It was Friday, so Alec’s shift was to parked at the International Airport, so there he went, parked at the Taxi block, and turned off the engine, hoping soon enough a first customer for the day should arrived soon.
-Excuse me? Are you available. As Alec suddenly awake from his short nap, from a called outside the window, it was time for him to work as he opened the door to greet the new customer.
-Sure Miss, are you by yourself?
-Yes! Can you put my suitcase in the booth!
-Yeah! That’s fine, I’ll take care of it for you.
-Thank you! The young lady replied as she leaves her suitcase to Alec, and she turned to sit in the back seat of the taxi.
Alec was getting quite exciting, with his job, it was not often to see a beautiful girl travel by herself like today.
-Where are we heading Miss. Alec asked while driving his taxi out of the Airport’s ground.
-Oh! Can you please pulled over for awhile thanks!
“What! Already!” Alec thought, confusing what was the point of getting on a taxi for less than five minutes, and wanted to get down. But he got to choice. He pulled over and stopped the clock, reluctantly he spoke to the back.
-There, Miss, It’s 5 dollars, thanks.
-What? I’m not getting off yet!
-You’re not!
-Of course, I’m not what do you think, I just got in!!
-Oh! Sorry, sorry then, I just thought.
-I just asked you to pull over so I can asked you something!
-Okay! Than, what can I do?
-I need you to take me to a motel in center of the City, I don’t want to be expensive, just a reasonable one…
-Okay! That’s fine..You asked the right person…
With that, Alec happily took off, as he know this could be one juicy customer,
as she doesn’t even know where she want to go. So it could take long..
And it surely did take a long time. More than 2 hours, Alec had shown to the young lady every single motel and hotel there were in the center City. But she was always either “It’s so much” or “I don’t like the atmosphere”.. So after so many times of running around, they still at square one.
-Is it really that hard to find a simple place to stay in Hong Kong? The young lady asked.
-No, but it’s depended on how simple you want it to be. I think you been to all the motel and hotel there is in this tiny City.
-Really? Is that all in here? Wow, I only wanted a small place, so I can stayed in during my 2 weeks stay at Hong Kong. You know, just a bedroom, and a bathroom, I don’t really need kitchen, but it have to be in a clean hygiene environment.
-Hum?? Small place, just a bedroom, and a bathroom, center City, good environment…Hey you don’t mind staying in an Apartment building do you?
-Nope, not really was long as it suit me..
-Okay I got one last place, I’ll take you to where I live?
-What for?
-Hey! Don’t misunderstand my word. I meant I take to do my place, where there is an empty room for lease.
-Really? Does it have what I’m looking for..
-I think so, we’ll see…
-Thanks? May I know your name?
-Alec!
-Thanks Alec, calls me Vicki.
-Vicki.
A long drive but finally Alec got a chance to return home. With a new guest
for Ms Khue.
Alec got home, decided for a quick break before he clocked on again. But suddenly a knock on his door as Alec walked out to opened the door, thinking “Who is it that looking for me at this time. I did pay my rent!”
-Hi! …Vicki exciting greeted to Alec, as he shown big surprise…she continued… I asked Ms Khue, and she showed me your room here.
-Yes! Come in…
-Thanks…
They made their way in the house, in sat down at the only two chairs in the small room.
-Do you like the place? Alec asked.
-Um..hum..It’s okay!
-You wanted to look for me…?
-Yes, you’re a taxi driver right?
-Yes ? (As it was more than obvious)
-Um, I wanted to book you as my driver during my stay in here. That means two weeks.
-You want to book me, you mean 24 hours per day, for 14 days..
-Well, if that how you put it, yes…
-Wow, that going to cost…
-Tell me a price.
-Okay, per day I charge, 200, 14 days, that’s make $1,800.
-What, That much…$1,500
-$1,700
-$1,600, that’s my best, if you can’t then I looked for someone else.. As Vicki stood up about to walk away, but Alec quickly stopped her way.
