Mid - autumn festival, lantern from the heart

As the days runs up to the mid Autumn Festival - the mansion became busier. Back in the younger days when we were still in our adolescent years, this festival was another one where we were grounded by all the "dos" and "don't s"

And our aunts would be repeating the story of "Chang-Er" the lady that flew to the moon - a sweet love story between a human and a fairy like goddess that can never work out. And then the other version where in ancient days how the army battalion had to pass secret messages and they did in by hiding it in the moon cake which was pass over to the other party. The other party would retrieve the messages in the mooncake without having to be exposed. And so on and so forth. Yet in the modern times family get together and children play with their lanterns. I remember holding an animal shaped lantern while my brothers and sister had their own animal shaped lantern to hold as well - I can't remember how theirs look like but surely remember a dragon, bunny, tiger shaped lantern, a hen shaped one. Yet now what I see are digitally battery powered lanterns available today.

I remember back in the old days - my counsins and I would playfully light the little fire works while we carry the lantern - crazy stunts we had. There was one instance when my cousin's lantern caught fire as the candle inside were titled one sided - the kids yelled and panicked and my cousin held the stick on the lantern trying to fan it out running all over and my brother Ta Ge quickly took it and drop it into our fish pond. My favourite gold fish had to endure the polluted water until Soong Jie found out the next day!

Back to the present now - it's more of dinner and mooncake making by Soong Jie and grandma and ma that we enjoy eating. The family would let go the lantern after writing words of blessings on it for the family.

When I was away from the family - Yi Ren had done the same trying to make me feel at home.

"Hey .... free tonight! I've got something planned"

Yi Ren brought Ray to a place where they could view the city scenery from the hill top. There were many people there as well. Some family members with kids, some couples and group of friends. The place over looks the city and out to the sea in the far horizon.

Ray watched as the little children ran around with lantern chasing around and their parents holding on to them. As he watched, Yi Ren was aware being away, he probably miss his family at times like this.

"Hey, hold this" Yi Ren said as he took a sneak leak of Ray's expression watching the rest.

"Wow you did this?" Ray asked as he watched the lantern which Yi Ren brought out from his bag.

"Open it!" Ray smiled as he quickly unfold the lantern as he reads out the writing on it while Yi Ren handed him an ink brushed.

"Add on whatever you want" Yi Ren said " I thought health and wealth are two things that is good as blessings so i wrote them.

Ray smiled at the simple writing and took the brush to add on before and after the Health and Wealth words.

May we be bless always with abundance health and wealth, eternal peace and happiness. Yi Ren smiled as he read it and took the pen from Ray and

Added below - Ray & Yi Ren -

They both light up the lantern as they let it go, and quietly made their own wishes.

"I miss home, wishing everyone well there. I am well here with Yi Ren, hope to celebrate with everyone back home"

And that wish is realised now with him here at home with his family.

"Zhen! Stop day dreaming and come and help! Ray snapped out as he was looking at full moon wondering how Yi Ren is"

"Wow! So much food ah ma!" Ray looking at the spread of mooncake, sweets and dessert as well as dishes lined up"

"Zhen! You have to eat the portion for the time you are away too!" My grandma teased.

"Ti! This mooncake Song Jie made for you!" My sister showed me a heart shape mooncake with the letter "Jia Ting" which means family.

And the night went on with again another round of family dinner and laughter. Soong Jie has helped to prepare a big lantern where we all wrote down all our wishes with grandpa and grandma and it was released into the air for the family blessings.

I didn't stay that night, I left back to my own place. Next few weeks will be critical as the focus to deliver what was promised to Uncle Li was critical.

"Missing you and the times we spent letting go lanterns back then. Happy mid-autumn festival" Ray saw the package and the card as he arrives home. When he open in he saw Yi Ren's hand made lantern folded in the box. He opened it up and saw the words that was written there "Wishing you well always - Yi Ren-"

Ray sat by his window as he retrieve his sketch book and open it placing the folded lantern on the table . Looking up the full moon he started sketching a few images - a moon with two figures below looking out to the sea with lanterns floating above. He stepped back and look at the sketch again. As as he did that it started to drizzle. He took out his phone as another message came through "I hope you are well, let me know if you can speak" Yi Ren text.

He had been avoiding Yi Ren after that day. A mix of feelings that he doesn't like to be messed with when his mind is focus on to work. He had been working towards the MV and grandpa had been very supportive together with his brothers so he needs to ensure the momentum is carried through to succession.

His phone flicker again shortly "Hi Er Ge"

"Hey, mmm Yi Ren said he couldn't reach you, calling to check if things are fine" Er Ge asked

"Yup, I am Ge, just ... saw the missed messages" I responded back

"You guys quarrelled?" Er Ge cut to the point to which I kept silent and continue.

"I...I need to keep my mind focus on the next few weeks, so I may have been distancing on social meetings a bit, why that question?"

"Hmm I don't know he sounded worried and a little troubled not able to get hold of you, so not sure what happened" Er Ge tried probing again.

While Ray tried to make it sound professional which Er Ge gladly took it as long as Ray is fine.

Deep down inside Ray felt disturbed from that day with Yi Ren yet he kept his emotions latched - pushing thoughts and feelings aside just focusing on the coming weeks.