Why Not Me?

Passion

Zhan is always the happiest when he's painting murals. He can get  lost in his own little world letting his creativity kick in... forgetting  all his pain, his worries and thoughts. He spent all his energy on the  mural over the next few days not wanting to be disturbed by the outside  world. He dreaded the moment when he would have to meet Bo Lin, he still  hasn't made up his mind on what to say to him when he does meet. It  wasn't until the next morning when Zhan met Bo Lin.

"I'm sorry for the other day, Zhan." Bo Lin said as soon as he walked  in and he continued without giving the other person a chance to  respond.

"I guess.. I came on too strong and direct. I shouldn't have said  that, it was too rash and too fast. I'm fine that you did not answer.  You don't have to answer right away. I want you to think before you  decide." he was rambling on when Zhan cut him off.

"I don't have to think anymore. I don't want.." he was cut off by Bo Lin this time.

"You really don't have to say anything now, Zhan. I don't want to  make it awkward for us.. we need to work together for the next 5 weeks  also. Let's.. let's just start with being friends ok" he hesitated

"Bo Lin, we can't be friends. You are our client and that's where it ends."

"Don't be like that Zhan. We can be friends outside work if you  want to. I'll catch up with you later, ok" Bo Lin laughed nervously and  scrammed away without giving Zhan a chance to say anything back. Zhan  tried to stop him but he was already gone.

  
What just happened? Did he get what I wanted to say? Argh.. I  don't want to come back here anymore. I wish this project ends soon.

Over the next two days, Zhan met Bo Lin thrice to discuss the  progress of work and over some aspects of the remodeling.. he hated the  inconvenience but Bo Lin mostly kept it professional and behaved as  though nothing ever happened between them. He was thankful for that, but  still felt awkward around him. As much as Zhan wanted to avoid him, Bo  Lin was always there at the studio. With some excuse or the other and he  was getting restless.

He was complaining to Yu Bin on why the owner of the place was  always hanging around during the redesign. Yu Bin gave him an almost  fake stunned look but did not say anything.

"You know, don't you?" Zhan scowled at Yu Bin and he simply nodded. "When? How?"

"He asked me about you on the first day we met in his office."

"And you didn't care to tell me?"

"Uh! He was pretty obvious, that time we went out to celebrate on  our first day of work. Whole team knows, what's there to tell you  about?"

"What? Whole team knows?" Zhan was embarrassed now.

"Well, he's not trying to hide it, is he? He's always here. And why do you think that is?"

"I already gave him my answer. He wants to be friends now. I don't get him. Has he always been like this?"

"Well, he is a distant relative, so even I met him only once before I took on this project. But what was your response?"

"Obviously I declined."

"Why?"

"What do you mean, why?"

"I mean.. Why? Zhan. You are not seeing anyone right now. You  know you need to move on from Phun at some point in your life. There is  nothing wrong with Bo Lin and he really likes you. So, I really want to  understand why you declined him."