-Alright..
-Deal?
-Deal!
-Okay! I’ll pay you $500 deposit. After one week, I’ll pay $500 more, on the last day, I’ll pay the rest $600. But if I can’t find you where I need you, I’ll ask double of my deposit to be returned okay!
-Okay! Don’t worry I’m your for the next 2 weeks.
-No thanks, I only want your car, and you to drive it…Take a rest now, we’ll start early tomorrow. By the way if you don’t know the City very well, make sure you get a map with you..
-Why?
-We’ll searching around. I’m looking for a person. Okay
-Okay. Rest well Miss
-You too, Alec.
With that Vicki left the room, leaving Alec crying out of happiness. Making $1,600 for two weeks, it was his record. Flung himself on the bed, he couldn’t believed this was happening to him, just like a dream come true..
Every time they stopped, Alec would have to go down with Vicki as well. Cause she claimed, that she had been away from Hong Kong for more then 10 years, it was very easy for her to get lost.
Then, Alec realized, that they were looking for an old lady who sells food in the market. And By nearly drawn. When they almost at their last place. That where Vicki found who she was looking for. An old, around late 50s, skinny dark skin lady. But she did not sell food at the old market anymore. She went back to her old job, work of a servant for big family, that once she was Vicki nanny since Vicki was three, until when she left Hong Kong at the age of 11. Vicki was lucky enough to recognize her, in the middle of the late market.
Alec was asked to move away so the two ladies can have their private conversation. So he didn’t know what they were talking about. But Vicki came back again the next day for the lady to pick up an address. As she got back in the car. There was a moment, of puzzled, before she lead forward to give Alec the address note.
-Do you know this place…She asked.
-Um…Yes, it just right on the other side of the bridge over there .. Alec replied after a quickly glanced at the note.
-Okay! Let’s go then.
So off they went. The Taxi followed what written on the paper, lead them to a big three stories house. As then Vicki asked him to stopped on one side of the street. She sat still in the car for another fifteen minutes, motionlessly, just watching the big house. She was going trough a lot of thought in her mind, Alec could tell by her expression. But what was she thinking, he would have no idea.
And then, Vicki sudden, released her seat bell, and walked out of the car, as she turned to tell Alec to wait there. So he stayed back to watch her. She made her way to the big house. Standing there for another almost ten minutes before she was about to pressed for the bell. When some thoughts strike her, as she paused, immediately dropped her hand and ran back in the car.
Alec could see she was shaking viciously, but was it from fear, he doesn’t know. No one had done anything to her, yet. She was confused, look like she’s trying to make up a certain important decision in her head, and she definitely was struggled of an unsure answer. But Vicki told him to head home, so home they went ended their third day.
-Hi! Have you eaten? Vicki cried out, as she saw Alec opened the door for her.
-No! He answered back in surprise.
-Good! Then take that bowl in for me.
Vicki was carrying half a dozen of canned beer, with a small bowl of sauce as she pointed for Alec to carry a big bowl of just cooked yappy inside.
-Yappy? Alec asked in surprised once they got in the room.
-Um Huh? I been craving to have this for so long, they are so expensive in Melbourne, do you know that, but it’s not even fresh like here, come, I brought some over for you to share with me, its not fun eating by myself. I just went down the street and brought all this.
Alec then squashed down on the ground with Vicki, as there was no table, to put the things on, so everything placed on the ground.
-Here, we’re not going out again tonight. So you can drink…As Vicki brought a can to Alec.
-You drink?
-Only beer! But I reduced a lot since I got my license, have to, it’s a big deal over there.
As both of them enjoying the food and the drinks while the conversation went on.
-So do you live by yourself Alec? Vicki asked.
-Yes, My father is dead, my mother is living in the country, I worked here, and came back every month to see her. How about you?.
-Oh, my mother is still over Australia, with my younger brother, he’s ten.
