The auditorium glowed softly with warm yellow lights, casting a golden hue over the serene atmosphere. Behind the stage, the faint scent of vanilla and jasmine drifted through the curtains, filling the air. Everyone was waiting quietly for their turn, a mixture of nervousness and excitement on their faces.
Aanya wore a brown long T-shirt paired with loose white cotton baggy pants—simple yet elegant, highlighting her natural grace and her respect for the art of dance. She stood at the side, rubbing her fingers together gently, trying to calm the rapid beating of her heart.
Then, a resonant voice announced:
"Next contestant's performance—number 7, Miss Aanya."
Aanya took a deep breath, closed her eyes for a moment, then opened them, stepping onto the stage with confidence. A tall boy in a white shirt approached and stood beside her—her dance partner.
The music began.
The choreography was simple, slow, and airy. Both Aanya and the boy wore soft smiles that reflected their chemistry. Gradually, their steps synchronized, making it seem as though they were floating across the stage.
A Moment of Fall
During a complex turn step, the boy lost his balance—perhaps due to the slippery stage. His hand slipped from Aanya's.
Aanya, her motion suddenly disrupted, began to fall backward into the darkness…
The stage spotlight hit her eyes directly, a sharp, white beam. Her eyes widened in shock.
Her heartbeat raced—thump-thump-thump!
The entire hall, the music, the noise—all slowed down into a surreal slow-motion.
Just as her body was about to hit the floor…
A figure shot forward from the shadows like lightning.
A boy in a black shirt—strong, broad-shouldered—reached her and caught her around the waist and hand.
With a swift motion, he steadied her, making her completely safe.
For a single second, their eyes met…
His eyes were deep, dark, and eerily familiar.
The rest of his features were blurred in the spotlight, but the intensity in his gaze…!
The background noise muted completely. Only two heartbeats could be heard—one fast, one calm.
The boy, with a grip as solid as rock, whispered softly, almost spiritually:
> "Finally… I've found you."
The Bell of Reality
As Aanya opened her mouth to respond, a loud, shrill ringtone shattered the moment!
"Tring! Tring! Tring!"
Aanya jerked awake, sitting up in her bed.
Her hair was a mess, sweat glistened on her forehead. She laughed, placing a hand on her head: "Oh! What a strange dream!"
She checked her phone: Two Missed Calls from My Sunshine.
Panic struck: "Oh no! It's 10 AM! And today, Huan Jing's flight is landing! I have to go pick her up!"
The phone rang again—Huan Jing calling.
Aanya answered quickly but held the phone slightly away from her ear, startled.
Huan Jing, shouting lightly: "Aanya! When will you break your habit of sleeping in?"
Aanya, flustered: "I… I was working overtime yesterday. My senior asked me to make an emergency design, so… I'm sorry!"
Huan Jing, laughing: "Okay, okay. I'm on the plane now, and guess who's with me?"
Aanya shook her head: "No! How would I know?"
Huan Jing, teasingly, in a low, mysterious tone: "There's a very handsome boy with me. He's wearing a black cap, a brown zipper top, and a black T-shirt and black pants underneath… he's so handsome and fit!"
Aanya, wide-eyed, jokingly: "Shock! You invested better than I did!"
Huan Jing, laughing: "Well, I am someone's best friend! Now, you better come quickly. First, I want to see your face."
Aanya got up immediately: "Okay! I'll get ready quickly and come!"
The Airplane Setting
Huan Jing put down the phone and smiled at the boy next to her.
Huan Jing, smiling: "You're Chinese, right? You look Chinese."
The boy, named Zain Yan, just nodded slightly. His posture calm and serious.
Huan Jing: "Which city do you live in? We all live in Shenzhen, and my friend and I both work there—at Z.Y. Fashion Empire. I'm 23, and my friend is 22."
The boy nodded again, eyes looking out the window.
Huan Jing: "My name is Huan Jing, and yours?"
Zain Yan, in a firm voice: "Zain Yan."
Huan Jing, delighted: "What a unique name!"
Just then, Zain Yan's phone rang. The screen read 'Luci'. He ended the call.
Huan Jing, teasing: "Do you have a girlfriend?"
