The Summer Snowflake

A Tale of Two Souls

Aryeh was looking forward to go to the park this morning. It was a bright sunny Sunday and he had been hyped up quite a lot about one thing.

To see if that angel from a few nights back would be there.

For the whole week that passed, whenever he would feel like things were upsetting or targeted at him, he would think about her and almost instantly feel at peace.

The week at the college was stressful with the usual bullying that he encountered was defeaning. Somewhere along the way, she popped up occasionally in his head and due to the number of times he thought of her, he ended up deciding that he was going to meet her.

That morning as he was getting dressed up, he didn't ponder over how much he hated himself. Rather there was a small smile that brightened up his mood. Because for the first time ever he was happy that somebody didn't bother to be frightened by his eye.

That there was a human who had smiled at him.

Smoothing down his button down shirt, he assessed himself in the long mirror and contently smiled.

He jumped downstairs, gleefully exchanged greetings and headed straight for the park. He didn't bother having any breakfast because he was going to buy some bread and enjoy it with her.

If she would still be there that is.

Just as anticipated, nobody bothered to even stop him anyway at his house. Unlike the usual times that made him feel upset, he was too preoccupied with his own thoughts to be worried about anything else.

The bakery was right opposite to their house and was owned by a college student and her grandmother.

As the bell over the doors jiggled marking his arrival, a lady with bright green eyes and freckles looked up at him a with welcoming grin.

"Hey Aryeh. Good morning."

She chirped. Aryeh returned the smile and rested his hands against the counter.

"Good morning Lisa."

"So what's up? Let me get your usual ready."

Aryeh shook his head and took ahold of her hand to stop her.

"Actually, I want some vegetable bread today."

Lisa's face had an indicative smile and her brows raised in perplexion.

"Let me guess? A girl."

Aryeh shrugged before nodding.

"Maybe. I saw her at the park a few nights back. I'm hoping I can see her again."

Lisa smiled and patted his shoulder.

"Let's hope so too. But even if you couldn't meet her today don't worry. She'll be there some other day. Just don't give up okay?"

Aryeh smiled thankfully.

"Thank you so much. That really means a lot."

Lisa smiled and hurriedly paced around to pack up his order. The bakery was a comforting place for him and many a times he found himself devouring their fresh breads. And because he was a regular customer, the privileges grandmother Anne bestowed over him were ridiculous.

"Here's your bread."

She placed the plastic cover over the counter and he slipped the money into her palms.

"Enjoy with your one and only Aryeh."

"Thank you Lisa. Hopefully I will. Tell grandma that I said hello."

She nodded and he moved through the doors, hopping down his path. His heart kept racing with anxiety. He had seen her a few days back and whether she would still be there was a hard question.

He walked slowly but leisurely. Although the morning was fresh and lively, he didn't see many people out in the park as he stepped foot on the sidewalk.

He drew in a sharp breath and proceeded with a curt nod of his head. Even is she wouldn't be there today, he had to keep going. Like Lisa said, she could come any other time.

Gathering all of his courage, he walked up to the bench he had seen her sitting at. It was at the farthest corner and in broad daylight that area was beautiful with a lot of small trees crowded together.

The bench was right under a few trees and as his eyes fell gradually fell over the place, he found a black cloth swaying around and the usual covered up face staring in the air.

~~

Aqdas was sitting down after a leisurely walk around the park. It was rather strenuous for her as she feeling pretty dizzy and short of breath after a couple of steps.

She had not got herself checked up ever since she figured she was pregnant. But obviously it was impossible for her while staying within the vicinity of her family and her assaulter.

She had guessed it was approximately her sixth week from the date she had marked. It was not a celebration for her, but only a mark of dishonourment. But her baby was the reason she wanted to live. That was the only thing keeping her from attempting anything dangerous.

When she felt drained out of her energy, she sat down on the beach once again. Staring into the air and trying to ignore the rumbling sound of her stomach.

