“Precisely,” he confirmed, tracing the edges of her jaw with his thumb.
“So, what does that mean?” Maeve asked, curious.
“It’s just folklore,” he dismissed. She crossed her arms and tapped her feet. Wang continued in defeat. “Your soul is complete. Apparently, people like that are closer to the Gods.”
Maeve laughed. Fpr all the things she could believe, having a complete soul and being close to the Gods was definitely not it. Insteda, she snuggled under his arm rested her head on his chest, breathing in his scent. A woody, rich and husky smell mixed in with the sweet accent of vanilla. If she pushed herself on her tiptoes, she could kiss his lips. Almost. Maeve shook her head to discard the fantasy.
“Let’s take a picture,” Wang declared. He held out the camera, angling it so they were both in frame and turned on the flash. Once satisfied, he looked down at Maeve and cocked his head.
"What did you wish for when you blew out the candles?"
She blushed.
"A kiss," she whispered.
What followed was the impossible. Big Ben chimed, loud and obnoxious. The needles sat heavily on the 12. Midnight. Time slowed down as Maeve watched Wang’s eyes close and his head bend down, his lips inches away where she could feel his cool breath. When his lips captured hers, warm and gentle, the flash exploded- the polaroid capturing their first kiss. An orb of hot, glowing light with streaks of red and green energy, like eels against a current, swirled in circles ensnaring them. It grew bigger and bigger, and when it swallowed every inch of their bodies, it burst like a balloon.
Darkness followed.
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