CHAPTER 2

　　There was complete stillness in the room which belied the multitude of emotions that inoculated therein. All eyes were transfixed on the widely placed projection at the makeshift stage. All eyes except Peach.

　　Peach held onto her small cross-bead as she lowered her dyed blue hair on her lap. Why the hell had she come here? It felt so out of place. She felt so out of place. This thickly enclosed cinema wasn't her style. She was the type of girl that watched Netflix on her laptop and streamed racy series on Holster. So, what the hell was she doing here?

　　She inclined her head to her left, looking at Marilyn. Marilyn was her friends-with-benefits go to partner. The dark-haired beauty seemed to be completely oblivious to all that was going through Peach's head. She was intent on watching two teenage boys make out on the projection. For the life of her, Peach couldn't remember what the film was called. 

　　She frowned slightly at Marilyn. She was the reason she'd come here. She'd gotten out of her comfort zone because of her. It was a last-minute attempt to feel inclusive and not the odd one out. The one everyone tagged as weird. The one everyone seemed to snub and whisper about when she wasn't looking. What exactly was her fault, that she couldn't be accepted.

　　Yet, even as she thought this. Peach wondered what exactly she was doing here on a beautiful Friday night. She took her eyes off Marilyn and, stuffed the cross in her black leather purse. Without thinking twice, she walked quietly out of the cinema. It was bad of her, yes, but who cared? She couldn't stay in that place for another minute. She just couldn't.

　　Outside, the rain was petering in torrents. The worn-out cobblestone slapped granite sand on Peach's toned sandals and legs. She frowned slightly, displeased. She hated the rain in ways one could never put into words. Yet, she knew she had to get into that rain. She couldn't afford to lounge around. Marilyn may notice her absence at any moment and come out to get her. That was the last thing she wanted.

　　Shielding her face with the purse that did nothing to help the rain from drenching her, she walked down the streets towards the central park. Her red bumper skirt stuck to her skin as glue, drawing her back as she walked. Damn the thing, she thought. 

　　She finally rounded the corner that brought the park into full view. Cars were packed haphazardly around, but there was no one in sight. She walked toward the gate and found a wooden bench that seemed vacant. The cherry-blossom trees seemed to bring an unusual warmth to the otherwise cold environment. It was a contrast that brought a smile to her face.

　　She walked the short distance to the bench, wiping the water off the bench as she sat down. She inhaled deeply, carefully pulling her dark blue hair behind her ears. Her eyes rolled upwards, staring at the skies. It was so beautiful out here, and her breath caught in awareness.

　　The sky was so clear, yet dark as it seemed to pour down rain in batches, drenching Peach even more, despite the cherries sheltering her. Peach stared at the stars aligning in constellations, for an unsuspicious human. It was not that she was overly religious, but these things made her very introspective. 

　　"I just need one of those stars in my hands. If I was an Ayana like Roshni in a magical love story, I could make it work." She whispered into the night.

　　A soft smile touched her lips, it would have been nice. She took her eyes off the skies after a while, when she heard something crash in the distance. What could that be? She hadn't gone too far into the park. She always tried her best to be careful when she came here to avoid being fined.

　　She adjusted her green eyes in the dark, taking notes of some rose petals that lined the path walk leading to the bridge. She almost missed it. A hooded creature stood in the rain, staring at the skies. The creature had his head looking up at the skies. She couldn't figure out its gender, for he turned away from her.

　　"I should see if he needs my help." She thought to herself as she made her way to it.

　　Her skirt made some whooshing sound. Ugh! She was soaked. This could get her sick. That was the last thing she needed. She thought to herself that she'd find out who this hooded stranger was and go home. Yes, people barely wanted her in their company for some reason, but she couldn't leave him like that. She needed to talk to this person. Something told her, it was in pain.

　　As she walked closer to this being, she realized he was taller and broader than she'd assumed. She used the pronoun, he because his physique was undeniably masculine.

　　Quietly, she stood beside him, careful not to be too close. He barely noticed her, still caught up in his thoughts. She touched the banister that separated the humans from the shimmering water that turned black at night softly, her eyes on the creature. She couldn't still make out his face. The hoodie he wore shielded him from her gaze. She noticed he held on to an iron rod. That was what made that sound.

　　"Are you ok? I was sitting at that cherry spot and heard this piercing sound. I decided to check up on you when I caught sight of you." She said quietly.

