In your arms

Chapter 1: The Fated Encounter

Ako pushed her shopping cart down the grocery store aisle, her mind drifting as she scanned the shelves. Her cart was filled with single servings and small quantities—just enough for one. The quiet ache of loneliness gnawed at her, but she tried to shake it off. "It's okay," she muttered to herself, eyes fixed on her grocery list. "I'm used to this. I don't mind." But the words rang hollow, a fragile shield against the emptiness she couldn't quite ignore.

Rounding the corner, Ako stopped dead in her tracks. The aisle ahead was a sea of pink and red—heart-shaped boxes of chocolates, plush bears, plastic roses. Valentine's Day. A knot tightened in her chest as she wandered forward, her fingers grazing a box of chocolates embossed with the word "LOVE." The irony wasn't lost on her.

A burst of laughter broke her reverie. At the end of the aisle, a teenage girl giggled as her boyfriend handed her a white stuffed bear, their smiles bright and carefree. Ako watched them, the box still clutched in her hands. Love, youth, joy—everything she felt had slipped through her fingers was right there. 

She bit her lip, holding back the wave of regret and longing that threatened to drown her, and turned to leave the aisle.In her haste, she collided with another cart. The sudden impact jarred her from her thoughts, and she looked up, startled.

"Oh!" The words tumbled out of her as she glanced from the carts to the man standing before her. "I'm so sorry! I wasn't paying attention, I just—" She trailed off, quickly wiping at her eyes, embarrassed by the tears that had gathered there. "I was a little distracted..."

Startled by the sudden appearance of the beautiful woman before him, the man struggled to regain his composure. His voice, tinged with concern, broke the silence "No, no, it's my fault. I wasn't paying attention either. Are you okay?"

Ako looked up at him, her cheeks flushing as she realized how close they were. She took a small step back, creating some space. "I'm fine, really," she said, her voice a little unsteady. She tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, a nervous habit. "It's just... I should have been more careful.

"Her gaze flicked to the heart-shaped box of chocolates still in her hands. She set it back on the shelf, suddenly aware of how silly it felt to be holding it. Her eyes darted away from his, clearly flustered by the encounter.

"I hope I didn't mess up anything in your cart," she murmured, her voice soft with genuine concern.

The man followed her glance toward the chocolates, then offered a gentle smile. "No harm done. But you know, you should get that for yourself—your boyfriend would probably appreciate it."

Ako's eyes widened in surprise, a deep blush spreading across her cheeks. She looked down, her shoulders hunching slightly as if trying to make herself smaller. "Oh, I... I don't... I don't have a boyfriend," she whispered, her voice barely audible.

She hesitated before continuing, her fingers fidgeting with the strap of her purse. "I'm... probably too old for that sort of thing," she said, a hint of sadness creeping into her tone. "Valentine's Day is for the young, for girls like her." She gestured vaguely toward the teenage couple at the end of the aisle, her large breasts rise and fall, her eyes dimming as she forced a small, bittersweet smile. "For me, it's just another day."

Despite her words, the pain in her eyes is evident. The longing for companionship, for love, is palpable in the air around her. She looks at the man again, this time holding his gaze for a moment longer, as if searching for something - understanding, perhaps, or validation of her worth.

The man took in the sight of her and, feeling a twinge of embarrassment, said, "I'm sorry for assuming. It's just that, usually, when I see someone as beautiful as you, they're already with someone."