I saw him again, walking down that same street. The street called Orange Grove on 42nd and Washington. It was sprinkling and he was wearing his usual black raincoat that went just below his knees. Pale skin and dark hair. The right jeans that fit his legs ever-so-nicely. His tall, masculine frame hidden underneath his clothes. The jet black glasses he wears and the white cane he brings with him. I knew he was blind. It was obvious. He walked to a store right next to the coffee shop and entered. I quickly ran across the street, feeling hard cement under my shoes and I kept walking, heading to the coffee shop called “The Hideout”. The sky looked dark grey and suddenly the sprinkling turned into rain.  I really love the rain. It kept me calm and happy. I was itching to get inside that shop and order a cappuccino. I can already taste the foam and rich, silky milk on my tongue. Days like this are wonderful. 

“I’ll order the cappuccino please.” I said to the girl whose nametag said “Danika”.
“Is that all?” 
“Yes, thank you.”

Five minutes later and my name was called. I saw the froth on top of the cup and sipped it. It tasted rich and fine. I was about to head out when the blind man came inside, holding a grocery bag. I quickly walked to a table and looked at him. He walked with grace and he looked happy. He went up to one of the workers and asked for the usual. I was not eavesdropping, my table was just really close. He waited, leaning on the wall and looked around. That was when he spotted me and I quickly turned my head and looked at the scenery outside of the window. You know that feeling you get when you think someone is staring at you, yeah, I had that feeling. I slowly turned around and he had his cup of coffee in his hand. 

“Thanks Danika.” I heard him say. 
“Have a nice afternoon!” she replied.
And then he left. 
The next day was just how I wanted it to be. Rain falling from the sky, crisp air flowing through my hair. I took a big inhale and smiled. I lived in a hotel near the park and liquor store. I also had a kitten. 

“Angel, I’m home.” I softly said.
“Meow.”
God, she’s so adorable. 

It was raining and I found her in a small square cardboard box when I was walking home late at night. She was in between two big dumpsters. As I walked by, I heard her meow and I quickly rushed towards the sound. I was heartbroken. Her feline body was so thin and she looked so fragile, I was so scared for her, scared that she would die out there without any food or water, so I took her in, I gave her a home and now she’s as healthy as can be. 

I have to admit though, I was very upset that night and very sad. How can somebody leave such a beautiful kitten out in the pouring rain, the temperature far below 40 degrees. Such a shame, people can be so cruel, but I am happy that I saw her, I got to keep her and she’s been with me ever since. 

It was 12:23pm and I decided to go to the park. I quickly put on my black raincoat and converse. The ride in the elevator was slow. I had my ipod with me (as usual) and played ‘Enjoy the moment’ (unquote remix) by Bop. As I walked out, I saw children running around with their parents running after them and a few elderly sitting in the lounge and talking to their significant others. A sudden voice surprised me. It was deep and sultry. I turned around and saw him, the same guy I’ve been wanting to know since the first day I laid eyes on him. He was talking to the bellboy. I wanted to talk to him very badly but my instincts told me not today, to wait for another day. So, I did just that and left the hotel. 

By the time I reached the park, I chose my usual spot and laid on the cool, fresh grass. Light sprinkles were falling onto my face as I watched the clouds become bruised. The sky was a perfect mixture of grey, blue and purple. I loved it and I had a reason why. Days like this remind me of the day I found Angel. I have never felt so happy to care for her when she needed help. My eyes started to close and I found myself dozing off. 

“Hello? Ma’am?”

I felt someone nudge me.

“Ma’am, are you ok?”

I opened my eyes and stared at the sky, and then at the stranger. 

“I’m fine, thank you.” I said with a smile. 

The stranger looked handsome. His hair was a perfect shade of light brown and he had the most prominent cheekbones I had ever seen. With the curves of his lips he smiled and I couldn’t help but to think, If he was an animal, he would be a cat. A very y cat.

“Not to be rude or anything but, why are you lying on the grass in the pouring rain? You could get a cold.”

“I love the rain Mr…”

“Chen, call me Chen.”

“Chen.” It rolled of my tongue so nicely. 

“I really suggest you move to a more shaded area. I don’t want you catching a cold.”

“Haha, ok grandpa!” I joked and he offered me his hand. 

The rain was now pouring from the top of my hood to my shoes. I took a nice long look at the guy before he asked for my name. 

“It’s Syrah.”

“Sounds beautiful.”
 

We ended up talking and found shelter at The Hideout. I didn’t order anything because I didn’t have my wallet with me but he offered and I said ‘sure’. He talked about life and what he was currently doing. He attends UCLA, works at Ihop and shares an apartment with his brother. He told me what his favorite hobbies were and that he pays a tutor to help him with voice lessons. I wanted to hear him sing but he said he couldn’t at the moment, he needs to get in the mood and be alone for that to happen. 

