The following morning, the warmth of the summer sun gently seeped through the window blinds, casting golden streaks across Zeyu's room. He stretched lazily, still reminiscing about the unforgettable night at the festival. The laughter, the fireworks, the unexpected meeting with Kailu—it all felt like a dream.
"I wonder if I'll see him again," Zeyu thought as he sat up on his bed.
Just as he reached for his phone, a message notification popped up.
Unknown Number: Hey, it's Kailu! Thanks for the ride last night. Hope I'm not bothering you by texting first.
A small smile formed on Zeyu's lips. Without hesitation, he replied:
Zeyu: Not at all! It's great to hear from you. How did you get my number, though?
Kailu: You left your jacket in the car. Your number was inside the pocket. Figured I should return it, but since we're already texting… want to hang out today?
Zeyu chuckled. It seemed fate really wanted them to meet again.
Zeyu: Sure! Where do you want to go?
Kailu: I know a cool café by the beach. Ever been there?
Zeyu: Nope, but I'm down. See you there in an hour!
After quickly freshening up, Zeyu grabbed his car keys and headed out. The summer heat was intense, but the thought of a relaxing day by the beach made it worth enduring.
---
When Zeyu arrived at the seaside café, he immediately spotted Kailu sitting by the window, gazing out at the ocean waves. Kailu waved at him with a bright smile, gesturing for him to come over.
"Wow, you got here fast," Zeyu said as he took a seat.
"I live nearby," Kailu replied, sipping his iced coffee. "This place has the best view, don't you think?"
Zeyu nodded as he admired the vast blue ocean stretching endlessly before them. The salty breeze, the sound of crashing waves, and the distant laughter of children playing in the sand—it all felt peaceful.
"So, what do you do in your free time?" Kailu asked, stirring his drink.
"Hmm… I guess I like watching movies, playing games, and sometimes taking road trips. What about you?"
"I enjoy photography. Capturing small moments, like last night's festival, is my favorite thing to do."
Zeyu leaned forward, interested. "Oh? Do you have any pictures from the festival?"
Kailu grinned and took out his phone, scrolling through his gallery before showing a picture of the fireworks illuminating the night sky. Another picture showed a blur of bright festival lights, and then—
"Hey, that's me!" Zeyu pointed at the screen, laughing.
It was a candid shot of him smiling while eating his curry noodles.
"You took a picture of me without me knowing?"
"Guilty," Kailu smirked. "But I think it turned out great. You look happy."
Zeyu stared at the photo for a moment. It had a certain charm to it, like it captured not just his face but the joy of the moment itself.
"You're really good at this," he admitted.
Kailu scratched the back of his head, a little embarrassed. "Thanks. Maybe one day I'll show you my whole collection."
They spent hours chatting about random things—music, childhood memories, funny moments from school. It felt easy, effortless, as if they had known each other for years.
As the sun began to set, casting a golden glow over the ocean, Kailu suddenly asked, "Want to go for a walk on the beach?"
"Why not?" Zeyu agreed.
They took off their shoes and walked along the shore, the cool waves occasionally brushing against their feet. It was a simple moment, yet it felt significant.
"You know, I don't usually make friends this easily," Zeyu admitted, watching the horizon.
"Same," Kailu replied. "But sometimes, the right people just come along at the right time."
Zeyu smiled. Maybe he was right.
As they continued walking, a new chapter of their friendship was unfolding—one that neither of them expected but both were willing to embrace.
To be continued...