Plans

The third night since his return, the three were out enjoying the night. The wildcats were saying hello to their friends.

From when Miki and Viki could walk, they joined their mothers prowling the night markets and the vibrant shopping streets. Each hung a camera over their shoulders. Their eyes were open wide, grabbing everything there was to see. And whatever caught their eye, would be grabbed by the camera. When they had their fill, they would go to dinner, where they would gather the pictures together on the table weighed down by the full plates and bowls. The next morning, Mischa took the pictures of pretty clothes to Victor, the finest designer in the city and one of the most popular in all of the country, who was then tasked with making them. Wildcats was the name Victor came up with, because a lot of times, the pictures were of truly ugly clothes. If it was anyone else but Mischa, he would have them thrown out of his studio, have them banned. But not Mischa. She was scarier than his most terrifying nightmare. Though not related by blood, she was his elder sister.

It was half past nine. Trius, as always, had snapped a pitiful number of pictures. Mischa was a surging flood. Strangely, Miki was even lesser than Trius.

"I've become more particular," he offered in defense.

"You're obnoxious," Mischa spat.

"I think he's fine," Trius said, resting his hand across Miki's shoulders. "The cat has altered its tastes. I'm sure he'll be hungry when he's at the studio. Remember the last time? I've never seen Victor happier. I don't think he's ever been happier."

"I'm sure that was Cici," Mischa said.

"Actually, I believe that too," Trius confessed. "It was she who chose for Miki as well as for herself, along with you. The two of you were so very happy dressing up Miki."

"One of the best things he did was finding those two," Mischa said.

"I know," Miki agreed. "They're great. I'm greater, for finding them."

Mischa snorted. Trius burst out laughing. Miki looked so pleased he seemed gloating.

"Actually," he said slowly, as if picking his words carefully. "Let's hear him out first. Victor. Yukio inspired him with her newest photographs from the western safari. He's created a new line, a very secret line, the kind of outrageous that would bring him ruin if he showed it to his friends from the circle. It's just for us dear and personal family. I'm sure the wildcats would love them more than anything we've seen tonight."

"Is that why you took no pictures?" Trius asked, shocked.

"How do you know this?" Mischa asked, ever particular about being in the know of how relationships took shape.

"The new line?" Miki teased.

"You know what I mean," Mischa spat. "Yukio. How do you know they're so close?"

"Mother, did you forget? Yukio's mine first."

"What do you mean Yukio's yours?"

"I found her. She was my friend first. She liked me first. She loved me first. Even if it is sibling like love, I was first. So, she was mine first."

"Whatever."

Even though they seemed to be having a good time, they were distracted. And Miki had had enough of it, of watching Mischa and Trius skirting around the question. He saw the time, and thought it was long enough.

"Alright," he said, grabbing their attention with the seriousness of his tone. "I know what you really want to ask. Why aren't they back already? I know. Viki met someone. Fell for him. She's in love. She showed him to aunty. It was why she wanted aunty to come. They aren't back yet because aunty is still getting used to it."

The reaction was exactly as he expected. Mischa was a statue with an expression of disbelief on her face. Trius' mouth hung open, a noodle slowly slid out, reaching to return to its friends in the plate. A whole minute was spent, when they found their voices.

"You're not kidding," Mischa asked, knowing the answer.

"We have to go," Trius said.

That was the end of dinner. On the way back, all Mischa and Trius spoke about was how that wasn't possible, how Viki had always been in love with Miki, how Viki always spoke about her marriage with Viki. She had filled an entire scrapbook with pictures of the dress, the decorations, the foods, the tables, the chairs, everything. It was her grandest and dearest dream. How could the same Viki go out and find herself someone else to fall in love with? Miki's silence was the loudest answer to their disbelief.

"I'll call Victor and tell him we'll be coming a little later," Miki said when they were home. "You two should sleep. Rest well. Tomorrow, I think you should join aunty. She'll need you guys. As will Viki. Be understanding. Be nice to her. I think I'll start work early."

The last line was for Trius, who nodded distractedly, but it was all Miki needed. He was the only one who slept well that night. He booked two tickets on the first flight out in the morning, for his mother and uncle. He even acted as their alarm, and accompanied them to the airport. He hugged them and sent them off with a warm smile. He was telling them he was okay. Viki and he had figured it out. It was just the parents who had to get it now.

After they left, Miki returned home. He meant it when he said he would start early. That had always been the plan. The lease would start tomorrow, so he had time.

It was true that he was working with his uncle, but that wasn't the whole truth. In the third year of college, he had built an application that he showed to uncle.

"This is impressive," Trius said. "We can immediately implement it. I'm sure everyone will love it."

"I built it for the portal, keeping you all in mind," Miki answered honestly. "I mean to sell it to you, all of it."

"Sure. Just name the price." Trius was more than willing to give Miki what he asked for. Actually, he would up the number by a fold or two.

Miki hesitated, before expressing his thoughts. "Actually, I don't care about the number. I'm more interested in the method of payment. Can you split the price into monthly payments, and give it to me after I graduate? Make it seem like I'm employed with the portal."

"Why?" Trius was truly curious. And truth be told, a little unnerved. This wasn't what Miki was like.

"Umm. I'm working on something. Call it a big project. I'm designing it in my head now. I'll start working on it, after graduation. I just don't want to speak of it before it's ready. I'm just not comfortable with the idea of everyone calling me ambitious and other such things. There'll be so many questions. I'll find them a hassle. Even be distracted. Wouldn't it be easier saying I'm your employee?"

Trius was convinced, and he hated that, because he felt he should still be having doubts. Miki didn't allow him the time though, as he continued.

"I won't make it difficult for you. I'm thinking of staying with my friends. Cici and Jiro. Or maybe, find my own place. We'll say I'm developing an application for you. This application. You can come up with a number. And pass it over to me as a monthly salary."

Finally, Trius gave in.

"Fine, we'll do that. But, I'll buy the application for a price which I'll pay now, as a lumpsum. Use that to get your own place and prepare the systems and everything you'll need. And then, I'll pay you a monthly maintenance. So, I won't be lying when I say I've employed you. You'll be like an external consultant we've signed on."

Miki wasn't going to say no to more money. Especially when it would make it easier for uncle to agree with his proposal. And that was how he got employed.

Today was the last day of the holiday. He intended to enjoy it fully. He ordered pizza for lunch. Watched a beautiful movie that was one of his favourites. Got drunk on cola, and had a good long nap. Woke up late in the evening, with just enough time to make it in time for his bus. He packed light. Called his mother, to tell them all he was leaving, and left.