Time and Love Exchange

A Return

Returning to the park at this late hour, Lynney was not particularly sure of her ultimate motive or goal in approaching this place once again. She loved gardens with dancing fountains which kept her in the right mood for indulgence in reading pleasure. Perhaps, she was placing a small hope on getting back her most-prized novel. She reread it for more than a dozen times each time she was struck with loneliness pangs in the darkest of nights. The novel served as her friend, company, confidante, comforter - almost any role that induced a deep sense of connection with another. Now at this point in time, has she lost that unique soulmate she has been so accustomed to being with almost every night?

She stepped closer to the spot where she could remember herself last sat reading the previous night. She turned and noted that the fountain waters was no longer dancing in the silence of the crisp cold atmosphere - a contrast to then. Lynney almost had the slightest urge to shed a tear or two. She did not want to glance at the tall face of the clock tower, her hand gripping tight onto the straps of her bag.

Lynney momentarily jerked back when the unexpected sound of a soft thud struck her ears, startling her whole being. Before she could react accordingly and identify the source of the interruption, unsteady footsteps were already heard coming from seemingly the opposite side of the fountain which she was facing which was right behind the clock tower. Lynney briefly held her breath and paced cautiously and slowly towards the corner of the fountain which produced the low noise.

"Goodness...Hope it's not another careless shot again..."

Lynney quietly perceived and analysed a somewhat exasperate tone of a boyish voice in the midst of the extremely dim light provided in the deserted park. She hoped that she hit the right guess...

Patting off invisible dust from the soft covers, he turned around to plan on heading back home when from a corner of his eye shone an intensely bright spotlight on the unsuspecting gentleman.

Lynney quickly drew back and lowered her cellphone flashlight. She was a little more than half certain that he was recognizable so she wasted no more time in uttering an apology.

Danson was not more fortunate, however as his vision was blinded by the great light intensity seconds ago. Yet, her voice rang a tad bit of familiarity.

"No problem, it's awfully dark in here...Everyone would want to stay safe," he responded trying not to sound too awkward, yet obviously not curious about who she really was.

Lynney was pretty self-conscious at the fact that she was intentionally seeking to meet up with an indifferent stranger on a night like this. When she was so silly as to turn off her flashlight and now that their vision was not even clear enough, her courage to bring up any topic of a lost and found belonging was plunging fast like free fall. And this time round, the clock tower did not strike twelve midnight...But instead, sudden lightning bursts of fireworks lit up the clouded sky from a distance much like midday...Lynn was incredibly startled again that she dropped her phone to roll down the ground between their feet.