My eyes were heavy, and droplets of water formed on various areas of my face. I remembered a zombie apocalyptic world, and I ran from a batch of purple-skinned, bony, brain-eating creatures. I blurrily recalled that I had company along the way, though I no longer have any recollection of our interactions and their behavior whatsoever. I shifted my body to either side a few times, and rolled myself around as a burrito of myself and my blanket to muster some energy within me. Once I felt it, I slowly, dreadfully sat up as a reminder entered my mind of the load of tasks I ought to handle for this week.
Oh, how miraculous it'd be if I could return to yesterday.
The memories of yesterday flooded my mind as I thought of that, and I felt my own shy and fluster how horribly I misperceived his intentions, including his last statement before his figure vanished from my view.
I released the knotted knots in my hair with the brushing of my comb, collecting the strands together before tying them up untidily and headed into the bathroom, beginning my morning routine as I cleansed my mouth's inside. Once I'd completed all my routine performance, I noticed it'd been over an hour since I woke up, therefore I waved the dryer over my hair impatiently frequent and frantic. I skimmed through warm clothes inside my closet as I found my selection over a variety of options, and decided on a beige knitted sweater, and a beige-pink, knitted trousers over my underneath layers for ensured warmth. I wrapped a thick-long, white material around my neck as I looped it a few times before styling the ends and warmed my feet with wool socks and pink snow boots. I exited the room with my mini-bag and entered the lobby as I wore my ear muffles, preparing myself to the utmost before setting my foot in the battlefield of cold.
A chilly breeze immediately struck my face as soon as I opened the door, so I closed it. I lifted my ear muffles to stick my earbuds in, placed one of them in my cavum. I grabbed my phone and set a playlist to enjoy before blanketing my hands with a custom-made duvet using wool-material. I left the building and tread down the path as the breeze continued to strike me when I let my guard down and I adjusted my scarf to cover the lower half of my face, an attempt to reduce the impact of its attacks.
Eventually I reached university 5 minutes early and I immediately went to my designated class. I slipped my gloves off my fingers along with my ear muffles and airpod as I arranged them in an organized manner inside my bag. The teacher was late, and the spare time I used upon revisions, correcting the flaws in my assignment—one I nearly forgot, albeit fortunately the opportunity presents itself as a chance for myself to amend my work before the judge arrived. A sigh of relief I exhaled for she found my work satisfactory as no remarks or comments spilled out of her mouth during my turn. The teacher is rather strict, and a perfectionist. It's quite challenging to receive good grades or praises from her, though it makes it meaningful when we do.
Asleep in oblivion was my status for the rest of the entire lesson. I'd been sent out to nowhere due to extreme boredom, and I might need to catch up the next day, but at least there were no assignments from her.
We were dismissed for break time, and I grabbed a bite of my usual delicacies after spending my wealth in the cafeteria. I aimed towards the library, as usual. I hoped to find quality stories similar to the other day, and gain inspiration. As I arrived, I stepped up the stairs due to the decreased crowd, and the increase in quality stories to read. I reached a section of philosophy, and one caught my eye, however it was too high above, and I struggled to grab a hold of it. I was average in terms of height, and I knew I could reach it—I just needed to stretch myself a little over my own limit, then I decided to tiptoe as far as my toes were worth at least 3 centimeters, nearly losing my balance. I exhaled a puff of breath, as I began to feel exhaust seeping in, however determination was one of my strong traits and I jumped—finally having the book in my grasp, but gravity began to pull me down, and I realized my posture wasn't one to land steadily on the ground. Instead of making myself look more foolish than ever, I left my fate to the hands of those unseen, and braced myself to land on my bum, praying I wouldn't break my back bone or any for that matter. I landed, but there was no pain—and I seemed to land earlier than I thought I would—realization came to me as I felt the strong, firm arm embracing my back as their slender fingers traced over my stomach, I abruptly opened my eyes—wide, in surprise. He had a sly grin painted on his face as he placed me down safely with my feet planted flatly on the ground. I felt rose blooming on my cheeks as waves of emotions entered my system.
"I–thank you.. Calix."
I mumbled bashfully, and I wanted to murder myself now that it's quite literally a hundred percent confirmed he was a man with only kind intentions and deeds. It mortifies me how suspecting I could be with people. Although I can't deny it's a useful trait that's helped me various times in different situations over the course of the years.