Zain Yan looked at her sharply: "No, just a friend. I came to China without telling her—after 15 years."
Huan Jing, playfully: "Then you must have a girlfriend there, since you're so handsome!"
Zain Yan, serious: "No, I never had a girlfriend."
Huan Jing's phone rang—it was Aanya.
Aanya, breathless: "I've arrived! How long until your flight takes off?"
Huan Jing: "Just 10-15 minutes. Okay, bye!" She hung up.
Huan Jing thought: If my boyfriend wasn't here, I would have charmed him. Well, Aanya is single, and maybe… these two might hit it off!
The plane took off.
Huan Jing, glancing at Zain Yan: "Bye! We'll meet again. … I hope Aanya and he get along!"
Reunion at the Airport
Shenzhen Airport buzzed with chaos. Announcements echoed over the loudspeakers:
"Attention passengers! Flight CZ657 from Shanghai has landed. Please collect your baggage at Carousel 3."
"Attention! Flight CZ642 from Beijing has landed. All passengers, please proceed to Customs."
Trolleys rattled, travelers chatted—the airport was alive with movement.
Aanya, quickly dressed in her brown long T-shirt and white cotton baggy pants, her short hair and glasses framing her face, waited inside the airport for Huan Jing. Her face looked slightly tired, but her eyes sparkled with joy.
Passengers descended from the plane.
Aanya's eyes caught Zain Yan. He wore a black cap and brown jacket.
At that moment, Zain Yan's eyes locked onto Aanya as well.
Zain Yan, silently, taking a sharp breath: "Aanya…!"
His eyes widened. Aanya had turned 22. Her short hair and glasses gave her an incredibly beautiful look.
Aanya ran toward Zain—Huan Jing right behind her.
Aanya, shouting happily: "Huan Jing!"
Suddenly, her foot slipped in the crowd.
Just as she was about to fall, Zain Yan extended his right hand swiftly and grabbed her wrist.
Aanya's face was covered by her disheveled hair. She quickly lifted her hair to regain balance.
Huan Jing, a little distance away, was shocked. Her mouth dropped open, hand over her mouth in a cinematic reaction: "Oh God! What a fantastic scene! I wanted exactly this, but with me! But never mind…"its for aanya but I feel happy
Aanya looked at Zain Yan—the same deep eyes! For a moment, she remembered the boy from her dream, then quickly shook off the thought.
Aanya, slightly embarrassed: "Thanks! Will you… let me go?"
Zain Yan immediately released her.
Aanya ran back to Huan Jing, hugging her tightly.
Aanya, lovingly: "My sunshine!"
Huan Jing, patting her back: "My moonlight!"
The Vow of Revenge
Zain Yan watched the two of them. His face reflected a complex, mixed emotion.
Zain Yan, quietly to himself: She didn't recognize me? Did she forget me?
Memories of the moment they parted flashed across his face, and suddenly it hardened. Hatred filled his eyes.
Zain Yan, in a cold, vengeful voice: "I have come for you, Aanya. To ruin your life. I will take my revenge. I will make you suffer, so your brother will feel pain—just like my sister and mother were hurt."
Huan Jing noticed Zain staring at Aanya intensely.
Zain Yan quickly walked away.
Huan Jing, mischievously to Aanya: "By the way, how did that boy grab you with just one hand? Strong, huh?"
Aanya, a little downcast: "And I'm so weak…"
She quickly shifted the topic.
Aanya: "How was your journey?"
Huan Jing, winking: "If a handsome boy sits next to you, the journey will be good, right?"
Aanya, surprised: "Oh! Then I must tell Qiyan about your trip! Someone else caught your attention!"
Huan Jing, laughing: "Oh! Threatening me!"
Aanya, laughing, placing her hand on Huan Jing's shoulder: "Whatever you need to understand is fine."
Huan Jing, pointing to the luggage: "Alright! Now we have to go home too."
Aanya: "Okay!"
They exited the airport. Aanya placed all the luggage on her scooter and started it. She gave Huan Jing a helmet. Huan Jing climbed on.
They exchanged smiles, Aanya pressed the accelerator—and the two best friends rode off toward home, while Zain Yan entered the city, carrying his old hatred with him