Under the Falling Leaves

Prologue

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The soles of my shoes silently made its way across the stoned patio of the park. The brown and orange leaves coalesced, and the glowing color of the golden hour made the scene more invigorating. A gust of refreshing wind swept on me. The distant sound of the chirping birds sounds like a lullaby on my ears. I heaved a sigh; it was cold, yet the scenery was too warm to see. It was comforting, an ethereal feeling that is rare and mesmerizing.

There were not a lot of people around here, maybe because it's the weekend? Or is it the other way around?

The uncrowded park made me comfortable and let me enjoy the atmosphere. This is so refreshing. Today is Sunday and this is my day. Rest from school tasks and rest from my work. It has been quite some time since I last had my "me" time, a day where I can forget about all the problems and enjoy being alone and just being myself. When I am alone, I am free from the loud noises of expectations and orders.

So far, being a freshman in a so-called prestigious school was fun. Simula nang tumira ako rito sa South Korea nang mag-isa ay mas na-appreciate ko na kung gaano kahalaga ang pahinga. I was always waiting for the day to end. I was always longing for my bed, where I could rest easily and just breathe. But now, instead of napping under my sheets, I was walking around in this park while savoring the rejuvenating environment.

I really love hanging out with myself. When I'm all alone, I can be who I really am.  Sometimes, I get worried that if I put too much effort in trying to please others, I might start to forget who my true self is.

I continued walking as my feet created a  crunching sound when they stepped on the dried leaves. A gust of cold wind blew against me and made me stop walking. Hindi ko napansin na sa biglang pag-ihip ng hangin ay natangay nito ang suot kong scarf. Manipis lang ang tela nito at magaan, kaya madali itong nadala ng hangin. Luminga-linga ako para hanapin ang scarf ko.

The moment I turned around, my heart skipped a beat when I saw him. I didn't know what or how to react, and all I could do was to stand still. He was staring directly into my eyes. Those pair of monolid chestnut brown eyes and broad eyebrows that made his eyes look livelier, they were so beautiful and manly at the same time.

As I was staring at his face, I could see how handsome he is: a pointed-tip nose with an elliptical nostril shape, perfectly clenched jaws, and thin pinking lips that look as soft as a flower's petal.

My heart rattled insanely fast when he started walking towards my direction, wearing his bright smile. Para akong estatwa na hindi gumagalaw sa posisyon ko. Everything feels like it was in slow motion. There's nothing I could see aside from him walking towards me.

Why does he look handsome right now? Hindi naman siya laging ganito, pero ngayon, he looks different. Kakaiba ang mga tingin at ngiti niya, it’s like an alluring trap.

"K-Kairon..." I whispered.

"This is yours, right?" sabi niya at itinaas ang scarf na hinangin kanina. Tanging pagtango lamang ang naisagot ko sa kaniya.

I flinched when he wrapped the scarf on my neck.

He chuckled, "Easy ka lang, bakit parang kabadong-kabado ka? Don't worry, I won't bite you." Bahagyang nawala ang kaba ko nang masilayan ang ngiti niya.

I chuckled, “Mukha ka kasing aso,” sagot ko at bahagya rin siyang tumawa.

“Thanks, Kairon,” I said, then after he fixed my scarf, I turned around and walked away.

I stopped when I heard him calling me. "Ethan!" Napalingon ako nang marinig ang pangalan ko; my western name to be exact.

"See you! Take care!" he said and winked. I don't know what it is but that time, it feels like the falling leaves slowed for a moment.

The falling leaves, the wind and everything. Parang bumagal lang ang lahat at tanging siya lang ang nakikita ko. Ang mga ngiti niya na palagi kong nasisilayan. His bright demeanor that lights up my dark sides.

Tumango lang ako at agad na naglakad paalis. I was smiling while walking away. Napatingala ako sa kahel nakalingatan habang nakalagay sa bulsa ng sweater ko ang mga kamay. The scene was ethereal, the golden hour, the autumn breeze, and everything.

Our encounter today might be a little unexpected and awkward, but I will never forget this day; the day that we met under the falling leaves.