-So your mother let you come back alone!
-Yes, I begged her to let me go alone.
-Why?
-Cause I got something to do over here, that I don’t want she to know.
-Is that what you been doing this morning.
-Alec, do you know who was the big house this morning belonging to?
-No, But I can tell that you’re looking for someone in there!
-Yes. My birth father!
-What your father? Alec asked, (Vicki nodded)
-My parent got divorced since I was six. The last time I saw him was when I was eight, in grade fourth. He came to my classroom one morning to look for me. But after that, I never see him again.
-So you want to look for him now?
-Yes! At least I want to have to look at who is my father. I’m not looking to have a father back.
-So how long have you left here.
-My mother married to an Australian man. And I came to Australia, since I was eleven. Now it had been exactly eleven years.
-Eleven years, that pretty long. Why didn’t you come back earlier?
-I was not sure, until just at the beginning of this year, which I made up my mind to find him or I’m afraid it will be too late.
-Don’t mind if I asked you? Do you blame your father?
-I blamed both my parents! If they don’t loved each other and can’t afford to make the relationship to work between each other. So why marry, then give birth to me and treat each other as enemies?
-Your father hated your mother?
-I don’t know. But I known mum hated him. And his family, she said they stolen her money and her properties. She never allowed me to see them…But I just have to see who is my father.
-So you found out your father is at that house.
-I’m pretty sure. You remembered the lady from the market. She’d used to work as a servant for my mother and her niece was my baby-sister. She also knew my father’s family, so I went and look for her. As I was right, she still known my father family.
-So are you going to see him tomorrow?
-I’m not sure. He already had a new family, with wife and kids. And it’s been so long, wonder if he still remembered of a lost daughter like me.
-I’m sure he will, and I think you also need to look for him. He is your father.
-We’ll see tomorrow, we’ll see.
By now, Vicki, and Alec and long finished the food and drink as they slowly packed up, and Vicki returned to her room, for some sleep. But in fact she was awake all night, thinking what she going to say if she meet her father tomorrow.
Alec drove to the big house, which he drove to yesterday, as he sat in his Taxi, which was parked opposite the house. He watched Vicki, as she crossed the road to get to the other side. She pressed the bell. A few minutes later, an old lady came out, and she opened the door for Vicki to come in.
“Must be the house keeper,” Alec thought about the lady who opened the gate, as he sat still patiently waiting for Vicki.
Almost half an hour later, Vicki walked out of the gate, with an older man waved good-bye to her.
“Would that be her father?” Alec asked himself, while Vicki slowly crossed the street, and walked to the taxi.
-Did you see him? Alec asked, when Vicki sat in the car.
She nodded quietly as a reply.
-Was he happy to see you? Alec continued.
-I don’t know, Vicki finally spoke out.
-Huh? Why? Didn’t you just come to see your birth father?
-Drive! Vicki ordered.
-What happened in there?
-Just drive, I’m hungry, find somewhere to eat.
-Okay! He frowned, and started driving to the nearest restaurant.
===============================
Vicki had been so quiet, since she came out of the house. Alec was confused but he was afraid to ask. So they slowly had a small lunch together, after that, Vicki decided to take a walk, and Alec had to follow.
-Did you what? As Vicki slowly relaxed herself, and wanted to reveal to Alec of what happened just now.
-What? Alec replied with full interest.
-I saw him, but I didn’t tell him!
-Your father? (Vicki nodded) you didn’t tell him what?
-That I was his daughter!
-Why?
-Because… It’s just too hard, I have been separated from him, for nearly half of my life. Standing in front of him, it was just like standing in front of a total stranger, except for deep inside, I know that he is my father.
-So why don’t you just tell him?
-I don’t know how will he react!
-He should be very happy.
-But what if he doesn’t want to; I mean he already had a family, a wife and two daughters.
-But he deserved to know you, his long lost daughter.
