[5.1] This Holiday Feels 'kinda' Lacking: Before Christmas

Days went by fast, and it was already Christmas. Yu set up his place to look better than usual.

Yu made a Christmas Tree and set it in one corner of his room. Sure, it was not as big as the tree in his parents' house, but it still looked better than nothing.

He bought a little present for Mei without her acknowledgment. He went back to the store the next day to buy them. Yu thought, "She would probably do the same."

His place always looks like a mess, but not today. He cleaned it to the brim. No dust. No cobweb. And, most importantly, no trash.

"I've done well", he said, like he was patting his back.

He turned to look at the time. It was eight past twenty-three.

"Dang, I've worked a lot harder than I usually do. It took me two hours of cleaning to get this place spotless."

You've done well, Yu. Mei would be proud.

"Now, it's just the waiting game until it's Christmas Night."

It was ten o'clock. He had to wait about ten more hours before Mei came.

"Hmm... should I...?" Yu pondered, "Yeah, I might do that!"

...

"So let me get this straight", Adit said, "Since Mei will visit you in the evening, you want us to visit first?"
"Like you guys have anything better to do?" Yu dissed all his friends on a group video call. "Right?"

Everyone in the group call went silent. Yu noticed and pointed it out, "Ey! I know we each have a group chat that is specifically for roasting each other on our backs. You're on that group chat without me in it, right?"

James grinned and replied, "You're a very dexterous guy, huh, Yu. I was almost impressed."
"Shut your mouth!"

Everybody on the group call laughed except for Yu.

"So, how is it? You guys have time to spend with me or not?"
"I have a better plan, you know?" Bahmul said, "Why don't we go on a half-day trip?"
Yu was disappointed, "Half-day trip? In Jakarta? Hell nah, dude."
Bahmul shook his head, "No dude, listen! Didn't Mei say when you confessed that there is a small mall nearby?"

Yu caught the drift but realized faster, "Bahmul, that was the mall she got slapped and groped. You think that was a good idea to suggest I, her boyfriend, go there?"
All of them looked disgusted. "Man, you're way too much", James replied.

But then, "Alright, fine. We could check that mall out."

Everyone agreed and planned a half-day trip to that mall.

...

"Wow, even though it wasn't far from the other mall, I could tell that this is superior", Kail said.
"You can say that again", Bahmul replied to his buddy.

Yu was on the back, observing his friends who were flabbergasted by the mall's looks and size.

"It's just any other mall. It's nothing compared to MOI, you know?"

James tugged Yu's shoulder, then he whispered, "You know Mei has probably been here multiple times, no? You called this place mid?"
Yu whispered back, "The heck are you trying to get?"
"Appreciate small things in life, man. If you can't do that, you wouldn't be able to appreciate even a small gift or present."
"Huh?"
"You know. Your girl? She's probably not going to give you something you like and went for a minimum Christmas present."

Yu's mind went wild. He overthought it.

James patted Yu's shoulder and whispered, "You don't need to overthink it. Come on, make yourself comfortable with the environment."
"You know, James? Sometimes, I thought you were my guardian angel."

James got goosebumps and jumped back, "Huh?"
Yu spoke in a normal voice, "What? Angel isn't always a woman."
"No, you freak! Why did you suddenly say that?"
"I was just being honest. What's wrong with that?"

James quickly dashed to the rest of the group while blushing.

"Yo, why is your face red?" Adit asked James, "You sick or something?"
"Better not know. I was just going through something wild."
"Is it Yu?"
James raised his voice a bit, "I said you don't need to know."
"Okay! Sheesh. You don't need to raise your voice."

The trip lasted for four hours. They were walking through all the retail stores, checking out some shoes, eating food in the food court, playing games in the arcade, and even buying some Christmas stuff. Overall, they had fun together before the big event happened.

...

"Alright, guys. It's almost six. I have to prepare a bit more before she comes to my house", Yu stated to his friends, "I'll catch you next time!"

Everyone waved goodbye and went their merry way.

"What a fun noon today", Yu said to himself. He grabbed his phone, "Let's see here", and just realised, "Huh? Mei?"

----

[Mei] Yu, where are you?
[Mei] I'm coming early. You weren't at your house.
[Mei] Are you going somewhere without telling me?
[Mei] Yu?

----

"Oh, no. This was four hours ago. That was when I was at the arcade with the boys. I didn't hear any message come through."

----

[Yu] Sorry, Mei. I was away for a bit. I spent some time with my friends at a mall before I had alone time with you. Please forgive me.
[Yu] Oh, I know. I'm still at the mall. I'll buy you some sweets.

----

"I hope she found something to do for four hours. I'm such a bad boyfriend. I knew there was a chance that she would come early, but not this early. Not only that, but wasn't her home on the other side of the school? How the...?"

----

[Mei] Ah, ok. I was worried. That's all.
[Mei] Sweets? I would love to.
[Mei] Oh, and also, don't worry about me. The landlord lady was nice and kept me company.

----

"Oh, thank God. Thanks, Mrs. Bell! You are my angel!"

----

[Yu] Okay, I'll be there ASAP. Sorry for the inconvenience. I won't do it again. Promise!

...

Yu finally arrived at his dorm.

"Dang, what a rough rest of the day. What was that bus ride? No wonder Mei got assaulted."

Mei came out of the dorm's front gate and welcomed him home, "Welcome home, handsome."

<To Be Continued>