WHITE DOVE

On September 7, 2020, in the heart of Kuala Lumpur, where I shared a living space with my closest friend, Moses, an exciting chapter of my life was unfolding. Moses generously provided me with a room where I could blend my artistic passions of painting and music. What made this arrangement even more special was that he hadn't charged me rent for months, fostering an environment that allowed creativity to flourish. As the morning sun cast its golden hues, I awoke with a sense of anticipation. It was as if the universe was whispering promises of extraordinary things to come. Eager to embrace the day, I rose from my bed and, feeling a surge of gratitude, kneeled to recite the Lord's Prayer. With that sacred ritual completed, I moved through the familiar motions of the morning—a visit to the bathroom, the refreshing ritual of tooth brushing, and the satisfying act of lacing up my shoes. I set out for a run, my favourite music providing a backdrop to the rhythmic beats of my footsteps. Amidst the serenity of the morning, I encountered two women; their presence adding a touch of intrigue to my routine. One was unmistakably Malaysian, while the other exuded an air of French sophistication. The chance encounter left me pondering the mysteries that life often unfolds. Lost in thought, yet propelled by an unwavering optimism, I continued my jogging. The world around me became a canvas of possibilities, and though my mind was occupied with complexities, a sense of focused positivity guided me forward. After an invigorating hour, I returned to Moses' abode, where a rejuvenating shower awaited. As the water cascaded, I reflected on the canvas of the day before me. The story of my life seemed poised for a remarkable chapter, and with a heart brimming with hope, I eagerly anticipated the cinematic unfolding of the extraordinary events that seemed destined to shape my destiny. The image of the lady I had encountered during my morning run lingered in my thoughts, weaving its way into the fabric of my day. I found myself fixating on the possibility of crossing paths with her again. Believing in the power of the human mind, I held onto the conviction that our meeting was not a mere chance, but a sign of something significant. Despite the bustling activity around me, I felt a need for something or someone to anchor me. Unsure if it was a longing for companionship or simply a source of inspiration, I clung to my routine – reading, writing a bit, and hoping for the best, a ritual that had become my daily refuge. Amid my contemplation, the idea of giving up music to find balance crossed my mind maybe it was because I lacked support or motivation Yearning for a change, my friend and I decided to join a football team. The prospect of engaging in a sport resonated with me; it reminded me of my secondary school days, when I once broke my hand during an intense inter-school match, leading me to quit playing football. Though excited about the idea of joining, I couldn't shake the artist within me. The love for creating music and entertaining persisted, casting a shadow over the newfound athletic pursuit. That evening, as I set out for another run, a surprising twist of fate unfolded. Across the road, there she was again – the mysterious lady. Our eyes met from a distance, creating a moment that felt almost magical. It was unexpected, and a realization dawned upon me that there might be a deeper reason for our chance encounters. The universe seemed to be orchestrating a connection, and I couldn't help but wonder what significance lay in the repeated sightings of this enigmatic woman. I often thought about finding a different and more modern way to connect with God, something like meditation instead of the usual way of praying. Even though I was stuck in a dark cell that I didn't like, it was in this place that great ideas came to me. I didn't have any money, but my friend Moses was good to me, helping out with some cash. I sometimes felt shy about it, but in my mind, I knew I would pay him back, not with money but with love and loyalty – things that are free but important. Moses and I tried to join a local sports team, but they said no because we were too old for their group. We went back home, and even though we couldn't join that team, Moses encouraged me to try other clubs. In the evening, I went for a run for more than an hour, feeling tired. I just wanted to clear my mind. During my run, I saw the same lady again. I tried to run faster to get a better look at her, but I couldn't find her, so I went back home, took a shower, prayed, and then Moses and I had dinner. While we were talking, he told me about his amazing new girlfriend whom he met on Tinder a few months ago. Hearing about his experience made me want to have a girlfriend too. Melina, the German supermodel whom I fell deeply in love with years ago wasn’t available most of the time due to her work and Maria, my Iranian friend, was upset with me for no reason, so I decided to try Tinder. I made a profile as a regular guy, just looking for someone to talk to and relax my mind with because my thoughts never stop wandering. My goals are high, and sometimes I feel like I'm going crazy, and I don't want that. Surprisingly, I matched with the same lady I kept seeing during my runs – Estelle Isabella Lewi from France. It felt like it was meant to be. We started chatting, and she told me she had just seen me. I felt happy and realized that we are all connected like energy. She shared that when she saw me, she wished to be a beautiful creation like me. I told her about myself, everything except that I'm an artist. Eventually, she found out when she looked up the hoodie I said I was selling. And that's how our story began. I first saw Estelle's face on a Monday, the 7th of last month, and we connected on a Wednesday, the 10th. We chatted for a week before we decided to meet. Our second date was quite special – we made love. My apartment was too small and cramped, and my bed was only meant for one person, so I borrowed some money from my friend and booked a homestay. We spent the night together, and it was filled with abundant joy. Since meeting Estelle, I stopped writing because we've been so happy together. After a few more dates, I finally mustered the courage to tell her about where I lived. I took her to my small room at my friend's apartment. Surprisingly, she wasn't upset. I promised to make her a special meal, and I often took her out to fine dining places. We even tried Chinese restaurants. Every weekend, we'd meet up, and enjoy good conversation over a bottle of wine. Sometimes, we'd share a joint and she'd open up about her ex-boyfriend, her parents, and her brother who recently got married to a Christian lady. Even though she wasn't religious herself, I always cherished our time together. And yes, we made love every time she was with me. We've been hanging out and having fun for a month now, and I've been enjoying it. Even though Estelle has helped me see things differently, she doesn't want to be in any serious relationship with me but right about that time I need something more than just friends, and I'm not sure why she wants us to be just friends, I mean who make love with there friends. she knows everything about my current situation, and my career but she can't see what's in my heart. She thinks I'm attractive, but she doesn't want anything serious with me. One weekend, we went out, and I didn't plan it well. She got really mad at me because we didn't eat before coming home. She opened up about how she felt, and we ended up cooking together. The food didn't taste good because we were both angry, and things got awkward We slept, and she left in the morning I sent her a text to apologize and talk about how things went last night. Surprisingly, we ended up making plans to go to the bird and butterfly park to clear our minds. We visited Butterfly Park a few days later. We sat together on a wooden bench, and a small lake filled with rainbow fish caught my attention. The vibrant colours of the fish were truly mesmerizing, and the soothing sounds of birds surrounded us, evoking memories of my white dove. Inspired by the serene setting, I couldn't resist sharing the story of my cherished white dove from my youth with Estella. The bond we formed was special, and I felt compelled to express the significance of this connection. As the conversation unfolded, the narrative extended to include discussions about the bird The story sparked something in my mind, making me feel like it came from a powerful imagination. I wanted to share it and wondered why it popped up in my thoughts again after so long. Curious, I asked Estelle about it, and she suggested I write about it. I liked the idea, so I took some time to think if it was worth telling. In the end, I decided it was, and we had a good time at the park before going back to her place. That night, I thought about the bird and my part-time job as a model. Then, I remembered I had a casting that day, and my visa had expired. I woke up before her and kissed her forehead, and she helped me sneak out to find a cab downstairs in her building, she didn’t want her roommate to notice she brought a stranger home last night, so I entered my ride and headed straight to Moses apartment