Don't Fall in Love! (English Version)- UNDER REVIEW

CHAPTER 23

Walking through the streets of Shanghai, after so many years, made me feel a sense of strangeness towards my own origins. Hearing conversations in Mandarin everywhere and smelling the aromas of Chinese food coming from restaurants and street stalls felt new to me, even though it wasn't exactly.

With a small bouquet of white roses in my hands, I walked briskly towards the cemetery. I decided to go earlier and alone, so I told my aunt to let Ma know, since she hadn't woken up yet. We arrived here in the early morning and are staying at Ba's younger sister's house.

I entered the cemetery, already feeling a different atmosphere. As it was still early, the sun was still resting behind the clouds, so it wasn't very hot. A light breeze rustled through the nearby trees and on my skin, giving me goosebumps. I turned right, finding a tombstone inscribed "In memory of Chang Zhi, a great hero."

I placed the bouquet on the grave and sighed, trying to hold back tears.

—Ba.—I swallowed hard. My Mandarin was so rusty that a hint of an accent threatened to emerge.—Fang'er is here. And…—I inhaled deeply through my nose, feeling my eyes burn—And he misses you. It's been so hard going on without you… I realized that delaying my coming here is only complicating things. Ba, I don't want to forget you, and Ma told me I don't need to. You'll always be in my heart. I know you wouldn't want to see me unhappy…

Tears overflowed down my cheeks and suddenly everything blurred. I brought my hands to my face, trying to stifle the sobs.

ㅡBa, I met someoneㅡ I said, after taking a deep breath. “He’s that little boy you saved.” I ran my hands over my cheeks. “Ba, I love him so much, but… But it’s so hard not to remember everything. Ba, what do I do? I don’t want to be without him.”

More tears threatened to escape my eyes. I closed them and tilted my head upwards. Suddenly, I smelled a familiar scent.

“Hi, Mr. Chang. I’m the little boy she mentioned.” Erix, the person I feared most, was there beside me, placing a bouquet of white roses, just like the ones I brought.

“Erix… What…” The words escaped my mouth, so surprised was I.

Narrated by Erix

Hearing those harsh words from Faye was like pouring a liter of alcohol on an open wound. Like tearing my chest open until it reached my heart and pierced it.

I had been standing there for half an hour, in the same place, my gaze fixed on where she was. Her perfume was no longer there. Nor her warmth.

"Erix? What are you doing out here, looking like you've seen a ghost?" Adrian, the person I least wanted to see right now, appeared in front of me. For some unknown reason, he had returned earlier than the others.

I went inside, completely ignoring his question. I sat on the bed, let out a heavy sigh, and ran my hand through my hair. I don't know what had come over me to think about not telling Faye everything that happened. I felt like a jerk for raising my voice at her, I felt like an idiot for not explaining myself properly.

—...lunch now?—Adrian stared at me.

—Hm?

He frowned. I was surprised when he sat down next to me on the bed.

—Come on, man, tell me what happened—he said, gesturing with his hands. I raised an eyebrow. —I know we're not friends, but if you want to vent...

I looked away and focused on a specific point on the floor. I didn't want to vent to him right away, because obviously Adrian would find it funny. But I decided to speak:

—Faye and I are going to... take a break.—A bitter taste came to my mouth as I said that.

Contrary to what I thought, Adrian gave me a sympathetic look. However, that didn't make me feel any better.

—Look, whatever the reason, I don't think you two will be apart for long. I saw how happy she is by your side and how happy you are by her side. —He got up from the bed and walked to the bedroom door.—Maybe she just wants some time to clear her head or something. —He shrugged.—Anyway, I asked if you're going to have lunch now. 'Cause I'm going to.

I shook my head negatively and Adrian left my sight. I lay down on the bed and stared at the time, thinking about what I should do to avoid hurting Faye anymore.

The next day, I didn't see her at camp and Diana told me she was feeling unwell and decided to leave. I spent the whole day worried about her, until Mrs. Chang called me in the afternoon, saying that she and Faye were going to Shanghai to visit Mr. Chang. She also said she would like me to go too and would pay for my tickets if I wanted. Without hesitation, I replied that I would go, but that she didn't need to pay.

And on Monday morning, right after arriving from camp, I packed my bags and took the first plane to China. Beforehand, I asked my uncle if I could stay at his house. He replied: Of course, it's been so long since I've seen you! I also explained to Alice by text message so she wouldn't worry about my sudden disappearance,because she wasn't home when I arrived.

After long hours of travel, I was finally in Shanghai. I sorted everything out with my suitcase and went outside to meet my uncle.

ㅡHaojiu bujian, Zhang Yue!ㅡ Uncle Chen, my mother's older brother, greeted me with a wide smile, already opening his arms to hug me. Yue was my Chinese name, which meant "mountain" or "high." ㅡHow do you say that in English again? Nice to meet you? To... be you?ㅡhe said, somewhat awkwardly, with a heavy accent in his English.

ㅡIt's been a long time, uncle,ㅡ I laughed when he made a face.

ㅡLanguages ​​aren't my thing.

Uncle Chen took my suitcase and put it in the trunk. My anxiety was through the roof. I really wanted to see Faye and hug her again.

Narrated by Faye

We were walking silently out of the cemetery. Erix swallowed hard, looking tense.

ㅡFaye, I know I was wrong not to tell you everything, and I apologize for that. I...

I couldn't resist and interrupted him with a hug. It wasn't long before Erix wrapped his arms around my waist and placed a long kiss on my cheek.

ㅡI love you, my Faye. I love you so muchㅡ he said, his voice slightly muffled.

ㅡI love you too, my Erix!ㅡ I smiled. Erix placed one hand on my cheek and sealed our lips in a deep kiss. It was as if we had been apart for years. I realized that without him my life isn't the same. Erix made me happy, no matter the circumstances.

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