He smiled warmly in response to my gratitude, before taking the both of us to a corner, as I followed his actions and seated myself on the fuzzy carpet over the floor.
He started, "I had noticed you from afar earlier. It's quite hilarious watching you struggle to reach that book," he finished while chuckling lightly. I deadpanned at his statement.
"Well, that's very gentlemanly of you to do," I sarcastically gazed at him up and down before rolling my eyes, though it broke as I couldn't hold my laughter due to his that sounded as though he was dying of seizures.
"Nonetheless, thank you though, for catching me back there." Despite everything, I was glad I didn't need to worry if I'd broken any bones whatsoever due to his catch.
"It was the least I could do as a failed gentleman." He clasped his heart dramatically as he dropped his head down, hair strands falling down as he did so, and we both lightly laughed.
"Anyway—how has your day been? I haven't seen you the entire day until now, " he questioned, and I blanked, but I answered him simply.
"It was okay, boring—but okay," I tilted my head fleetingly as I shrugged.
"Thanks for asking, how about you?" I continued, returning his question.
He answered, "I would say the same, actually—I skipped the last period of my arts class and went here earlier. I couldn't bear it in there, honestly," he snickered mischievously. My eyes widened as I looked at him brightly.
"That's.. actually a good idea! Maybe I should also do that.." I said, beaming. He chuckled at my sudden burst.
"Yeah, I'll help you so just conta—oh, right you don't have my contact. Do you want?" he asked, offering his hand.
"Sure!" I pulled my phone out and handed it to him. He pulled out his phone and gave it to me as well, so we filled in our numbers and returned each other's phones.
"Ah, um—what do you usually do in the library?" I asked him curiously as I don't usually see him with books. I realized I began to feel more comfortable in his presence as I felt the awkwardness upon initiating a conversation of topic dissipated.
"Oh, usually I like to sit here and draw. The view outside the windows is just too beautiful not to draw."
He looked up and I followed his gaze. Though, instead of looking out the window, my eyes lingered on his eyes. They were heterochromic—both gray, but different shades.
"Beautiful, isn't it?"
The sparkles in his eyes tell me all I need to know about how he feels. After all, I've felt the same way too, albeit not of something—but someone. We share the same passion for art, after all—just different in kind.
"Yeah, it's beautiful."
My eyes stayed on his. He didn't seem to mind it, and I hope he didn't. Because I would give a billion words to his eyes.
"Ah—but, considering we live in the same building and go to the same university, how come I didn't see you at all this entire day only until now?"
The question of thought had popped since earlier, but I've only decided to voice out my curiosity now.
"Perhaps since I always leave for university much earlier than anyone else, haha," he said stiffly, grinning sheepishly while looking away.
"How early?"
"I leave at 6:30," he nonchalantly answered, and my eyes nearly bulged out of their sockets.
"What?! Why?" I inquired—surprised and intrigued as to why he leaves so early. For that time, he would have to wake up at six, and the temperature during early mornings is no joke at all.
"Well, because honestly it just feels good to be in the library alone without any interruptions, and that's also my most productive time as well, so I can study, draw, do whatever I want with maximized focus and effort. It feels so cozy here, too. I could literally live here honestly," he said sincerely. I could imagine how it feels, and I'd be lying if I wasn't tempted.
"Honestly, that's insane. But not gonna lie, I kinda wanna try it."
I stated daringly, looking at him. He nodded at me with a challenging look, before squinting his eyes as if thinking about something for a bit, and opening his mouth—
"It's excessively cold, though by that time—I should warn you. I had to use four layers," he warned, a pained expression on his face as he seemed to recall the previous morning.
My outfit currently consists of two layers, but even the twinging cold still pierces through and reach my skin with this, how many layers must I wear to be able to bear the cold in the morning—I almost laughed, feeling hilarious imagining myself in a balloon shape due to the amount of layers I'll have to wear for this challenge. Cowering doesn't exist in my vocabulary though, I certainly want to, and will try—departing at 6:30 in the morning for university. Thinking about it boils my heart in excitement and anxiety at the same time.
