96 DAYS

Blue.

The enormity of the lazuline canvas clamped against the void of the unknown brimmed the senses of my vision, it's vastness engulfing my breaths in an undisturbed mannerism. I stared and stared, sipping into the beauty of the morning firmament, a cup of warm drink in my hands and my eyes idly transfixed at the pure bliss of the magnanimous canopy through the open of my casement.

I was never a perpetual aficionado of the sunrise, but something about waking up at four without any specific intention and being unable to fall asleep once again made me hunt for a purpose. And what I ended up with was a cup of warm tea and a seat before the window sill, facing the eastern sky to get momentarily entertained by the natural show of the rising sun.

I had never seen the sunrise before. Astonished, are you? Well, with the truth being revealed, I gladly accept the fact that the spectacular euphoric glimpse of the morning sun was quite foreign to me. I usually woke up after the sun, and therefore, all that I had left for myself to view were the bright beams invading my room through the window panes, filtering through the thick curtains and creating a spectrum of indistinct chroma all over the walls.

I had no parents. Two months after I turned two, I lost them. And having no parents instantly directs to an almost non-existent childhood. Well, atleast in my case, it was the truth. With a brutal family to be thrown into, an aunt who could care less about whether I breathed or not and an unbothered cousin who shared almost similar traits, I couldn't really declare that my boyhood days were pretty stable.

Well, atleast they were least bothered about my existence and apart from certain incidents of unbearable punishments and days without meals, I wasn't much of a topic of discussion in their gatherings of merriments.

I was just...there.

I moved out at sixteen, to earn by myself and stay at an arm's length from that house. I had initially crashed at a friend's, who was acutely persistent about dragging me into his nest with all the might he had within his form rather than letting me loiter in the streets at night. Within the next two months, I had found myself being an active part of several part time jobs and with all the money I made, I could finally afford myself a small, single roomed cottage-like domicile.

I did not complain. I was completely blissed out.

I had already started planning the future that was laid ahead of me on my own. I was free now. Yet, I hadn't thought of much, giving it some time. Just simple wishes that I had to work upon to turn them into sweet realities. Some did come true already, some didn't. But I was patient. I could wait. I didn't mind the duration it would take.

But now, what I'm left with is just a span of 96 days.

A span within which I could hardly fulfill any of my hearts desire.

I sighed, looking up at the sky once again, warm rays of scarlet and orange filtering through the little gaps between the tree leaves, the sky now slight pink and blue, tinges of red and orange mingled. The chirping of birds in a morning call broke the monotony and made everything seem alive once again. It was close to 5:30 and I slowly got off the sill and walked away into the kitchen, leaving the morning to attire into her rich habiliments in order to present herself to the rising world.

The day went painfully slow, atleast for me, it did. I remained indoors, preparing myself from almost every aspect to face the upcoming hours of the next day. I did nothing too specific, except reading a few books, watching the television while slurping on some noodles and taking a nap. My mind was almost at the brink of loosing it's sanity or logical thinking and hence, I chose a few hours of quiet rest, lulling my troubled thoughts away in a temporary berceuse.

* * *

The crepuscular blaze splashing within the room saw me buttoning up a light long sleeved shirt and pulling up some brown trousers, throwing a jacket on my back and heading for the door. The minute hand of my watch ticked to thirty, the hour hand almost between five and six. The air outdoors was getting cooler and a sharp wave of chill hit my nerves as soon as I stepped out of my door.

I decided for a quick tour to the bridge. No anticipations, I promise. My day would begin quite early tomorrow and hence, a walk in the nocturnal hours could be quite hectic. Therefore, I opted for a trudge in the dusk.

Leaving the rush in the streets behind, I focused my senses towards the promising tranquility that lay before me. With my hands dug deep into my pockets and gaze lowered, I ambled along, hoping for a moment's solace in singularity. I knew there would be no one around at this hour and my belief was quite firm.

But, little did I know that my belief would be instantly shattered seconds later.

I looked up and quickly spotted someone standing by the railings of the structure. Someone I recognised within splits of seconds. His hands were tightly gripped, curling to the edge and his head was raised up, his vision transfixed at the evening sky.

He was gazing at the inferno of the welkin.

