8:15 PM...
At Moonlight Cinema...
Mingyu's POV...
As I stood in silence next to my bike, I continue to watch the people passing by in front of the cinema. Most of them are young couples who eventually enters the cinema. I heard a girl telling her boyfriend that the new romance movie seems nice, and by that they decided to give it a try. I'm lucky that my momma went to bed earlier after the argument, giving me the chance to sneak out of the house without having to hear her constant nagging. She would slap me harder if she finds out I went out of the house at night, yet I already prepared myself an excuse for that. I'll probably just say that I went out with a friend, hopefully that will reduce the problem. Besides, knowing her for over the years, she will get mad at me whether I disobey her or not, so it doesn't really matter. This is the first time I actually went out of the house at night without a friend. In fact, I was the one who called a friend to meet up with me. What can I say? I had enough to think about at home, that I ended consuming two pills at once and cut the skin of my tighs. Right now, I just hope that the familiar figure will arrive soon.
"Wang Mingyu!"
I turn my head around to see the tall figure with shinning black hair standing not far from me. Looking all fine with his casual look, which consist of a white t-shirt, denim jacket, black pants, and some white sneakers. Even under the night sky his calming aura still shines, slowly awakening the butterflies in my heart, reminding me of our first encounter, which sent me a different feeling from tonight. It's amazing how the same person could bring a different feeling in different times.
"Hey," I say to him, my lips trying to form a small smile. "Sorry if I interrupted something."
"No. I was just about to go home, when I saw your message," Xiaoliang says.
"So...you were just going home from work?" the tension suddenly became awkward as I try to recall why the hell did I impulsively called him to meet up with me at this time, knowing that he's probably exhausted after work and could use some rest.
I sigh. "I'm really sorry if I had interrupted your time."
"No worries. There's nothing to be sorry about. What's up with the stressful thoughts?" Xiaoliang asks, his hand still holding the strap of his black backpack.
I think about it for a moment. I guess I did sounded stressful that I start to apologize impulsively. Guilt starts to run around my head as I feel my anxiety starting to rise again. Suddenly I could feel my head spinning lightly, as my body starts to feel limp. My body starts to shiver as the night wind continues to blow to our direction. Seems like those stress-relief pills didn't work. In fact, I think they might just got complicated since I drank two pills at once, completely ignoring the psychiatrist's instruction. Damn, I get more stupid when I'm stress.
"Mingyu, are you ok? You look limp," Xiaoliang ask, his voice sounded worried as he widens his eyes while studying my face.
"I'm fine. Just a bit cold," I say, my body starting to feel more limp at the cold weather. Why did the weather had to be so cold tonight, when my body isn't at its best state? Damn, I should have brought my cardigan instead of showing up in the middle of the night in a gray t-shirt and some black jeans.
Hearing this, Xiaoliang quickly removes his denim jacket and wraps it around my shivering body. I widen my eyes at his sudden action as we are now staring at each other's eyes in an awkward manner.
"You don't have to-"
"It's fine. Don't worry too much. I'm good," Xiaoliang says, his gentle voice tinkles through my ears, somehow giving me a warm feeling inside. I always love hearing his gentle voice.
"Let's get you home," Xiaoliang says, before turning his vision to my bike. "Hop on the back!"
I didn't answer him, since I still feel overwhelmed by his sudden action. I wouldn't lie, deep down I am touched by his caring action. His behaviour is just as gentle as his soft voice, which I find to be alluringly addicting. Looking at his presence tonight, I'm starting to realize that maybe the reason I wanted to see him tonight, was because I know he is able to make me feel better after feeling mentally exhausted. He had become my favorite remedy through out my mental-healing journey.
"Let's go," Xiaoliang says as he hops on the front seat of the bike. Looks like he'll be the one pedaling tonight, in which I didn't mind at my now limp state. I walk over to the back seat and hop on the bike, before wrapping my arms around his waist. I could say it's for safety reasons, yet I have other reasons as well.
"Ready?" Xiaoliang ask.
"Yup," I answer with my arms gently wrapped around his waist.
