40 Always Colliding

Is this how it usually is during the day?

Crowded and noisy, the market place is full of vendors yelling from the distance to lure in customers. Everyone seems to be everywhere, making it difficult to pass through the horde. 

Though, it is true when Blossom said the security here would be strict. I see armored creatures and elves walking about, with laser-like eyes scanning through the crowd for anything suspicious. 

If there were going to be guards like them, why didn't I see them during the festival? The creatures from Beorene suddenly appeared in here when they aren't allowed; they should have been caught right away with this amount of guards. 

It is something dubious, but I'll let it slide. I need to find my way to Frida's shop or home since I'm left alone and confused in this market. 

"I'll be meeting somebody important to collect the potions I ordered," Blossom says while she fixes her cloak, wiping the creases of her dress. It was a long bumpy ride, and thankfully we got here before lunchtime. 

"And I shall accompany you wherever you're going," I reply. 

In reality, I'm still feeling a bit doubtful, wandering this town by myself. There's nothing to be worried about because it's daytime, there's a crowd of people, and there are guards. But the feeling of fear still doesn't leave my mind. That night had traumatized me, and the events of last night are adding up. 

Blossom passes me a small bag of coins that is heavier than expected, "No, I'll run my errands, and you'll run yours. We don't have much time to spare." 

"But-" I try to insist, and Blossom catches the uncertainty in my expression. 

She goes closer to me, her height hovering mine while she pulls my hood up to cover my head. She pats my shoulder with a reassuring smile, "Don't be afraid. I know that you'll be all right, and if you do feel like you're in trouble, step on this," she hands me a small, crystal-like ball that looks delicate. 

"I'll be there right away," she finishes.

"Thank you," I say with a smile, feeling the relief washing over me. As Blossom observes that I'm finally at ease, she nods, satisfied. I watch her walk away, lost in the sea of people. 

Only when she's gone, the thought comes to my mind. I'm clueless about where I can find Frida. I barely got to know her better that night, much more know where I can locate her the next time. 

I breathe out a frustrated sigh while I scan the area. It's the same as it was except for some stalls that are no longer there. This town is vast that a day won't be enough to go through every area here. 

A lady with a familiar voice calling out to customers has caught my attention, "try out my fresh-baked pumpkin pie for only six silver coins!" 

My eyes widen when I see someone familiar a distance away. That old lady that sells cakes and pastries still had her stall in the same area. She smiles at everyone that passes by, the side of her eyes wrinkles from her age. 

She seemed like a close friend of Frida when she called to her that night. Thanking the heavens that it gave me a valuable clue, I approach her.

I look down the whole time that I'm walking, avoiding everyone's gaze as much as possible. Doing so, it blinded me that I could not notice children dashing toward me. Only the sound of them screaming with glee getting closer by the second until they collided with my frail body. 

The impact is hard enough that I lose my balance, feeling as if gravity left my body for a while, then harshly yanks me down on the ground. But as I brace myself to meet the concrete, it doesn't happen. 

My eyes flutter open and miraculously come face to face with my savior. What's even remarkable is the fact that it's the same man I collided with that night. 

I'd remember that beautiful, lulling ocean eyes anywhere. Since it's the day, his appearance is much clearer. He is exactly how I pictured him, utterly gorgeous. 

Even though I adore the few moments I can ogle over how handsome he is, we are in a pretty awkward position. Wherein we are capturing unwanted attention to ourselves. 

So I step away from him as quickly as I can. It might not have been quick enough, and he must have realized that I was scanning through every feature of his face. 

My cheeks turn red while I look down from embarrassment, "thank you for helping me again."

"You're welcome. Are you okay? What hurts?" he asks with worry. He asked the same thing that night, which makes me laugh.

"Don't worry, I'm all right," I reply the same answer, "it's funny how we keep meeting like this?"

"What do you mean Miss, I don't think I've seen you before," he sounds confused yet curious. At first, I felt a pang on my chest that he doesn't remember me. But I remember about the spell that conceals my appearance with a fake. I'm not so sure how I look like now.

"O-oh, no. I thought you were someone I knew," I try to cover my mistake as the man folds his arms. I stare at his eyes; it sparkles like the clear sea on a sunny day. 

"Is that the truth? I have a feeling that I've seen you before-" he guesses, scanning my face, and this made my temperature rise as steam could come out of my ears. 

I shake my head with an unbelievable laugh, about to deny it some more when someone appears behind this man. Another man, much older wearing a hooded cloak, says something in a hushed tone that only the man can hear it. 

"Yes, I'll be there," the man responds before turning back to me, "please be careful, don't fall the third time," he gives me a dazzling smile before walking away, leaving me confused.

So does he remember me?