-But I’m scared of confronting to him, So I twisted the truth instead…I told him, that I was a friend of his long lost daughter, to see whether he still remember me!
-So, did he remember? (Vicki nodded)
-Good! so what stopped you?
-I don’t know, I’m just too scared…Maybe later I will tell him, but just not now..
-I don’t see what is pulling you back, but I still think you should had told him..
-May be, later.
Alec frowned inside, and wondered how he could help. Even though, Vicki and him had only known each other for a few days, she was more like his boss. But some how, he felt very attached to her.
-Ms Khue! Have you seen Alec? Vicki asked the house’s owner, as Alec had disappeared all morning.
-Yes! He went out early this morning; I thought you asked him to go somewhere. Ms Khue answered, as she was aware that Vicki had booked Alec for whole two weeks.
-No, I didn’t. Wonder where could he is, going off without telling me!
-Relax, Vick, I think he’ll return soon. Sit down, and tell me, how do you like Hong Kong?
-Um…Very nice, very busy actually!
-Really? Any difference from Australia?
-Oh, yes! It’s so quiet over there, even though my house is in a corner of a very busy intersection, but it still feels very lonely, because the people there basically focus on their own life.
-Really? But I thought it was such more modern.
-I’m not sure about modern, except it has lots of cars. Hong Kong’s also not bad, but over at Melbourne, mostly people travell around by car, bicycle is just like a sport. Or by public transport as well.
-So where do you like to live?
-Um…I’m not sure.. Cause I haven’t been living in here for so long, so I don’t know. But life in Australia was very hard for me, but I got my own freedom. Before, when I was small, and lived in Hong Kong, I was abandoned from social life a lot, cause my mother, used to be very careful for me.
-Oh! But I guessed you might like over there better, cause you grew up there.
-May be, But Hong Kong, is still one of my favorite City, cause it’s a hometown.
During the ladies conversation, at this point, Alec walked in through the door,
-There, Alec is home. Ms Khue said pointing, her finger to Alec. Vicki immediately stood up, as she tried to create a hard face on him.
-Where have you been, didn’t I tell you to be available when ever I need you, I been waiting for ages, do you plan to give meback double my deposit??? She asked in a harsh voice.
-Wait, wait. Before you get mad, I want you to see someone! And then we’ll discuss the money, okay! Alec replied.
-What are you up to? And where are you taking me?
By that Alec quickly pulled Vicki’s hand to follow him to the car, as he quickly drove to a nearby restaurant in the middle of center City.
=================================
In the restaurant, at one table far at the corner, sat an elderly man, around his early 50s. Vicki hesitantly followed Alec, but as she looked to where he was pointing, she paused.
-What is he doing there? She asked out aloud.
-He came to see you! Alec answered, as Vicki turned to give him a confused look, but Alec quickly pushed Vicki over to the table, where the man had been standing, waiting for Vicki.
-Mr Ching! I brought Vicki here for you! Alec said, pushing Vicki’s back so she could go closer.
-Vicki! You’re my daughter, why didn’t you tell me! Mr Ching, spoke out, tenderly as his eyes observed Vicki closely.
-How…How do you know? Vicki asked out of surprise, she had hid that from him, since she saw him yesterday.
-Alec told me…. Mr Ching replied.
Vicki gave a soft thank you look for Alec, as he had done for her something she wanted to do a long time ago, but didn’t have the courage to confront.
She then slowly came to sit next to Mr Ching, as both father and daughter shared a long deep conversation together, telling each other how their life had been during the past years. Alec waited quietly outside for Vicki; giving himself a good pat as he knew he had done the right thing.
-Well, I don’t! I only came back to the house yesterday. I asked the lady who opened the gate for the owner of the house, supposingly it will be your father. And I was lucky!. Alec replied, sitting on his single bed.
-So what did you tell my father?
-I asked, whether he had a lost daughter named Vicki? And he said no.