Without another word, Xiaoliang starts pedaling the bike as we escape the cinema scenery. As the cold night breeze continues to blow through our direction, my head starts to spin heavier than before while the wind sends shivers down my spine, even though I'm already wearing a jacket. Realizing that I could lose my balance at any time, I tighten my arms around Xiaoliang's waist, not wanting to fall from the bike. Though my head continues to spin, yet having my arms wrapped around him gives me a comforting feeling of warmth. Somehow, I feel safe when I'm with him despite letting my vulnerabilities shown.
Slowly I begin to rest my head on his firm back. Even though I'm not at my best condition tonight with the weather, the warmth of his body is able to comfort my soul, making me wish that the night could last forever. Tonight, I feel like a heavy weight had been lifted from my heart, giving it more room for me to express my vulnerabilities. As I gently close my eyes, in this moment, I'm glad to say that my heart is in peace.
Xiaoliang's POV...
As I continue to pedal through the breezy night of Guangzhou, my heart beats a bit faster in every pedal as Mingyu's warm embrace on my waist sends a certain comfort and alluring feeling in me. Her soft shoulder lenght hair can be felt as she rest her head on my back, making my cheeks burn at the sensation. Looking at her weak condition, I wonder what made her ride her bike to the cinema at night just to ask me to meet up with her. She could always call me and I will approach her. She looks more vulnerable tonight, which was something I couldn't see clearly before. Now, after the pieces of herself are getting more clear, I knew that the girl really needed help with whatever she's facing.
A few minutes later...
At Mingyu's house...
After minutes of pedaling through the breezy night, Xiaoliang finally arrives at Mingyu's house.
"We're here," Xiaoliang says.
Hearing Xiaoliang's voice, Mingyu slowly opens her eyes. She didn't expect them to arrive that fast, maybe since she was hoping that the night could be longer. She slowly removes her arms from Xiaoliang's waist, before getting off the bike. After that, Xiaoliang puts her bike back in it's usual parking spot, which is near the glass door of the noodle shop.
"Thanks for the ride," Mingyu says with a small smile on her lips.
"No problem. You should get should get some rest," Xiaoliang says.
In a clear sight of Mingyu's face, he starts to study the girl's face, noticing how her skin had got more pale, making him more concern deep inside.
Noticed that Xiaoliang had been staring at her face, Mingyu slowly turns her head down shyly. Her heart starts to flutter as she struggles to hide the fact that she's feeling insecure at this moment. Though she felt comfortable spending time with Xiaoliang, she still couldn't let go of her insecurities that keeps lingering when she finds him staring at her for too long. She wanted to believe that his stares indicates that he has mutual interest with her, yet for someone with bitter experiences of getting mentally abused at home and bullied at school, she found it hard to believe that anyone would ever be attracted to her genuinely.
"Oh, here's your jacket." Mingyu removes the denim jacket and wraps it around Xiaoliang. As she helps him put the jacket on, she couldn't help but admire his toned body shape. Though the white t-shirt he wore didn't show much of his abs, but his arms pretty much says enough. Mingyu could tell he has a gorgeous posture, even from behind the t-shirt and jacket. Just the thought of it already makes her heart skipped a beat.
"Thanks," Xiaoliang says to Mingyu, after she had helped put his jacket on.
"You're welcome," Mingyu says in a low tone while having her eyes on the ground.
Looking at Mingyu avoiding eye contact awkwardly, Xiaoliang moves his vision to the ground, only to realize that her hands are still holding the front bottom part of his denim jacket. He starts to study her hands. Pale skin with short nails, he thought her hands looked cute like a child's hand. He gently grabs her hands with his left hand, while at the same time his right hand lifts up her chin, making her brown eyes now stare deeply into him.
As the night breeze continues to blow, the two teenagers got lost into each other's eyes. Their heart starts fluttering in sync, while both of them wish that they could stop time. Never in their minds did they imagine to be standing in front of each other tonight, face to face with nothing to say as they let their eyes speak for itself and their hands touching one another. Deep down, both of the young souls felt lucky to have met someone who brings comfort in their storms from the past.
In a moment of silence, both Mingyu and Xiaoliang finds themselves at the most peaceful state while staring at each other. When their hands touch, it brings a special fluttering feeling in their hearts, which Mingyu finds comforting, and Xiaoliang finds empowering. However, the two of them couldn't ignore the insecurities that kept lingering on their minds. While Mingyu wonders whether Xiaoliang is genuinely attracted to her, Xiaoliang continues to question himself if he deserves to be with Mingyu, since he fears that he will only bring more trouble with his unfinished past she has yet to discover.