“So, you can only sing when you’re alone? Do you have stage fright?” I asked.

“Yes and no. I honestly only sing to myself because I feel like my voice is too precious for anyone to hear.”

The waitress came with a cup of warm cocoa for Chen and a strawberry jam sandwich for me. 

“That’s interesting. Do you think I could hear you sing some day?”

“Maybe. I need to know more about you though. Are you sure you’re alright? Being in the rain when its dangerously cold outside is horrible for-”

“Why are you so concerned about me?”

“I am concerned for everyone. I see people all over town, needing homes or food or a friend and I offer that to them since I can afford it.”

“That’s very nice of you...”

“You have some jam on your lip.”

He took his thumb and dragged it across the corner of my bottom lip, then it. I blushed. 

“Um.. thanks..”

“No need to thank me.”

I finished eating and we made our way outside. It was sprinkling again and I sneezed.

“You’re sick.”

“No, Im not.”

“Yes you are. Lets go to my place, I make the best wonton soup.”

“But I still hardly know you.”

“You can trust me, Syrah.”
 

I didn’t get any bad vibe about him and nothing seemed fishy so I decided to go with him. The ride was quiet and calm. I pressed my temple against the cold window and watched the rain fall. It looked as if the sky was crying but it was beautiful. We finally arrived at his place and it wasn’t so bad. When you walk inside the first thing you see is a black soft-looking sofa that goes around the corner of the wall. It was in the shape of an ’L’. Then, the 50” flat screen displayed on top of a nice black table. Two windows on either side of the t.v and another table in the center. 

“Like it?”

“Looks cozy. How long have you lived here?”

“Since late February 2014, so about a year and two months. You can take off your raincoat if you want. I’ll be in the kitchen, feel free to look around.”

With that said, I walked towards the coat hanger and hanged my raincoat. My clothes were a bit damp but nothing I couldn’t handle. The apartment was definitely creative and serene. Portraits of beautiful sunsets and oceans were hung on the walls. The light that faded into the living room casted a perfect glow. I was walking further down the hallway, looking at more portraits until a certain painting caught my eye. It was black and white; no vibrant colors which made it stand out. On one side of the picture laid a bright light casting down onto a hand that looked like it wanted help and the other side was a shadow of a figure with a stick. I immediately thought about the blind man. 

“Achoo!” 

“See! I told you that you would be sick!” Chen yelled from his kitchen. 

“I just-Achoo!”

“Come here!”

I walked to the kitchen and saw Chen stirring something in a big silver pot. He told me to sit down and poured what looked like Wontons into a white porcelain bowl. He placed it in front of me and I saw the steam rise from the soup. It looked so delicious and I couldn’t help but feel my mouth water at the sight.

“Try this and like it.” He said while giving me a spoon.

It was like a foodgasm in my mouth. I have never tried something so utterly amazing yet soothing and delightful. Chen was sure a fantastic cook.

“This is so exquisite Chen! Thank you.” I said with a big grin. 

“You are welcome Miss Syrah. Anything for the queen.”

“Haha you’re funny. Are you like some professional cook ‘cause this is like Heaven?”

“Maybe. I have my ways.”

He sat down next to me and watched me eat the rest of the soup. 


It was later in the day and we were on his sofa watching some corny chick flick. 

“I didn’t know you were into chick flicks.” I said as I sipped my warm green tea.

“Theres still a lot you don’t know about me, but yes, I enjoy watching them." He said with smile. 

“What's your favorite movie?" I asked.

"Hmmm, that's a hard one!"

"Name anything. The first thing that pops in your head!"

"Ok! I choose.. Ponyo!"

"Haha, thats a really great movie! I've seen it like twenty times!" I said with glee.

"I know right? It's truly amazing."

"Yeah, it is."

It got pretty awkward after that until a funny scene came on. I swore I couldn't stop laughing, not because of the movie but because of Chen. I've never heard someone wheeze and snort simultaneously before. It was the funniest thing.

"Haha, your laugh!" I said as I tried to hold in my laughter.

"So what Miss Syrah! You laugh funny too!"

He looked at me with a cute pout and then a wicked grin. He scooted closer and got so close to my face that I couldn't breathe. All of a sudden, his fingers made their way to my stomach and I was laughing uncontrollably. He tickled me to death and the corner of my eyes scrunched up into a bunch of tiny wrinkles. I tried to tickle him back but it was impossible. Eventually, he stopped and we just layed together on his couch. It was starting to get late and I decided to leave but he insisted I stay. 

“Please stay. I’d love it if you could stay even if it’s just for an hour or five minutes.” 

He displayed a goofy, cute smile and I could not resist.

“I’ll stay.”