春秋末期 [Chun and Qiu Someday]

🌨️

"Thank you, auntie!"

"Your welcome, dear. Do come again." The old lady at the counter smiles. She had thought no one would want to buy flowers this time of the year, but the girl had bought a bouquet! Who might the receiver of the flowers be?

The girl in question started toward the door, happy with the flowers within her arms. A lovely arrangement of red, orange and yellow blooms. All she had in mind was the warmth of summer. Hopefully, he'd think so too-

"Clink"

The girl's train of thoughts ceased with the sound of the windchimes clinking as the door opened.

All of a sudden, time slowed down.

As he stepped into the flowershop, she noted his red scarf and the stack of books he cradled in one arm, speckled with snow and ice. Then she looked up and saw that his cheeks were red... Likely from the cold...

And his eyes...

She was certain she had never met him before. And yet, why did she feel as if she'd known him long ago? As if they were old friends losing touch after years of being together...?

...He was looking at her too. Was he thinking the same of her?

"Ahem. Would you please close the door, Qiu? This old lady can only take so much of the cold."

"Ah! Sorry, grandma." He finally teared his gaze away from her. Wait. He's the lady's grandson? Does white hair run in the family? His eyebrows say otherwise.

"Um, do you..." He gestured out the door while his free arm held it open.

"Yes thanks." She said in one breath, hurrying out past him. She didn't even realise she was holding her breath until he spoke to her.

She walked down the street with no clear idea of where she was going. When she finally came to, she notices that she'd nearly walked all the way to the park. That's good. She was supposed to be there anyway...

"Qiu."

His name melted into the white sky. It's the first she had ever said or even heard of the name. But she feels as though she's called him time and time again. Like she's heard his laughter before... Before what? When?

Why did he feel so familiar?

Why did she long to see him again?

Who was he... To her?

***

... Who was she?

Ever since that day, Qiu couldn't take his mind off her. What was her name? Who did she buy that bouquet for? Where was she off to? Would they meet again...?

What was he thinking anyway. What are the chances they meet? And would she even remember him? Would she remember his name? He was sure grandma was calling his name on purpose.

Even so, he couldn't help wishing...

"Ah!" A figure trips on something beside him.

Instinctively, he reaches out to catch the person's arm, stopping them from falling face-first onto the pavement. Even if there was snow, it wouldn't do much to cushion the fall. Also they were close to a flight of stairs and it's really dangerous to fall-

"Thank you... Qiu?" Huh? How did the person know his name...?

It's her. The girl from the flowershop.

"Your welcome..." He searches for the words to say next. It wasn't often that Qiu is at a loss for words, but she was an exception. Twice now.

"What's your name? I don't think it's fair that you know mine when I don't know yours."

"Oh." What?! Did he actually say that?

"It's Chun. Like the camellia."

Wow. Her name is pretty too- He mentally thanked himself for not letting those words escape his lips.

"... Can you let go of my arm now? I'm sure I won't be falling anymore."

"Ah, right. Sorry."

"It's fine."

A moment of awkward silence passes before he musters the courage to ask her another question. Consciously, this time.

"So where are you headed? You had to be in a hurry to have tripped in the snow."

"I was going to meet my... friend. And excuse you, I almost tripped!" Is she blushing out of embarrassment or is it from the cold?

"Yeah, because I caught you. Or else you'd be falling down the stairs." Hold on. Was he blushing? Why is she looking away?

"Chun~" A voice suddenly calls out.

Qiu sees a guy at the bottom of the stairs. He had his dark hair in a ponytail over his shoulder. The guy was looking straight at Chun.

"Come on, Chun. Or we'll be late."

"I'll be right there, Kun! Wait a sec."

Without so much as a look back at Qiu, she bounds down the steps to Kun's side. She locks her arm around his and they head off to wherever they have to go. Both laughing and smiling in each others company.

All the while, Qiu watches from afar. The wind didn't carry the sound of her laughter to his ears, but he didn't need it to hear it ring throughout his head. Didn't need to see her face clearly to know how beautiful she looks when she smiles...

"Chun."

Her name escapes as a whisper, fading with the snowflakes.

What he felt back at the flowershop hits him again. The same ache in his heart for the girl he has never met before.

Why was she so familiar?

So

painfully

familiar...

*** *** ***

Author's note:
Well that's all my heartsick self can write at the moment. And this is my first one-shot/ story on Wattpad!
Hope you enjoyed it. (◍•ᴗ•◍)♥