Highway

We passed our time day to day, but sometimes we just lose our directions. It's like you are walking on a road that's getting narrower and in the end, you reach a junction and neither path suit your taste.

And you forgot the way you came.

Sometimes I think, maybe I walked through my life with too little care. I kept moving on. That's true. Because before I start, I thought I was going on a highway. Straight, smooth and fast. And I knew the exit I will take. I THOUGHT I know.

So I spent my time sight-seeing throughout the journey. Locking my eyes on things that caught my attention. At the same time, still going on high speed without noticing I am well past the last exit I can choose.

I am too carefree, aren't I? That's why I am stranded, and I can't even go back, because I never pay a single tiny bit of attention to which highway I took. I thought life is supposed to be well-laid in front of me, just waiting for me to leave my footsteps on. I thought I would be lucky enough not have to work through decisions and failures.

All of those 'I thought'. And I never thought of this: life is moving on the speed of light. Too fast that I'd miss chances if I'm not focus enough.

Better Late Than Never

Better late than never. And I watched, as the train starts off in front of my eyes. And his image blurred off into the dim light of the tunnel. He's still waving, so am I.

I was late and missed the bus when I first met him at the bus stop.
I was late to class and there's only one empty space left, next to him.
I was late to the cafeteria during lunch almost everyday, but I eventually noticed, there's always a seat emptied near him.
I was late on our first outing, but he just smiled and said it's okay.
I was late......

I'm always late. It's what leads me to him. And what leads me away from him.

The train is out of view now.
He's gone and I start to manage my time better.

Because I know, there won't be another empty space left for me when I'm late.

Different People

There she is, pondering which is her next step. Her characteristic: always thinking, often too careful not to make a mistake. She definitely has a trait called 'Rational'.

And her always-come-first-rule: Never fall prey to your feelings. Because feelings don't last. They are just certain hormone reactions and they're not dependable.

That's quite controversial. Because not far away, there he stands, determined to have a try with what's on his mind. His merit: listen to his heart, and try hard. Doesn't matter if that means fall hard, because he's no doubt the lucky-go-happy one.

And his main concern: Don't think too much and try to make things complicated. Since things change from time to time, meaning we'll have to set things straight again soon. So why don't we just let things set into their own place instead of trying to move them around.

She has her own way of dealing with things. He has his own idea on how things would work out for him. And so do other people.

Alone

It's well past the agreed time.

Look out of the window. Look. It has even started to rain. It's cold.

She gives her mobile phone another glance. No miss call, no unread message. Just the date and time that seems to remain forever. It's cold. In her heart.

She watches as people on the street run into shops for shelter, she watches as couples hold on to each other under a not-too-big-for-two umbrella and her gaze stops around the corner of the shop that sells candies, hoping to see the ones she waits.

And then there, among the crowd, she notices her under the huge rain cape, and the one behind her holding up a hand to wave, not to miss another two at the back who are both carrying a box each.

She can never forget that feeling of relief. She knows, she might be sitting alone in an empty cafe; she might be alone with a phone that will not ring; she might be doing all sorts of things alone.

But she's never lonely. Because behind all the thoughts of her troubled mind, the silhouettes of her friends will lit a light in darkness.

Traveller Verse 1

He's a traveller. A tired, lonely one.

One day, he arrives at a small, peaceful and welcoming village during his journey. Did I mention that the traveller's a Chinese? Well, he is. And stopping by such a hospitable place reminds him of the family he had left behind.

He suddenly recalls a verse he once came across:
枯 藤 老 树 昏 鸦, 小 桥 流 水 人 家
ku teng lao shu hun ya, xiao qiao liu shui ren jia

-by 马致远, 《天静沙》

Direct translation would be:
Dried cane and a listless crow upon an old folk tree (which literally shows the anxiety of a traveller),
Small bridge over flowing water and a pleasant home (which is almost the direct inverse of the first line, showing the traveller's desire for a home).

Travellers live within loneliness and dwell within memories of love and home.

He feels at home in the village, and yet, a huge pang of loneliness hit him. This feels like his home, no doubt, but it isn't after all. Despite the warm greetings and the big hugs, he is no more than a stranger.

Travellers are passerbys, that move around to seek out the things they've lost. And the first of all, is the home they left behind.