SOUTHBESIDETHESKY, Chapter 26: Beside The Sky
I took off my jacket, hat, mask, everything that was making me feel hot and almost suffocated, and left them in a heap on the floor of the room. I collapsed onto the bed, completely exhausted, it was a struggle just to make it back to my room.
I buried my face in the pillow, clenching my lips tight.
I can still feel it…
“Ugh,” I groaned to stop the crazy thoughts popping into my mind, but it didn’t work. The touch, the taste of that kiss, the warm breath, the rhythm of our hearts, the sound of the raindrops, your sweet scent mixed with the earthy aroma that reached my nose, everything was vividly recorded in my memory.
To remember our first kiss.
What is it…the meaning of our first kiss today, because of the words of love, because it was our first meeting, because I was crying, or maybe all these were the reasons?
Not even dating…I don’t understand at all, it was our first meeting, after all.
And what will the person from the letters do next with this?
“Sigh,” I exhaled heavily, sitting up on the bed, hugging the pillow tightly, frowning where no one could see, the images still replaying in my mind from the moment I stepped into the restaurant until I got off the bike.
Your lips…
Soft…
Oh…Phii Fah is truly dangerous for my heart. Will I end up with a heart condition?
My heart still hasn’t calmed down yet.
I tried to take deep breaths to compose myself. Thinking about it, our relationship has come this far, as if I’ve torn down every wall I’ve built in the moment I decided to go meet him. No walls, no barriers anymore, just my little fear that Phii Fah has accepted.
The foolish fear of not daring to reveal myself.
But then…
I touched my lips gently.
I didn’t want that kiss to be just an accident.
Doing this, are you sure? Kissing someone whose face you haven’t seen, are you really sure? Sure that you love the person from the letters, no matter who they are?
Has Phii Fah ever wondered who the person from the letters is? He must have thought about it, he must have, but has he ever thought it might be me?
Damn it…
Am I overthinking this?
I picked up my phone to turn it on because I had turned it off before meeting Phii Fah. I intended to message my friends, but there was already a message from someone.
…Phii Fah
!!
I was so surprised that I dropped my phone, luckily it landed on the bed. Why be surprised, Typhoon, Phii Fah didn’t message the person from the letters.
Tfha: Have you eaten yet?
Typhoon: I have.
Typhoon: How about you, Phii Fah?
I had eaten a little before going out to meet Phii Fah. Even though I went to a restaurant, I decided not to eat anything since I couldn’t take off my mask, so I ate beforehand.
Tfha: Same.
Tfha: What are you doing?
Typhoon: Just lying down.
Typhoon: What are you doing?
Tfha: Just got back to my room.
Oh…you’re back to your room, that’s good.
Typhoon: Where did you go?
Typhoon: Did you get wet in the rain? It just stopped.
Tfha: Not wet at all.
Tfha: Didn’t Phoon go out?
Typhoon: Didn’t go out at all.
Tfha: Do you want to study tonight?
Tfha: I am free.
Typhoon: Sure.
Typhoon: How about 8 PM?
Tfha: Okay.
Tfha: I’ll call you.
Typhoon: Okay.
There’s still some time to prepare. I don’t know how I’ll manage to tutor him, probably because the exams are over and I’m free now. I let out a big sigh before going to take a shower and get ready to study with Phii Fah. Before, we would always call each other in the evening, around 8 PM; you could say that 8 PM is the time I look forward to all day.
But we don’t call every day. Most of the time, we discuss what we’ll study first.
When 8 PM arrived, there was a call coming in, and what surprised me the most was that it was a video call. As far as I can remember, we’ve never had a video chat before; it’s always been just regular calls.
What…what’s going on?
I tried to gather my composure as quickly as possible to answer the call. I didn’t know how to act normally with someone who had kissed me just a few hours ago.
But maybe it’s just me who’s nervous.
The moment I answered the call, seeing the face of the person I had just met on the screen, my heart jolted and trembled again. Phii Fah was sitting at his desk in his room, wearing headphones, with his phone set up, smiling at me.
That smile was just like the one before we parted earlier.
No, I must be imagining it.
We did make eye contact for a brief moment when I was about to get out of the car, right? Thinking that made me quickly avert my gaze.
(Phoon, are you okay?)
“…Yes, why?”
(You don’t look so good.), Phii Fah’s voice was filled with concern, which made me look puzzled and turn back to the camera.
“Really?”
(Yes, are your eyes a bit swollen? Did you cry?)
