Chapter 9

The slick black SUV pulled into the underground car park of Glory Mall. Embraced in each other's arms the new 'couple' sauntered towards the movie theaters for their first date. It was a classic movie and popcorn date Xiao Min decided on. He ignored the flashing lights that came from the screen and gazed at the cure he found. He watched as her mouth crinkled with every laugh or smile and he watched how she bites her bottom lips, and how it quavered every time she got sad from the film. "Thump, Thump" Xiao Min's heartbeat echoed in his ear and his hands moistened, causing him to divert his attention back to the screen as the end credits rolled in. Xiao Min excused himself and headed toward the restroom. He submerged his head under the running facets to wake him from the love sickness he began to catch. Xiao Min stared into the reflective glass and looked at the golden honeyed, brown eyed, soaked wet face that peered back at him.

"It's an experiment. She's your temporary cure and your pet." Xiao Min hyped as he gave himself two sound slaps to wake up from his fantasy. He dried his face and walked out and headed towards Ling Fei with a grin on his face. Xiao Min pulled her into a hug and whispered softly,

"The park is nice this time of day. "

Together they held hands and jogged lightly out of the mall and towards Forest Hill Park. Along the way, Xiao Min watched as Ling Fei admired the leaves changing colors and they basked in each other's presence each seeking comfort from the other. With hands interlocked they trampled full speed upon the fallen pistachio leaves. They ran through the windy street as if escaping from something. In a way they were escaping, they were escaping from their own trauma and their past and were running towards a new future where they can be in bliss together.

After frolicking in the park, they slumped breathlessly on the park's benches and admired the beautiful red-orange sky in silence. Their eyes closed as they basked in the warmth of the sunset and the peaceful quiet and they drifted into dreamland.