The plane touched down in China just after 1:30 AM, the city lights twinkling like stars below. Chen Ke felt a mix of excitement and anxiety coursing through her veins. After months of being apart from Danni, the time had finally come for her to return home. But she didn't want to waste a single moment. The only thing on her mind was seeing Danni again.
Without hesitation, she called a ride and headed straight to Danni's house, her heart racing with every passing minute. The streets were quiet, and as she approached Danni's neighborhood, she could hardly contain her anticipation. What if she's asleep? The thought flickered through her mind, but it quickly faded as her desire to be close to Danni grew stronger.
Arriving at Danni's house, Chen Ke parked her car and stepped out into the cool night air. She felt a thrill of nerves as she walked up to the front door. What if Danni's parents aren't okay with this? But she shook off the doubt and knocked softly, hoping she wouldn't disturb anyone too much.
To her surprise, Danni's parents were already awake, having heard the knock. Chen Ke felt a rush of relief when they opened the door.
"Hello, I'm Chen Ke, Danni's friend," she introduced herself, her voice trembling slightly. She had met Danni's parents only a couple of times before, and though they knew of her, they didn't know her well.
Danni's father raised an eyebrow but smiled. "Ah, yes, we've heard about you. It's late; are you sure you want to see her now?"
"Yes, I really need to," Chen Ke replied, her urgency clear. She felt the weight of her loneliness from the past months heavy in her chest.
"Alright, but keep it down. She's been exhausted with her exams," Danni's mother said, stepping aside to let Chen Ke in.
Chen Ke nodded appreciatively, her heart racing as she made her way upstairs. The familiar path to Danni's room felt surreal. She reached Danni's door and paused, listening to the soft sound of breathing from within.
Pushing the door open gently, Chen Ke stepped inside. The moonlight filtered through the curtains, casting a soft glow over the room. There lay Danni, peaceful and serene, her chest rising and falling rhythmically.
Seeing her friend like this made Chen Ke feel as if she could finally breathe again after months of suffocating loneliness. I'm home, she thought, a mix of relief and joy flooding her senses.
Chen Ke walked closer, careful not to make any noise. She wanted to hug Danni tightly, to whisper all the words she had held back during their time apart. Instead, she stood there for a moment, simply taking in the sight of her.
How could I ever have imagined leaving her for so long? Chen Ke thought, her heart aching at the memory of their last conversation. Danni means everything to me.
Unable to hold back any longer, she stepped closer to the bed. She gently brushed a strand of hair from Danni's face, then leaned down to plant a soft kiss on her forehead.
"I missed you so much," she whispered, her voice barely audible. In that moment, all the distance, all the missed calls, and all the lonely nights melted away.
Feeling a rush of affection, Chen Ke wrapped her arms around Danni's sleeping form, pulling her close. "I'm so glad to be back," she murmured, breathing in the familiar scent of Danni's hair.
As Chen Ke held Danni tightly, she felt a sense of peace envelop her. The world outside faded away, and all that mattered was this moment—this reunion that she had yearned for.