Little did you know, you made me believe that it was possible to find generosity in a world of greed, and kindness in a world filled with cruelty. Your presence reminded me of the kindness my parents taught me, in which they ended up getting betrayed by those close to them. It reminded me how much I lack knowledge of good people since they left. Wang Mingyu, you opened my eyes to the beautiful side of life, but is it possible for me to approach you further, just to have a chance to show you the beautiful side of the world? Xiaoliang thought.
Cheng Xiaoliang, if only I could say it out loud, maybe I wouldn't let my wonders get the best of me. You don't know how my life had gotten brighter since meeting you. How I hope that what you're experiencing is similar to mine, but is it even similar? Mingyu thought.
As Mingyu continues to let her mind wonder far about the boy holding her hands, she soon notice that Xiaoliang's eyes are gently closing as his face slowly gets closer to her. A feeling of surprise surpass her heart, but in a moment of silence where the tension is high she couldn't let out a single word. Instead she just wanted to go with the flow, and see how this night would eventually take her to move out of her comfort zone. The slow movement from Xiaoliang didn't last long, after Mingyu felt a pair of soft lips connect with hers.
Mingyu's POV...
As Xiaoliang connects his soft lips with mine, my heart starts fluttering in a faster pace. I widen my eyes for a second, wanting to believe that this was a dream, but the passion he sent through the comforting kiss was enough to tell me that this is real. A burst of happiness errupted, upon the realization that this beautiful moment is truly happening. Beyond thankful, I slowly close my eyes as my hands holds his hands tightly. In only a few seconds, he had erased all the anxious feelings in my heart, just with one action. Holding his hands as our lips connect with each other, I found it a miracle to have the chance to experience this amazing feeling. Maybe this is what people say true love is.
After a moment of beauty, Xiaoliang slowly leans back, ending our first kiss together. He stares deeply into my eyes, in which I stare back at him. His brown eyes are sparkling with all types of emotions, showing a sensitive aura from within.
"Uhh...wow...umm.." Xiaoliang turns his head to look at the ground shyly. I could see his cheeks turning a rosy shade of red. I form a small smile at the sight of the sweet boy in front of me, looking all shy and speechless.
I giggle. "What?"
"Umm...It's getting late," Xiaoliang says awkwardly, before scratching his nape while still looking nervous.
I smile shyly at the sight of this awkward looking cute boy. "Call me when you get home, so I know that you arrived safely."
Even though he still looks awkward complete with the blushing cheeks, Xiaoliang manage to form a shy smile. I smile back at him while again finding myself lost in his chocolate brown eyes, in which he stares back with an affectionate gaze.
"Sure," Xiaoliang says. "Goodnight, Mingyu."
He turns around and starts walking away. I smile after taking one last look of him, before I open the glass door of the noodle and let myself in.
11:15 PM...
At Mingyu's room...
After I finished my homework and cleaned myself up, I sit on my bed as I start to apply some ointments on the new cuts on my tighs. It hurts, but it's good that I'm used to it. As I continue to apply the ointments, yet my mind continues to rewind the flashback of what happened between Xiaoliang and I. His action was way out of my expectation when my doubt my were high and my fears were rising. Nevertheless, I honestly feel grateful for the way this day ended.
Finally done, I pull down my baby blue pajama dress to cover my tighs. I close the ointment and put it back on my medical kit. I stood up from my bed and bends down to put my medical kit back under my bed, not wanting my mom to find it. I stood back up and crawl up to my bed, before turning off the night lamp that's placed next to my bed, but as I close my eyes to prepare myself for a good slumber, somehow my mind still wonders back to the flashback of Xiaoliang. The warmth of his body when I wrapped my arms around him on the bike still lingers in my head, causing my heart to flutter. The indescribable vibe I received when our lips touched was surreal. Comfort, trust, and empowerment, all in one simple act of a simple kiss. I could say that the kiss changed my perception of life, that no matter how bitter, there are still small things worth smiling for.
Cheng Xiao Liang, thank you for giving me a ray of strenght with your warm kindness. I might not have the courage to tell you this, but I want to be honest with myself that I really care for you.
To be continue...