Chapter 39: Chapter 39

This coincidence gave Arya a surprise and she was delighted.

For this warm-hearted passerby to appear was better than any other stranger and it gave her greater comfort.  Apparently, Chandler was also very surprised.  He scratched his head and smiled.  “This is such a coincidence.”

The two mothers were very concerned about their reactions.  Once they found out both of them already knew each other in the other city and they also stay in the same apartment building, the two mothers were overjoyed.  It was the kind of joy that was beyond their expectations and their urgent need to straightaway prepare for a wedding really gave Arya a fright.

Fortunately, Chandler Wilson was a steady person.  When her Elders phobia attacked again, she began to stammer and did not know what to say.  Chandler came forward to take control of the situation.

He encouraged the two mothers to eat the food that was already served and then talked about the food leading them to talk about health care.  From health care, he talked about the hobbies of the elderly, playing chess, knitting, playing rummy and even popular TV dramas.  He could actually talk about a lot of things.

After waiting for the two mothers to chat happily and when their mood was more stable, he started to joke about him and Arya.  He mentioned that they had just met and that the two mothers had advanced too far ahead of them which made it difficult for them to get along.

The words spoken were reasonable and he also had control over their chat.  In the end, the two mothers agreed that he was right and after that, for the second half of the dinner, they did not mention anything about marriage or related topics.  The point of concern was focused on the work and life of the two young people in the other city.

Arya was not very good at this kind of talk and sat there feeling very uncomfortable.  Fortunately, Chandler was very patient and her

Mother was also very interested in the matters regarding him.  Chandler’s Mother was proud of her son and also loved to talk.  So basically, they talked mainly about him and Arya sat there quietly.  The dinner went on smoothly without any mishap.

After the dinner ended, the two mothers were still reluctant to give up and even said that their two children were destined to be together.  They even insisted that Chandler to take Arya for a stroll and told them to come home later.

Arya agreed and also accepted as she did not want to make the situation difficult for everyone.  Eventually, the two people walked down the street under the watchful and happy eyes of the two mothers.

“That……I’m very sorry.”  After coming out of the restaurant, Arya still felt a little uncomfortable.  “My Mom, she is a bit over-board…..I hope you don’t mind.”

Chandler smiled.  “My Mom is also the same.  It’s alright.  I also hope you don’t mind.”

“Oh.”  She felt more relaxed and heaved a sigh of relief.

“Why did you come back for a blind date?”

“Ah…..I was deceived.  My Mom had always wanted me to come back, work here and get married here but I don’t want to come back.”  Arya finished speaking.  Is this considered as rejecting him?  She looked at Chandler.

He also looked at her and said.  “Are you so determined?

In fact, this city is now developing quite well.”

“It is not for this reason.”  She did not know how to explain to him.

“I’ve been staying in that city for several years.  It’s really good there.  The business opportunities are more, job opportunities are more and more money.  But I still want to come back home.  My parents are getting old and I’m the only child, and I worry about them.” Chandler said.

She looked at Chandler and she could see the sincerity in his eyes.  She was suddenly touched.  Nowadays, a filial and responsible man is a rarity.

“My Mom’s health is also not very good.”  She compared herself with Chandler and felt the difference between them was very great.

“Don’t you have a younger brother?”  Just now Arya’s Mother had mentioned about him at the dinner table.

“He is studying in a CentralFord city and I don’t know what he intends to do after graduation.”

He nodded his head and seemed to have no idea what he is supposed to say.  After all, both wanted to be settled in different cities.  Based on this pre-condition, there is no possibility for development between the two of them.

She felt a little embarrassed.

She does not know how to handle this kind of situation and feels it is good if Jack is here.

“However, it is really such a coincidence.  I didn’t expect the person whom my Mom insisted that I date is actually you.”  Chandler suddenly laughed.

“You were also summoned back by your mother?”

“No.  I happen to have something to do and my friends wanted to introduce me to someone. It was set for today, so I told my family I will be back.  I didn’t think they would take this opportunity to arrange for a dinner date.”

She thought of him being caught to go on a blind-date even though he was busy.  Comparing him with her, it seems he was even more miserable and involuntarily she laughed.

