Sorry for the late updates everyone. It had been a really tough and busy week. :-\ Still, please enjoy the story and thanks for reading.
Crickets were chirping cheerfully in the garden, the summer breeze bringing in the scent of the flowers occasionally. It was a place Zhao Yun loved to come here when he wanted to think things through. The cobblestone pathway was littered with flower petals, making an intrinsic pattern. His grip on the wooden flue tightened as his feet trampled on the fallen flower petals. Zhao Yun walked towards the middle of the wooden bridge and stared down at the mirror-like lake below him. The lake shimmered peacefully under the moon's gentle light. Zhao Yun could see his eyes rimmed with red from the tears just now and his face an unhealthy shade of white.
The smooth surface was occasionally disrupted by ripples caused by the flower petals and the fishes swimming gracefully in the lake. Zhao Yun closed his eyes as he enjoyed the gentle touch of the wind against his face. The summer wind blew all around him, ruffling his brown ponytail. If only his burdens could be swept along with the wind, vanishing into the sky. Zhao Yun untied his ponytail, relishing the feeling of his shoulder length brown hair falling down in waves. It was so freeing.
Zhao Yun gave a sigh as he turned his gaze towards the moon, his eyes filled with sadness. Why must I be so different? Zhao Yun thought. Why must he have feelings for Ma Chao? Why couldn't he be just like any other guy and be contented to have a beautiful future wife-to-be? The feelings of desperation and frustration inside him were heighted up to a point where Zhao Yun felt like he was going to explode soon or broke down into tears or perhaps both.
'Drat,' Zhao Yun muttered, shaking his head to clear away the muddled thoughts. Music. Surely, music would be able to distract him from all his problems. Zhao Yun slowly raised the flute to his lips and blew a note softly. It had been so long since he last blew the flute. Hopefully his skills were still there. At first, some of the notes were off-pitch, but the longer Zhao Yun blew, the smoother the melody became. Soon, Zhao Yun was drifted off to another dimension where nothing else mattered. Nothing except the accompaniment of the melody and notes.
In his song, Zhao Yun spoke about the feelings he had for Ma Chao and the bitterness of his one-sided feelings. Unknowingly, tears dripped down from Zhao Yun's face as he blew the song. He was so caught up in his own word that everything faded away from sight and his senses. Finally, Zhao Yun blew the last note and when he took the flute away, he felt much better. It was his way of releasing his emotions trapped inside. It was as if a burden the size of a boulder was lifted from his chest. Zhao Yun was just about to return back to his room when he heard the sound of someone clapping.
Zhao Yun halted in his steps, with his heart in his throat. Who had been there listening quietly to him to the whole time? 'Show yourself,' Zhao Yun commanded, his hand ready with his sword. A dark silhouette slowly approached in his sight and when Zhao Yun saw who it was, his grip slackened. It was Ma Chao. 'I didn't know you play the flute so well,' Ma Chao said, his right hand reaching out. Instinctively, Zhao Yun flinched and took a step back. Hurt flittered across Ma Chao's eyes but he didn't push it and withdrew his hand.
'What are you doing out here all alone?' Ma Chao asked quietly, his head bowed down. Zhao Yun's fingers twiddled with his flute as he stowed them away from sight. Zhao Yu's heart was pounding uncontrollable from the close proximity, as if it was going to leap out from his chest any moment. 'Zi Long?' The gentleness of Ma Chao's voice sent Zhao Yun's nerves skittering. 'I-I-' Zhao Yun stammered as he struggled to find the right words. Why was it that he was always this flustered when he was near Ma Chao?
'I have got to go,' Zhao Yun mumbled hastily, before retreating towards the other end of the bridge. 'Wait.' Before Zhao Yun had moved a few steps, he could feel Ma Chao's warms hands gripping his wrist. Zhao Yun felt a surge of annoyance, what did Ma Chao wanted? To toy with his feelings? To push him to a point where he was going to break down in front of him? 'Let me go!' Zhao Yun tried to control the anger in his tone. 'Zi Long, please don't run away from me,' Ma Chao pleaded, his grip tightened.
Zhao Yun wheeled around to face Ma Chao. 'What do you want from me? Just leave me alone. I don't want to talk to you. Not now, not ever.' Zhao Yun leveled him with a glare before shaking off Ma Chao's grip. 'Zi Long!' There was a hint of urgency in his voice and then Zhao Yun felt a strong pair of arms wrapping him from behind. This took Zhao Yun completely by surprise. 'Ma-Ma Chao?' Zhao Yun, his heart pounding. What was this supposed to mean?
'Zi Long,' Ma Chao muttered softly, his warm breath tickling Zhao Yun's ears. 'Look at me please.' Zhao Yun was frozen on the spot when he heard those words. Unsure of what to think or respond, Zhao Yun turned his head slightly and locked eyes with Ma Chao's golden brown ones. Ma Chao had always been one who didn't show his emotions easily, but tonight, Zhao Yun could see all of Ma Chao's feelings etched in his eyes. Ma Chao lowered his head slowly, his face and lips just inches away from Zhao Yun's. Zhao Yun's heart skipped a beat, his mouth felt dry and his nerves quaking.
At the first touch of Ma Chao's lips against his lips, Zhao Yun felt a sizzle of excitement. Ma Chao kissed Zhao Yun awkwardly and gently. It was only until after a few seconds did Zhao Yun truly realized what was happening. One sentence kept on repeating in Zhao Yun's mind. This must surely be a dream, this could not be happening. Although the pressure on Zhao Yun's lips told him otherwise. His eyelids started to flutter close as he kissed back Ma Chao insistently.
Zhao Yun had no idea what Ma Chao was thinking but his heart soared in happiness. Ma Chao was kissing him! Ma Chao turned Zhao Yun's body so he was fully facing him and then Ma Chao pulled him close, his hands buried inside Zhao Yun's long brown hair as he deepened the kiss. A moan of ecstasy escaped involuntary from Zhao Yun's throat. How long had he imagined this? Ma Chao grabbing and kissing him passionately, it was totally different and better than the first kiss. Zhao Yun's raised his left hand shakily as he wrapped his hand around Ma Chao's waist, their bodies close together.
Time seemed to stop at that moment, everything seemed to froze around them. All Zhao Yun could felt and heard was Ma Chao's touch against his skin and his haggard breathing. Finally, after what felt like eternity, Ma Chao pulled back, his eyes glassy as he ran his hands over Zhao Yun's cheek. 'I like you.' Zhao Yun's head snapped up as he stared in the utmost surprise at Ma Chao. Did he hear wrongly? Had Ma Chao just confessed to him? The summer wind blew all around them, showering them with flower petals as the both of them just stood in the middle of the bridge staring at one another.
To be continue…
Wow, Ma Chao kissed Zhao Yun. Now, was it possible that Zhao Yun's unrequited love would be answer? Please review/comment the story. ^.^ It would make me really happy. Anyway, as usual, a big thank for reading the story and please stay tune for the next chapter.