Chapter 71: A Chance Encounter

Draven stood outside the restaurant, the Tinkerbell pendant clutched tightly in his hand. Raindrops fell in a steady rhythm, soaking his clothes and hair as he stood there, lost in a whirlwind of disbelief and grief.

The world around him blurred into a haze of gray, matching the turmoil in his heart.

Every step felt heavy as he walked through the rain-drenched streets, the pendant a heavy weight against his chest.

Memories of Mysa flooded his mind. It couldn't be true. She couldn't be gone.

The walk to his house seemed endless, each raindrop a reminder of the tears he couldn't shed.

Finally, he reached his doorstep, his fingers trembling as he reached for the key.

But before he could enter, he turned towards Mysa's house next door.

The rain poured down harder now, as if echoing his sorrow. He climbed the familiar steps and sat down on the wet staircase, the cold seeping through his clothes. His heart ached with a pain so deep it felt physical.

The staircase where they had shared countless moments together now felt like a silent witness to his pain.

The pendant lay in his palm, a small, fragile reminder of the love they had shared.

He closed his eyes, imagining her beside him, her laughter dancing in the rain-soaked air.

"Why, Mysa?" he whispered into the darkness, his voice choked with sorrow. "How could you leave me like this?"

With a sigh, he opened his wallet and gazed at her photograph—a captured moment of happiness frozen in time. Her smile, her eyes filled with warmth and love, brought both comfort and agony.

"I miss you," he murmured, his voice breaking. "I miss you so much."

He took out his phone and unlocked it, revealing her picture as his wallpaper. The image of her, vibrant and full of life, stared back at him, a cruel reminder of what he had lost.

It was a candid shot from a picnic they had taken last summer, the sun painting her hair golden. The sight of her brought both comfort and pain, a reminder of what he had lost.

"Mysa," he whispered into the rain-soaked night. "How can you be gone?"

The wind whispered through the trees, carrying echoes of memories shared and dreams unfulfilled.

Draven sat there, lost in his thoughts, the rain washing away both his tears and his hope.

Minutes stretched into hours as he sat on that staircase, feeling her absence like a physical ache in his chest.

Meanwhile, the world continued around him, oblivious to the shattered pieces of his heart.

###

Mysa stepped out of the restaurant, pulling her coat tighter around her as the rain began to pour down.

Fat droplets splattered on the pavement, creating small rivers that snaked their way to the gutters.

She quickened her pace, her mind still wrapped around the taste of the meal and the inexplicable familiarity it had evoked.

The rain intensified, a relentless curtain that obscured her vision and drenched her to the bone.

She dashed across the street, her shoes splashing through puddles, and ducked into the cover of a nearby awning. Her breath came in quick, ragged gasps, her heart pounding with more than just the exertion.

As she caught her breath, she glanced back at the restaurant, now just a blurry silhouette through the downpour.

The note she had left tugged at her thoughts, a small token of gratitude that seemed to carry so much more weight than she had anticipated.

Meanwhile, across the street, Fabian stood outside of the restaurant, his eyes scanning the rain-soaked street. His mind was heavy with the news he had to deliver—the pendant, the divers, the crushing reality.

His gaze shifted, and he saw her—a figure running through the rain. His heart lurched in his chest, a gasp escaping his lips.

"Mysa?" he whispered, the word barely audible over the pounding rain. He shook his head, blinking rapidly as if trying to dispel an illusion.

The figure stumbled, catching herself against a lamppost, and Fabian's breath caught in his throat. It couldn't be her.

It was impossible.

She was gone.

"No, no, no..." Fabian muttered, clenching his fist tightly, making his knuckles turn white. He took a step forward, then stopped, fear and disbelief warring within him.

The figure turned her head, just for a moment, and Fabian's heart stopped.

It was her face — Mysa's face — etched with the same delicate features, the same loving eyes.

"Am I seeing things?" Fabian asked himself, his voice trembling. He took another step, his legs feeling like lead, his mind a whirlwind of confusion and hope.

The rain fell harder, obscuring his vision further, but he couldn't tear his eyes away from her. She looked around, seemingly lost, then continued running down the street, disappearing into the misty veil of rain.

Fabian stood frozen. He wanted to call out to her, to chase after her, but his body wouldn't obey. His mind screamed that it was impossible.

“Ghost… I saw a ghost…” Fabian mumbled and gulped in fear.

Meanwhile, the rain poured relentlessly, turning the streets into shimmering mirrors under the dull glow of streetlights.

Mysa hurried through the downpour, seeking refuge in the welcoming embrace of a nearby shopping mall.

She pushed open the glass doors, stepping into the warm, bustling interior.