“…”
“…” I furrowed my brows looking at him, are my eyes still swollen?
When I checked in the mirror earlier, I thought they had gone down,
“…What? I didn’t cry, that’s strange.”
(That’s good if you didn’t cry.)
“…Yes.” (Phoon)
“Yes?”
(…Uh, nothing.), It seemed like the other person had something to say but then went quiet as if changing his mind, his worried expression easing into a normal one, (Do you have any plans for
New Year’s?)
“Uh, not yet.”
Because now it’s the break after the final exams, it’s New Year’s time when most people go back home, but as you know, I don’t have a home to go back to, so I’ll probably stay here like last year. Last year, all my friends called to wish me well, which was really nice, but at that time, I hadn’t told everyone about my family situation. Now that they know, everyone’s suggesting we go on a big trip together this year. I still haven’t decided where to go. “But I don’t want to celebrate New Year alone.
Last year, I walked around with my camera in crowded places during the New Year’s Eve, taking photos of the atmosphere, lights, and people, standing to watch the fireworks, taking more photos, and then going back to sleep.
I hope this year won’t be as lonely as that.
“What about you, Phii Fah?” I asked.
(Going home.)
“Oh, here?”
(Yes, do you want to come with me, Phoon?)
“Huh? You’re inviting me?”
(Yes, my parents miss you. It’s been a long time since we’ve seen each other.)
Phii Fah’s invitation made me feel warm inside, with him saying that his uncle and aunt miss me. I miss them and want to see them too, but my father doesn’t want me to get involved with Phii Fah’s family too much.
“Let me think about it. Actually, my friends also invited me to go out. Phoon hasn’t decided yet what to do,” I said, giving a sheepish smile to the other side.
(Okay, waiting for your answer.)
“When will you go back home, Phii Fah?” I asked because during the holidays, Phii Gibb’s shop would be closed. We wouldn’t be able to communicate through letters for a while. We never discussed what we would do during the long holiday, and with what just happened, if we suddenly stop talking, it would be terrible.
(Maybe in a little while, there’s something important.)
“What is it? Work?”
(No), Phii Fah shook his head slightly, (Something very important), before giving me a slight smile without taking his eyes off me.
“…Oh,” I didn’t know what to reply to. When he said it was something important for Phii Fah, not work, not exams, it must be about the person from the letters…
(Phoon, today I met him.)
“Who?”
(The person from the letters)
“…Oh, and how was it?”
(I was really happy that he came to meet), his soft voice was filled with joy, which made me feel more at ease, (But he cried.)
“Uh…why?”
Phii Fah shook his head slightly. I wasn’t sure if his answer meant he didn’t know or couldn’t say. (But I don’t want him to cry.)
“…”
(If I could ask him not to cry again, would that be okay?) “Uh…I don’t know,” I said in a faint voice, truthfully, when I got back to my room, I almost cried again because my thoughts were all over the place, “Are you worried?” (Yes…very much.)
“What are you worried about?”
(Just that he might overthink things.)
“…Oh.”
(Everything that happened was intentional…I don’t want him to think that I am not serious.)
“…” I fell silent because of the tightness in my chest right now, as if all my thoughts were being read. The person from the letters really is overthinking, worried that you might not have meant that kiss, worried that you might think, “I shouldn’t have done that.”
I’m glad…that you didn’t say it was a mistake or just an accident. (Sorry, I’ve gone off-topic. Should we start studying?)Perhaps because he saw me being silent for too long, Phii Fah changed the subject. I, realizing I’d been absent-minded for a while, quickly looked back at the camera, opening my book to the last section I read.
“Sure.”
(What are you reading these days?)
“Basic math for sixth graders.”
(What chapter?)
“Sequences.”
(Oh…this isn’t too difficult, should we move on to another chapter, or do you want me to review it for you?)
“Can you review it for me?”
(Then let’s start with the exercises; that way, I can see where you are struggling. Do you still have the green exercise book I bought for you?)
“Yes,” I nodded before reaching for the green exercise book from the pile next to me, then started doing the exercises as Phii Fah instructed. From then on, we began our study session seriously. While I had my head down doing the exercises, I wondered if Phii Fah was watching me or if he was doing something else. I hoped he wasn’t looking; otherwise, I’d be too distracted.
Feeling a strange, nervous flutter in my stomach, I continued with the exercises, not daring to look up at the phone screen. Suddenly, I received a LINE message from Ter.
Easter: Damn!!
Easter: Friend!!