Then, I noticed a bundle of students—some of my classmates began to leave, and I checked the time to see that it was a few minutes before my next class. Calix noticed my behavior as he inhaled a short breath.
"Is it time for your next class?" he questioned, and I nodded sadly.
I reciprocate, "yours?" he shook his head.
"No, mine starts an hour later."
"Seriously? Lucky.."
"Well, I have to go home at three though."
"Oh–what?! Why?"
"Extra classes."
I grinned, "well, sucks to suck?" I shrugged, to which he deadpanned.
"I guess it's time you go now, you're one minute late."
I hurriedly stood up and fixed myself as I went away, but my hand waved farewell before I did and once he returned it, I hastily made my way down the stairs before exiting the library and rushing to my next class.
The time flew as the whoosh of a breeze, and suddenly the class was an empty space. I looked out the window to see a few bundles of students exiting the building with their bags. My head turned and my eyes caught the sight of the clock that was hung. It had been over half an hour since dismissal time, and I remembered the last conversation I had with Calix, it was still 2 hours before his dismissal time. I begin packing my belongings in case the room will be used for another lecture. I left the building as I mindlessly tread down the path back home.
Suddenly, a long whoosh of wind ran past me, striking me with an incredible cold. I immediately unzipped my bag that slung over my shoulder, slipping the gloves over my fingers, wriggling them around to adjust comfortably, and wore my ear muffles, the fur slightly tickling my skin. Furthermore, adjusting my scarf for increased warmth. I crossed my arms, taking a deep breath as a small puff of smoke was visible when I exhaled. My head tilted up, and my eyes hid underneath its lids—increasing my senses and for a moment, I couldn't tell if I'd embraced the cold, or the cold had embraced me—though whichever the truth, I attempted to soothe my body of the cold nevertheless.
Then, water poured on my cheek as I swiped it dry with my gloves, the water stained. Then, another—on my eye this time. I rubbed my eye to rid of it as I looked down, before a hard object similar to a light rock smashed the back of my head—the object itself was destroyed once impact hit. I searched on the surroundings of my feet as I crouched down, and saw a frozen clump of water. Then, another one slithered through my hair, barely grazing my throat. This time, it was sharper, and thinner.
I widened my eyes to the conclusion that it was starting to rain. I noticed my current neighborhood hurried their walks or called cabs to prove my conclusion furthermore.
Immediately, it rained harder. The frozen bundle of droplets were dangerous, and my feet picked up pace as they spun as a bicycle tire, while my eyes traveled every degree to find shelter. While the apartment had a short distance in between the university, it took 20 minutes at least for the average pace of walking. Much to my misfortune, I failed in finding a nearby shelter quick enough, as the raindrops had scarred my face, for its narrow edge—slit through my cheek swiftly. I winced, it was painful. My gloved hand hovered over the wound while keeping a safe distance, careful not to make direct contact. A light panic began to rise within me, however the emotion was shortly overwhelmed by surprise as I directed my attention to the presence that had stood beside me, identifying the tall male to be Calix. My eyes met his, and before I could react—he deftly slid off his hood and the sleeves of his jacket as he handed the edge of it to me and raised it above our heads to cover ourselves before running ahead, dragging me briefly before I caught a hold of my feet and followed his pace. To our delight, a shelter appeared within our view and we increased the steps of our feet before reaching the location. We took our breaths of exhaustion and relief as I released my grip on Calix's jacket, loosening my scarf and pulling off my ear muffles afterwards. I watched him undo the loop around his neck as he tossed his shawl aside. We stayed under the overhang roof of what appeared to be an abandoned, old store—locked.
Exhaustion consumed my breath, and I could feel the thick liquid trickling down, painting my cheek red as the area twinges, whilst the engulfing temperature numbed my body, and pricked my skin. Therefore, I took a seat on the ground, feeling my participating muscles of my mobility relaxing as I felt calmness wove past the adrenaline. Calix joined shortly and we sat in silence, watching the frozen raindrops fall and crash once they made contact with the ground, noticing the scarcity of people in the area.
"Hey, I—are you okay?"
I turned my head, observing his face that'd contorted into one of concern. I realized my injury was displayed clearly on my face for whoever decided to set their gaze on me, but I assured him I was alright.