-Hahaha..that’s right! I was named Zhao Wei. Vicki was my English name, which I changed after I settled in Australia.
-I thought that be the case. But luckily your father did tell me that he had a lost daughter from a prior marriage. Then I’m sure I was on the right track.
-So what’s then.
-So, I told him everything…that I known, and finally he asked me to take him to see you, and…
-You did…
Alec nodded and smiled.
-Thank you Alec. If it wasn’t for you, I don’t think I can face the truth with my father.
-So are you happy now..
-Um..she nodded…I’m relief now..Aiyah, I better go to ring my mum, I promised her I will..
-What about your…your boyfriend.
-Oh! What? Ah…that! I don’t have one… Seeing my mother failure in marriages, twice. I’m not looking forward to that.
-Your mother failed in marriages twice? So your latest father??..
-My mother first husband, which was my birth father. He was drug addicted. So she left him, after she found out. With that his parent, who was my grandparent, took advantaged of the divorce and take over half of my mum property. But after that she still managed to stand up, and rebuild her life. She became more successful in the business of trading. Until one time she went to Australia to visit her sister, which was my auntie. There she met my stepfather, her second husband. He was an old man, about 50 at that time. She was about middle 30s. He wasn’t rich and mum knew that. She only wanted to build a normal life. So she agreed to the marriage after knowing the man for a short time … But when we came to Melbourne. We found out he was a man in deep debt. By that Mum had to use her own money to pay for his debt. She deposited for a new house. Through a few years staying together, we found out he was an abnormal man. He a kind of man that like to do a lot for the community so he can get the good name outside, but at home is always tried to be a powerful man, who aspect everyone to listen to him. He harassed and treated us badly.
-Why don’t your mother get divorced with him?
-At that time, she also had a child with him. So she didn’t want both of her children all lose their father at the young age. So she stayed back and tried to make the relationship work. I stayed back cause I wanted to protect my mother, from the violent and harassment. One of my usual task was to call the police every time they started a fight.
-So..is he still there now?
-Him…haha..he’s in jail at the moment.
-What? Why?
-He was caught with handling pen guns, selling them without a license, making drugs, and using fake identification to take money from the government. His arrest was about 4 years ago, and pleased guilty in court five months after that. He was sent for 6 years in jail. And he was already 56 at that time.
-How could a 56 man, be doing all those criminal things.
-I don’t know, both my mum and I were in great shocked, when the policed shown to us all the pen guns and drugs, which was kept at the basement of our house. We known he was a horrible man, never thought he would be that careless and insane.
-But at least he is away now right, so how is your mother?
-We rebuild our life very quickly and peacefully. The most worth wide time was during the pass four years…
-Thanks God.. Life always fair.
-But life is also very tough, and I don’t want to be in any of the position that my mum had been.
-Well, I’m sure hopefully that your charming prince will come one day.
-Um…may be or may be not… So far I only had one wish… And today you helped me to fulfill it. Thank you. As Vicki led over and gave Alec a soft pecked on his cheek.
Alec, looked up with full surprised filling his heart would jump out of his mouth in any minute. It was the first time he been kissed by a girl.
-Hahahaha…Vicki laughed out of Alec weird reaction. Don’t you wonder around. It was only a traditional thank you from Australian. Okay. With that she just walked straight off and disappeared outside the door.
Leaving Alec with full frustration “ Was it only a thank you kiss?” He asked to himself.
That was the last day, before the next morning she would head off for an early flight. Today Alec took Vicki, to the Waterfall play ground, as they visiting the magic garden.
-Alec, why don’t we take a photo together for souvenir. Why don’t you put the camera on automatic. Vicki yelled out, as Alec quickly find a good spot to set up the camera, she would sit down first so he can take a frame of the picture.
After pressed down the auto button. Alec quickly rushed to where Vicki was sitting and kneeled down beside her.
-Hey, why so far, the camera will not take you in. Just then Vicki innocently pull on Alec’s shirt so he can come closer.