Easter: sends picture
Since I only saw the notification, I didn’t know what Ter had sent. (Is there something wrong?) Phii Fah asked when I picked up my phone from its spot.
“Ter sent something, I don’t know what.”
(Don’t lose focus, let’s finish the study session first.)
“Oh, sorry.”
I put my phone back in its place when Phii Fah said that with such seriousness. It was true; while we were studying, I should concentrate on that. Time passed quickly, and before I knew it, it was midnight.
(It’s midnight already, should we stop for now?)
“Oh…but Phoon has only done a little.”
(We’ve covered one topic today, haven’t we? Don’t overdo it, we’ve gone through all the content for the fourth and fifth semesters, right?)
“Yes,” I nodded, “But I might not be very accurate.”
(Then I will go over it again, there’s still time, and the content of the basic subjects isn’t much.)
“Okay.” I closed the book and put down my pen. Even though I was a bit tense with Phii Fah watching, it gave me a lot of courage. If I video call him often, would it be considered an intrusion?
(You can go to sleep now, good night.)
“Good night.”
I wished him good night back before the line was cut, then I went to collapse onto my bed, exhausted. But what messages did Ter send?
After I didn’t reply, he kept sending messages until I had to mute him.
Typhoon: What’s up?
Typhoon: Why the rapid-fire messages?
Easter: Wow, finally you reply.
Typhoon: I was busy, couldn’t reply.
Easter: Oh, so you were video calling with someone, huh?
Easter: Didn’t even think about your friends.
Typhoon: Huh?
Typhoon: How did you know???
Easter: Check the chat above.
Easter: The picture I sent.
I furrowed my brows when I saw the message from Ter. I scrolled up past dozens of stickers he had sent earlier to the most recent unread message.
He had sent one picture, I waited for the image to load, and once it was clear, I was shocked by what I saw.
Phii Fah’s Instagram story…it was a screenshot from when we were video calling, I was looking down doing exercises, and there was a small screen in the bottom right corner where Phii Fah was sitting with his chin in his hand, looking at me. In the picture, Phii Fah had his pinky and ring finger covering his face, but you could clearly see he was smiling at the corner of his mouth.
With the message beside it that read:
‘Focus, you smart one.’
“!!”
I immediately called Ter.
(I knew you’d call.)
“You, what, what is this, hey, what is this?”
(Well, you were video calling with Phii Fah, and he took a screenshot and posted it on his IG story, what’s going on?) “Hey, why did he take a screenshot, and then…saying I’m smart too.”
(Go ask Phii Fah, what’s up? Does Phii Fah know that the person from the letters is you?)
“I don’t know.”
(What don’t you know, you don’t know, or Phii Fah doesn’t know?)
“I don’t know anything, Ter.”
(Your voice is cracking again, calm down, friend.)
“It’s…damn, hey, we were just video calling to study. I didn’t know when Phii Fah took the screenshot.”
(Yeah, ever since I’ve followed Phii Fah, this is probably the first IG story he’s ever posted, besides the promotional photos from the university, he’s never posted anything.)
“…Really?” I said in a faint voice. My heart was beating so hard I could feel it because I only have one Instagram account, the one I use to post sky pictures. I never follow anyone, just for storing photos. After posting, I rarely use IG, “Could you send me Phii Fah’s IG handle?”
(Oh, you don’t have it?)
“No, I don’t use IG much.”
(Oh, your sky storage only stores skies, huh? Not interested in anyone. I’ll send it in chat, go check it out), Ter said. I checked Phii Fah’s Instagram, which wasn’t set to private, and what was surprising was his follower count. I knew Phii Fah was popular, but not to this extent.
So that means everyone must have seen the photo in the story by now.
“You, so tens of thousands of people…”
(Yeah, they’ve all seen it, like you’re dating or something, super sweet.)
“Hey, not a fan,” I said, but then I paused at my own words. Not a fan, but we kissed…
(Definitely a fan, looks just like it.)
“No, it’s not.”
(How was it when you went out in the evening? You didn’t even tell me. Normally, you would rush to tell me.), Ter said. “What about the others? Can’t I tell everything at once?”
(The others aren’t free, North and Foam have gone back home, Dao is busy, I’m the only one free to listen to you, you can tell me first if you want, do you want to?)
“I want to, but…are you going back home?”
(Tomorrow, want to come with me?)
“To your house?”
(Yes, my mom cooks really well.)
“I might be intruding.”
