Type in Hello/ How are you [music box] in Youtube (It's the second video).
if the song runs out of time, type in Clannad - Dango Daikazoku (piano version) in YouTube.
It was 24th of December
Planning ahead, Aisha and I decided to meet in the late afternoon, around the time when we don't have to go to school or work.
The thought about "first date" keep pressuring myself and I began to panic and act nervous. What should I wear? What should I do to my hair? When it felt like I want to lay back down on my bed again, I found a deep red knit sweater that my sister gave to me as birthday present long time ago. I opened the window in my room and felt the cold breeze outside and estimated if only wearing this will be too cold.
I decided to wear a thin long sleeve shirt underneath, and on top of that, a white blouse and layered it off with the knit sweater.
I quickly threw on a pair of black jeans and dark brown boots as I quickly brushed my hair and headed outside.
It wasn't snowing, instead, it was really sunny outside.
The warmth of sun slowly started the process of melting the snow and every time I stepped on them and the sound of crunchiness was gone.
I arrived at the downtown of city and since it's the weekend, the street was crowed with people and cars.
The sound of many people talking and cars rolling down gently on top of the wet cement welcomed me as I entered.
Since it was Christmas Eve, I saw many people helping to put up a tremendous size of a Christmas tree on the main part of the downtown.
I stopped in front of it and and looked up to see it. It was considered a "tradition" in our city and every year around the 24th, people will come down to downtown and help put the tree up.
' Ding ! '
Mixture of alarm of a new text and vibration started in my pocket. I took my phone out and swiped to see a message from Aisha.
[ I'm at front of the tree! Where are you? ]
I looked around but didn't see even see a single tiny strand of the purple hair.
I chuckled and replied back,
[ Are you sure you're not behind the tree? ]
I looked around and again and on left of the tree, I saw Aisha walking toward my way, with her hand on back of her head and laughing awkwardly.
" Hahaha.. I'm not used to this Christmas tradition here. "
" Oh, you're new here? "
We started talking as we began to walk side by side.
" Yeah, I just moved in few months ago to go to college here. "
" What are you majoring in? "
" Communication! "
" Same here! "
As we continued our conversation without any gaps of awkward silences, Aisha stopped in front of an Italian restaurant.
" Can we eat here, please please please! "
She started to point at front of the door and started to jump like a little kid.
It felt like if I said no, she will get down on the floor and start crying, so I smiled and said yes.
The smell and warmth of freshly baked bread and spaghetti and pizza welcomed us as we walked in.
The waiter escorted to a small table beside a window and quickly took our orders.
I looked around and the restaurant was crowed with people, and it started to form a small line in front of the counter.
" It's weekend and I bet they're coming in for dinner. "
Aisha said as she sipped the water the waiter gave us few minutes ago. I nodded my head as reply and I stared down at her. Her hand was grabbing onto the straws as she was playing with the ices. Then she suddenly looked up to face me, which scared me for a moment.
" Chung! "
" .. Yes? "
" What are you doing tomorrow? "
As she asked me the question, she smiled at me with hint of blush on her cheeks due to embarrassment.
" I- I don't know yet. "
I was actually planning to spend the Christmas with her this year, but I just wanted to ask her later so I quickly lied, which I didn't even expect from myself.
" Hm... well.. I hope you have fun. "
Looking depressed, she took a quick sip of her water and started to play with her ice again.
I tilted my head in confusion as I asked her,
" Wh- what are you doing tomorrow? "
She slowly lifted up her head and stared into my eyes for couple of minutes
and finally the tiny lips parted from each other as her words slipped out.
" I have work that day, full time. "
It felt like someone just slapped me out of no where as I stared at her with shock filled in my eyes.
" At Christmas...? "
" Sucks, right? "
She said it disappointingly then she looked up again and smiled, trying to remove the heavy mood in between us.