"Yep, good as new," I said, smiling lightly to convince him.
"Bullshit." He scoffed, unconvinced.
Well, I tried to assure him—but he wasn't. He pulled his gloves off his fingers and began navigating through the inside of his backpack with his hands before taking out a bottle of water, a bandaid, and what seemed similar to a bottle of medicine, though with foreign language imprinted on—it used characters, like Chinese language? He glanced at me, seeing my confused expression as he slightly laughed.
"It's a better version of betadine, don't worry. I use this all the time." He affirmed me, though I still don't actually know anything about it. It made me quite curious.
He explained that the lesion must be cleaned first, and lifted his water bottle. I nodded understandingly to his words and tied my hair carelessly before facing the ground with the scarred side of my face slightly tilted upwards for further visibility and requested him to pour the water once I was sure it wouldn't reach or spill at my clothes and amplify the cold I feel. The position was slightly uncomfortable, but I paid it no mind once he started pouring the water over my wound. It was gentle, the water flowed steadily as a small thread—but the pain overwhelmed. I clamped my eyes shut and bit my tongue to prevent mortification for any strange sounds to unravel due to the pain. Once done, he closed the lid and took a pocket of tissues from his bag, apologizing before pulling a piece of it and lightly tapping at the surrounding area of my slit, absorbing the blood and water altogether. He cast it aside once finished and began to twist the lid of the Chinese betadine, indicating the next usage of medication.
"Do I really have to?" I asked dreadfully.
He answered without hesitation, "yes." Simply unrelenting affirmation. I groaned and he chuckled.
He thought for a moment, "would you rather apply it on yourself?" he inquired, after tilting the bottle and nearly releasing the liquid.
I considered, however I felt rather unwilling for such a bother, and quite fearful—as I'm unable to measure how painful it'd be, as the medicine itself was still unknown to me. Betadine itself never gave me much pain, however the thought of medicine itself felt bitter and painful—although curing, I still feel nervous in regards. Especially since this isn't betadine.
I shook my head to his inquiry, and he nodded in understanding. He then apologized for using his hand as he didn't have any q-tips, though promised his hands were clean. I understood and watched him patiently as he pressed his finger on the small circular opening of the Chinese betadine before tilting it downwards to spill. Once a moment passed, he tilted it upwards to its original position, placing it on the ground and stared at me as he leaned close to my face. His unoccupied hand cupped my chin lightly as his medicated hand approached my face.
My heart was beating out loud of suspense. I squinted my eyes as his finger continued to close the distance, an inch away from making contact with my skin, and once it did—
"Ugh!.. fuck."
I winced, shutting my eyes. This was no better version than betadine. It was a painful version of betadine, and it lingered. He laughed amusingly at my reaction, but didn't stop.
"Sorry, this one is much more painful than betadine. That's why it also works better, though. Stay strong for a bit more, hm?" he comforted—or attempted to—incredibly focused on addressing my wound but I felt my eyes stinging as my concentration was deeply implanted in the pain. I regretted having a gash injury on my face in the first place.
After a few light and gentle tapping of his finger on my cheek, he finally stopped. However, his unused hand stayed on my chin, used to tilt my chin upwards for him to take a better look at my objectified pain. He leaned closer to my face, and our faces were inches away. My eyes found elsewhere to gaze upon, as erroneous thoughts emerged, and I had to play whac-a-mole in my head in attempts to rid myself of the thoughts. It was very strange and embarrassing, however he finally released his hold on me and formed a distance. I was able to breathe, and a small group of tension left my body.
"Alright, you look good. But this wound is still really new, it could open pretty easily even with tieh ta yao gin. So.. ah, here it is. Can I put on the bandaid?"
He roamed through his pockets before an escalated size of a regular bandaid appeared in his hand. Although, my attention could not settle on that, as a multiplied emotion of wonder and interest awoken from his bundle of words.
"Huh?"
"Um, can I put on the–"
"Uh, yea, sure. I just, um—what was that word? Tieh.. what?"
"Oh, tieh ta yao gin. This?"
He tapped on the Chinese betadine bottle as he asked for confirmation to my confusion. I nodded in response as I replayed the name in my head.