The mall was a maze of shops and café, a haven from the storm raging outside. Mysa sighed with relief, shaking droplets from her coat as she surveyed her surroundings.

The hum of voices and the soft music playing overhead provided a stark contrast to the chaotic world beyond those walls.

She moved deeper into the mall, her steps slow and uncertain. Her mind was still reeling from the meal at the restaurant, the taste of it lingering on her lips like a bittersweet memory.

As Mysa navigated through the crowd, lost in her own thoughts, a figure suddenly collided with her. Startled, she stumbled back, catching herself against a display of handbags.

"I am so sorry!" a voice exclaimed, and Mysa looked up to see a woman with bright eyes and a warm smile, holding out a hand to help her up.

"It's okay," Mysa replied, her voice a little breathless from the impact. She straightened herself, offering a tentative smile in return.

The woman's expression lit up with recognition. "Mysa? Is that really you?"

Mysa furrowed her brow, confused. "I'm sorry, do I... know you?"

“Huh?” the woman was stunned. She couldn’t even utter how she was feeling. “Mysa… you are actually alive!” with that, she pulled her into a tight hug.

Mysa was surprised — she didn’t seem to know that woman even though it felt familiar. So she let that woman hug her.

After they pulled apart, Mysa asked, “Yes… but I failed to recognize you.”

“You failed to recognize me?” the woman was confused too. “I am Flora! Mysa, I am your good friend, Flora. How can you not know me?”

“My good friend?” The name ‘Flora’ did ring a bell in her mind. “So… it means you know everything about my past, right?”

“Past?” Flora was smiling widely, her eyes a bit watery, seeing Mysa alive. “You know what? Let’s sit in the café and talk because carrying all these bags and standing is a hassle.”

Mysa hesitated, her thoughts racing. She didn't have anywhere else to go, and Flora's warmth was comforting in the midst of her confusion. "Sure, why not?" she finally agreed, following Flora through the bustling mall. “Let me help you.”

She carried some of the bags of Flora’s.

They settled into a cozy corner of the café, steam rising from the mugs of hot coffee in front of them. Mysa wrapped her hands around her mug, soaking in the warmth.

“So where were you these past three months? Do you have any idea how sad all of us were? We even thought you were dead, especially Dr—” she was cut off by Mysa.

“Tell me, everything, Flora. I don’t remember anything at all.”

Color drained from Flora’s face. “You don’t remember anything?”

She shook her head in denial. “Nope. None at all. All I remember is, I was on a hospital bed when I woke up and Mom and Dad were there and—”

“Mom and Dad?” Flora was utterly confused. “Who are they because last I checked, your parents died when you were really small?”

“My real parents aren’t alive?” Mysa mumbled softly, feeling a bit sad. She didn’t expect that. She thought she had a family who was waiting for her.

“Unfortunately, no, Mysa. But hey, you had all of us. We were miserable without you.”

“I am sorry, but I don’t remember anyone or anything at all,” she said sadly.

“Then what brings you here, in Alabama?” Flora asked, her curiosity evident.

Mysa hesitated, unsure of how much to reveal. "I... actually I was applying for jobs and didn’t want to be dependent on anybody. Then I got a job interview," she began cautiously. "But I got caught in this heavy rain and missed it."

Flora's expression softened with sympathy. "Oh, that's rough. But hey, everything happens for a reason, right? Maybe all of this was meant to be. Life gave us another chance."

Mysa nodded thoughtfully, her mind drifting back to the mysterious familiarity of the meal she had just enjoyed. "Maybe… Actually, Flora, I want to know about my past. I am happy with my parents but I feel there is something missing. My heart is always in unrest. Even if I smile, I don’t feel peace."

Flora chuckled, clearly knowing what was missing in Mysa’s life. Of course, she couldn’t be happy without her Draven, and even though she remembered nothing, her heart cried for him like his did.

‘I still can’t believe Mysa is alive. If Draven finds out, he will be the happiest person on earth. I am thankful to the Universe for giving me a chance to give Draven back his happiness,’ Flora thought in her mind.

Flora leaned forward, her eyes sparkling with an idea. "You know what? If you wish to know more about your past, I suggest you stay in this city. Because this city is your origin, Mysa.”

“Really?” she asked, awestruck. “Maybe that’s why the Universe made me come here on the pretext of a job interview.”

Flora nodded with a gentle smile. “Yes. Universe loves playing with us.”

“But I don’t have a job yet. Where will I stay and how will I earn?” Mysa pointed out.

“Oh, don’t worry about that,” Flora let out, a smirk forming on her lips. “There’s actually a job opening at a floral shop, just a few blocks from here.”

“What’s the name of the shop?” Mysa inquired eagerly.

“Zinnia’s Heaven.”