76 Fell In Love

Raelle's words made Hyson's lips curve up in a smile. No matter how dense this best friend of his was when it came to emotions, she still had all the right words. Oh, wait! She had all the wrong words as well but all those words made perfect sense to him. Or saying that all her wrong words sounded right to him would be more appropriate now. Maybe that was why he had come to love this best friend of his like a family.

She was like that sister that Heaven forgot to send in the same home with him. But so what? It didn't change the fact that from the very first time he met her, he had the urge to protect her. And that feeling, even now, was just as overwhelming as it once had been.

He slung his arm around her neck in a friendly manner as he rubbed their heads together. Flashing a grin to Shui Xian, he said, "We are both a bit abnormal. But our abnormality seems to resonate well together. That is why we create the perfect synergy together." He looked at Raelle asking, "Right, Elle?"

Instead of answering his question, Raelle looked at her phone that was vibrating and took it with her saying, "Excuse me, I'm gonna take this call."

As she stood up and left to take her call, Hyson's mouth opened, "Ai...sh!" He really wanted to curse her out loud right there! "She really makes me want to punch her beautiful face." Shui Xian raised his brow at him and he added, "Don't worry, I won't do it! I've been holding in that urge for far too long now. To be very honest, I'm at that point in my life where whatever she says has no effect on me."

"Really? It seemed like her words do have some effect though," Shui Xian pointed out.

Hyson smiled at her, "That's because I am the reaction King in her life. I have to give her some reaction. How else will she be able to learn different expressions?" Shui Xian continued to look at him in silence not knowing what to say and Hyson went on, "Earlier you asked how we met?"

"I am very curious to know about that," replied Shui Xian honestly. Earlier he was just curious, and now he was even more so. It really was a huge mystery to him, how these two polar opposites managed to stick together for 15 years. Even his friendships didn't last that long.

Hyson nodded his head, "I can't tell you how we exactly met but I can tell you how or exactly when did I felt like I want her as my friend." Shui Xian leaned over in interest as Hyson continued, "Back then, I had just moved to this city from the countryside. I was unfamiliar with the roads and got lost. Let's just say while I was feeling lost, I found her. I met the right person on the wrong road. Now that I think about it, I feel like it was meant to be."

"It was destiny..." said Shui Xian.

Hyson shook his head, "That extremely infuriating yet adorable best friend of mine says that destiny is the name of a planned encounter. Everything is calculated in our lives." Shui Xian listened to him intently as he went on, "She just told you that I was crying and she took pity on me back then." Shui Xian nodded as he added, "That's true. I had fallen down, got my knees scraped and I was indeed crying out for my mom. And maybe the very first emotion she got familiar with was indeed the pity she felt for me."

Hyson had a reminiscent look on his face as he recalled...

~~~

Seeing his bleeding knees, any nine years old would cry out for their mother. Hyson had done the same. However, the girl in white dress didn't even look at him as she continued to walk past him. And that made him cry even louder.

But after about ten steps, the girl stopped. She turned around and walked back to his side and said, "Are you showing off that you have a mother?" The little boy looked up at her and shook his head innocently. "Then stop crying! Your mother is not here to help you. Neither is she gonna be there for all your life. You're the one who lost the way, you should be the one to find your way back to her as well!"

The little boy was so stunned by her words that he even forgot to cry. As he watched her turn back to leave again, he wiped his tears and stood up. Looking at that back, for the first time, he felt like he wanted to protect someone else other than his mom. It was because of how she looked and how lonely she seemed. And with that thought, he decided to follow her without hesitation.

~~~

Hyson chuckled at that precious memory as he said, "And it's been 15 years and I'm still following her without any hesitation."

Shui Xian frowned a little after listening to him.

"She was in no condition to show her concern to me and yet she did it," told Hyson. "Although she did it exactly in her style. Being a total jerk!" He smiled to himself as he added, "But that jerk is still the second dearest person to me."

"Second?" questioned Shui Xian.

"First is always my mum," he answered without hesitation. "No one can take her place."

"If she is that important in your life..." began Shui Xian but felt reluctant to continue. He didn't know whether he was supposed to ask this question or not.

"You're wondering if I ever fell in love with her?" Shui Xian was surprised. It was as if all his thoughts were laid bare before him. He didn't know how to respond but he still nodded his head honestly. Hyson tapped his chin thoughtfully and dragged the time for a minute longer than necessary before saying, "Of course, I did! No, I should say I still do."

"Huh?"

"Oh, I love her! I do!" Hyson's face was completely serious now, lacking his earlier playfulness.