Watching Prince Chen’s spectacular powers from below, Tara’s heart was bubbling with spontaneous joy at his impressive talents. When he transformed back into a dragon-human and sashayed toward her, she caught herself feeling a little admiration and attraction toward him.
Next, he performed the twelve fists’ movements in the form of a dragon-human:
Auspiciousness of Dragon and Phoenix
Repentance of a Proud Dragon
Soaring Dragon in the Sky
Seeing Dragon in the Field
Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon
Two Dragons Playing Pearl
Painting a Dot in the Dragon’s Eyes
Exuberance of Tiger and Dragon
A Son Becomes a Dragon
Energetic Spirits of Dragon and Horse
Soaring Dragon and Dancing Phoenix
Carp Jumping into the Dragon Gate
After he had finished demonstrating all twelve movements, he asked Tara, “Would you like to experience the application of my dragon fist? I need you to be my partner.”
“Why not?” Tara readily agreed. “What am I supposed to do?”
“Here we go,” said Prince Chen, initiating the first movement, Auspiciousness of Dragon and Phoenix.
Tara did not have to do anything. Her arms, legs, and torso were controlled by an invisible force that directed her every movement. She could feel the flow of energy throughout her body. Prince Chen was using spells to guide her every step to complement his fist movements.
In the last step, he locked her ankle, which made her fall. He quickly grabbed her hands and wrapped his arm around her waist, preventing her from falling further before pressing her lower body tightly against him. Tara struggled to wriggle from his firm grasp but she was immobilized.
“Hmmm…you smell so heavenly, so irresistible!” Prince Chen complimented Tara, taking a deep breath to enjoy the fragrance emitting from Tara.
“Are you treating me as a beast or what?” Her face was feverishly hot with embarrassment and yet her heart was seething. Exasperated, she struggled to escape from his tight embrace but to no avail.
“I’m training you to be my wife,” said Prince Chen with his trademark impertinent smirk.
Unimpressed, Tara retorted, Aren't you afraid of a powerful wife who can whack you into pieces?"
“Why would I have to be afraid of her? I should be proud of her ‘talents’!” laughed Prince Chen, lifting her body up and bringing her closer to face him. “Trust me, darling, I know you’ll fall in love with me one day, willingly, wholeheartedly, and passionately. We’re meant to be together. It's our destiny. There’s no way you can escape it.” Having said so, he released her.
“Fat chance! Perhaps casting more love spells might work for you,” Tara snapped, strutting off to sit at the nearby boulder.
“You are right! Why haven't I thought of that idea? It’s easier and less hassle for me. Maybe I should change my strategy!” said Prince Chen, grinning ear to ear.
Fuming, Tara was determined to prove herself to him by learning martial arts faster than anyone had done before. There is nothing I cannot achieve if I put my heart and soul into it. Excellence is not an act but a decision, Tara thought.
Tara spent most of her childhood learning martial arts from her maternal grandfather - a Taichi teacher in Penang, Malaysia - to develop her physical strength. She even represented Malaysia to win a gold medal for Wushu Taichi competition in Southeast Asian Games. She was confident of her ability to excel in any field of endeavor and that included mastering a martial art within the shortest time.
CHAPTER 20
DURIAN FIESTA
As Tara continued to sit and sulk, Prince Chen said, “It’s futile to be mad with me all the time. You know I love teasing you, so try to get used to it. It’s noon time now. Are you hungry? Would you like me to get you some yummy food to perk you up?”
Although Tara was undoubtedly hungry, she was frustrated and dispirited. “I miss my local cuisine back home in Singapore. My tummy is craving for Musang King durian, Katong laksa, Penang chendol, rose bandung, and milk tea with chewy pearls."
“You are gluttonous!” laughed Prince Chen. “Food and your satiated tummy are your real motivations to go back home, am I right? I knew you weren’t so lofty and noble after all.”
“So? What if I’m a foodie?” said Tara with a chuckle. “Singapore is a gastronomical paradise. I miss it so much that I can almost taste a smorgasbord of delectable food. Seriously, I’ve had enough of eating seaweed, kelp, oysters, and scallops almost every day.”
