He said, "Finally."
I hummed.
"What?" he asked, smiling softly.
"I… I'm just thinking," I stammered. But really, my heart and my world paused for a moment. I felt like I had entered a new world, one completely unknown to me.
"Found me… what? But why?" I thought, trying to calm myself. Oof, calm down, Aria.
"What I mean," he said gently, "I finally found you. For the exact reason of your presence in the park today."
"Ah… you also came here to meet the person who can talk to animals?" I asked.
He nodded. "By the way, nice to meet you. I'm Lee Haoran, sixteen. And you?"
"I… I am also sixteen," I replied.
"Oh, nice," he said. "Ahhm… it's a bit late really. What a nice time we met—at evening."
I hummed, then suddenly realized. "Wait… evening? My birthday party! Oh no, everyone is waiting for me!"
"Birthday? Your birthday? Oh, happy birthday!" he said.
I paused again, thinking: My best gift on my birthday… this moment with him.
Then I came back to reality. "So… how can we contact each other?" I asked.
He thought for a moment and gave me his number. I took it carefully.
"Bye," he said, and left.
I stood there, watching him leave from behind, heart still fluttering.
I began walking toward home, but it felt like someone was following me. I stopped and slowly turned back—no one was there. Maybe it's another animal, I thought, and continued walking.
When I reached home, my mom and some friends were decorating the house. I joined them.
Yana, my close friend, asked, "Where have you been for so long? On your birthday?"
"I… I was wandering around," I said nervously.
"Oh, wandering without me? Am I not your close friend?" she teased.
"Absolutely yes! But I was enjoying the charm of nature alone," I replied.
"Oh, okay. Well, happy birthday!" she said, hugging me.
While decorating, I couldn't stop thinking about Haoran. Then Yana asked again, "Where are you lost?"
"Haoran…" I murmured, realizing I had just said his name aloud.
"Haoran? Who's he?" Yana asked curiously.
I panicked slightly. "He's my friend."
"Oh, friend, and I'm just hearing about him now?" she teased again.
Before I could respond, my mom called me to dress up. I went to my room with Yana, relieved to escape her questions for a moment.
While getting ready, a soft, unknown voice said, "Happy birthday."
I froze and looked around. Only Yana and some friends were there. Then I looked down and saw an ant on the floor.
I picked it up carefully. Yana exclaimed, "Hey! Leave it! It might bite you."
"Ahhm, okay," I said, pretending to drop it, but I gently placed it on the table instead.
The ant suddenly spoke, "I think you're done with the hide and seek."
I blinked. "Hmm… but I really don't know if I'm done or not."
"Oh, don't be too mysterious. Feng was different from you… but he stopped suddenly."
"What? Feng? Who's that?" I asked.
"Feng is a boy who can also interact with us, just like you," the ant explained. "I used to live in his home. But as he instructed me, I came here to find you."
So there really are others like me, I thought.
"Feng wants to meet you," the ant continued. "He asked when you'd be free."
"Ah… I—umm… tell him whenever he's free, I'll make time," I replied softly.
The ant sighed. "Humans are so complicated. Enjoy your birthday. Bye!"
I smiled and bowed a little. The tiny creature disappeared.
It's really intriguing that such a small creature came so far, I thought, gazing at where it vanished. How powerful can a message be when even the smallest life carries it across worlds?
I went downstairs where my relatives, parents, and friends were waiting. I joined the party, smiling politely.
My dad leaned closer and said, "My biggest client and his son are coming today. They are super rich, major investors, chairman of the Lee Group. So be careful. It's my pleasure to have them here."
I nodded, trying to hide my nervousness. Wow… super rich and important guests. Just my luck, my birthday turns into a high-profile meeting, I thought, feeling a mix of excitement and anxiety.
I glanced around the room. The decorations shimmered under the lights, balloons swayed gently, and the scent of fresh flowers filled the air. My friends were chatting happily, unaware of the little surge of nerves rising in me.
I was also surprised. Lee's company is one of the biggest technology companies… I thought, imagining the scale—innovations, inventions, and the kind of influence they must have.
Suddenly, the guests started murmuring and discussing something quietly. My dad hurriedly stood near the door, his expression a mix of excitement and caution.
Yana leaned toward me and whispered, "The chairman of the Lee Group and his son have arrived!"
I felt my heart skip a beat. Curiosity bubbled up inside me, and I slowly turned toward the door, eager to see who they were. My eyes widened as the door opened, and a sense of awe mixed with nervousness washed over me.
The room seemed to grow quieter for a moment as everyone's attention shifted. I couldn't help but notice the impeccable attire, the confident posture, and the subtle aura of authority they carried.
I took a deep breath, trying to steady my nerves. Okay, Aria, just be polite… don't stare too much… I reminded myself, though my curiosity made it impossible to look away.
Then Mr. Lee entered the house. My father greeted him warmly, and Mr. Lee returned the greeting with a polite smile.
"Aria, come here," my father called. I walked over, trying to keep my composure. He introduced me to Mr. Lee, and I greeted him politely.
"Happy birthday, Aria," he said kindly, offering his blessings. I smiled and thanked him, but my eyes instinctively searched the room for his son.
Just then, a balloon on the wall wobbled precariously, about to fall. I reached out to catch it, but before I could grab it, a hand lightly touched mine. Our fingers met as we held the balloon together.
I moved my eyes to the person beside me—and froze.
It was Lee Haoran. Shock, disbelief, and a strange fluttering excitement rushed through me all at once. My heart thumped loudly, and for a moment, the noise of the party—the chatter, the music—all of it—faded away. It was just him, calm yet entirely present, as if he had stepped out from the park straight into my birthday.
Our hands still touching the balloon, I sensed… something beyond the ordinary stirring in the air.