After a few weeks, Joshua started to get back into his usual shenanigans, but he was definitely more cool with it. He still looked for signs of Elena here and there, but slowly, he began to settle with the idea that she might just have been gone back to where ever the hell she came from, shifting her to a temporary yet memorable part of his life.
On one hot and humid evening, as he was walking home from Hledan Center after getting off the YBS(bus system), he noticed someone he recognized inside of a thrift-shop. His heart raced as he realized it was Elena—her dark hair tied back, her not very feminine leather jacket and her classic aviator sunglasses resting on her nose, browsing for vintage clothes.
Joshua hesitated out abit as he thought about going up to her, unsure about whether he should approach her and strike up a chat or not. But curiosity and the his genuine feeling of butterflies in his guts he had for her pushed him forward and went straight next to her. He took a deep breath, clenched his jaws and walk up next to her, trying his best appear calm and collected in front of that intimidating woman.
"Hey? " he walks up next to her and gave her a poke, uncertain of how she would react.
She turned, her eyes locking onto his, looking up and down. A flicker of recognition crossed her face, looked up to him, and she smirked. "Well, well. If it isn't the big man from back there huh? Thought you'd dropped off the map. Jokes aside you're not that lame."
Joshua chuckled awkwardly as he clapped back. " Was that even supposed to be a compliment? I was just laying low for a while, come on, don't be like that, Didn't think I'd run into you again." he said it in a somewhat infuriated yet playful tone.
"Funny, anyway how come you speak English better than me?" she replied, still browsing the items. And Jousha keep the chat up with "I was just passing through. Figured it was time to move on."
"My English still need some work? but yeah, I guess you're cool" Joshua stated it like he didn't care.
Elena shrugged and looked at him and checking him out. "I'm Just not the kind of person who sticks around one place for too long. Too much trouble, but maybe I'll hang around here for a little longer." she said that just to bore him off.
Joshua nodded and looked straight in to her eyes, "I guess that makes sense. Well last time I met you, you were pretty umm nevermind."
She laughted at his comment, "You talking about me going bazonka on those midgets? Maybe*she chuckles* "
Joshua laughted along and hesitated before asking, "So...you haven't told me your name yet?" *trying to work his way into her mind*.
Elena paused, and her gaze shifting to him. "Well in that case maybe I will, I'm Elena, Elena Liú.".. She looked down and keep looking at the vintage jeans.
Joshua studied her for a moment, trying to see past her tough exterior and stated, "Well, I guess that works too, I'm Joshua,Saw Joshua Tun".
Elena's smile widened, though it still held her usual edge. "I'll keep that in mind, And if you get tired with your life or anything, maybe I'll listen to you rant about it, Don't you worry butter face." she said it sarcastically.
As she turned back to the vendor, Joshua stood there for a few moments, shit load of things to process swirling in his mind. He'd learned more from that first encounter than he ever expected, and even if they meet again, he felt like he feels a little more about the world outside his little mental space he closed himself in.
With one last glance at her, Joshua nodded to himself and turned to walk away, feeling abit hesitant, still he shouted, "Hey, I wanna know how can I find you, I don't really care what you think, but I think we should hang around more often!!!". He didn't know what's gonna hit him next, but he was thinking that, for better or worse, his life in Yangon would never be the same. Elena looked back and gave out a soft smile to him and waved..
" you a little too cheeky, boy.. *she muttered to herself and walked back to him* . "Sure, why not?. I'll give you a call, maybe you could show me around this city, since I know nothing about the culture and how things are here, but hey you're quite interesting yourself". Nathan smirked back to her, and exchanged contacts with her, not knowing what kind of chaos she brought with her...
She waved as she left the store, Elena continued her walk through Yangon, the city's bustling life and neon lights a constant blur around her as the night sets in. Her mind was focused on her own shenanigans, but Joshua's face kept lingering in her thoughts. She wasn't the type to dwell on thoughts about a man she just met, but there was something about him that stuck with her. Maybe it was his raw, unfiltered boldness or the way he looked at the world with genuine curiosity, and his goofy yet funny attitude. Either way, it was unusual for her to feel this way about someone she barely knew.
She reached a small, lowkey motel on the outskirts of the city near the strand road, a place she had been using as her base of operation for her questionable sketchy job. The hotel was cheap, forgettable, and perfect for someone like her who needed to stay off the grid. She climbed the narrow staircase to her room, her thoughts still circling around Joshua. Sitting on the edge of the bed, she pulled out her phone and glanced at her messages. A few missed calls and texts from various contacts, but nothing urgent. She opened her laptop, going over her notes and planning and sorting her messes out. Still, every now and then, her thoughts wandered back to the conversation with Joshua.
Her phone buzzed, snapping her out of her reverie. It was a text from an old contact, a fellow operative who occasionally provided intel and assistance. The message was brief: "Heard about a new player in town. Might be worth your time."..