The name felt very foreign, and it was strange—but I found myself fascinated at the same time—although I'm not sure I'll be able to pronounce it correctly. Despite the pain of that tieh ta yao gin, he was gentle in applying it—very gentle, that I nearly didn't recognize it was a finger touching my skin, more of a flower petal softly grazing my skin. It probably would have been a different scenario if I was the one applying it on myself.
He slowly and carefully unwrapped the covers of the bandaid, approaching close to my face. He placed the bandaid carefully over my injury, making sure the sticky part was not touching the open slit, and only the pad on the center over the wound. He did it briefly and it was done before I'd come to terms with it. He leaned back and smiled at me—one I reciprocated, though shyly.
"You look good, Aslynne," he complimented, and my heart skipped a beat.
"Thank you, Calix. I really appreciate it," I said, and he nodded softly.
Silence washed over us as we sat together leaning on the glass window of the abandoned store watching the drizzling rain crushed into pieces once it landed. The frozen drops were thinner, sharper, but furthermore fragile, it crushes very easily—I observed. The street was an empty road, and there was no other visible presence other than us both. There formed ice puddles from the air of winter, and the only sound within the silence was the occasionally blowing breeze. I shivered as one striked, and clasped my gloved hands together to create some warmth. Calix seemed to notice as he took his jacket previously used to cover ourselves from the rain war and placed it gently over my shoulders. I grabbed the pull zipper of it, sliding upwards to cover my body as I left my hands underneath it to heighten the warmth. I glanced at Calix who laughed at my apparently bloated and arm-less appearance, to which I smiled lightly, feeling somewhat embarrassed. Though his kindness resumed as he grabbed his unworn shawl and wrapped it around me, smiling warmly as he did so.
"Are you not cold?" I asked him, I was quite concerned with how little clothing he has compared to me, although the clothing he lent to me was those he cast aside, unused—I still felt quite guilty for it.
"I am, but not as cold as you are. This amount of layers is enough for me actually, the only reason I had so much was because of the morning freezer," he mentioned, and I laughed at his choice of words, but nodded understandingly.
I gratefully thanked him, "thank you, really. You've done a lot for me since yesterday and I can't thank you enough," I smiled sincerely due to his never-ending kindness.
"Anytime, Aslynne." He said, offering me a bright smile. What an endearing man, I thought as I returned his expression.
"Ah, right. Also, once you take a shower, you should change the bandaid so that it doesn't slow the healing process and cause an infection. Change your bandaid every shower or if it gets dirty or anything like that to avoid unnecessary problems, alright? Once you're sure your wound has closed and is beginning to heal, you can take it off," he lectured.
I nearly laughed at how adorable he worries for me, and so unnecessarily too. But of course I greatly appreciate it, and I nodded in understanding of his discourse. Although I almost teased him about acting like an overprotective parent, which I held back as it didn't feel too appropriate considering how sincerely caring he is for me.
"You seem quite experienced. Are you secretly into nursing or health science?" I teased him. He lightly snickered, before shaking his head.
"Nope, I just had a little sister who loved getting herself into trouble whenever I wasn't watching her."
He spoke affectionately, and his thoughts seemed transparent for a moment—yet he had a doleful gaze in his eyes, and his use of past tense. I wasn't sure to inquire or keep to myself.
"Do you have any other siblings?"
I decided against inquiry, and somehow the background sound of the crushing ice drops made me relieved.
"No, I only have one little sister. She was young, by this year.. she should've been about 12 years old," he stated absently. A poker face—a facade, one I couldn't read.
"I'm sorry if it's insensitive, but.. um, I noticed the past tense.. are you okay?" I expressed my concern in hopes of being able to comfort even just a little bit.
"Don't worry, it's not—it's fine. Well, yeah. She died a long time ago, and I just.. I miss her a lot, I constantly think of her. She's my only sibling, so it feels like there's too much space sometimes."
"I see.. Well, we're friends by this point, right? So.. you can, um talk to me whenever you have difficulties or even if you're bored. I'll listen."
"Thank you. Really." He smiled, one that I couldn't identify which category it settled in—happiness, or sorrow. But it was genuine, and I could only appreciate it.
"How about you? Any siblings?"
"Yes, I have an older brother and sister."
"So you're the youngest?"
"Mhm. Speaking of which, how old are you this year?"