Even though I tried to hide the feeling of disappointment within myself, it felt like I just couldn't control it. The moment I saw her in the cafe, I just had a quick thought in my mind wishing I could spend the last few days of this year with her. At first, I thought it would be impossible for us to take a step toward each other, since we were strangers, but it happened. And right now at this very moment, she's sitting right in front of me with the smile on her face. I decided to take just one more step closer to her, but I guess it was too much of a risk and she took one step further away. That little gap in between us will be filled at 26th, possibly.
Soon, our dinner came out. The waiter served each plate in front of us and Aisha had sparkles filled in her eyes as she stared down each meal.
Guessing she was hungry, she gulped down her pasta and I slowly took tiny bits of my spaghetti, not feeling the appetite.
But Aisha soon found out that I wasn't in the mood to eat, and she asked,
" Chung, did I force you to come here and eat? "
" No- no it's fine. I'm just not really hungry. "
" Oh.. well, make sure you order take out! "
" I will, thanks. "
Even though she told me to order take out, few minutes later her hand slowly reached out for my spaghetti.
I looked up and she had a mischievous face going on her face as she smiled at me.
I laughed out loud at she tried to make the face, but it turned out to be adorable.
" Hahahaha- here here, take some. "
" Yay! Thank you thank you thank you! "
Few minutes before, it felt like there was heavy grey clouds on top of us and just by her tiny actions, they were all gone all of a sudden.
Soon, we finished our food. Well, Aisha finished our food. Aisha quickly got waiter's attention and asked for check, which he nodded and walked to us and gave it to us. At the same time, we both took our wallet out and stared at each other.
" No no, Chung! I'll pay for it! My apology for forcing you to come here! "
" What? No, it's fine. I would've of said no if I wanted to. "
I literally forced herself to put the wallet back into her purse and I quickly put couple of 20 dollar bills under the paper and we left.
The sun was setting and guessing from the location of the sun, it was around 6 pm.
The snow have melted quite a lot compared to two hours ago but there was still few chunks in corner of the road.
We walked in silence and we stopped our movement right in front of the tree.
The tree was done setting up, and many people were putting decorations up.
" This will be right in front of your cafe, Aisha. "
" Yeah! Every time I look outside the window, this will be up! "
She looked at the tree with her two tiny hands grabbing each other and her eyes were glistening with excitement.
I chuckled at the sight of her.
I decided to take her home again. She was in front of me this time, walking with her arms and waving them like a bird.
With her actions, her height, her face, people would believe her if she told them she was a middle schooler.
I laughed and at the same time, I looked around for dangers like any cars or motorcycles.
" We're here! "
She stopped in front of her green gate and called out.
" Well... I guess it's time to say goodbye! Hope you have fun tomorrow! "
She smiled at me and turned around to open the gate and that's when I grabbed her wrist and forced herself to face me.
Aisha looked at me with surprise and confusion mixed together in her eyes.
" Aisha.. W..would you like to spend the Christmas night with me? "
I took a gasp and looked straight into her eyes, although I bet my eyes were shaking with nervousness.
She stared at me for couple of moments and started laughing.
" Hahahaha, Chung! I thought you were coming to my cafe tomorrow night! I thought that's how we would spend it. "
" But I'd like to actually take the time to take you outside an- "
" Yes, Chung. "
I looked at her with a blank face. She smiled at me and said,
" Let's spend it together. After I finish my work. "
I let out a sigh of relief and smiled back.
" Well.. thank you for taking me home today! See you tomorrow! "
She waved her hands and turned around and closed the gate behind her.
I smiled at the spot where she was standing, and I could still see the footprints of Aisha's on top of the snow.
I decided to turn around and head back home and that's when I heard the kreeking noise of the gate again.
Before I had the chance to turn around, she wrapped her hands around my waist as lilac scent surrounded us.
" Thank you for today, I had so much fun. "
Then she quickly ran back inside her house, hiding her face with her hands from embarrassment.
Sorry the update of new chapter is so late. :c "school and tests" happened -_-
And the last chapter of this story will be the next one! 25th Day :D
Thank you for the reviews!
DigiDawg2 - Thank you~ and good luck with your story!
Awakened Hades - So much fluffiness... I'm gonne DIEEEEEEE :u
supergirl156 - Aw, thank you!
