Today, he had again arranged to meet her at a café to discuss the color of a book cover. She asked why they couldn’t convene in an office rather than such a bustling place. He didn’t answer, simply saying that she would understand upon arrival.
Even though it was work hours, Mary was allowed to step out, as this meeting was work-related. As she gathered her drafts into her bag, ready to leave, she could hear the whispers of her colleagues echoing behind her.
“Lately, she’s been stepping out quite often during work hours. Seems like she’s been meeting that ‘genius artist’ often. I’d like to know if something is happening. But, as the saying goes, where there’s smoke, there’s fire,” Jessy was gossiping about Mary with their colleagues.
Another one agreed, “She’s young, and he is just too appealing; a little spark might eventually burst into a flame, right? What’s meant to happen will happen. But if this turns out to be true, our boss is certainly the proverbial ”Magpie Bridge.” (*)
(*) ‘Magpie Bridge’ refers to the magpies that form a bridge for the Cowherd and the Weaver Girl to meet in a Chinese folk tale. It is used to symbolize a matchmaker.
The room erupted in enthusiastic laughter. Fuming, Mary turned to retort, but her colleague, Lani, held her back, not wanting to escalate the situation.
Mary glanced at the arm her colleague held back, bit her lip angrily, and left the room. Office politics were complex and understandable only to those who had experienced it firsthand.
The café was now just in front of her. Through the glass, she saw Andrew sitting inside with a book. The man seemed to have a knack for reading in his spare time, a trait that very much appealed to her. Adjusting her hair and sleeve, Mary stepped in. The table he had chosen was in the far corner, the adjacent tables temporarily vacant. The café wasn’t crowded, probably due to the off-peak hours, and a quiet ambiance perfect for discussing work.
“Have you just arrived?”
“Have you been waiting long?”
Mary placed her bag on the chair next to her. She ordered her usual tomato smoothie, packed with Vitamin A, beneficial for eye health and skin glow, a drink she had adored. Andrew watched her with a faint smile.
“You’re just the same as always, aren’t you? I would like to know if I will be willing to try something new. They say fidelity women have a habit of sticking to a single item or drink, just like you.”
Knohe was teasing; she deflected the conversation elsewhere, but her cheeks became embarrassed.
“Have you finished reading the summary I gave you the other day?”
Andrew extracted from his bag a laptop, undoubtedly the latest model from a well-known brand. He was great of his possessions, irrespective of their value or purpose, insisting they must have clear origins. If the branding were uncertain, he wouldn’t dare use it. His handling and maintenance of his belongings were equally meticulous, as he detested the thought of others using his things without prior permission.
Powering up the laptop, his slender hands with their small but elongated artist’s fingers immediately drew Mary’s attention. Since childhood, she had always been enamored with beautiful hands, especially those of artists. She had once encountered someone like this, but after their first meeting, they had lost contact. Her gaze fell as she was suddenly reminded of a distant melancholic memory.
Meanwhile, Andrew was engrossed in his laptop. He opened an image file and swiveled it toward Mary.
“Have a look at these images and colors. Do you find them appropriate, or is there a need for further modification?”
Mary looked at the active laptop, where vibrant images and stunning colors unfolded. She wondered how this man could read all her thoughts for a moment. The painting depicted a young man sitting by a window in deep contemplation, his eyes emanating sincerity and longing for the woman he loved. Yet, the falling snow that filled the path ahead made the girl’s return seem remote.
After viewing the illustration, Mary swallowed a regretful sigh, remaining quiet for moments before speaking.
“If the snow hadn’t blocked the path, perhaps they could have been together.”
Andrew glanced at her. His lips twitched, but the trace of a smile didn’t fully materialize.
“Life doesn’t always go the way we want. Sometimes, we lose everything because of something that shouldn’t have happened. What matters most is knowing what’s important to us and preserving it; else, by the time we realize it, it might be too late.”
Mary sat there, still not completely understanding what she’d just heard. Compared to Andrew, she is like a naive girl unable to comprehend the thoughts of a mature man. So, no matter what he said, she merely acquiesced.
“I made this for you. Your pencil box was broken the other day, so I crafted a new one for you. Do you like it?”
Andrew presented to Mary a pencil case crafted delicately from popsicle sticks, mirroring the very one she had been using, except that the image on it was not of a solitary boy but a young woman engrossed in her book. The coincidence startled her, causing her eyes to widen as she turned to him and questioned.
“Have you ever crafted such objects before or gifted a similar one to anyone?”
“No, you’re the first recipient. Why do you not like it, or should I make you a different one?”
Mary fervently shook her head. She didn’t dislike the gift; it was just that she was taken aback as someone else had once given her a similar offering. Caught to her surprise, she dropped the ballpoint pen she held, which rolled across the table towards Andrew. He quickly leaned in to pick it up for her, only to be met with her innocent eyes and delightful smile as he lifted his handsome face marked by its striking features.
She gawked at him, and her spirit seemed lost deep within his eyes, wandering with no path home. A warm sensation brushed against her chest, consequential to a powerful current running through her. Beads of sweat trickled down, revealing her hand emotions and increasing her embarrassment.
Andrew pulled out a handkerchief and offered it to Mary, then hesitantly asked.
“Are you alright? Should there, should I ask them to lower the air conditioning?”
Mary remained silent, shaking her head awkwardly. Andrew’s concern escalated.
“Have another smoothie to cool down. It’s great for cooling your body.”
He made a move to signal the waiter but was stopped by Mary. Her clumsy hand brushed his wonder hand as an art piece that embarrassed her.
Andrew seemed to pick up on her unusual sentiments, responding with a quiet smile as if he had uncovered a delightful secret. His gaze returned to her, followed by his satisfying smile, leaving her unsure how to react.
“You may hold my hand whenever you wish, do whatever you want with it, don’t need permission. Shall I grant you this special license?”
Then Mary dared to lift her gaze and take in the features of the man she adored, his round black eyes to his lustrous black hair, the straight nose with its well-proportioned nostrils, and a mouth as appealing as a fragrant blossom. Every detail left her entranced.
As the sky outside was dyed with the hues of the sunset, dawn was breaking within her. Her surroundings lost all meaning, for the most captivating sight before her was the young man. He was her soul, her sky, her future. A man of such perfection and sincerity, had he not been present before her then, she wondered when she would have had the chance to meet him.