The Way it Feels💓

Left the World

As the warm sunlight streamed through the curtains, I slowly woke up, a smile spreading across my face. I felt the gentle pull of the morning, my heart light and happy. I quickly slipped into the bathroom to freshen up, the cool water awakening me further. Once done, I started applying my makeup, enjoying the calm routine.

"Oh, you're up early," Tshering mumbled, her voice thick with sleep, her face etched with exhaustion.

I glanced at her, teasing a little, "Did you finish just now?" I asked with a raised eyebrow.

She nodded, barely opening her eyes. She must have pulled an all-nighter. I grabbed my bag and walked over to Tshering, wrapping my arms around her in a warm hug. "Get some sleep, honey," I murmured, my voice soft with concern. She gave me a small nod, her exhaustion evident, before slowly making her way to her room. The sound of her footsteps faded as she sought the rest she so clearly needed.

I quickly went out to see Gyeltshen was there waiting for me infront of his car, as soon as he saw me coming he waved at me. He was dressed in all black, looking effortlessly cool.We made a plan to go to cafe that he knew. As we reached to our destination, he parked the car in parking lot, we walked into the cafe, and I immediately felt at ease. It was cozy, filled with the soft fragrance of flowers that made the atmosphere even more inviting. He gently placed his hand on my head, guiding me inside as we made our way to a seat by the window.

The menu was already waiting for us on the table. Without hesitation, he ordered a black coffee, no sugar, before picking up a cup of lemon tea for me, along with a slice of strawberry cake. The simplicity of it all felt perfect in that moment.

I couldn't help but notice a group of girls giggling and whispering as they glanced in Gyeltshen's direction, making my heart race with worry. Did they recognize him? I thought, feeling a twinge of anxiety.

"Gyeltshen, can you come with me for a second?" I said, my voice low as I gently pulled him toward the corner near the washroom.

He raised an eyebrow. "What happened?" he asked, pulling down his mask.

Without thinking, I quickly yanked the mask back into place, motioning for him to bend his head. Confused, he complied, and I pulled his hoodie cap over his head.

"What are you doing?" he asked, clearly shocked.

"There are girls," I whispered, "I think they recognize you."

He looked around, scanning the room. "Really? It's okay," he said nonchalantly, but I wasn't taking any chances. I didn't want any internet drama or rumors spreading like wildfire.

"No, please. Just wear it like that and sit," I said, my eyes pleading.

He sighed, a little defeated, but eventually nodded in agreement. "Alright," he muttered, settling back into his seat. As soon as my eyes met theirs, they stood up and started walking toward me. My heart began to race, and anxiety took hold. Gyeltshen must have sensed my unease because he stood up, ready to intervene.

But then, the girls turned directly to me, their intense gazes making my stomach twist in fear. I was convinced they were about to confront me—maybe even hit me—for dating him. Instead, one of them spoke, her voice surprisingly gentle. "Are you Dechen, the author of A Long Night?"

I nodded hesitantly, glancing around, trying to figure out what was happening."We're huge fans of yours!" they exclaimed in unison, their excitement catching me completely off guard.My mind struggled to catch up. A Long Night. The novel I had written on a website back in college. I hadn't expected anyone to remember it, let alone recognize me.

"We're all big fans of your work," another added, their sincerity making me feel both flustered and shy."Can we take a photo with you?" one of the girls asked eagerly.