This is a Fanfic of the well loved classic tale---The Bridge to Terabithia. This is a part of my 30 Day Novel Writing November exercise also called NaNoWriMo.
REUNION AND RIPPLES
Suddenly there was excitement near the arched garden gate. Jinli was standing just inside and was all beside herself when she looked behind her and exuberantly announced, “ Madam Lang, Leonie is here in the garden gazebo! Xiao Jie! Where have you been! We searched all over the place for you. Look at you all disheveled and forlorn. Come inside, quick. Let me fix your hair for you. They're coming any minute.”
Reluctantly, Leonie slammed the newspaper back on the table and walked towards the edge of the garden, her face devoid of any joy. Jinli held her arm at the elbow and gently walked her upstairs towards the bedroom. After fixing her hair with crystal pins, Jinli redid the makeup on Leonie’s face giving her cheeks a flushed look.
The family gathered around in the living room with Jinli fussing about with the starter plates and chopsticks on the food trolley that she had wheeled in.
A platter of Yu Sheng was the centre piece on the coffee table.
Amidst the subdued chatter and the anticipated arrival of the matriarch of Mei’s side of the family, everyone took their places with bated breath. It was on this auspicious day when Madam Wong was visiting them for the first time all the way to Virginia from Taiwan.
The red lanterns outside cast a soft mellow glow through the stained glass on the front door. Mei wrung her fingers and fidgeted about in her seat until Raymond could take it no longer. “Mei! Stop wriggling about! It's only your aunt…”
Just then headlights shone on the driveway and a limousine pulled up at the front door.
****
Madam Wong stepped out regally, escorted out of the back seat by the chauffeur. The Lang family had stood in deference at the front door, bowing multiple times. Her presence commanded attention and authority. Styled in an elegant updo, her silver hair was adorned with a delicate jade pin. Her eyes, a deep, piercing brown, swept the room, taking in the gathered family members. Her expression was serene, a mask of calm demeanour that had been honed over decades.
The silk fabric of her cheongsam shimmering in shades of deep crimson embroidered with golden phoenixes accentuated her slender figure, exuding refinement and poise.
As she moved through the room, her hands were clasped together, her fingers adorned with antique gem studded rings. With measured, deliberate steps, she conveyed a sense of quiet confidence and control.
The chauffeur who had chivalrously led her inside, handed her her walking stick. She grasped at the polished silver handle engraved with the family crest of colorful mandarin ducks facing each other with their wings outspread.
Madam Wong’s eyes sparkled with a hint of warmth, her gaze lingering, yet critical on the well kept home. Holding back on basic compliments she steered the conversation. Where IS Leonie by the way? Won't she come and greet her Nai Nai?”
“Of course, Mother Wong”, Mei retreated humbly while calling out, “Leonie…Leonie..oh dear lord she must be in her room getting ready for you.” She subtly motioned Jinli to fetch Leonie downstairs. Madam Wong tapped her stick in a staccato raising everyone's hackles.
Finally Raymond Lang stood up impatiently and stuffing his hands into his pockets, walked briskly to the foot of the stairs. “You will be here in under a minute! Jinli! What's taking her so long! Yu Sheng can't be delayed by your whims.”
His commanding tone had Jinli tearing down the stairs and avoiding his gaze, whispered that Leonie would be down in no time and that she's almost ready adjusting the buckles on her low heeled shoes.
****
Madam Wong’s eyes scanned the room, her gaze fixed on each family member by turns before finally resting pointedly on Leonie. A warm, enigmatic smile spread across her face.
"Leonie, my dear, it's been too long," Madam Wong’s voice was low and soothing. "You've grown into a beautiful young woman."
Leonie's cheeks flushed as she moved forward to greet her Nai Nai. The two exchanged a gentle, formal hug, before Nai Nai released Leonie to take a good look at her. She took her seat at the armchair and beckoned Leonie to sit beside her on the adjoining chair.
As they gathered around the coffee table, Mei offered a pair of chopsticks to Madam Wong to initiate the Lo Hei dish. The vibrant colors and delicate arrangement invited high praise for Mei’s culinary skills but from Madam Wong.
Leonie watched in fascination, as her Nai Nai added a dash of Plum sauce and Yuzu syrup and expertly mixed all the ingredients saying, "A little sweetness to balance the sour.Just like life, we need a mix of flavors to create harmony."
As they took their first bites, Madam Wong added, "May our generation build upon the foundations laid by our ancestors, and may our legacy continue to flourish, carrying on the proud names of Lang and Zhen."
A shiver ran down Leonie’s spine, sensing that there was more to Nai Nai's words than met the eye. Zhen??…
*****
A shroud of silence dropped like an anchor. The Langs maintained utter silence and dignity out of subordination for the matriarch. Leonie looked at her parents questioningly but they refused to meet her gaze.
