Chapter 5 See again

Autumn arrived, winter passed, spring returned, and summer departed, only for autumn to grace us once more; time spiraled onward, the diminutive girl of yesteryears now embraced maturity, her initial timidity and reservation submerging into the depths of memory. Now more mindful of her self-care, Bella juggled her studies and work diligently yet never neglected the invigorating practice of physical activity. Engaging in sports to fortify her health, a friend introduced her to the school's Taekwondo club.

Nineteen might seem a tardy age to commence martial arts training, but nothing is truly impossible; acquiring a new sport was not only an avenue for additional enriching knowledge but also a source of self-joy. The sun slumbered, its last gleaming ray concealed behind towering buildings, while the streets bustled in a peak-hour flurry. After a period of part-time work, Bella had saved enough to purchase a bicycle, making her commute significantly more convenient.

The Taekwondo class is taught thrice weekly (Monday, Wednesday, and Friday), from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Today, Bella's inaugural session saw her arriving exceptionally early, neatly donned in her martial arts uniform, her lengthy hair securely tied high, revealing an enchantingly round face.

The club's members were predominantly students from the school, spanning various ages and originating from myriad faculties. However, it seemed the Literature Department had yet to contribute anyone other than Bella. Perhaps the fairer sex typically shied away from physical exertions, unlike their male counterparts, who frequently took up martial arts to protect the ostensibly weaker gender. Regrettably, up until this point, Bella had not found such a person for herself.

The instructor, a young woman perhaps a decade Bella's senior, lined up the class neatly and bowed in martial arts tradition. Being new, Bella followed along, unable to discern the correctness of her actions. Under the instructor's guidance, Bella and six others stand to the right, forming a meticulous horizontal line.

"Newcomers, please line up here. Please show them how to tie their belts and lead the warm-up exercises?"

A tall, dapper young man, immaculate in his white uniform, with short hair and a tightly fastened black belt, briskly approached. His handsomeness emanated a robust and masculine allure.

David's gaze upon Bella was one of stark surprise; after a moment of stunned silence, he averted his eyes to escape the collective attention. Perplexed by the situation, Bella wondered why she must always encounter this individual. She bore no malice towards David, yet a smidgeon of awkwardness lingered since the incident from the previous school year.

After nearly a year, David had altered slightly, becoming more handsome, and his once icy demeanor had melted somewhat. The central region's sun and wind had fortified the young man. His movements retained their former agility, commanding Bella's unwavering attention.

As he guided the belt-tying, Davis circled behind her and whispered, "Your uniform is on inside out."

A flaming blush engulfed Bella's face, desiring desperately to vanish into thin air. It felt like two suns existed simultaneously - one having set and the other residing next to David. She skittishly dashed to the restroom without securing permission from the instructor. Gazing at her reflection, she recognized her own foolish and slovenly demeanor.

Bella muttered to herself. Indeed, David was reveling in this moment, and undoubtedly, he would reminisce about this incident repeatedly.

What's more poignant, today marked merely the first day, with the entirety of the course still sprawling ahead. Entertaining this thought, Bella became immersed in regret for joining this club.

Returning to the class, her embarrassment yet to dissipate, David would sporadically glance at Bella, his chuckles brimming with underlying connotations. She attempted to focus on practice but could not resist monitoring David's every move.

After the initial warm-up, Bella remained poised at the kick-start position, initially thinking the task was simple. She attempted to kick high, but her supporting leg wobbled, and she staggered. Standing close by, David deftly encircled her waist, pulling her close. Their faces nearly touched, an awkward, shy moment lingering between them. Bella gently pushed David away, and they looked in opposite directions to dissipate the tense atmosphere.

He reminded her softly, "No need to push yourself, just practice gradually." With a sheepish nod, Bella inadvertently smiled to herself. While others practiced with enthusiasm, she found it impossible to focus.

During the mid-practice break, Bella seized the opportunity to hydrate and rest. Observing from above, the school at night presented a beautiful scene – lit classrooms, effervescent chatter, and hearty laughter echoed. David approached, joining Bella in gazing in the opposite direction, initiating conversation. Ordinarily taciturn, he always found words when in Bella's presence.

"Why did you choose martial arts, Bella? Surely you didn't sign up knowing I was here? If you confess now, I might go easy on you." His teasing tone lingered in the air.

In a mock, Bella replied, repelling David's playful jest, "If I knew you were here, I would've chosen a different sport."

Undeterred, David continued to tease, growing more engaged in the conversation. Something enchanting drew him into dialogues he previously would have loathed.

"You can still stop now," he said.

Bella still smiles daily, but every time she meets David, she can't smile because she's embarrassed. She looked away from the space before her and approached the boy talking to her. Her eyes departed from the area in front of her, meeting his. Unlike others who would be overjoyed at a reunion, this friend resembled an "injustice to Bella."

"But I've already paid the tuition."

David seemed to have a revelation, pondering deeper into the significance of Bella's statement before slowly responding, deliberately provoking her further. "So, you continue meeting me just because you don't want to waste the money?"

Upon hearing this, Bella couldn't simply let it pass, actively defending herself, her demeanor both childlike and adorable.

"Not exactly, I..."

David interrupted, joy sparkling in his eyes, "Don't tell me it's because I'm handsome?"

Bella puckered her lips, scoffing as if she had just heard the most ludicrous tale.

"Where's any handsome guys here?"

David's gaze remained unwaveringly fixed on Bella, perpetually tracing her every motion, every delicate nuance of her being.

"Far off into the horizon, yet so proximate before the eyes."

Disbelief delicately danced in Bella's spirit. How could one brazenly compliment his allure, unfazed by the possibility of misinterpretation, she mused? Her inquiry was fashioned of a mere fraction of sincerity, the rest teetering tantalizingly toward gentle mockery.

"What do you mean?"

David goes away, yet lingering sentiments seek expression. With every uttered word, he bestowed Bella a smile as if joy perpetually resided in their dialogues.

"I've said, confess candidly, and mercy shall be your companion."

Bella's demure demeanor was enchantingly magnified, eliciting a mischievous impulse within Long, time and again, to tease her during their every encounter.

David seldom bared his soul or personal affairs to others, navigating through each day – attending classes, practicing martial arts, and immersing himself in books... all in solitude. David has no bad habits but rarely talks, and an invisible partition distanced him from the external world.

However, since meeting Bella, the barrier has gradually eroded over time. David spoke more, smiled more, and every action, every gesture of hers was etched into his memory. Unbeknownst to him, he had subconsciously adopted the habit of mimicking her gestures, infusing his quiet and somber existence with vibrant hues deeply embossed with her name.