It was a half hour later when Chan stared with disbelief at the cupcake that looked very much like a cup of hot chocolate in front of her. It was beautifully made with white fondant as the cup and handle and the chocolate meringue as the hot chocolate. On top of this sat a pretty little candle.
“What is it for?” she asked, pointing chopsticks at it.
“It’s your birthday cake,” replied Dara proudly. “Since you made it quite clear you don’t want a party or fancy birthday cake with the number twenty-five on top of it, Soriya and I made an executive decision we’d just go with the cupcake.”
Chan sighed. They had to do it, didn’t they? These sisters of hers had to remind her today was her birthday. Of course, they’d never thought much about birthdays, since their mom had passed on, in fact. There was no joy without her, so they never did anything to celebrate when that time of year came around for them.
“Twenty-five is a quarter of a century,” Dara said. “I think it’s special, so even if we’re not really celebrating, we are kind of celebrating.”
“Thanks for the thought,” Chan said with a chuckle.
She picked up a dumpling with the end of the chopsticks, dipped it into the small bowl of chili sauce, and then popped it into her mouth. The intense flavor, mainly the hot spices from the chili, burned her mouth. As she ate, she noted her sisters glancing at each other.
“Are you going to make a wish?” Soriya asked.
Chan put the chopsticks down on the table and lifted the Chinese tea to her lips.
Dara chuckled. “Come on. Make a wish.”
Chan sighed. “And what could I possibly wish for?” Though, in her mind, she only wished for one thing. To be able to move on and live freely without thinking about her dark past. She wanted to leave her unwanted baggage behind.
“Lots of things,” Soriya replied. “A hunky dude. That’s what you really need. A hunky dude to kick-start your romantic life.”
The moment Soriya said that, Chandra pulled a face. “I’m not interested in guys right now.” Except, of course, Lilly’s dad, the voice in the back of her head sang out delightfully.
It had been two months since that day she’d accidentally, unofficially met him. But Chan had never stopped thinking about him or the fact that she’d dreamed about him kissing her and embracing her. It had happened five times, and every time she woke up, she’d smile and feel warm and happy.
“Anyway, thanks for trying to help me out,” she said. When they still didn’t brighten up, she continued. “All right, let’s light that candle so I can make a wish.”
Soriya smiled then and raised her hand to catch the waitress’ attention. A moment later, the girl reappeared with a match and the single candle was lit.
Before the two younger sisters could open their mouths, Chandra raised her hand to stop them from singing the happy birthday song out loud and embarrassing her in public. Of course, they could do that in the privacy and security of their own home, but not in public.
“Don’t,” she said seriously. “I’m not five.”
Both Dara and Soriya chuckled.
“All right, if you say so,” Dara said.
Chan nodded and then closed her eyes. Her mind, however, was blank as she began the process of making that all-important wish. What could I possibly wish for? she wondered. It was when she thought she better open her eyes and pretend she’d made a wish that the image of a man appeared before her. Tall, masculine, dark hair, and a warm smile. Yet he was faceless to her.
Her heart skipped a beat, and Chan flashed her eyes open. She shivered, feeling more than a little bewildered that she should suddenly see Lilly’s dad within her mind’s eye. When she saw her sisters still looking at her, waiting for her patiently to go ahead and blow out the candle, Chan got ahold of herself and leaned forward. She winked the single, tiny candle out with one puff. The little flame of smoke danced across her face and then disappeared as she straightened herself.
“What did you wish for?” Soriya asked.
Lilly’s dad. Instead, she teased, “A rich, hot man who is kind and understanding and funny and likes kids.” She even gave the sisters a wink.
Both Dara and Soriya laughed loudly.
“Yeah, right!” Dara said.
“Hot chocolate, anyone?” Chan took the candle off and lifted the cupcake via the handle. She brought it to her mouth and took a bite. It was vanilla cake inside. Creamy and soft. It was perfect. “Delicious,” she said. “Good choice.”
After taking a few more bites, Chandra observed her sisters as they continued with their meal, satisfied their plan of throwing her a birthday celebration was accomplished.
As she gazed at them enjoying their meal, Chan thought back to their past. They’d been together through thick and thin since their mom’s death. Then, of course, there’d been their dad’s freak accident when Chan had only turned seventeen. It was a big blow to all of them. Then Amie kicked them out of the house, which hadn’t at all surprised Chan. A part of her had been glad they no longer had to live with the woman.
The three of them had to move in with Grandma Lin in her tiny flat. Family affairs had been left to Chan to take care of. Then came the blow of the will, when the sisters had been left with nothing but their personal belongings. Even now, Chan still couldn’t believe their dad had left them with barely anything. Except of course the vacation house here in the Gold Coast, the house they’d just sold to the Harrington Group for just over a million dollars.
Chan returned her attention to her surroundings. The Chinese restaurant was, as usual, jam-packed with customers. Most were having yum char. Various conversations in multiple languages filled the air as they continued their meal. It was half an hour later when they decided to leave the restaurant and head back to their new home.