The Table Near the Balcony
St . Paul ' s Convent School , Li , Clare - 15
T
he tingling bells of the rickshaws echoed the hustle and bustle of Shanghai . Exotic snakes slithered around the arms of a snake charmer , earning the duo a rather huge audience in the market square . Farmers on bicycles pushed through the crowd , eager to unload their baskets of wheat . Street performers tumbled about on the rugged surface , impressing adults and children alike , while a couple of Japanese travellers looked on with interest .
Yells and catcalls arose as a group of middle-age men playing mah-jong spotted seven elegantly dressed ladies descending from the steps of the theatre . An elderly man crouched at a shabby corner of the street , slurping a bowl of noodles , oblivious to his surroundings , while a religious dignitary , draped in black silk , was taken around the city .
Every Saturday afternoon , a woman sat at the table near the balcony at the theatre around the corner . She smoked , and white fumes billowing like slithering snakes , strikingly silvery against her jet black hair rose into the air .
“ Good afternoon , Mò Chóu xiǎo jiě . How are you fairing on this wonderfully sunny day ?” A stately gentleman in a navy blue suit approached the young maiden with confident strides . Reaching to lift her pale hand for a kiss , he gazed intently into her brown orbs . Her subtle shudder went unnoticed . Upon exchanging polite greetings , the man moved on to other flowery youthful girls in the vicinity , while the girl remained rooted to the spot . She was dressed in a simple white qí páo , her alabaster skin setting off her wavy black bob perfectly . She glanced around timidly , with an air of fragility about her .
Across the room was a tall , slender figure , leaning aristocratically against the jade-glided pillars , chatting amiably with a few young gentlemen . She looked stunning even from a distance with her sleek black hair tied up in a large bun , with a lily tucked in to match her silk dress in nude pink , blatantly exposing her cleavage . A pearl white shawl embraced her bare shoulders , slithering off every now and then to the delight of male company . The near-translucent fabric reflected the bright sunlight from above , highlighting her ethereal beauty . Yet her beauty could not shield her disdain to the flocking young suitors , for her impatient replies and furrowed brows intensified as more men surrounded her .
Around the corner was a comfy wooden chair hidden behind the velvety ( albeit dingy ) curtains . A pair of rather unladylike black leather shoes stuck out , revealing a studious-looking girl with her nose in a book . With her frizzly hair swept aside in a neat pin , revealing a rather large forehead , she looked distinctly different from other girls . She sported an unflattering qí páo with pale blue checkers , and was easily overshadowed by the flamboyant women around her . Yet despite her subtle choice of fashion , she carried herself with an air of ease and determination . She waved away several approaching men , and focused intently on her book .
Soon enough , the striking girl in pink got tired of murmuring sweet nothings to her suitors , and glided around in her trailing dress attempting to find a suitable companion . She was not in vain , for she soon discovered the girl in the white qí páo moving idly about . She approached her elegantly but surely , and reached out her hand in one swift motion , “ My name is Hóng Xiá , and yours ?” The other girl looked considerably startled at Hóng Xiá ’ s boldness , but returned her greeting just the same . “ My name is Mò Chóu . How very nice to meet you .” The two girls sneaked shy glances at each other for a few seconds , before Hóng Xiá abruptly broke the ice and declared , “ It ’ s so dull here . Not a single person is entertaining .” Mò Chóu , though bashful in nature , could not wait to agree , and allowed herself to be pulled along through the elegantly-dressed guests by Hóng Xiá ’ s firm grip .
Upon reaching the curtains , Hóng Xiá gradually slowed down , allowing Mò Chóu to catch her breath . “ It is quite pleasant here , don ’ t you think ? Away from the hustle and bustle of the party ,” Hóng Xiá said decidedly , while Mò Chóu nodded in agreement . “ I do think we should go for a stroll – oh my ! How you startle me ?” Hóng Xiá exclaimed in surprise as the book-loving girl came into view . The latter ’ s head shot up in annoyance at the intrusion , but her hardened features relaxed visibly as she realized they were females instead of male guests again . Hóng Xiá began her introductions , despite looking slightly affronted at her fierce expressions . The girl returned Hóng Xiá ’ s greetings with a curt nod , and a grim “ The name ’ s Xiǎo Lián .”
Gradually , Xiǎo Lián ’ s cold façade melted as she carefully set aside her book and gave her undivided attention to Hóng Xiá ’ s accounts of her upcoming arranged marriage . Mò Chóu turned out to share Hóng Xiá ’ s worries as well , for she was also betrothed to another young man . Xiǎo Lián listened to the two elder women ’ s conversation thoughtfully , while adding sympathetic comments from time to time . Time passed swiftly for the