Secret Admirer

32. Annual Fair

Kayu let out a deep breath, glancing at the ticket in his hand. The colorful print with its bold letters read Annual Fair - Entry Pass. It was something he had wanted to experience for years but had always been too busy with work. 

He had initially bought two tickets, imagining he would go with June. But plans had changed—June was no longer his fiancé but someone else's boyfriend.

He shook his head, dispelling the wave of bitter thoughts, and walked toward the entrance. 

The queue stretched long, weaving through barricades. He stood patiently, watching the couples and groups of friends chatting animatedly, their excitement palpable. 

Kayu couldn't help but notice how out of place he looked—he was alone, a solitary figure amidst the cheerful clusters of people. Pressing his lips together, he silently wished for the line to move faster.

Finally, it was his turn. The ticket checker punched a hole in his pass and gestured for him to enter. 

Stepping past the gate, Kayu inhaled deeply, letting the festive atmosphere wash over him. 

The air was filled with the mingling scents of street food, the laughter of children, and the melodic tunes from a distant carousel.

He looked down at his outfit—a plain white hoodie and black jogger pants. It was a stark contrast to the formal suits he had worn almost daily as Ciro's secretary. 

For the first time in years, he was dressed casually, like the Kayu he used to be before life became a whirlwind of work and responsibilities.

He wandered through the fairgrounds, taking in the sights. 

Rows of stalls boasted colorful displays of handmade crafts, local delicacies, and quirky souvenirs. The energy of the place was infectious, and for the first time in a while, Kayu felt genuinely lighthearted.

As he admired a stall selling delicate glass figurines, his phone buzzed in his pocket. He pulled it out, a smile tugging at his lips when he saw the sender—Honeybear. He opened the message.

"The white hoodie suits you, Tweety. You look adorable in it."

The smile vanished. His heart skipped a beat as he glanced around, suddenly feeling exposed. Honeybear was here.

His fingers trembled slightly as he typed a reply: "What do you mean?"

Instead of a texted explanation, a picture arrived—a close-up shot of a ticket with the same puncture mark as his own.

Kayu's breath hitched.

 Two realizations struck him simultaneously. One: Honeybear was at the fair. Two: Honeybear knew who he was.

A mix of panic and curiosity bubbled within him. His fingers hovered over the keyboard, unsure what to ask first. But before he could type anything, another message appeared.

"Can we meet and talk face to face?"

Kayu's eyes darted around the crowd, scanning every face, searching for someone—anyone—who might be Honeybear. He typed back quickly: "Where are you?"

The reply came almost immediately. "At the sugarcane juice stall."

Kayu turned on his heels, his eyes darting through the bustling fair. Finally, he spotted the stall with its tall stacks of fresh sugarcane. He hurried over, weaving through the crowd.

As he reached the stall, he glanced around but saw no one who might be Honeybear. His phone buzzed again.

"Sugarcane juice is a natural energy drink. Have a glass; it will refresh you."

Before Kayu could process the message, the shopkeeper handed him a glass of cold sugarcane juice.

"I didn't order this," Kayu said, confused.

The shopkeeper smiled. "Your friend ordered and paid for it. Said it was for you."

Kayu looked down at the glass, his heart racing. Another message popped up: "Drink it slowly and enjoy."

The sweet, icy drink slid down his throat, soothing him after the long wait in line. He had to admit, it was refreshing, and he felt a bit steadier by the time he finished it. He set the empty glass on the counter just as his phone buzzed again.

"Now, go to the ring toss stall."

Curiosity and anxiety swirling within him, Kayu followed the directions. At the ring toss stall, he was greeted by the attendant, who handed him a small box tied with a ribbon.

"Your friend said to give this to you," the attendant explained.

Kayu untied the ribbon and opened the box to reveal a delicate bracelet with tiny charms shaped like stars and moons. He stared at it in disbelief. Another buzz from his phone brought him back.

"You have always liked things like this, haven't you? Thought it might suit you."

Kayu's chest tightened as emotions surged. Honeybear wasn't just here; they knew him—his likes, his habits, his thoughts.

The next message directed him to the carousel. There, he was handed a cotton candy stick, the pink fluff looking impossibly cheerful. Another text followed.

"You loved this as a kid, right? Thought it might bring back good memories."

Kayu couldn't help but smile faintly, memories of his childhood flooding back as he nibbled on the sugary treat. Yet, the mystery of Honeybear's identity gnawed at him. Who were they, and why were they doing all this?

Each stop was more personal than the last. At the shooting gallery, he was handed an adorable teddy bear by the stall owner.

"Your friend won this for you," the owner explained with a wink.

Kayu hugged the bear to his chest, the gesture bringing him a strange sense of comfort and warmth. He felt as though Honeybear wasn't just playing a game; they were leaving breadcrumbs of care, hints of someone who truly understood him.

Finally, another text came: "Go to the center of the fair. The giant wheel. I will be waiting there for you."

Kayu made his way to the fair's centerpiece, the towering giant wheel lit up with vibrant lights. The air buzzed with excitement from the people around him, but his focus was singular.

"How will I find you?" he typed quickly.

The response came seconds later. "I am wearing the same thing as you—a white hoodie and black joggers."

Kayu's heart pounded as his eyes scanned the area. Amidst the throng of people, he spotted someone. The person was dressed identically to him, standing a short distance away.

As Kayu's gaze fixed on them, his breath caught in his throat. The figure turned slightly, their face illuminated by the glow of the fair lights.

It was someone he would recognize anywhere. Someone whose presence turned his world upside down.

The tall figure with a slender body, that charming dimpled smile that never failed to make his heart skip a beat- Honeybear aka Ciro Thewan Sataya