Love and Tikoy

      The sounding of gongs, the beating of drums, and the clanging of cymbals were faintly heard in the distance. Yes, it was that time of the year, again: the celebration of Chinese New Year, and a little bit of love in the air, of course.

      Today marked one year of Anne's unrequited love. It was a little disappointing that she was not able to meet him. With the lockdown preventing her from going outside the house, Chinese New Year was a little less bustling compared to last year, when she met her first love.

      Anne had been at the shop buying some tikoy to eat when he bumped into her, his drink spilling a little onto her red blouse. "Sorry," he said, with a gentle smile on his thin lips that made her heart beat faster. There was something in his eyes that pulled Anne closer to him. The presence of an unfamiliar feeling that she couldn't quite describe blossomed at that very moment. He left her standing in the middle of the shop, taking along her heart with him, and leaving her with a memory in her mind. 

       Now, sitting in the middle of the living room, she was staring out the window in a trance. Recalling that accidental encounter made her stomach churn every time. "Anne, get the door for me, please!" She snapped back to reality when her father's voice called again. She sighed and got up. "Who is it?" she asked her father as she went to open the door. "A neighbor came to visit," he answered. She didn't know why but her heart started to pound with each step as she came close to that destined spot. Oblivious to who the person was on the other side, Anne opened the door. She had to clutch the doorknob tightly in order to support her balance from the shock of mixed emotions that she felt while staring dumbfoundedly at him. With euphoria slowly filling her heart, Anne welcomed her father's guest with a tender smile. Stood across from her was her first love with a box of tikoy in his hands, and this time, offering his heart along with it.