　　The stranger said nothing. Normally, she would leave, but for some reasons that were bigger than her, she couldn't move an inch from him. Maybe, she'd subconsciously plucked down that star, after all. What would it mean for her?

　　"I know I'm coming across as nosy, but if you'd like to vent, I'm here. I mean, it's such a beautiful Friday night. There is no one here but us. To make it even better, we're strangers. There is no guarantee we'd meet each other again." She assured.

　　She almost thought there would be no reaction from him, but he turned to her. It was like her brain stopped working. Well, that's exaggerating things a bit. But, all her thoughts seemed to go on hold. Peach stared at the most handsome man she'd met. It was like he was coming off age because his face seemed to have transcended between teen and adult. His eyes were the colour of water, grey. It stood out in his porcelain complexion like a pride. She could see he was trying to lock up his emotions.

　　It was still raining, but it was a drizzle now. She was grateful for that and curious about this stranger.

　　"What makes you think I want to vent?" He queried.

　　She registered his voice immediately. It was a rich baritone, belying his age. She tried not to blink as she looked at him. He'd asked her a question, it was best to answer it. She'd walked towards him on her own accord. So, no need to behave like a deer caught in headlights.

　　She pointed to his rod. "That! I've always believed that when one holds a very sharp and slightly dangerous object, that being has something he'd like to voice out and can't for some unseen reasons. So, that being decides to take it all out on the object." She explained softly.

　　"Is that so?" He asked.

　　"Yes," She said immediately.

　　He let go of the rod, and it hit the ground in clinking sounds. Peach thought he was a sadist, hoping to make her deaf for some reason. He cleaned his hands on his wet coat, his eyes not leaving hers.

　　"Did you read Philosophy? You're quite introspective about human emotions." He said curiously, a bit laid back.

　　She smiled looking up at him. He wanted to swing the topic to safer territories, she knew that, because she did that a lot with her father. Peach decided to indulge him. It wouldn't hurt much. It was the first time people talked to her like she was capable of being smart.

　　"No, I'm not a philosopher on paper, but by heart. I read Business Administration through and through. I know your next question, so I better answer that in advance. I poured through every article and textbook that had sound philosophy. It's quite an ingrained habit." She said in a flourish.

　　"Does that reading also suggest walking up to a stranger, asking him to vent?" He asked quietly.

　　It was purely a good nature teasing. Peach knew that, but still, she felt her spine edge straight in defense. Her cheeks turned red, and she was grateful for the cold for the first time in her life. He would assume it was the cold.

　　"No, Mister! On the contrary, it suggests that we should follow our hearts, to find release and greater satisfaction. We don't need to get stuck to unnecessary issues that blind us to our environment. I was just fulfilling my part as a human on planet earth. Believe me, when I say, I do not want to store your dirty secrets, but reach out to you, in other to bring a smile to your face." She said fiercely.

　　Somehow, the stranger smiled. When he did, she felt completed disarmed. She hadn't been expecting that. She had been expecting taunts instead. It surprised her and gave her immense pleasure.

　　"You're unique. I haven't met a soul that thought like this in close to a decade." He said thoughtfully.

　　"Then, you've not met a lot of people, mister." She countered.

　　He smiled wilder. "Going on first name bases, I'm Shane. I appreciate this. I must say your approach worked. If I had the time, I'd have listened to you for long lengths, but duty calls. Family duties! Word of advice, don't walk up to every stranger you meet. Evil abounds in our planetarium." He said with a flourish, looking at her with such intensity.

　　Peach found herself saying, "Yes, mister! Also, going on the first name bases, I'm Peach. I did not do anything out of the ordinary. I didn't do much even, which I regret. But, since you're in a hurry it's fine. I better go too. Lastly, word of advice, take a water gun when next you want to hit something. Do not worry about my rash decisions to help humanity." She said softly.

　　His face hardened suddenly. He took firm steps away from her. Peach wondered vaguely what she had said. 

　　"Right, goodbye," He whispered, more to himself than her.

　　He took off like he hadn't been their minutes before. "Goodbye," Peach whispered to herself.

　　She hoped that whatever it was that was breaking him apart, he'd find closure. She wanted nothing more but to see him happy. Oh, God! Peach, you don't even know Shane. So, what's with all the melancholy? You better head home. This was just a beautiful dream. 

　　The rain had finally seized its duties. Peach smiled as she walked back to her home. This was such a beautiful moment. She termed it a dream, for she wasn't sure she'd ever meet him again.