The two of them chatted as they walked and it could also be considered they were on friendly terms.  Arya slowly began to relax and she began to talk more.  When Chandler sent her home, she thought for a moment and said.  “Mr. Wilson, I really don’t want to come back for a blind date.  I was deceived by my Mom and for the time being, I don’t intend to come back to the hometown.”

“I understand.  You’ve told me before.”  Chandler nodded and said good-naturedly.  “Anyway, we are still friends.  Talking about this, we are really destined to meet.  I hope you’re not scared by this blind date and I will talk to my Mom so that they will not worry over this.”

“Thank you.  I will also talk to my family and I hope I have not caused trouble for you.”

“No, you haven’t.”  Chandler grinned revealing his white teeth.  Arya again felt his smile was similar to Jack’s.

“Tomorrow I will be driving back to the city in the afternoon.  Do you want a lift from me?  Anyway, it is on the way and I can even send you back, right up to your doorstep.”

This is actually true.  It is really ‘on the way’, so much so that she will really be sent right up to her doorstep.

She smiled and nodded her agreement.

When Arya reached home, she saw her Father giving medicine to her Mother.

“What is the matter?”

“Nothing is the matter.  This is the medicine that the doctor prescribed last week.”

“Your Mom feels very happy and once she is excited, her heart will feel uncomfortable.”  Although her Father said his wife did not feel well, he still looked very happy.  “Arya, are you satisfied with that young man, today?  I heard that you already know each other and you also stay in the same district.  Isn’t this destiny?  I think this is very good.  Your Mom also said that the other family is also very satisfied with you.”

“He’s fine but in the meantime, it is still not possible for us.  I’ve talked to him.”

“What do you mean by ‘not possible’?”  Her Mother felt anxious when she heard.  “Did he say he doesn’t like you?  Or does he have other opinions?”

“No.  It’s not like that…….”  Arya was about to continue when she saw her Mother’s complexion had changed.  She quickly went over to help her to sit down.  “Do you feel uncomfortable?  Do you want to go to the hospital for a check-up?”

“It’s nothing……I’m alright.”  her Mother waved her hand.  “As long as you don’t make me worry, I’ll be fine.  Tell me, what is the situation now?  Why is it not possible?  Aren’t all the conditions quite good for both of you?  His family is also not rich and noble and he is starting his driving school, he still has to take a loan.  To put it bluntly, if you are married to him, you will have to live a life of sharing the burden of a loan with him.  The only good thing is that he has a house.  You don’t have to worry about it since he is an only child.  In the future, there will not be any problem in the division of assets and you also don’t have to shoulder the responsibility of younger siblings.  All these are good for you.  To put it plainly, our two families are well-matched in terms of social status.  You should not pick on the bad points of each other.  What did he say to you?  What does he think that is not good about you?”

“No, it’s just me……”  Arya looked at her mother’s pale face and suddenly could not bear it.  Her voice became softer.  “I still want to stay in the other city.”

Her mother’s expression changed and she glared at Arya.  Then she pointed her finger at Arya, but no words could come out of her mouth.  Her Father stood silently at the side and also did not speak.

After a while, her Mother shook her hand, stood up, turned around and entered her room.  Then she shut the door of her bedroom with a slam.  her Father chased after his wife, then looked back at his daughter and finally entered the room without speaking.

As Arya stood there alone, unspeakable sadness filled her heart.

---------------------------------------------------

This night, she hid in her room and called Jack.

“Dr. Jack, is it convenient for you to talk?”

“It’s already past ten o’clock, why is it inconvenient?”

“I’m worried that your blind-date dinner is not over yet.”

Jack’s voice sounded unhappy.  “I’ve said that it is not a blind date.”

“Okay then…..that’s not a blind date.”  She did not have the mood to argue with him but very quickly she added.  “Your situation should be called a consolidation and strengthening meeting.  The first time was a blind-date.  The second time is to discuss the possibility of getting along with each other.”

Jack was not happy and snapped.  “Arya, you are feeling itchy again?”

“No. No.”  She used her index finger to draw on her bedsheet.  “Dr. Jack, I want to tell you something.”

“Yes?”

“Can you guess who I met today?”

“Who?”

