Aanya stepped out of the taxi and handed the driver the fare, murmuring a soft, "Thank you." She turned and glanced at Huan Jing, who looked around, slightly puzzled by the unfamiliar surroundings. Together, they stepped carefully onto the quiet path ahead.
Aanya took Huan Jing's hand gently and led her along a narrow alley, leaving the city's noise behind. Soon, they reached the riverside. The scene was breathtaking. Clear water flowed over smooth stones, reflecting the fading sunlight. Along the bank, roses and jasmine bloomed, their fragrance mingling with the soft rustling of the leaves. The gentle trickle of the river sounded almost like a lullaby. There was a profound calm here, a sense of peace that immediately seeped into their bones.
They settled onto an old wooden bench beneath a large banyan tree. Aanya took a deep breath, her eyes following the ripple of the water. "Whenever Zain's words upset me… or when I miss my father… I come here," she said softly, almost a whisper. "I cry a little… and it somehow eases my heart. There's a peace here… maybe you'll feel it too."
Huan Jing's gaze softened as she looked at the river. "Yes, Aanya… I feel it too. Better than I did before. But… how did you even know about this place?"
A small, nostalgic smile played on Aanya's lips. "My father suggested it when we moved here. I don't even know how I remembered."
Huan Jing's voice was gentle, tinged with curiosity. "And… how often have you come here alone?"
Aanya's expression fell slightly. "Honestly… whenever my heart felt heavy, or when I was sad… I would come here. Just to feel a little lighter."
Huan Jing nodded, a quiet smile forming. "It's true. Being here… it does calm me. But still… memories of Kiyan keep coming back."
Aanya turned toward her, eyes filled with understanding. "My father once told me, 'We should never be sad for someone who leaves us. They were never meant to be ours. They only come to teach us… that love can be blind.'"
Huan Jing's gaze darkened slightly, her voice soft but serious. "I know who you mean… Ruan Jiahao. The one you loved for three years, all by yourself. Do you… still think about him? You kept this from me for two years."
Aanya's lips curved into a faint, sad smile. "Yes. When I found out he had a girlfriend, my heart shattered like glass. I cried… so much."
Huan Jing reached out, her voice gentle. "First love always hurts."
Aanya's eyes glistened. "Yes… but the second love… it's like a diamond. It teaches us that we chose the wrong person before."
Huan Jing nodded, eyes fixed on her friend. "You're right. But first love… it always stays with us, no matter how much pain it caused. For you, it was Ruan Jiahao… for me, it was Kiyan."
Aanya reached out, holding Huan Jing's hand with warmth and care. "It hurts… but crying won't bring them back."
"Exactly," Huan Jing said quietly. "I'm learning to focus on myself… my own future. I loved Kiyan… truly… but he was blind, which is why he left for that witch."
Aanya tilted her head, teasing lightly. "So… no more crying like a baby now, right?"
Huan Jing pretended to scowl. "What?! You think I look like a crying baby?"
Aanya laughed and jumped off the bench. "Yes, you do! Catch me if you can!"
Huan Jing immediately gave chase, calling out dramatically, "Mrs. Aanya Zain Yan! I will catch you right now!"
They ran along the riverside, weaving between trees, hiding behind trunks, teasing, laughing, and occasionally startling each other. By the time the evening sky deepened, their laughter mingled with the soft sounds of the river and the wind through the leaves.
As they approached the road to get a taxi, Aanya's phone buzzed with a notification. Huan Jing peered over her shoulder. "I'm one hundred percent sure this is from your husband."
Aanya pulled her phone from her bag. It was indeed a message from Zain.
Zain's message: "Mrs. Yan and my friend! Be home by 8 PM."
Aanya's lips curved into a soft smile. "See! He called me 'my friend'."
Huan Jing playfully nudged her shoulder. "Oh! Looks like Mrs. Yan is blushing after reading Mr. Yan's message!"
Aanya waved her hand in denial. "No, that's not true!"
But Huan Jing had already glanced at the message. "Oh… he wants you home by 8," she whispered in Aanya's ear as she handed the phone back. "Looks like Mr. Wolf can't live without Miss Cat."
Aanya could only blush, speechless, as she hailed a taxi. Soon, both girls were seated, the river fading behind them as the taxi drove back into the city lights.