Love's Labors Lost (Ch.6)
by Ring-chan

One foot in front of the other... the next foot forward...
Step by slow, agonizing step, Ryu made his way down the narrow streets of the little provincial town.
He felt so many emotions, yet found himself unable to identify or express them. All he knew was that all that he held dear and all that he treasured in his life was now slipping away from him.
"A mistake..." that’s what she called their relationship. What was to Ryu the most beautiful form of love and the happiest time of his life, was to Chun Li nothing but a mistake.
"I’m sorry... I’m sorry," Ryu murmured to himself.
Ryu stopped in front of a small jewelry shop. A small glimmer in the display case caught his eye.
He looked closer and saw it. It was a small heart-shaped crystal pendant on a thin gold necklace, delicate and exquisite in the most entrancing way. As a streak of sunlight streamed into the display case, the white light was transformed into a ridge of rainbow color and reflected onto the black velvet cushion on which it rested.
Simple... elegant... and absolutely captivating…
Ryu held his breath. "Just like you Chun Li."
No, he can’t give up. Not now, not ever. Her love means too much to him to be abandoned. No matter what it takes, he’ll win her back.
Ryu smiled again. Yes, he’ll buy her a gift to make her see how much he loves her.
Quickly entering the shop, Ryu approached the counter and asked the salesman to see the crystal pendant.
The young man happily obliged, and brought it to him from the display case.
"For a special lady?" The young man asked.
"Very special," Ryu smiled. "She’s like none other." "How much is it?" Ryu asked while examining the small crystal heart.
"$47."
Ryu is suddenly hit with the realization that if he does buy the pendant, he won’t have enough money for the plane ticket back to Hong Kong.
He frowned. Maybe he could just take the Shen Jiang ferry back to Hong Kong instead. That would be cheaper but it would take at least 5 more days to reach his destination.
So what’s more important?
Ryu handed the crystal pendant back to the salesman and smiled. "No thank you."
No, he can’t wait that much longer to see Chun Li. He needs to go back to her as soon as he can.
~~~~~~
Ryu slung his bag over his shoulder and stepped up to the bus.
Yes, it was finally time to get to Kompong Som, and then next stop would by Hong Kong by air.
Ryu took the first step onto the bus... then stopped. He couldn’t help it. His mind travelled back to the little crystal pendant he saw in the jewelry shop. It was all he could do, just imagine how lovely it would look around Chun Li’s neck.
"Hey!" the man behind him yelled irritably. "Come on, move it! Either get in or get off."
Ryu nodded apologetically.
That was it... get on or get off...
~~~~~~
Chun Li, stares at her food with distaste and proceeded to poke at the plate before her with an utter lack of appetite.
"Chunny honey, I thought you loved his restaurant?"
"Oh... I... I do..." Chun Li smiled meekly at Jeff, attempting her best to avoid his concerned gaze.
"You know, you really look great tonight, Chun Li." Jeff smiled. "That dress looks good on you."
"You mean I look good in this dress?" Chun Li asked.
"No," Jeff put down his fork and reached across the table to take her hands in his. "I mean that nothing can possibly add to your beauty. Your beauty can only rub off on others."
"Thanks," Chun Li chuckled and looked up.
She shifted her gaze to him.
He looked good... no, better than good, very handsome... in that tux...
And that smile...
All that was missing was a ripped, torn white gi and a red bandanna…
Chun Li bit down on her lip as she realized who she was thinking about.
No.
She strengthened her resolve.
They never knew each other. Nothing happened between them... and nothing ever will...

"Chun Li? Are you alright?"
Lost in her own thoughts, Chun Li failed to hear Jeff’s calling her.
"Chun Li?"
His voice became alien and extraneous
This didn’t feel right.
"Chun Li? You're starting to worry me. Is something the matter?"
She looked at him.
"Jeff, what time is it now?"
He flashed her a puzzled frown
"Uhh... it's 15 'til 8."
"There's still time."
"Time for what?"
Chun Li pulled her hands away from him, and sprang up from the table.
"I'm sorry Jeff... I need... I need to go..."
"What? But Chun Li, the performance tonight..."
"There's something I need to do."
"Chun Li..."
She quickly kissed him on the cheek. "I'm sorry Jeff, I truly am..."
Chun Li grabbed her purse and rushed towards the exit of the restaurant, not even noticing that as Jeff stared after her he called out, "I love you..."
~~~~~~
Chun Li wasted no time in hailing a cab.
"Hong Kong Airport please," she told the driver.
"Sure thing Miss."
All during the drive to the airport, Chun Li felt butterflies fluttering about in her stomach. What was she going to say to Ryu?
The cab driver turned on the radio and the broadcast soon drowned out her worried thoughts. Then a news report came over the radio station.
~~A tragedy this evening as news of a devastating plane crash shatters the eminence of Cambodian Airlines. Just approximately an hour ago, it was said that on of their commercial passenger planes had crashed into the South China seas... And while the coast guards are surveying the wreckage area...~~
Chun Li tuned out again. She quickly opened her purse for her compact and checked her reflection. Maybe this was meant to be. Ryu and her... together again...
~~... Cause of crash is unknown...~~
How was she to tell Ryu how she feels about him? After what she told him?
~~... Mr. Kai, representative of Cambodian Airlines, has just confirmed at a press conference...~~
Chun Li closed her compact and was about to put it back into her purse when she heard it.
~~...Flight number 727...~~
She barely registered the thought...
"Ryu... oh my goodness!"
The compact slipped from her hands and fell onto the floor of the cab. But Chun Li didn’t even notice. She concentrated on the radio’s new report. Hoping to hear something to tell her that she had heard wrong.
~~The information was just validated that flight number 727 had collide into the sea during its journey to Hong Kong from Cambodia. It was estimated that 58 people were on board including pilot and personnel. Experts predict that rescuers will find no survivors...~~
Chun Li's world came crumbling down as those words echoed in her head…
"No survivors..."