Love is only a feeling

AN: Believe it or not, the exciting part's coming up soon. Do I always sound so cryptic? Good news is, no.

Chapter 7

Just wanna have fun

Xianghua and Mina strolled along the dirt path leading towards the city. It was only a couple more days to Mina's wedding, and things were well on its way to being set in stone. Xianghua shot a sideward glance at the chirpy girl, who was humming a tune with her eyes half closed. It seemed that by now, Mina had more or less accepted the fact that she was going to be married, and she complained less nowadays. Or could it be, Xianghua couldn't help but think, that Maxi's so-called love potion is actually working?

Although the past few weeks had been spent with Mina most of the time, Xianghua did manage to catch up with the guys. The plan was going perfectly fine, with Maxi being the glutton of the trio, he was forgiven for constantly being the first to appear in the dining room, sometimes as early as half an hour before meals were served. It was then that he would execute his brilliant plans, although Xianghua was never really there to witness it.

"Say, you and Hwang seem to have really been getting along better nowadays huh?" Xianghua casually asked.

"It's just that we've just been getting less into each other's way, that's all," Mina laughed. "Seriously, I'm only taking things one step at a time here, enjoying life… while I can."

"I'm really puzzled sometimes… what is so bad about Hwang that you cannot accept?"

"Can't you see Xiang, we're just so different!" Mina exclaimed, as though Xianghua couldn't understand the simplest thing in the world. "For one, he's insensitive, bossy, and he's really just a chauvinistic pig underneath that charismatic face."

Xianghua giggled. "Well, that's true, but perhaps he's the strong, silent type? You know, those with a hidden side to them that he doesn't just show to anybody. Like… Prince Charming!"

Mina stuck out her tongue playfully. "Never!"

"And besides, he is so smitten with you! That is enough reason for you to be happy to marry him already!" Xianghua declared triumphantly. "Trust me Mina, it's always better to marry someone that loves you more than you love him…"

"Uh-huh…" Mina replied distractedly. After a whole hour of walking, they had finally reached the city. Streams of people could be seen shopping and eating at the many stalls that lined the streets. "Look Xiang, I might not exactly be Hwang's biggest fan, but I do want to look like the most beautiful bride on my wedding day." Mina held Xianghua's hand and led the way into the sea of people ahead.

"Then what are we waiting for?" Xianghua grinned.

"Let's shop!"

Over the past few days, Hwang had been buzzing around the house with hardly any rest, and no wonder. Even though Kilik, Maxi and even the students at the dojo were helping with the odds and ends of the wedding, Hwang still felt strongly that he should undertake some of the details personally.

"Psst, Hwang,"

Hwang stopped in his tracks, and looked around to find Kilik and Maxi at the garden, sipping tea and munching on crackers. Maxi motioned for him to join them, and Hwang reluctantly kept the pieces of paper which he was pouring over previously.

"Everything's in place already – I know you must have at least checked that list thrice over already!" Maxi exclaimed, crunching loudly on a cracker while talking. "You should rest from now on and you will look like the groom that you always wanted to be on your wedding day."

"Yeah, Hwang, if there's anything that needs to be done, you can count on us to do complete the job," Kilik gave him an encouraging pat on the shoulder.

"Thanks guys, but I just don't want anything to go wrong on that day…"

"So has Mina… er, warmed up to you yet?" Maxi asked, his inquiry sounding deliberately casual.

Hwang sighed. "Things will fall into place soon, I guess. Sometimes, I wonder if she can really hate me forever."

"No way! I've been observing all week now, she no longer scowls when she makes eye contact with you, and she sits this much closer to you during dinnertime!" Maxi indicated the distance with his thumb and index finger – barely an inch apart.

"Wow Maxi, I didn't know you were so observant," Kilik noted with a tinge of sarcasm. "I thought you only know how to make this noise when you eat." He then proceeded to imitate Maxi by talking with his mouth full, and the trio burst out in guffaws.

"No but really, Maxi's right," Kilik wiped the tears of laughter from the corner of his eyes. "Mina really doesn't seem to dislike you that much now."

Well, now that they mentioned it, Mina does indeed seem to be more relaxed whenever they are in close proximity to each other… "In that case, it is cause for celebration then!" Hwang held up a teacup.

"Cheers!"