A few days had passed and she didn't have much money or food left by now. She did not what would happen next but still had faith in the God who governed every human's life.

"Excuse me?"

She looked up at the direction of the voice and smiled at the familiarity.

It was the man who had come to her rescue a few nights back.

"Hi! I....don't know if your remember me but —"

"I do remember you. I can't forget the humanitarian faces easily."

He gave a short laugh.

"That is very kind of you to say." He offered a large grin and pointed a finger at the seat.

"Can I join you here?"

Her eyes flickered between the beach and him before nodding.

"You can."

He gleefully sat down and she smiled. She was aware that he couldn't see her reaction but it could be seen from her eyes too.

"Um, I'm....Aryeh."

He turned his neck to say that and returned to his initial position after a quick smile.

Her smiled genuinely after a long time. She liked his name. Aryeh. Majestic and divine.

"It's been a pleasure to meet you Aryeh —" She paused, turning to him with a shaky smile. It could be rude of her to not introduce herself but she was paranoid of any danger. She had lost her trust in everything and even though he was a great person, she still couldn't help but feel uncomfortable with giving away her name.

"It's okay. You don't have to reveal your identity."

He gave her a warm smile and lifted a small packet from beside him before she could even apologize for her rudeness.

"You see, I got you some breakfast. I figured it would be nice to start off a healthy friendship in this manner."

She was stunned. Her jaw dropped open as he was busy tearing open the packet. He was so keen in getting the package opened that he didn't take notice of the shock she had received.

"Um, Aryeh? Did you just say friends?"

He stopped and faced her slowly. A painful smile on his lips.

"Yeah," he fumbled with his fingers,"I've never had any friends ever....erm... because of this condition I have." He pointed a finger at his eye and her gaze briefly assessed his eye..

"Everyone thinks of me as a monster. A calamity. A satanic presence." He ceased and inhaled sharply, a happy smile suddenly brightening his features.

"But that day when you looked at me and smiled and extended your gratitude, I was so happy that there was a certain human who wasn't bothered by my eye. I...." He smiled sadly,"....just want a friend. Would you mind that?"

She was taken aback. All this while she kept staring at him with a few tears slipping down her veil. Was humanity so lost that even a disorder was a form of Satanism?

Her eyes darted to the side of his face as he turned around and played with the packet in his hands. She gulped a little and bit her lip.

"I will.....be your friend."

He snapped his neck around, a big and bright smile reaching upto his eyes. When it grew to show off his teeth and the smile wrinkles around his nose, she giggled.

He was cute.

"Oh my god, really?"

She chuckled and gave him a curt nod.

"Yes, I'm serious."

He shrieked a little and extended his arms over with the packet.

"Now that we're friends you should try these. This bakery is right by my house and the owners are my close acquaintances. Tell me what you think of them."

He eagerly watched her with anticipating eyes, her each move scrutinized by him. She murmured some prayers, pulled out a round bread and bit into it. He waited until she chewed and her eyes widened in surprise.

"This is really good."

He straightened up in his seat excitedly.

"Right? You can have all of them. Here."

And just like that — not paying heed to her protests — he pushed the packet into his hands.

"What about you? C'mon! You need to eat something."

He turned his head away with his arms outstretched in protest at her.

"No, I got it for you anyway. I am so full that I cannot eat another bite."

She chuckled and shook her head at him.

While she continued thankfully munching on the delicious meal, he swung his legs back and forth.

"So you come here everyday? You live nearby?"

She started choking and tried to catch her breath while he was helping her out by patting her back repeatedly. When she wasn't able to get a hang on herself, he rushed towards the nearest store, returned with a large bottle of water and she was feeling better after a few gulps.

"Are you alright now?! Geez! you scared me there."

He sighed with relief and she managed a small smile despite the piercing pain in her chest. She didn't have a home anymore neither did she live nearby. But she didn't want to confess that to him yet. He was the first ever person who was kind to her. She was afraid he'd consider her the same way the others did if she revealed to him the dark secrets of her life and abandon her.