Prince Chen was delighted to discover that food was a way to capture her heart. If he wanted to win her over, he must focus on making her tummy happy first. “The food list you mentioned just now is too ambitious. I can try to get you one of the dishes today. So, what is the food of your fancy?”
“How about durian? I haven’t eaten durian in ages and it’s driving me nuts! I can just imagine its overpowering smell and its sublime taste. Hmm…the thought of having some propels me to the top of the world!" said Tara excitedly, taking a gulp as if gobbling down a durian.
“Really? Are you sure durian is endowed with such superpower to make you feel that way? I think I must really learn some tips from durian. Tell me more about durian, its shape, size, taste, and aroma so that Singha can go get it later.”
Tara couldn't help but burst out laughing. “Durian is the king of all fruits. Round and oval in shape, it has a spiky exterior. We eat the flesh of the seeds inside. The taste is sweet, savory and luxuriously creamy. As for its smell, it’s a matter of personal preference. Some people find its smell pungent and stinky, but for me, it’s seductively exotic and invincible.”
Prince Chen instructed Singha to get a durian from the human world. Time went by as both of them sat on the grass and waited with anticipation. It was not until late afternoon that Singha came back with a basket of durians. “Auspicious greeting to Prince Chen. Apologies for the delay.”
“What took you such a long time to get the durian?” grumbled Prince Chen. “Tara is starving while I’m dying to know what makes durian so special.”
“Master, I’m terribly sorry, it’s the notorious durian stench that caused the delay. Durian has the most vicious ‘killer’ odor and my sensitive nose just couldn't stand its stinky smell, it’s even worse than the dragon dung!” bemoaned Singha. Thinking about the odor made him feel nauseous.
“Where are the durians now?”
“They’re in your backyard. I don't dare to put them in your abode, lest the nasty smell lingers for days and spoils your mood.”
“Okay, thank you Singha. I appreciate your efforts. You are dismissed now.”
“Tara, let’s go for a durian picnic fiesta in my backyard,” Prince Chen invited her.
“Hooray! I can’t wait to sink my teeth on it!” Tara squealed excitedly.
When they reached the backyard where the basket of durians was placed, Prince Chen started feeling nauseous and giddy. “What’s that horrible foul smell? It’s making me sick!” He started to feel nauseous.
“Are you alright, Prince Chen? Let me get some water for you,” said Tara, inching towards his abode to bring him some water.
He stopped her, pinching his nose. “Save the trouble, I’m fine,” he said, trying hard to make himself fall in love with the pungent durian odor but in vain.
Singha got everything ready for the durian fiesta in the backyard: checkered teal-and-pink picnic mat, bowls, plates, utensils, a jug of water, and glasses in a large wicker picnic basket.
Tara and Prince Chen sat down on the picnic mat. Then, he took out one durian and placed it on the large plate. Muttering some dragon magic incantations, he cracked open the durian, revealing the bright yellow flesh inside. “Now, it’s all yours.”
“Thank you, Prince Chen.” She used her hands to grab juicy flesh of the fruit before savoring it. “Hmmm…heavenly taste…yummy…it’s indeed the Musang King!”
�
��What is Musang King?”
“It’s a variety of durian. We have D24, XO, Golden Phoenix, Red Prawn, Green Bamboo, Black Pearl and the list goes on.”
“You’re a durian connoisseur!” Prince Chen chuckled.
He looked askance at the durians with distaste and suspicion. The shape of the flesh looked more like an unappetizing golden dung to him than a delicacy to be savored. “I think I’m fine. You can have them all.”
“There are about eight durians in the basket, and I cannot possibly finish them all by myself. You really need to help me. Try it and you will learn to like it,” said Tara with an encouraging smile, taking some durian flesh and holding it near to his mouth. “Go ahead, it’s wonderful, trust me.”
Prince Chen was more interested in her fair-skinned hand than the durian presented to him. Rather than taking the durian seed, he grasped her hand holding the durian. Gasping with shock, she dropped the durian seed and retracted her hand, her face blushing. He managed to catch the falling durian just in time and tasted it for the first time.
