I sighed and said helplessly, “But he’s my father. He used to carry me on his shoulders when I was younger and we’d catch butterflies in the garden. He loved me so much back then. I always thought that he has a bottom line no matter how much he hated me. But it seems like I overestimated my worth. I feel so, so cold, Christopher. What should I do? I can’t seem to calm down.”
“You silly. Remember, but when you feel like you have nothing, remember that you still have me.” The sweet words that came from him sounded so beautiful.
At that moment, all I wanted to do was throw myself into his arms and hide within his safe harbor. So I said to him, “I have nothing now, but where are you?”
“Right behind you.” To my surprise, his voice sounded like he was closer to me than before.
I quickly turned to look and saw Christopher standing by the water fountain. Sunlight from the setting sun shone on him and it made him look as though he had stepped out of a painting.
His shadow was stretched long by the sun.
I probably wouldn’t be able to forget this scene because he looked so handsome. It was as if the Gods saw that my heart was filled with sorrow so they sent me a prince.
I rushed towards him without any hesitation and threw myself into his arms. I buried my face in his chest and took in the familiar scent of tobacco. I finally calmed down in his warm embrace. It didn’t matter how big of a storm there was because his embrace was my safe haven.
“Let’s go. I’ll take you somewhere.” Christopher held my hand and led me away. He walked very carefully and was protecting me in his arms, afraid that the pedestrians nearby would bump into me. I just needed to follow in his footsteps. I didn’t need to worry about anything else.
“Where are we going?” I shoved all the negative and troubling thoughts in the deepest recesses of my heart as I tried my best to be happy. Christopher was by my side. Why should I care about other people and the troubling matters? I need to be happy.
“I’m taking you to seek happiness.” His eyes shone like stars in the night sky as he blinked. A slight smile hung on his lips, making him seem a little childlike. Then, he pointed in the direction before us and said, “Come on. I’ll bring you to your happiness.”
“Can happiness be found on your own?” I shook my head and let him drag me along. I didn’t care where he was taking me. I would be happy to follow even if he led me through a sea of fire.
“Of course. Humans should seek their own happiness. This way, they wouldn’t live in vain. It’s just like how I saw the beautiful scene in the sunset, and… how I saw you!”
It was obvious that Christopher wouldn’t lead me through a sea of fire. However, I didn’t expect him to bring me to an amusement park. We stood before the merry-go-round as we listened to the children laughing. I was dumbfounded for a moment. I pointed at the merry-go-round with snot-covered children as I said, “You’re not telling me to get on that, right? How childish.”
“You talk as though you’re old. Don’t forget that you’re only twenty-four years old. Come on, your prince is bringing you to experience the beauty of childhood.” He didn’t care that I was being hesitant and bought our tickets. Then, he led us to the revolving machine and we shared a horse. “This is to ensure that you’re safe,” he said.
My face flushed red. I could feel the children staring at us and I felt even more awkward. However, I forgot about the awkwardness soon after the merry-go-round started to move.
I was really happy while I listened to the nursery rhymes and watched as the children laughed. My childhood was just like a nightmare to me, but there were still a few happy memories.
I had also gotten onto a merry-go-round ride back when my mother brought me to an amusement park. She sat behind me and held on to me. What I was experiencing right then brought me back to those days.
After the ride, Christopher led me to the rollercoaster. I had seen people on the television talking about it before and I heard that it was exciting but also scary. I didn’t dare to get on it but he insisted. “I’m here. I won’t let anything happen to you,” he guaranteed as he patted his chest.
