Sorry I took so long to post. Euro fever caught up wiv me so had
to take mc 
Anyway, here goes the next
chapter.
Chapter 9: Just The Two of Us
"So where do I sleep tonight?" I asked innocently. Mint looked at
me and frowned, as if it wasn't obvious enough.
"In my room..." Her voice trailed. "Not!" She laughed at my stunned
expression.
"You can use my brother's room for the night. He won't be back
until tomorrow." I was glad that at least I didn't have to sleep on
the sofa.
After freshening up, we cuddled together to catch a horror movie. I
loved the way Mint got so excited just to watch one, but at the
same time, it was hilarious when she got so timid. When the
suspenseful part came on, she gripped my arm so tightly, I could
feel my blood draining.
I recall watching horror movies with my elder brother when I was
small and I'll hide behind the pillow when the gory scenes
came.
I'd go weak in the knees whenever I saw pools of blood in the show.
My brother would just tease me for been such a baby.
The next morning
OK, don't think for a moment that we did 'it'. Nothing of that sort
happened. If you know what 'it' means.
A whiff of fried eggs stirred me up, walking slightly unsteadily,
quite exhausted from last night.
I made my way to the kitchen. It was Mint. She was up early. She
was decked in an apron, her hair was neatly tied up. Your typical
housewife, I chuckled at that passing thought.
As we settled down to eat, I could sense that Mint wasn't herself
even though she looked and behaved perfectly fine. It was as if
something was troubling her.
"How did you learn to cook?" I asked, mouth half full.
"Oh, my dad taught me abit here and there. It's nothing much lah.
Just simple dishes." She replied modestly.
"There's something on the side of your mouth." Mint smiled, I must
have looked very silly with a morsel of food on my face. She took a
piece of tissue and wiped it off gently.
After that, I collected my belongings and prepared to leave her
home. As I stood by the doorway, without saying much she thrust an
envelope into my hands.
"Don't read it until you leave." She said solemnly. Curiosity was
killing me by now, as we chatted abit more before I left.
Whatever this envelope contained, I doubt it was good news. As a
little saying goes, "No news is good news."
When I entered the lift, I tore open the envelope hastily, in the
process almost ripping its contents. It was a letter.
Dear Clint,
It took me alot of thinking last night before I've decided to tell
you that I'm leaving in 3 days. Please don't blame me for not
telling you face to face. I didn't know how to break the news to
you that's why I'm writing this letter. My mum wants me to study
abroad. She has already enrolled me in a university in
Australia.
It's not only because of that reason I'm leaving, my family is also
there, so I think it would be best for me and my family if I moved
there.
I'm really sorry to disappoint you Clint. But I think that our
relationship cannot continue any further. I really like you alot,
but circumstances do not allow us to be together for long.
I realised that you have a life of your own to lead, do not waste
it on me. Neither convince me to stay, nor wait for me, for there
are much better girls out there waiting for you. I'm sorry if I
have led you to misunderstand me in any way. I really treasure the
times we spent together.
Love always,
Mint.
My heart sank when I'd finished reading it. The feeling was
indescribable. A tide of emotions hit me wave after wave. A cloud
of despair. The agony of sadness. The pain of misery. Surely, Mint
did not mean to leave me just like that did she?
I felt so lost, that I didn't know whether to head back up or to
just take this lying down. I took a seat at a bench to think about
it.
All this while, I had worked so hard to get to know her, and now
this has to happen? This isn't fair! Not after all the fear and
procrastination I had to overcome. I was determined not to give up
on Mint.
I rang the doorbell and waited impatiently. After awhile, no one
answered the door. Strange, isn't Mint supposed to be at
home?
I pressed my ear to the door and listened intently for any
activity. I could hear a sobbing sound coming from behind the
door.
"Mint? Is that you?" I knocked on the door. "If there's anything,
can we talk after you open up?"
"G...Go home. Don't bother yourself with me." She choked in between
tears.
"No." I replied adamantly.
"Just go." Her voice sounded shaky.
"I know how you feel. But we got to give each other a chance." I
said.
"It's no use." She said disheartenedly. "My mum is a very insistent
person, we won't be able to change her mind."
"Can we just talk when you open up first?" I reasoned.
Slowly, the door creaked open. And there she was her eyes red from
the crying. Tears rolled down her beautiful face, I felt my heart
softened at the sight of it. I went up to her and gave her a
reassuring hug.
"It's ok Mint. Calm down." I soothed. "We're in this together, and
we'll bear anything that comes...together."
I managed to convince Mint to try talking to her mum. After all, I
don't believe that her mum would be that unreasonable. I was really
worried that our efforts would be in vain. I had to try my best to
think positive, not like it guaranteed success, at least it offered
us the best chances of success.
"My parents will be back later to check up on me. See whether I've
packed up and ready to leave." Mint said, while looking at an empty
luggage bag.
"Then, it's your only chance to explain everything." I said. She
simply nodded, eyes fixed on a brochure of her university.