(Always being so polite, North’s face must be red by now, he invited you last month, afraid you’d be lonely, look, being alone makes you so lonely you could die, or do you want to stay with
Phii Fah?)
“Phii Fah invited me too.”
(Shit, okay, he invited you to his home then.)
“Ter!”
(Yeah, yeah.)
I slowly recounted the events and told Ter, not going into too much detail but covering all the important parts, from holding hands to the kiss, and Phii Fah’s last words before I came back, along with our recent conversation.
(Shit…shit. Nothing to say but wow.)
“Ter, keep your voice down, shh, where’s Phii Hill?”
(Oops, damn, I forgot.), Then Ter’s voice went quiet for a moment,
(Yeah, it’s probably fine. He shouldn’t have heard, shit, a kiss, you kissed, hey, or maybe Phii Fah found out it was you so he called, captured it in the story to announce it to everyone.)
“…It’s really true.”
(Yeah, right. In the evening, he met the person from the letters, and at night, he took a screenshot of you. If it’s not like that, then
Phii Fah must like two people.)
“…Yeah,” Ter’s words made me feel a bit uneasy, “We’ve never video-called each other, you know.”
(This, he called because he was worried you’d think too much.
Otherwise, he wouldn’t say that.)
“Hmm, that’s true, I was thinking that, like he read my mind.” (Damn, it’s a hot day outside of summer, I’ve been scratching my face so much I might lose skin, why do I have to be the one waiting for your love story to unfold? Since North’s time, I’ve been the only one rowing. You’re lucky to have many people. Now another couple has reached the shore, I’m proud of myself, damn, this crew, damn), Ter spoke so fast I couldn’t interject, secretly laughing at his excited words and tone.
(Should I be paid to be a crew member? Every ship I’m on reaches the shore, damn.)
“Calm down, Ter, and why am I the one telling you to calm down?” (I can’t calm down anymore, North has to know about this, I can’t keep this to myself.)
“Don’t tell him yet, I don’t want to be teased right now,” I said honestly. It was good that I only told Ter for now. Otherwise, I would be embarrassed to death by the teasing tonight.
(So, what will you do next?)
“I don’t know, do you think Phii Fah will send a letter tomorrow?”
(He might, but…it’s the holidays now.)
“But Phii Fah said there’s something important, making him unable to go back yet.”
(Oh, he probably needs to clear things up with you first.
Definitely tomorrow, oh, I’m excited.)
“Do you think Phii Fah knows it’s me?”
(There’s a good chance, a big one. Seriously, that’s Phii Fah. We can’t fool him for long. The reason he doesn’t know is just because he hasn’t investigated. Otherwise, the truth would have come out from day one.)
“Yeah,” I agreed with Ter’s words, my heart full of anxiety, “If Phii
Fah knows, and he’s okay with it being me?”
(Probably.)
“I’m scared, Ter, I’m not sure at all, what if Phii Fah isn’t okay with it being me?” I said in a faint voice, my shoulders drooping with gloom, “If I take off the mask and see disappointment in his eyes, I won’t be able to handle it.”
(You wouldn’t have gone with your face covered if you weren’t sure, we planned for you to go and feel him out, didn’t we? So, how was it?)
“Just like I told you.”
(Hmm, good. Didn’t do anything stupid, you bastard.)
“Come on, don’t curse, I’m easily hurt.”
(Are you that sensitive?)
“Yeah,” I accidentally frowned a little, “What should I do?” (Don’t overthink it, Phii Fah said not to overthink, just wait for tomorrow’s letter, go to sleep, Typhoon, it’s late.)
“Okay, you sleep too, Easter Ter.”
(Hey, that’s embarrassing, friends don’t use full names often.)
“Easter Ter.”
(Hey, that’s embarrassing, good night, man.)
“Good night.”
Of course, it was a night where I couldn’t close my eyes to sleep, tossing and turning all night. I remember, near dawn, I dreamed of Fan again, something I hadn’t done in a while. I counted it as a good dream. Even if I couldn’t remember the details, at least I woke up with a warm feeling in my heart.
I spent the day reading, lounging around because I had nothing else to do, until evening when I rushed out to the medical faculty’s coffee shop to get the letter. On the way, I kept thinking about what Phii Fah might have written. When I arrived, I found that Phii Gibb was just about to close the shop, rushing to go back to her hometown, which was bad news. So, I wouldn’t be able to leave anything for Phii Fah tomorrow, and we wouldn’t exchange letters for almost a month.
I looked at the paper in my hand…the last letter before we’d be apart.