"I'm 22 years old this year. But that's still in about.. two months?"
"Ah.. I see. Wh—"
"How old are you this year? Uh, 'm sorry—I didn't mean to cut you off."
"Don't worry about it, I'm 20 this year—still 19 though."
"Ooh, when will that happen?"
"Several weeks."
"Are you close with your siblings?"
"Not really, but we don't fight.We have quite the age gap so we didn't get to experience much quality time as siblings."
"I see, how much of a gap?"
"My sister is 6 years older than me, and my brother is 10 years older."
"Wow, your parents took their time."
"Yeah.. definitely." I burst into laughter, and Calix followed as he breathlessly ridiculed my wheezing laughter.
"Yours too, though," I slightly laughed. Yet, I noticed his presence grew distant despite the nonexistent motion or movement of his physical figure. He seemed an empty shell, for a blink.
"Yea, honestly sometimes I wish I could spend a little more time with my sister." His soul returned, and my former thoughts perished. I felt empathy oozing out of my heart, imbued into my bloodstreams.
"Relatable."
We both felt each other empathetically as our conversation lasted for as long as the rain poured. Our laughter filled the silence, and our emotions filled the void space. For such a comfortable and free conversation, I was unable to experience for some time, and gratitude filled my heart. Such present moments felt precious and special to me, andI truly cherished these times.
We chittered and chattered, lost in our world together until the sun began to set. The sky grew darker, as the art continued to shift and divert its colors—painted with various blossoming colors that were absolutely pulchritudinous. The voice of wind grew louder as the frequency of attack proliferated once the rain halted to a pause. Few cars began to pass through the road and we both agreed it was time to return. We had been here a lengthy amount of time. My knees buckled once I stood up and my legs felt like a puddle of nothing solid, but Calix was there to assist me before beginning our journey back.
"Actually—where did you get this band aid? It's such a coincidence that I got injured and you have this perfect size for it."
I realized my suspicion seemed very evident only once the words were all out, and it reminded me of the dark thoughts I brazenly had of yesterday, but I couldn't undo my words or actions, so I could only pray he didn't interpret it negatively.
"Oh, actually I scraped my leg earlier in the university, so I went to the clinic, and the nurse wasn't there so I treated myself and grabbed another just in case."
"Is your leg okay?"
"Yup, positive. Yours is much worse than mine, to be honest." He shrugged, and seemed deep in thought before perking his head up.
"Speaking of which, I didn't expect to see you still on the way home earlier. I assumed your class dismissed at like, one pm. It was already over half an hour when I found you."
"Oh, yeah. I don't know, I think I dozed off in class and just stayed like that until half an hour passed already. What about you? You said you had to go home at three?"
"Yeah, we dismissed early because there was a weather forecast that a pretty serious frozen rain would happen for a few hours, and we wouldn't be able to go home if we were dismissed at three, so.. lucky I guess."
"Unlucky to me, though."
"Yeah, but at least we get to spend good time together. It'd be a really nice memory to remember, I think."
"Yeah, I guess you're right." I smiled lightly as I considered his words and the moments we had that now belonged to the past. I glanced at him and I noticed his body trembling slightly from the vicious wind.
"Do you want your clothes back? Here."
My hands crawled up from underneath and peeked out as my fingers held the zipper to unzip the jacket open as I tried to take it off, but he didn't let me as he stopped me.
"No, it's alright. Just a few more steps anyway, keep it. Seriously," he stated firmly. So I sighed and kept it until we reached the apartment building and entered the elevator. I took the shawl and his winter jacket off me and gave it to him, gratefully thanking him in the process.
"Thank you for this, and even the bandaid and all, really. You've done so much, too much for me, and I can't appreciate it enough."
He says, "hey, a 'thank you' and your pretty smile is enough, I promise."
I'm not sure if he's aware, but he truly has his charm.
The elevator stopped by the 5th, and he left with a small farewell. Eventually, I reached my own floor and I headed back to my room, immediately setting a warm bath for myself. Then I settled myself inside, my tensions and nerves calming as I felt warm bursting all over and throughout my body which was incredibly therapeutic after being outside in that freezing weather for God knows how long, though it was bearable with Calix's company.
It was a brief day, but the memories beared within lived everlastingly.