“How was it?”
“Hmm... It’s heavenly! Bittersweet, savory, sticky, creamy. What a splendid combination! The pungent smell belies that exotic taste of its flesh, a pleasant surprise indeed, just like you,” said Prince Chen, casting a quick glance at her before helping himself with a second serving. “It’s just so… delicious and irresistible. It’s exactly my type of food and I’m enjoying every moment!” He deliberately stuck his tongue out and rolled it.
Tara frowned; she was fuming inside her. He is really detestable and despicable. The next moment, she deliberately vomited on the grass.
“Are you alright? You’re not feeling well?” Prince Chen’s playful demeanor quickly changed to that of concern.
“Prince Chen, the way you enjoy eating durian makes me lose my appetite. Don’t ever try to fantasize about me as a durian; for I’m not your durian. It just makes me want to puke!” said Tara, gagging.
“But you’re my greatest motivation to eat durian! If I don’t imagine you as a durian, how can I possibly have the courage to try it and fall in love with it?” Prince Chen blurted out without a second thought.
Somehow Tara sensed his sincerity in his spontaneous reply which was endearing to her. “Okay, so be it. Have more durian. There’s a basket-load of durians for us to clear. We can’t possibly throw them away, it’s just too wasteful.” She cast an ominous glance at the basket load of durians which seemed increasingly more intimidating to her.
Then a sudden thought came to her. “Can I share these durians with Mayreen, Auntie Siew Lan, and Uncle Yong? They are durian-lovers as well.”
“Yes, of course! I’ll get Singha to pass some durians to them for their enjoyment.”
“Thank you, I’m sure they will be thrilled! Anyway, I’m glad that you love eating durian. My Persian cat used to enjoy durian with me in my penthouse back in Singapore. I’m delighted to have you, rather than a cat, to share my love of durians.”
“Mind you, I’m not your cat, okay? I’m the lion king and I roar the lion’s roar. ROARRRR…” said Prince Chen, imitating a lion’s roar.
Tara laughed. “You are such a kid!”
Knowing that he actually enjoyed eating durians, Tara began to feel a deeper sense of connection with him.
As for Prince Chen, durian taught him some meaningful life lessons: love is like a durian: judge not its spiky exterior and stinky smell, for its flesh is bittersweet and tasty. And that probably applies to humans as well.
There is a Chinese idiom called “Liu Lian Wang Fan,” which means enjoying oneself and lingering on until one has forgotten to go back home. He secretly hoped the magic of durian would make Tara stay with him forever and forget about returning to the human world.
CHAPTER 21
BALLROOM DANCING
Tara had been progressing well in her martial arts training, much to the delight of Prince Chen. It was time for Tara to teach Prince Chen ballroom dancing.
“Are you sure you want to learn dancing? Frankly speaking, you really don’t seem to have the aptitude of a dancer,” Tara said, scanning his whole body and doubting his capability to learn how to dance.
“Suspend your judgment, Tara. You’ll be astounded by my talent in learning new skills,” said Prince Chen with a surreptitious smile.
“Alright. Since you’re so certain you can dance well, I expect high standards from you. If you can’t master the dance steps after the first class, I shall call it quits,” said Tara, without mincing her words.
Tara was keener on performing classical and aesthetic dance instead of teaching Prince Chen. Her late husband, Prakash, was quite inept in ballroom dancing. She taught him for quite some time, but he was still unable to grasp it. As for Bo, he never requested to dance with her; he enjoyed playing his flute so she could dance to her heart’s delight. She did not want her mind to wander further, so she turned to Prince Chen and began her lesson.
“Eight most popular types of ballroom dancing are: foxtrot, quickstep, tango, waltz, samba, rumba, cha-cha, Viennese waltz. I’m pretty sure you don’t know any of these so I won’t be asking you to choose. I shall decide for you.” said Tara in a condescending manner. “Let’s start with the easiest one, the Waltz.”