-Wait, the camera. That was he able to yelled went the flash went off. And he was falling on top of her.
-Oops, sorry. We’ll do it again.
So off he went preparing for another shot, hopefully this time, she will not ruining it.
==============================
The next morning, As they saying goodbye at the airport.
-Thank you, Alec for all your help. She said slowly.
-That’s okay!…He answered back reluctantly.
-Well, I guess this is it!
-Will you, ever come back…
-May be, Alec, may be…
A moment of silent, then she started again.
-Here, the rest of your money, and a little gift.
Alec looked inside the envelope, it was the rest of his payment, and a photo of them together.
-Okay! I better go now…
-Wait! He put out his hand to grab on her arm… Can you stay…I don’t want the money, I liked you to stay.
-“As much as I wanted to” the said to herself. No I can’t she said to him.
-Alec, I know it hard, but we can’t. Good bye Alec…
With that, she softly stood up, and kiss him on the cheek. But Alec immediately locked his arms around her waist. Vicki stayed still, as she looked softly on to his eyes. As the emotion arising in both of them, she dropped her bag and rounded her arms on his neck, and kissed on his lips truly. The kissed that they been waiting for days… Suddenly “knock, knock, knock!”
================================
-Wah, Taxi, are you running!
Alec awoke to the sound of his first customer calling. Realizing be had been overslept while on his shift at the airport. Oh my God, it was just a dream, a wonderful dream. Between him, and a girl called Vicki, but why did she came to his dream.
-Hello, anybody there??
Alec quickly wakened himself, as he signal for the new customer to come in.
The lady slowly make her way to the back, after mumbling a few words on how lazy the driver was, sleeping while on the job.
The closed hard the door, and put on her seatbelt.
-Where to Miss. Alec began his normal question.
-Get me to Ben Hin Market.
-Sure… Alec turned on his keys, and drove the car out of the airport.
The ladies was keep her head bending down, so he could tell who, but one thing for sure, she’s not in the good move. But Alec was still dripping back to the dream he had, and he didn’t paying to much attention to her muttering at the back.
-Stupid Vincent, I told him to pick me up. Now brother flight had take off and I had to take a Taxi. I’m going to break up with him this time for sure.
-“Wait, that’s voice sound familiar!” Thought Alec, as he tried another look at his customer on the back. As she looked up outside the window, he cried out with joy inside, and almost lost control of his steering wheel, but he quickly grab it back.
-Wah, can’t you drive properly. Said the unhappy customer.
-Vicki! He called out, to his new customer who looked exactly like Vicki, the girl in his dream.
-No, I’m Wei Wei, and by the way, concentrate on your driving would you.
-Did you just came back from Australia, and looking for your father.
-NO, I just farewell for my brother, going to Australia for study, and No, my father is still at him, why should I look for him.
-What? That’s strange.
-What’s strange? I think you strange.
-This may sound silly, but I dreamt about you just then..
-What?
-Yeah, I met you and you were coming home from Australia, looking for your father, and I helped you.
-Oh my God, Stop the car, You’re nut..
Alec stopped the car, before he could turned around to explain. But Wei Wei already but back the money and ran out of the cab as if she been chase by a ghost.
-Gosh, Vicki in a dream, Wei Wei at real life…What happening to me…Frowned Alec…as he himself, can’t worked out, what’s been going on. In the same day, he met the same person twice. One in his dream, who felt in love with him. One on reality who ran away from him ????
THE END.
==========================================
Did I confuse anyone?
Well, the whole story, was Alec a taxi drive took a nap from his morning shift, and felt into a strange dream. Where he met this girl, and he helped her to look for her father, but the most important thing, was he felt in love with her, and she loved him back. But they can’t be together. Then he woke up, meeting the same person in his dream, in totally different circumstances. So will it possible for the real Wei Wei and Alec?? You can work it out..
Thank you for reading “Dream”..
Tanya
