FWB: Stranger

The sun was still shining but the leaves were no longer budding. Instead, they were shedding, one by one, to the ground. The trees were starting to show bared limbs while at their feet the green grasses has turned to a shade of golden brown. Autumn was almost over and winter was almost here. Citizens had begun wearing layered clothing as the air turned cold and crisp. Young children were forbidden to stay outside for too long in feared of catching colds. Although everyone still carried on with his or her everyday chores, a solemn chatter has replaced the bustling buzz of summer. The air felt heavy with dread as everyone waited for winter, for no one wanted to experience the bitter cold.

Despite the gloomy atmosphere, I found myself falling in love with my surrounding as I surveyed the colorful grounds. Dried leaves crunched underneath my boots as I walked down the paved path. The afternoon breeze was still cold as it cut through my sweater to my skin, but it was still bearable under the sun’s rays. Spotting an empty table overlooking the lake, I went over to it and sat down. All around me the park remained silent despite it being a Saturday afternoon. The silence along with the sparkling lake in front of me felt comforting. I was about to lay my head down on the table and enjoy the peacefulness when a click followed by the sound of approaching footsteps stopped me. I turned around to find myself staring up into the face of a stranger.

“May I join you?” There was a twinkle of interest in his eyes as he peered down at me. The smile on his face made my heart skipped a beat and I noticed for the first time that he had a dimple on the right side of his cheeks. He did not look dangerous or threatening at all.

“Sure,” I answered before my mind fully registered what just happened.

He took the seat opposite mine. “Today is a nice day isn’t it?” he asked, his smile never leaving his face for a second. I nodded in agreement as I watched him. After he had settled down, he took off his camera from around his neck and gently set it down on the table between us. Once his hands were free, he stuck one of it out expectantly. “I am Kai Li. My family and I just moved in to town last weekend.”

I cautiously took his hand and shook it. Immediately, I noticed how warm and smooth his hand was compared to my cold and chapped one. Embarrassed, I quickly let go and hid both my hands underneath the table. “Welcome to Hualian. I am Evol Chen.”

“Evol?” he asked, testing the sound of my name on his lips. “Isn’t that love spelled backward?”

I nodded. “Don’t ask me why my parents chose that name. It is a long and boring story.”

Kai laughed and I could not help it but smiled at the sound of his melodic laughter. It was a nice and soul lifting sound to hear after the morning silence. “I will not ask then, but honestly speaking it is a nice name. It has a nice ring to it besides the meaning behind it.”

“Thank you.” A blush crept onto my face and I mentally kicked myself for such reaction. It was not my first time hearing someone complimented my name so I had no right to act like such a fool. However, it was the first time that such a handsome guy had complimented my name. That fact alone should be an exemption, correct? “So… how do you like Huilian so far?”

“It is beautiful,” he answered. “The air here is fresh and clean unlike the city air. The folks here are really nice too. I have yet to see any violence or gruesome bloodshed.” He laughed when I winced at his chosen words. “I am just joking; I do not want to jinx my luck yet. But Huilian really is beautiful. The scenery here is a lot nicer than I thought it would be when I looked it up on the Internet.”

I motioned toward his camera on the table. “Are you a photographer then? You seemed to have an eye for your surroundings.”

Kai picked up his camera and showed it to me. There was pride in his eyes as he described his passion for photography to me. “I am not a professional photographer, but I do enjoy taking pictures. In fact, this is the whole reason why I am out walking around town today.” He waved his camera in the air. “I wanted to take some pictures around town and get myself familiarized with this place so that I will not get lost the next time I’m out.”

“Then… do you want me to show you around?” I offered without thinking. Once the question was out, I bit back my lip nervously. I was not used to showing strangers around town. “I mean, if you

“Of course I want to!” Kai put the camera strap around his neck again and suddenly stood up. “I was hoping you would agree when I approached you.” At my widened eyes, he smiled apologetically back. “You were the only one that did not seem to be occupied with something or someone here.”

I allowed him to drag me off the bench and onto my feet. “Thank you for telling me how much of a loner I am,” I said sarcastically, trying to hide the smile that was itching to break free.

He let go of my arm and did a quick bow. “You are welcome Ma ’dam.” He laughed as he easily dodged my swing before skipping away. “Come on Ma’ dam; we shall hurry before the sun sets!”

“Use that word one more time on me and I will take back what I said!”

[Click to go to Friendship Stage.]

© N. Hli 2015 All rights reserved.
[Official date of completion: August 2011]