Slowly, I opened the letter to read it.
It might be a bit urgent, but I want to talk to you.
Can you not run away from me like you did yesterday?
“I’ll wait.
Even if it’s until tomorrow, I’ll wait.
Please tell me the place and time…
I didn’t think it would be a meeting, according to the appointment in the letter, only fifteen minutes left.
I’m definitely going, but I don’t know in what state I should go.
While I was hesitating, Ter called at just the right time.
“Ter, you, perfect timing, Phii Fah wants to meet, what should I do?”
(Oh, really? I was about to ask how the letter was, did you arrange to meet? Where?)
“At the reservoir, in fifteen minutes. No, in ten minutes.”
(Will you go?)
“Of course, I’m going. Just don’t know in what state I should go.” (Go in a way that makes you feel comfortable, Phoon, I told you not to overthink.)
“Wearing a hat and mask, won’t Phii Fah think it’s strange?”
(Hmm. No, Phii Fah knows you’re uncomfortable, if he makes you feel comfortable and confident, you can take them off yourself. It’s just a mask and a hat, you can take them off anytime.)
“…Okay, then I’ll wear them.”
(Do whatever makes you feel comfortable.)
“Okay, wish me luck.”
(May today be a good day for you, Typhoon.)
“Oh, thanks.”
I hung up the call; even though the conversation with Ter was brief, I felt more at ease. I stopped by the convenience store to buy a hat and a mask, then hurried to meet Phii Fah at the agreed spot, stuffing the letter I wrote into my pants pocket. Initially, I was going to leave it with Phii Gibb as usual, but that wouldn’t be necessary now. At half past six at the university reservoir where I used to walk with Phii Fah a long time ago. After that, I also came here often. At this time, Arthit was almost setting, with a faint sunlight accompanied by the light from the lamps that were turned on in place of sunlight. The place was sparsely populated, usually more crowded, probably because it’s the holiday season, and everyone has gone back home. I scanned the area, looking for someone until my eyes stopped on a man sitting on a bench, gazing at the distant sky, his face framed by hair swaying with the warm breeze.
If you looked closely, everyone around seemed to be looking at him.
He looked so serene and captivating…
And I was probably not the only one who thought so.
I decided to walk around to sit beside him from behind. Phii Fah looked slightly surprised before turning to look at me and then fell silent. “You came.”
“…”
I didn’t reply because I couldn’t speak, handing over the same notebook and pen.
“You forgot this yesterday.”
I didn’t even realize I had forgotten it…
I took it and wrote a message, handing it to him to read.
‘I’m here.’
“So, I waited.”
‘How long have you been here?’
“For a while.”
‘You said you wanted to talk.’
“Yes. I want to apologize,” I could sense the fluctuation in his voice,
“For overstepping.”
‘…’
“But everything I did was intentional. There’s nothing I can say wasn’t meant, starting from when I held your hand.”
‘Why?’
“You.”
‘?’
“The reason is you, so no further explanation is needed.”
‘Imitating’
“I can’t help it, because I think the same way.”
I let out a quiet breath when I felt my heart beating too hard, before silence enveloped us. We sat watching Arthit descend from the sky until it started to get dark around us.
“Do you want to go for a walk?”
I nodded slightly in response, Phii Fah slowly stood up. I followed, putting the small notebook and pen in my pants pocket, then started walking after him.
We walked along the long path. I followed a bit behind, observing the person in front of me under the soft yellow light. I couldn’t help but take out my phone to take a picture.
“Taking photos?”
I didn’t know how Phii Fah noticed, he stopped walking to wait for me, and I quickly put away my phone and quickened my pace to catch up.
‘How did you know?’ I wrote in the notebook and tore off the page for him.
“You like to take photos.”
“Did you get me in the shot?”
‘A little.’
“Oh…I’d like to see it.”
“But you probably won’t, right? That’s a shame.”
I didn’t write anything back, and we continued walking. Earlier, I didn’t just capture Phii Fah in the frame; I actually photographed him.
I wanted to show him too because the lighting was so beautiful. We walked on until we reached the bridge, where there were no more people around. Both sides of the bridge were lined with decorative lights all the way to the end, the sky was still somewhat dim, the lamps casting a soft yellow glow, and the breeze was gentle.
The scenery in front of us was more beautiful than ever.
“Do you come here often?”
‘Often.’
“Great.”
Phii Fah stopped in the middle of the bridge, looking at the view to the side. I stopped too but didn’t stand next to him, stepping back about a pace.