The dinner conversation was stilted at first, with Madam Wong dominating the discussion. She spoke about her travels, her business ventures, and her expectations for the family's future.
As the meal progressed, Leonie grew increasingly uncomfortable, as she caught glimpses of a knowing glint in Nai Nai’s eyes hinting that she was not here just for the Lunar New Year Reunion.
As the dinner conversation flowed with small talk, Nai Nai's words were laced with a subtle yet unmistakable domination. Leonie, sensing the undercurrents, grew increasingly uneasy. Her mind raced as she wondered what Nai Nai's true purpose was.
The evening dragged on after they gathered in the living room for drinks and dessert. Much to everyone's surprise Madam Wong announced that she would be staying over the weekend before she left for Taiwan.
Leonie, who had been looking forward to a quiet long weekend, reluctantly went along with Jinli to prepare the guest room.
As Jinli fluffed the pillows and smoothed out the bedspread, Madam Wong hovered around her, inspecting every detail. "Make sure the towels are warm, Jinli. And don't forget to turn down the bed."
Jinli nodded and scurried off to fetch the warm towels, while Leonie tried to escape to her own room. But Madam Wong caught her by the arm, her grip surprisingly firm. "Leonie, come sit with me for a bit. I want to talk to you. Always scurrying away like a restless mouse."
Leonie reluctantly sat down on the edge of the bed, trying to keep her distance. Madam Wong settled into the armchair, her eyes scanning Leonie's face. "You know, Leonie, you're not getting any younger. It's time you started thinking about settling down."
Leonie felt waves of annoyance, but she tried to keep her cool. "I have other plans for myself, Nai Nai. I have plenty of time to think about settling down."
Madam Wong's expression turned disapproving, her eyebrows knotting together. She snorted, her face twisting in disapproval."Plenty of time? You're already 20! You're just being stubborn, Leonie. You need to think about your family's reputation, not just your own desires. In my day, women your age were married with children."
Leonie's eyes rolled involuntarily, but she caught herself and looked down.
Mei, who had been hovering in the doorway and tried to stay out of the conversation, couldn't help but intervene. "Mother Wong, please... Leonie's still young. Let's not pressure her."
But Madam Wong was relentless, her voice rising as she continued to lecture Leonie. Mei's eyes met Leonie's, and for a moment, they shared a look of understanding. Mei's expression was apologetic, her eyes filled with a deep sadness.
The tension in the room grew thicker, like a fog that refused to lift. Mei's eyes were fixed on Madam Wong, her expression a mask of politeness. But Leonie could see the strain etched on her face, the deep lines etched into her forehead.
Leonie stood up. "Nai Nai, let's talk about this some other time, okay? I have a 6 am study schedule tomorrow and work to do over the weekend to submit on Monday. I need to wind up now."
Finally, Mei intervened, her voice firm but gentle. "Mother Wong, it's late. You should get some rest."
Madam Wong's expression turned sour, but she finally subsided, allowing Leonie to leave the guest room. Leonie breathed a sigh of relief as she escaped to her own room, feeling like she had survived a storm.
But as she lay in bed, she couldn't shake the feeling that the storm was far from over. Madam Wong's words still echoed in her mind, a constant reminder of the expectations and pressures that came with being a part of this family.
As Madam Wong settled back into the armchair, her eyes scanned the room with a critical gaze. "This room is too dark. Someone should open the curtains." Her commanding voice floated to Leonie’s room.
Leonie, who was just drifting off to sleep snapped back. "It's already 10 pm, Nai Nai. Go to sleep!"
Madam Wong muttered, her face twisting in disapproval. "You young people are always so lazy."
"Mother Wong, Leonie's had a long day. Perhaps we should—" Mei pressed her fingertips to her temples.
But Madam Wong cut her off, her voice rising. "I didn't ask for your opinion, Mei. I'm talking to Leonie."
Leonie opened her door out of frustration, "Nai Nai, can you calm down? I said we can talk about this tomorrow."
Madam Wong's knotted her eyebrows together. "You're so eager to get rid of me, Leonie. I'm starting to think I'm not wanted here."
Mei's face fell, and she rushed to reassure Madam Wong. "Of course you're wanted here, Mother Wong. We're just—"
But Madam Wong wasn't having it. "Don't try to placate me, Mei.”
Finally, Madam Wong stood up. "Fine, I'm going to bed. But this conversation is not over yet.”
Madam Wong clutched at her thumping heart when Leonie slammed the door to her room with a force that rattled the windows.
TO BE CONTINUED...
https://www.theblogchatter.com/blogrolls/chapter-4-bridging-memoriesterabithia-reclaimed
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