Missing each other

The next day Li Xia was hopping mad on her friend Bai Ying who had solemnly promised that she will be on time. She should have not expected anything from this unreliable friend.

Should she call a cab? Is it late now? But what if Ying'er comes now? She paced to and fro for some time and decided to wait in the café of the airport.

When she ordered her favorite cappuccino and sat on one corner of the café, she noticed all the bustling and began to observe passersby. When she was busy watching a cute little doll who was hugging her mother, she noticed someone.

He was very familiar to her. He was standing with his back to her. He wore a brown jacket over a simple white shirt. He ran his fingers again and again through his hair as if it was his habit.

His hair parted in the area where he ran his fingers. When she saw that habit she remembered someone.

Someone who made her laugh whenever she was sad. Someone who stood by her side when she was at her lowest and cared for her more than anyone else.

He was also the person who gave her the confidence to deal with any situation. She was really thankful to him. But… he disappeared.

Without saying a goodbye or without telling her whether she should wait for him he disappeared. Her eyes turned red when she remembered how she cried when she came to know that he had left.

She shook her head and let go of all these thoughts. She turned her head away from the person who was busy on a call. He could not be brother Quan. Brother Quan left China entirely. That was the only news she knew about him in the past seven years.

She again got immersed in watching the little girl. They were still in the café. Perhaps waiting for someone just like her? She smiled at the little girl.

The girl cutely smiled and waved at her. Li Xia got up to go for washroom. When she was passing by the girls table, the waiter who was also beside the little girl's table tripped suddenly.

He was carrying hot coffee in his hand. Li Xia reacted swiftly and pulled the girl into her embrace. Her mother was a step late.

The hot coffee spilled on Li Xia's thighs and scalded her. She hissed loudly. The little girl's mother also reached out to her and tried to hand some tissues. But Li Xia knew that she had to wash with cool water and apply an ointment.

"I am so... sorry madam. It was an acc… accident." The scared waiter apologized profusely. He was also scalded by the coffee when he fell. But he was only concerned about Li Xia's injury for, he could lose his job if she complains to the authorities.

Li Xia was a little embarrassed. She was not unreasonable. Who will not make some mistakes?

"It's alright. I am fine. I just have to go to restroom." She tried to move forward.

The little girl's mother was both sorry and thankful for Li Xia's timely help. She thanked her again and again.

Li Xia was a little impatient. She needs to move. Her thigh got burned damn it!

"It's alright. Please don't be sorry. I shall move." She sprinted towards washroom.

By the time Zhang Quan turned around he did not see 'her' familiar face. He was disappointed. For a moment he thought that he will meet her. But…

He was not so lucky. The person who haunted his dreams for seven years. His Xia'er... His love....

'This time I am here to get you at any cost.' He thought determinedly.

Zhang Quan was in France when he got the news about Li Xia's engagement. He went ballistic. He was wrong to leave her. He knew that. But there was no choice for him at that time.

He did not want to burden her. She was already in sorrow. She had just lost her mother then…

He closed his eyes.

'Xia'er you could only be mine. Wait for me… I am here to get you!' He ran his fingers through his hair. He looked at his own reflection in the café's glass door and chuckled.

'I made this habit because of you. Do you know that? Whenever I am frustrated or whenever I want to tell you something I couldn't, I used to do this. Now whenever I remember you, I do this.'

He was still looking at his reflection in the glass when he suddenly saw 'her'. He widened his eyes and ran outside. Everyone in the café looked at him like a fool but he didn't care.

He was sure that it was 'her.' But she was nowhere near him.

'Was I hallucinating again?' he murmured to himself.

He wanted to go as early as possible and meet her. He wanted to tell her his feelings. He wanted to kiss….

He was daydreaming again. Zhang Quan chuckled. He called for his driver. He took his coffee and luggage and prepared to go out.

Then outside the airport he heard a bell like laughter.

"Bubye Auntieeee", a little girl kissed a woman on cheek.

The woman also kissed the girl back. Then the girl left with her mother. The woman turned around. Then….

Zhang Quan and Li Xia's eyes met. They were stunned to see each other. Zhang Quan's eyes were filled with happiness on realizing that it was really her!

He smiled widely and moved towards her. But...

She turned away from him. She began to walk away from him. He felt like someone squeezed his heart. He ran after her and held her wrist tightly.

"Long time no see. Xia'er… you don't even want to see me?"