whispers from the other side

When Time Stood Still

☘️☘️☘️☘️☘️☘️☘️☘️☘️☘️☘️☘️☘️☘️☘️☘️

I am a different person to different people. A stormy sea to someone, a radiant sun to others. A silent forest to a few, an unknown star to many. But who am I to myself? A masterpiece unfinished
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As I walked out of the college gates, I was ready to head home. The exhaustion of exams still lingered, but the thought of a break was exhilarating. That's when I saw him - Liu Haikuan, my brother, standing by our car, smiling warmly.

"Yibo,Finished with exams?" he asked, opening the door for me.

I nodded, dropping my bag onto the backseat. "Yes,brother."

Brother eyes sparkled as he started the engine. "I finished my shift early, so I thought I'd pick you up."

As we drove, my brother glanced at me, a concern etched on his face. "You seem distracted, Yibo. Everything okay?"

I shrugged, trying to brush it off. But brother knew me too well.

"Yibo. What's bothering you?" he pressed, his voice gentle.

I sighed, unsure how to articulate my thoughts. My brother had always been able to read me like an open book, even when others thought I was emotionless.

"Just stressed about the future, I guess," I mumbled.

Brother nodded thoughtfully. "We'll figure it out together, okay? You're not alone."

His words comforted me, as they always did. Brother had been my rock since our parents passed away when I was a child. He sacrificed so much to raise me, putting his own life on hold.

As a doctor, brother compassion and empathy extended beyond his patients. He understood me in ways no one else did.

The drive home was quiet, with only the soft hum of the radio breaking the silence. I gazed out the window, lost in thought.

Little did I know, this ordinary day would take an extraordinary turn.

Brother pulled into the gas station, breaking the silence. "Time for a refill."

I nodded, gazing out the window. That's when I saw him.

Standing by the convenience store, his back to us, he was engrossed in his phone. The afternoon sun danced across his features, highlighting the sharp jawline, slender nose, and full, thin lips.

My gaze lingered on the mole beneath his lower lip, an enticing imperfection.

His eyes, shaped like lotus petals, seemed to sparkle even from afar.

Danger and captivating beauty radiated from him, like a warning sign.

My heart skipped a beat.

I couldn't explain the sudden jolt.

Brother interrupted my trance. "Yibo, you okay?"

I nodded, still transfixed.

The stranger's dark hair messed with the wind, framing his chiseled face.