The chocolate aroma from my favorite hot chocolate drifted softly through the air, filling my senses as I took a slow sip. The patter of rain against the cafe's glass walls added a wistful, soothing atmosphere.
I closed my eyes, savoring this moment I loved so much, until a familiar scent suddenly broke in and replaced the aroma of chocolate. Soft musk and calming wood.
Woody musk?!
I opened my eyes and swept my gaze toward the door to see who the scent belonged to. The soft jingle of the doorbell had saved me from having to search the entire room for the person whose scent had stirred up these memories. Before long, my eyes locked onto a silhouette. One I knew so well that I was left stunned for a few moments before turning my face away again.
That silhouette belonged to someone I missed terribly. Someone who had appeared in every one of my dreams over the past few years. Someone I was always looking for, even in every man who approached me. Someone who, without realizing it, had helped me when I truly needed it.
Memory after memory of him spun through my head until a voice shattered them. “Um, hi, you’re Alina, right?” he greeted me with a smile.
Trying to hide my shock, I returned his greeting. “Oh, hi. Yeah, I’m Lina. You’re Alano, right? It’s been so long since we last saw each other. How have you been?” The slightly hesitant look on his face changed as if it were saying, *See? I was right—I didn’t mistake you for someone else.*
“Wow, you actually remembered me. Of course I’m doing well. How about you? What are you doing here?” he asked in rapid succession, making me blink several times before answering.
“Of course I remember. We’ve been friends since elementary school. There’s no way I’d forget. I’m doing well too. I’m here with a friend, but they haven’t arrived yet,” I said, answering his barrage of questions. “Who did you come here with? Are you alone?” I asked in return, glancing around him.
“No, I’m with my Mom. We’re waiting in the car. She said she’s really craving the donuts from here.” I glanced at the donut bag in his hand.
“Oh, right. I should go. See you,” he added. I answered with a smile and a nod.
I watched his back as he slowly walked away from me. Then I sat back down and looked at my hot chocolate as it gradually cooled.
Alano.
Alano Lucian was the first boy I met in elementary school. The first person besides my Dad to defend me and believe me, even when my friends and teacher wouldn’t even listen to my explanation.
I fell silent again, staring toward the street as I recalled our reunion from just moments ago.
His natural scent.
His facial expression.
His gaze.
His body language.
And, of course, that distinctive smile curling sweetly across his lips.
*Ahh, I wonder what he thinks of me now. Will I get to see him again?* I wondered, covering my face with both hands. Without realizing it, I was already hoping we would meet again. The sky slowly began to take on a reddish hue, signaling that night would soon replace dusk. I got ready to pack up my things and head home.
All the way home, I replayed scene after scene from our brief reunion. I should have asked him to meet again. I should have said this. I should have done that. All kinds of scenarios about our brief encounter kept repeating in my head.
“You’re home early, Lina. You usually come home at night,” Mom said when I arrived.
“Yeah, Mom. I suddenly started feeling tired. I’m done with my work too. I want to go to bed early tonight.”
“What’s wrong, honey?” Mom stopped cooking and scrutinized me, sensing that something was different about her daughter.
“I’m just tired, Mom. Oh, I’m hungry too. Your cooking smells so good. Nothing I eat outside compares to your cooking, hehe.” I immediately changed the subject, knowing Mom would keep bombarding me with questions until she was satisfied.
“All right, then go freshen up first. The food’s almost ready. Hurry, Lina, so we can eat together. I’ll be waiting for you.”
“Okay, Mom.” I headed to my room, emptied everything out of my bag, and took a shower.
Fifteen minutes later, I came downstairs, taking impatient steps because I was so hungry.
“Lina, slow down on the stairs or you’ll fall!” Mom shouted from the dining room downstairs.
Just for some context, my house has two floors and an attic. The first floor has a living room, family room, kitchen, dining room, bathroom, and master bedroom. Upstairs are Lina’s room, Geo’s room—Lina’s older sibling—and a bathroom. The attic has two rooms Dad built: one specifically for me and the other for storage.
“Whoa, that’s a lot of food, Mom. What’s the occasion?” The dining table was covered with Mom’s cooking. There were fried shrimp, sweet-and-sour squid, grilled lobster, and other seafood dishes.
“I was looking at recipes on Instagram earlier. They looked so good that I wanted to cook them, but it turns out I made way too much. Here, I made some juice too.” Mom poured the pineapple-orange juice she had made. Whenever Mom cooked, she always made an enormous amount, as if we were having an event. Cooking had always been her main hobby.
Sleepiness hit me after I helped Mom clear the dining table and wash the dishes after dinner.
“Mom, I’m going upstairs. I’m so sleepy. I think it’s because I ate too much of this delicious food you made, hehe,” I joked while filling a glass with water to take to my room.
“All right, go to sleep. It’s late anyway. Don’t forget to brush your teeth,” Mom said as she sauntered into her room.
Once I reached my room, I immediately got ready for bed. I didn’t forget to do my nightly skincare routine, either.
Brush my teeth. Check!
Skincare. Check!
Bedside lamp. On.
Time to pull up the covers and count sheep.
One sheep…
Two sheep…
Three sheep…
*Why am I wearing a school uniform? Don’t tell me…*
*“Hi, Lina. You finally made it.”*
*Oh no!*