Changing was so not easy

"What am I to do now?"

The question was on both their minds, unvoiced, almost unrealised, but very much there. And strangely, even though they couldn't see it in themselves, they could see the question with absolute clarity in the other's eyes.

"I don't feel like going to class tomorrow either," Dee said.

"What do you feel like?" Vy asked.

"I don't know. Just no class."

"We'll figure it out."

And that was what they did through the evening and the night. They separated at the bakery, each walking to their home by themselves. Their phones took up the responsibility of making up for the physical distance.

"Not any movie either," she messaged.

"Okay," he replied. "Not like there are any movies to watch either."

"That's not true. If we are set on it, can we really not find a movie to watch?"

"Are you trying to make the case for a movie?"

"No. Wait. What?"

"Forget it. No movie. Done."

"Good."

He was having uncle Bay's noodles for dinner, while still replying to her messages.

"So, what's for dinner?" She asked.

"Noodles. With peppers and oyster sauce. Uncle Bay's."

"Of course uncle Bay. Not like you have anywhere else."

"Anywhere else isn't needed."

"At least for the noodles, have to agree."

"You?"

"Rice. Curry. Mom made."

"Sounds yummy."

"Tastes yummy too. I'm thinking we should go out to lunch."

"Like a date?"

"Sure. Like a date. Sounds exciting. Where at?"

"A buffet?"

"Brunch?"

"I'm fine. Uncle Bay won't complain."

"Mom will. But I can figure a way out. Brunch it is. Let's look up the best places. Ask uncle Bay?"

"Wait."

He did ask, but uncle Bay had no opinion.

"Uncle Bay calls brunch terrible. Must not miss a meal," he messaged her.

"Of course he did. Just like mom."

"So, what are you going to tell your mom?"

"I don't know. Heard of Blue Grass?"

"The restaurant? No. Not really."

"But you know it's a restaurant. Has very good reviews. No brunch though."

"So, lunch then. A light breakfast. And a long, slow, very heavy lunch."

"Yeah. Make the date so very romantic. Heavy."

"Lol. You've been there?"

"No. But I want to. Just saw the pictures."

"Let's just go there then."

"You saw the pictures?"

"No. Don't want to. I'd like the surprise."

"And the excitement."

"Sure. That too."

"It's a date then."

"Yeah."

"I'll join you at uncle Bay's for breakfast. You eat. I'll watch. Maybe just a bite. And then, we'll head off."

"So early?"

"There's a cafe next to Blue Grass. We can wait there."

"We'll head straight to the cafe. Have something there for breakfast."

"I'm ok if you're ok."

"It's a date then."

"Alright."

He was smiling. He didn't know why. A part of him didn't fully realise even that he was smiling. And he was feeling light, and like a walk. To the park he went, enjoying the company of himself along the slow and circuitous walk. And then, he received Li's message.

"Hi."

"Hi," he replied.

"What are you doing?"

"Nothing. You?"

"Umm. Nothing. Actually, walking Messy. Uncle's daughter."

"Messy likes a walk every evening?"

"Every night is more like it. Children should be scared of dark. Messy finds it funny."

"Special girl."

"Weird, you mean. I know. And she insists I walk her."

"Lucky you."

"Sure. If she wasn't so cute, I'd throw her out and lock the door. Messy says hi."

"Tell her hi from me."

"So, what are you doing?"

"Walking."

"Really?"

"Yeah. Not because you are walking. I am. Felt like it."

"Walking is good."

"For health? Yeah. I guess it is."

"Even more so, since we're both out walking. Coincidence, huh?"

"Yeah. Coincidence."

"Later. Bye."

"Bye."

He was still smiling. And that threw him off. Made him wonder, what was he really smiling about? Lunch with Dee? Or the talk with Li? He felt the rush in his chest at the thought of Li, and he smiled like he was grimacing. Changing was so not easy, he told himself.

Tomorrows weren't looking very promising. But he didn't want to let that sully the lightness of tonight. He emptied his head, and continued walking aimlessly down the circuit. There was peace in the simple things. And in that peace, there was a brighter possibility. That was all he could hope for.

Dee messaged later when he was home.

"Sleep well. Be fresh for the date. Also, no discussing the project."

"Sure," he replied, smiling wide.

"Good. Goodnight."

"Goodnight."

He was in bed, readying to welcome sleep, when Li messaged.

"Sleeping?"

"Yeah. You?"

"So early? Not yet. In bed though. Lights off. Listening to songs."

"Don't tell me which."

"Sure. You know anyway."

"I can guess."

"Good. What are you doing?"

"Actually sleeping."

"Don't believe you."

"You should. It's the truth."

"So early?"

"Tired somewhat."

"The project? Studying?"

"Yeah. Studying. Thinking. A lot. Very tiring."

"I know. I study. You've forgotten what it's like. Must be very foreign now."

"Ha ha. Sure. So very alien."

"Let's see how much better your project's going to be."

"Than yours?"

"Of course."

"So much better."

"Sure. Not like we're studying so hard we're tired and collapsed in bed."

"Tired. Not collapsed. There's a difference."

"Sure there is."

"Alright. Let's see."

"Sleep for now. Goodnight."

"Goodnight."

He threw the phone to the side and closed his eyes. Sleep was here a while ago. While he let it in, he afforded a sad smile. And then, all was blank.