At seven o'clock I stood under the west entrance with my white full face mask on and a fan covering my nose down. The idea of him not showing up ran through my head. What if he just didn't love me? What if my identity is given away too early? I couldn't bear the thought. I looked at yellow rose with the red tip in my hand, turning it over and over again. I felt a tear slide down the front of my mask.
"My, my,my. What's a pretty girl like you crying for? And why hide a beautiful face like yours? Your lover didn't show?" an old lady asked. I turned around a bit startled. "Ah, a yellow rose with a red tip. I guess your friend didn't show? My, that must be hard, loving your best friend and having him not show to tell him so. Keep your head up little lady, there's always color in the darkness," she said walking away. I watched her leave questioning why and how she knew.
"Incredible," I heard behind me. I spun around to see Francisco. I knew he couldn't see the smile across my face but he came over anyways. He wiped away the tear on my mask and tilted my head up. "So, you're the white wind?" he said. I just nodded. I was so terrified I couldn't see straight. "Why do you hide your face, fair maiden? Why deprive the world of your beauty?" Francisco said looking deep into my eyes.
"You can only know me by the white wind for now. In time I shall reveal myself to you. Just go where the spring blooms take you and I shall be to the west," I said trying to make my voice be as smooth as possible. He sighed a bit.
"Don't tease me. I don't like puzzles," he laughed a bit.
"This is not a tease or a puzzle, but a lesson. You see, every time we meet, part of my mask shall disappear. Soon enough, you will see my whole face," I smiled.
"Ah, I must know you to see you," he said.
"Exactly, but I'll help you along the way. Here is your first clue," I said handing him the rose, "Now come and walk with me," I said motioning him to join me. For three hours we talked about almost everything. Personalities, preferences, politics, and we told stories. We had so much in common that I never realized. It seemed like two minutes instead of hours and it was over too quickly.
"Where shall I see you again?" Francisco asked my hands in his.
"In the garden in the sky, where irises bloom. And remember the wind always blows to the west. I bid you adieu, until next time my love," I said walking to the west.
"Good bye, my love! I shall count each minute we are apart," he called.
"And I shall count the seconds," I called back and I left.