“What I wanted to talk about.”
‘…’
With the wind blowing like this, it made the atmosphere even more beautiful.
“Ah. I really want to see your eyes, but it’s a pity I can’t.”
‘…’
I looked down and pulled my hat lower to cover my eyes out of nervousness. Since receiving the letter, my heart hasn’t calmed down for even a moment.
“I don’t know where to start. I’ve never felt this way with anyone else.” The person in front of me spoke with a voice that sounded nervous, which made me feel even more at a loss. “You might want to know why I kissed you yesterday.”
“Because I wanted to kiss you.”
“Not just yesterday.”
“Right now too.”
Oh…has anyone ever told Phii Fah that words like these are forbidden? Because at least, they can make someone’s heart stop. “When I said I wanted to cherish you, I wasn’t lying. Not just in the letters. I want to hear your voice calling my name, telling me you love me. Not just being my support. I want to comfort you with a hug. Not just sending things. I want to take care of you the best I can, as much as a man can.”
Every word was etched in my heart, clear and resonating like Kong’s voice. I felt all my emotions flowing out along with tears that started falling again. I tried to press my lips together to hold them back.
“I love you.”
“For the rest of my life from now on, can you be by my side?”
“Be with me, please.”
I couldn’t hold back my sobs anymore, letting out a loud cry without shame. Phii Fah, hearing my cries, seemed startled, making a move as if to turn around but then stopped and turned back.
“You…don’t cry.”
“Hic…sob.”
“Please, don’t.”
“Hic…hic.”
“Wipe your tears first.” His voice was full of concern and worry, undisguised. I turned my back to him, took off my mask, and quickly wiped my tears, sobbing for a while before starting to calm down.
“Are you okay?”
Crazy. Who told him to use that tone of voice? I’m so happy I could die.
‘Don’t turn around,’ I quickly wrote on paper, tore it off, and stuffed it into his hand because my face was all messed up, and my mask was stained so I couldn’t wear it anymore. If Phii Fah turned around now, it would be bad.
“Okay.” “…Hic.”
“I’m afraid, you won’t be disappointed that it’s me, right?”
“Just being you, there’s nothing better than that.”
“Hic…” I was still crying, standing with my back to Phii Fah. I couldn’t describe my feelings right now; everything felt like I was in a dream, every word was so warm.
“I’m sorry for trying to pull you out of your safe zone, but as I’ve asked before, can I be in your safe zone instead?”
“It might be too soon.”
“…Hic.”
“Then, how about this?”
“In ten seconds, I’ll turn around.”
“The question I asked earlier, if you’re not ready, you can walk away, and we’ll go back to where you feel comfortable, for as long as it takes, even years. No matter what, I’ll wait.”
“But if you agree, just turn around, can you?”
“…”
“Ten.”
I was still catching my breath because I was sobbing, before the countdown began.
“Nine.”
“Eight.”
“Seven.”
“Six.”
If I take just one step forward, that’s the answer, and we would go back to how we were, to a place where I feel comfortable no matter how long.
“Five.”
“Four.”
“Three.”
But…if I just turn around, That’s also an answer.
Our relationship wouldn’t just be paper and words anymore; it would become something we could see and touch.
“Two.”
“…One.”
“…”
I slowly turned around, looking up at the person in front of me with a trembling heart, my hands and legs shaking, my face filled with fear, devoid of any confidence.
But I still looked at him.
Our eyes met.
“Okay.”
“That was my answer.
The beautiful eyes of the person in front of me shone with undisguised joy, as if happy that I was still here, happy that I hadn’t gone anywhere. There wasn’t even a hint of the disappointment I had feared, before he slowly stepped closer, raising his hand to touch my face and gently wiping away my tears.
The wide smile he gave me made me smile widely in return. Phii Fah extended his hand to hold mine, then gently pressed his lips to the back of my hand.
“Nice to meet you, the person from the letters.” I couldn’t help but smile at those words.
“Nice to meet you,” I said.
“Would you like to introduce yourself as the person from the letters?
This is the first time I’ve heard your voice.”
It felt like we were meeting for the first time through the identity of the person from the letters.
“My name is Typhoon, and you, would you like to introduce yourself?”
“Tonfah.”
Our hands were clasped tightly. We looked into each other’s eyes and smiled.
As if the entire universe had stopped moving.
As if a lifetime had been spent for this moment.
To meet you.
“I’m glad to love you.”
“I’m glad to love you too.”
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