In winter, the night comes sooner. Albert asked Anas to end their afternoon walk because soon the sun would set. Although the girl just walked on the snow and sat on the garden chair, Albert could see Anas's improving mood swings. Sometimes he forgets that soon the girl will be even 20 years old.
"Peter said he met Dahlia in the winter. They got acquainted while sitting on a park chair and went on a date and got married one year later. Maybe because the date was too short, Dahlia intends to delay having children when Peter is eager," said Anas, as they were walking towards the house.
Albert only heard and gave a brief response. "It's so smooth their love journey."
"I also think so, Al. They seem to be destined to be together. I always liked to hear Peter's seduction to Dahlia, it felt like my heart was pounding and warming up," Anas said, with a smile. She misses Peter and Dahlia so much.
"Very lucky," Albert said.
Anas agreed with the man. Sometimes Anas likes to think, can she be a woman as lucky as Dahlia? Does anyone love her as much as Peter feels for Dahlia?
"Love is amazing, yeah," Anas said.
Albert nodded softly. "Yeah, it's so amazing that sometimes it makes you unconsciously stupid."
Anas turned her head quickly. "What do you mean?"
Albert wanted to explain the love matter according to his point of view, but it seemed that Anas would not accept. The girl must still believe in the fairy tales of the white riding prince and the royal princess. While he already feels bitter because of the love that has been exalted by many people.
"Nothing. Forget it," Albert said.
"But why can anyone be stupid because of love? Doesn't love to bring happiness to all of us, Al? Don't you feel that way?" Anas asked, feeling confused and curious.
"Love is not so holy," Albert retorted.
"Give me a reason why you said so? Because love has proven that his presence makes my life so happy," Anas said.
"If that's what you feel, yes it is. It's just that for me love is nothing more than a trap of one's feelings and expectations. For me love is the most reliable killer because love doesn't need a bullet or a knife to destroy others," Albert concluded, he was a little bit overwhelmed by the feeling that Anas suppressed him and regretted later. Anas shouldn't have to hear his talk about love, the girl will protest in a moment.
"Killer, huh..." Anas murmured. She permeated Albert's words. "Maybe it's what Mom feels. Mom loved Dad so much and was devastated when Dad died and then went nowhere, leaving me alone. Mean... I am the one killed by love. Isn't that right, Al?"
The steps of the two stopped. They threw glances at each other even though only Albert could look into the girl's eyes. He didn't expect Anas to be able to conclude his life experience.
"Oh, maybe you didn't know that I had lived in a social care home for a dozen years because Mom just left and never picked me up," Anas explained.
Albert was silent for a moment. He doubted whether this included normal chat at the time when two people were on an afternoon walk?
"Your mother is also the one who was killed by love. You said, she was devastated as soon as your father died, didn't you?"
Anas nodded. "So devastated."
"It's because your mother loved your father so much that she forgot the rest of her life that should still be able to go on. You don't have to worry, everyone has been hurt by love. Because love is cheap, it touches all human hearts," Albert said, when he said the sentence, flashed a figure in his mind. He hated still having the memory of that figure.
"From the way you speak, you must have been killed many times by love," Anas said, quietly.
Albert didn't answer even though what Anas said was true. They continued to walk until Albert's steps were again restrained when they saw a police car parked at an intersection not far from the house. Several people in police uniforms paced there, the neighbors also came down looking curiously.
'What's wrong?' Albert asked silently. Instantly he remembered Josh's remarks the other day. If what he was worried about was true, then this was the real catastrophe.
"Anas, can you walk faster? Just hold my arm tightly if you are afraid of falling and don't make a sound until we get home," Albert said, he hurriedly put on the head covering of the jacket and stepped faster.
He turned right and hoped that the policemen would not realize the presence of him as well as Anas. The girl beside him seemed to have difficulty matching Albert's steps, while the man continued to rush over. He didn't want to finish today.
"Al, what—"
"Shut up," Albert whispered while covering Anas's mouth with a palm.
Anas was confused why the man was suddenly like this? Albert hurriedly reached into the trouser pocket to pick up the key. After a few more steps the two arrived home.
"Excuse me, Sir. May I ask for your time for a while?"