"At this hour?" I murmured to myself, obviously amused at his appearance at an hour when shadows of dusks loomed over the city, when he was usually a creature of the night. Or atleast, that's what I had presumed.

I walked over to him, my footfalls alerting him as he whipped his head behind and gave me a radiant smile.

"Hwa," he chimed eagerly, and as soon as he noted me acknowledging his presence with a slight smile, he continued, "Stone skipping again?"

I shook my head, "I won't be here for long."

"You didn't come for the past two days as well," the boy almost whined, making me slightly attentive.

"You waited for me?" I asked, creasing my brows in visible confusion.

"Of course!"

"Why?" the question slipped out of my mouth without any prior permission.

" 'Cause I haven't got any companion," he chirped without a pause, "And you're the only friend I've got."

Friend? He already considers me to be his friend?

I smiled, the words quietly embedding within me and something about them did succeed in making me feel warm. He was still a stranger to me, and there was no doubt to that. But once again, not every stranger has the talent to make you feel this warm even amidst your darkest of times.

And he...he had that talent.

"I won't be coming for the next seven days as well," I softly replied, pausing for a moment and then raising my head to face him. The sweet demeanor was instantly replaced by a palour of sadness and his expressions transformed like the clear blue skies to the graveness before a storm in the blink of an eye.

He was sad, evidently.

"Oh," he sighed, but didn't proceed to ask me any reasons, "Will you be back after that?"

"I hope so," I whispered, hiding the uncertainty within my voice.

There was a pause. We breathed, gazing at the amaranthine confusion above, slowly slipping in mixtures of violet and blue. It was picturesque, but presently, something else seemed more attracting to me than the canvas above.

His face.

Hongjoong, as this boy was called, was handsome. Extremely handsome. Viewing him for the on the third day of our interaction with clear clarity felt like a blessing to me and I took time to indulge in the beauty that he carried along with himself. Soft features, bright and beautiful. His eyes bore the unmistakable sparkle of a merry youth, rich brown with a promise of warmth and comfort. Down the smooth slope of his nose were his lips, plush and pink, always stretched in a pretty grin. His face had the demeanor of a child, features mirroring happiness and joy and a touch of trust and good emotions within.

He was perfect. Absolutely perfect.

"You're far more pretty than what I seem to you, Hwa," the sudden intervention of his voice slapped me back to the present and I immediately turned away, ears red with embarrassment as I realised how long I had been staring at him. I heard him giggled and rolled my eyes, yet yearning to hear more of that melody.

"I guess I'll have to leave now," I spoke, my heart giving a sudden lurch as I viewed the similar surge of sadness on his face, "I-I'll be back the next week," I immediately responded in hesitation, "I...promise."

His face immediately brightened up. "Really?" he cried, clapping his hands together, "I'll wait for you, I promise."

I nodded, smiling.

"Here," he placed his hand forward in my direction in a fist and curiously, I placed my open palm beneath. He placed something upon the space and I drew my hand closer to take a look at the unexpected present.

It was a stone. A coloured one, the surface smooth and devoid of any spec of dirt. It was painted pink and in the approaching darkness, I couldn't initially figure out what it actually was. But then, twirling it twice over in my palm, I found ears drawn, a cute nose followed and a mouth.

It was a bunny.

"A stone bunny?" I asked, looking quite flummoxed, as I saw the other boy smiling.

"It's a good luck bunny," he responded, instantly raising his hands up in a 'thumbs up' with a wink and a click of his tongue, "May all your problems vanish and you have a wonderful week ahead."

I was speechless.

Tsk! Only if he knew.

"Thank you," I pocketed the painted stone and smiled at him, "See you next week."

"I'll be waiting," this boy said, waving at me, "Have a nice time."

And as I strolled away from the bridge, I couldn't help but cogitate back on the jubilance upon that visage, the smiles, the giggles, the words, the sweet little treasure. Even though I was preparing myself for a permanent departure and the situation was almost unavoidable, I couldn't ignore the wild throbs of my heart against my chest whenever my mind travelled back to Hongjoong, the boy by the bridge. The prominent epitome of youthful mirth and joy, and of a life where sorrow hadn't made it's entry yet.

I didn't feel lonely anymore.

There was someone waiting for me.

By the 'Bridge Of Demise'.

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Thoughts?