“The Waltz… hmmm….sounds romantic to me. Teach me what I should do, I will learn from you.”
“The Box Step is the most basic. Just observe me. Forward, side, close, back, close. Forward, side, close, back, close,” said Tara, showing him the fundamental steps a few times.
Prince Chen was mesmerized by her lithe torso and how she moved her body with effortless grace and elegance. He adored the way she carried her body so confidently and beautifully.
“Now let’s dance together,” Tara said, holding his left hand and placing his right hand at her back, before placing her left hand on his left arm.
In the dragon world, single, unmarried men and women hardly touched each other. Needless to say, Prince Chen was exhilarated and electrified by Tara’s touch. For him, it was his wildest dream to dance with the woman he adored so deeply. He could not restrain his heart pounding like an unbridled horse galloping in the green expanse.
Much to Tara’s pleasant surprise, Prince Chen was indeed sharp and nimble because he mastered the basic box steps on his first try. She continued to teach him hesitation change, the natural turn, the reverse turn, and backward passing change until she finished teaching him all the advanced routines. It took him only an afternoon to completely master and internalize all the dance movements ― even the advanced ones ― of the Waltz.
“Shall we have some music? I can provide any music of your liking,” asked Prince Chen as they danced across the floor.
“That’s a good idea. May I have the melody from ‘Beauty and the Beast,’ please?”
“Marvelous! What a supreme honor for a dummy Beast to win the heart of a ravishing Beauty,” quipped Prince Chen. With his dragon magic power and a snap of his fingers, the melody of ‘Beauty and the Beast’ started playing softly in the background.
“Tara, close your eyes and think of the clothing, setting, and environment you would like for an ideal dance experience. I shall make them come true for you,” said Prince Chen. She closed her eyes and imagined the clothing and setting she preferred.
Reading her thoughts, Prince Chen transformed their outfit into European ballroom dancing attire, complete with a large dancing floor lit by chandeliers.
“You may open your eyes now.” The moment Tara opened her eyes, she was mesmerized by everything she saw; it was exactly what she had in mind.
In the beginning, it was Tara who was leading Prince Chen in the dance steps. When the music was on, Prince Chen started leading her in the dance. Tara’s heart raced like a gazelle leaping and springing in the air. She was acutely aware that once he took the lead, he was pressing her body closer and tighter against his.
The dance was so exceptionally flawless that Tara was completely immersed i
n the magical flow of the moment. With a coy smile stuck to her face, she could not take her eyes off Prince Chen throughout the dance. It dawned on her that he had an innate talent for dancing. It was as if dancing was his second nature and he had been skilled in dancing the Waltz all along. This made her yearn for him as a companion for future ballroom dancing.
He is no dummy beast at all. He is so much better than Prakash who was really a dummy in ballroom dancing, Tara thought.
“I….” Tara was momentarily speechless after the music had ended. Her face and ears were blazing hot, not due to embarrassment, but the complex feelings of exhilaration, surprise, joy, infatuation, and probably love. “I think your dancing is beyond excellent. I’m …. so proud of you. It’s indeed my honor and joy to dance with you.”
Prince Chen also could not take his eyes off her. “Thank you, Tara. All I want in my life is to dance with you every day, just like today, until space and time have become irrelevant. Will you allow me to adore you this way?”
Tara was moved beyond words. She could not help but slightly nod her head. Later, she had a sleepless night. Confused and yet excited, she was trying to decode and decipher her complex feelings and emotions. The feeling she had experienced while dancing with Prince Chen earlier in the day, was akin to standing on top of the world, jumping over the moon, and then flying freely in the immeasurable space of everlasting eternity. She had not experienced this kind of emotion with either Prakash or Bo.
Was it just my infatuation? Or have I fallen in love with him? But he is not the type I adore. What should I do?
CHAPTER 22
THE PHOENIX RIDER
It was a sunny day with white fluffy marshmallow clouds floating by. Tara was demonstrating all the twelve movements of True Cloud Dragon Fists to Prince Chen and Singha.
Tara Zenyora : and the Seven-Jeweled Lighthouse Page 14