As the weeks passed by, Ethan found himself looking forward to Wednesdays with an eagerness he hadn't felt in a long time. He would wake up early, get dressed in his best clothes, and make his way to the park. He would bring his favorite snacks and games, ready to have fun with Anya.
Their conversations were always filled with laughter and joy, and Ethan felt like he was finally breaking out of his sadness. Even on the days when Anya couldn't make it to the park, they would communicate through text messages, sharing funny jokes and silly memes.
But one Wednesday, everything changed. As Ethan was walking towards the park with a big smile on his face, he saw the bullies from his school approaching him. They teased him and grabbed his mobile phone, scrolling through his messages with Anya and mocking him for having a "girlfriend."
Ethan tried to defend himself, but it was no use. The bullies broke his mobile phone, leaving him feeling humiliated and alone once again.
As he sat in the park, with tears in his eyes and no one to turn to, he realized that his happiness had been dependent on his weekly meetings with Anya. He felt a sense of loss and despair that was all too familiar to him.
In that moment, he knew that he had to find a way to overcome his sadness and find happiness within himself. He couldn't rely on anyone else to make him happy. And so, he made a vow to himself to keep smiling, even on the darkest days, and to never let anyone else bring him down.
After a while, Anya noticed Ethan's distress and immediately rushed over to see what had happened. When she saw his broken phone, she felt a pang of sympathy in her heart.
"Don't worry, Ethan-kun," she said softly. "We'll get you a new phone. And in the meantime, we can still communicate through other means."
Her kind words brought tears to Ethan's eyes. He couldn't believe that someone he had just met could be so caring and understanding.
"Thank you, Anya-san," he said, his voice choked with emotion. "You don't know how much this means to me."
Anya noticed the sadness in Ethan's eyes as they sat on the bench in the park. She could feel his pain and wanted to help him in any way possible.
"Ethan, let's go to a place that is warm and beautiful. It will help ease your mind," she said.
Ethan looked up at her, surprised by her suggestion. He had never met anyone as caring as Anya.
Together they walked to a nearby botanical garden. The moment they entered, Ethan was taken aback by the beauty surrounding him. The sweet aroma of the flowers filled the air, and he felt his worries melt away.
Anya showed Ethan her favorite spot in the garden, a small gazebo surrounded by blooming cherry blossom trees. They sat down and talked for hours. Anya shared stories of her childhood and the adventures she had been on. She made Ethan laugh and forget about his troubles.
As they walked, Anya asked Ethan about his hobbies and interests. He opened up to her, telling her about his love for music and playing the guitar. Anya encouraged him to keep pursuing his passions, telling him that he had a special talent.
They sat on a bench, watching the butterflies fluttering around the flowers. Anya shared stories of her own struggles and how she found solace in nature and beauty.
Ethan felt his sadness and anger slowly dissipating, replaced by a sense of peace and gratitude. He realized that he had found a true friend in Anya, someone who truly cared for him and understood him.
Through the ups and downs, Anya was always there for him. She brought warmth and beauty to his life, and for that, Ethan would always be thankful.
After walking for a while, they arrived at a small, cozy café. The interior was filled with warm, golden light, and the aroma of freshly brewed coffee and baked goods filled the air.
Anya ordered two cups of coffee and a slice of chocolate cake for them to share. They sat down at a table by the window, where they could watch people pass by on the street.
For hours, they talked about everything and nothing. They talked about their dreams, their fears, and their favorite things. Anya shared funny stories about her life, making Ethan laugh until tears ran down his cheeks.
As they talked, Ethan began to feel a sense of peace and comfort that he hadn't felt in a long time. He realized that even though the world could be cruel and unfair, there were still moments of beauty and joy to be found.
Anya's kindness and understanding had helped him see that.
From that day forward, Ethan looked forward to Wednesdays with a renewed sense of hope. Even when they couldn't meet in person.
And whenever he felt sad or alone, Ethan remembered the warmth of that café and the kindhearted girl who had taken him there, reminding him that there was still beauty in the world, even in the midst of sadness.
After they had their goodbyes. Both of them went their separate ways awaiting the next Wednesday.
As Ethan returns home, he notices his mother's worried expression. She asks him what happened, and he tries to brush it off by saying his mobile phone broke. However, his father, who had been drinking, overhears the conversation and becomes angry.
"Why did you break your phone, you useless boy?" His father slurs, taking a step towards Ethan menacingly.
Ethan's mother quickly steps in between them, trying to calm her husband down. "It's okay, he'll get it fixed. Please, let's not fight."
But his father won't listen, and he pushes her aside, grabbing Ethan by the collar of his shirt. Ethan can feel his father's hot breath on his face, and he closes his eyes, bracing himself for the blow.
However, his mother steps in again, throwing herself in front of Ethan to shield him. His father's rage turns towards her, and he starts hitting her instead, calling her names and blaming her for their son's supposed unwanted birth and having to live with them.
As Ethan watches in horror, he realizes that he can't even defend himself, let alone protect his mother. The only thing he can do is hold back his tears and hope that the beating will stop soon. It's a moment that he knows will stay with him forever, a moment that makes him feel small and powerless in a world that can be cruel and unfair.
But he also knows that there are moments of kindness and warmth, moments like the ones he shares with Anya in the park, that give him hope and strength to keep going