“Do you remember the last time we witnessed a car accident and I fainted?  There was this kind man who helped us and then recently I discovered that he was actually staying in the same apartment as me.  He is a neighbour.  Then today, I met him again and he was actually my blind-date partner.”

The phone was silent for a few seconds.  Then Jack’s voice sounded.  “Arya, when do you plan to come back?”

“Why are you not interested in my gossip?  I really want to tell you.  Today I was really caught by surprise and I never expected the person to be him.”

“Did you refuse him?”

“Yes, but my Mom is very angry and mad at me.” Arya’s voice weakened.

Jack softened his voice and comforted her.  “But you cannot be with someone you don’t like just because you want to make your mother happy, right?

“Actually, Chandler is a very good man.  His has same style as yours.  It is because he wants to settle in hometown city and I don’t want to stay here, so it is not likely for our relationship to develop.”

“So if he wants to stay here in this city with you, you will let this relationship develop further?”  Jack’s voice became fierce again.

“Huh?......”  She seriously thought about this.  Will this really happen?

“Arya, when are you actually coming back?”  Jack questions in fierce attitude.

Arya scowled. “I’m coming back tomorrow.  I still have to work on Monday.”

“What time is your bus arriving?  I’ll go to the station to pick you up.”  This remark was resounding and powerful, his tone resolute.

“No need.  Chandler said he will return to the city tomorrow.  He is driving and he can send me back.  Since we stay in the same apartment, he will send me right to my doorstep.”

“Is he also working in this city?  When you said the same apartment, were you referring to the apartment you are staying and not the apartment your parents are staying?”

“That’s right. My Mom still hopes that I will return back home, so she thinks Chandler is suitable for me.“

Jack was silent again and after a while he said.  “The both of you work in here in this city and went back to hometown for a blind date.  Then come back to city to fall in love and then return to hometown to get married and start a business.  Actually, how did this happen?”

“According to my Mom’s script, things should happen like this.  For her to be able to find such a person, she is really too talented, isn’t that right?”

Jack was silent.

She noticed something is wrong and stopped talking.  “Dr. Jack, are you in a bad mood?  Is it because a problem had cropped up with your blind-date?  Is your father forcing you even though you don’t like her?”

“No.  He can’t force me.”  He paused and asked again.  “Actually,  what do you plan to do?”

“My Mom also did not force me but when I told her I wanted to return to the city, she threw a tantrum.  Her health is not good and today she is still taking her medicine.  “Dr. Jack, although I’m angry with her, she is still my mother.  My heart hurts for her.”

Jack did not speak and she thought for a moment before she said.  “Dr. Jack, I don’t like hometown.  Although I haven’t achieved much in the city, I have a normal job, I teach arts to kids. Although I don’t have a house, I don’t have a partner, but I love the freedom I have.  But when I come home and see my parents’ expressions and the hope on their faces that I will return soon, I feel sad again.  Tell me, what should I do?”

“Arya, is it true that before you had anything to do with this Chandler, you had no qualms about leaving this city?  Now that you have met him, do you feel that you have a chance?  You also think he is right for you, is that correct?”  Jack started to get fierce.

“What has this got to do with Chandler?  I’m talking about my parents now.  Although I have been quarrelling with them for the past two years, although I feel very tired, although I still prefer our city. but they are getting old and my Mom’s health is also not good.  This time, when I came home and saw their appearances, I feel distressed.  Dr. Jack, that year when you ran away from home, didn’t you finally returned home because your mother fell ill?  Dr. Jack, that time when I lost contact with my family, were you not the one most angry?  I thought you will understand me.”

The other side quietened down and she held on to the phone, biting her lip and waited for him to reply.

“Arya, I’m telling you……you are not suitable for that Chandler.”

“Why?”  Why is he still harping on Chandler?  Obviously, she was talking about her parents.

“Isn’t your ex-boyfriend staying in the same area as you?  This Chandler is also in the same area as you.  You have the disease of ‘same area love’, so you will not have a good ending.”

She was so surprised that she gaped.  What nonsense is he talking about?

“Don’t waste time on him.  Come back quickly! As soon as you can!”

Arya felt angry.  How can he scold her like this?  ‘Same area love’?

She hung up the phone.