Carefully, Kaivan approached Frans, making sure not to startle him. With a soft voice, he began, "Hey, what are you doing out here?" His tone was friendly, yet tinged with genuine curiosity.
Frans turned, startled, a flicker of caution in his gaze. "Who are you? Why are you asking me that?" His voice was firm, though a thread of unease wove through it.
Smiling lightly, Kaivan replied, "I like seeing people in love. So… who's the lucky girl?"
Frans blinked, taken aback by the question. Something in Kaivan's expression reassured him that this young man meant no harm. At last, Frans spoke. "That girl over there , her name's Tira." He nodded toward a young woman chatting with her friends. "I'm about to tell her how I feel, so maybe… we can start dating."
Kaivan opened the Tome Omnicent he always carried. Its enchanted pages turned on their own, stopping at a single passage that revealed an unexpected set of instructions:
"Wait at one twelve, in front of the building. Snip the thin rope holding the paint bucket, then let Frans guide Tira forward, until their eyes meet."
Closing the book calmly, Kaivan looked at Frans with quiet resolve. "Hold on. Don't do it yet. Let's wait half an hour , until things settle down."
Frans frowned, confusion written across his face. "Why not now? More people means it's more serious, right?" There was doubt in his tone, but also tension.
Kaivan's smile was gentle, meant to soothe him. "You want this to be a moment Tira won't forget , not just a dramatic display in front of a crowd. Trust me, magic happens in stillness."
Frans shifted his gaze back and forth between Tira and Kaivan. Conflict flickered in his eyes, the urge to act colliding with a fragile trust slowly forming toward this mysterious young man. Finally, he let out a long sigh and nodded. "Alright. We'll wait, just as you said."
The two of them settled onto a bench hidden behind a cluster of shrubs, with a clear view of Tira. The square grew quieter as time passed. The crowd that had gathered earlier began to drift away, leaving the place calm under the soft breeze.
Kaivan glanced at his watch. "It's time. Follow me." He rose with deliberate steps, Frans trailing close behind, calmer now. They headed toward the building mentioned in the book's instructions. There, Kaivan spotted the rope tied around a large bucket of paint, exactly as described. With swift precision, he pulled out the scissors and snipped the cord, loosening its hold.
Turning to Frans, Kaivan's eyes sharpened. "Now go. Call Tira, but don't speak right away. Let her come to you."
Frans hesitated but obeyed, striding toward Tira with quiet determination. He called her name softly, yet with unmistakable intent. "Tira."
The midday sun blanketed the city in a gentle warmth, casting long shadows across the pavement where Frans and Kaivan stood. The atmosphere was serene, but inside Frans' chest, nerves roared like a storm. In the distance, Tira, the girl who had always been at the center of his thoughts, walked leisurely toward them. Her loose hair shimmered in the sunlight.
Suddenly, a sharp voice rang out from above. "Heads up below!" a construction worker shouted. Frans and Kaivan instinctively looked up. A heavy bucket of paint swung precariously at the end of a fraying rope.
"Oh no," Frans muttered, panic flashing across his face. His gaze darted toward Tira, still strolling casually, unaware of the danger.
The rope snapped. The bucket plummeted with frightening speed, aimed straight at her. In an instant, Frans' nervousness evaporated. He tossed his bouquet into the air with surprising grace, his stride swift yet controlled. As the flowers floated above, he lunged toward Tira.
"Tira! Watch out!" he shouted, his voice cutting through the air.
He wrapped his arms around her waist, pulling her close with all his strength. Their bodies collided, but Frans positioned himself to shield her. Just as the bucket crashed into the ground behind them with a resounding thud, he twisted to absorb the impact. Tira collapsed into his embrace.
Dust swirled around them, heightening the drama of the moment. Bystanders froze, some covering their mouths in astonishment, amplifying the intimacy of an already charged scene. Frans held Tira tightly, his heartbeat racing. Their eyes met, so close that he could feel the warmth of her breath against his cheek.
"Tira, are you alright?" he asked, his voice hoarse with a tumult of emotions. He searched her face for any sign of injury.
She didn't answer immediately. A blush spread across her cheeks, and her eyes softened, as if realizing the intensity of what had just happened. "I… I'm fine," she whispered, a shy smile tugging at her lips.
From afar, Kaivan approached with unhurried steps. He stooped to pick up the fallen bouquet, brushing off the dust, and handed it to Frans. "Here, your flowers," he said with a subtle smile, his gaze meaningful, urging Frans to take the next step.
Frans nodded, steadying himself. His eyes gleamed with sincerity as he looked at Tira. "I'm sorry, Tira. I wanted to confess my feelings in a better way, not like this." He gripped the bouquet tightly before offering it to her. "But… I can't wait any longer. Tira, will you be my girlfriend?"
His words hung in the air, stretching a silence that felt eternal. Tira, still cradled in his arms, gazed into his eyes. A flicker of hesitation passed over her face, then a tender smile bloomed.
"I will, Frans," she said softly, almost a whisper. Her cheeks flushed, but her eyes shone with genuine affection. "I'll be your girlfriend."
Frans blinked, elation flooding him. He could hardly believe the dream he had kept secret for so long was finally real. Tira slowly pulled away, excusing herself to return to her friends waiting nearby.
Kaivan patted his shoulder with an easy camaraderie. "You did it, huh?" he said with a light laugh.
Still buoyed by joy, Frans laughed aloud. "You're amazing, man! Without your help, I'd never have had the courage."
Kaivan smiled warmly. "Ah, don't exaggerate. I just gave you a little nudge. But hey, I'm starting a business, how about joining me? I'm looking for a partner to work on refurbishing old phones."
Frans laughed harder, his nerves completely gone. "That sounds awesome! Let's give it a shot. Who knows? Maybe this is the start of something big."A few hours later, Kaivan sat alone by the edge of a small river. The afternoon breeze rustled his hair, carrying the scent of cool water and wild grass. In his hands, he held Omnicent, the enigmatic tome that pulsed faintly as if alive. Suddenly, a soft yet firm voice whispered from within its pages.
Kaivan frowned, straining to catch the words. "Head north, three days from now."
"North? Not to PT TLI?" he muttered under his breath, eyebrows knitting together. His gaze locked onto the book as inky lines began to stir across its parchment, slowly sketching an intricate map that unfolded like a living thing.
"Incredible…" Kaivan breathed, awestruck. But a new concern tugged at him. "How am I supposed to get there? I don't even have a vehicle."
As though answering his doubt, Omnicent shimmered and another phrase etched itself across the page: Return home at once.
When Kaivan arrived back at the house, a surprise awaited him. His mother stood smiling in the garage beside a brand-new motorbike. "Kaivan, you just got out of the hospital. From now on, use this, okay? It'll save you the trouble if you need to go far."