“When the Universe Permits”

Hi! It’s me Liuyu! A girl living a simple life! I am already 26 years old and I am still single. As in single since the day I was born. I do not know why, maybe because I am not that pretty or adorable to men’s eyes. I might not like the other girls who are attractive enough to get men’s attention in just one glance. When I turned 18 I was proud of myself for being single because I avoided lots of temptations that coming to my life and whenever possible, I avoided any situations where I know I will confront temptation. But right now, I do not even know if I am still proud of myself for living my life alone. My friends keep on teasing me and make fun of me for being single. They keep on asking me when will I get married and I simply answered them, “When the right man comes.” Yes, when the right man for me comes, I will definitely marry him and I will never let him go. 

I am a girl who believes in fairy tales, I am the princess and someday my prince will come to break this curse of being single away from me. Yes, I am single but it does not mean I never fall in love. I did! I really did! Not once, not twice but thrice. But unfortunately, I always end up in a one-sided-love. 

Actually, at the moment there is this guy named Zhou Keyu and I am into him. He wasn’t a model but he should have been because of his height. He had black hair that looks good on him. He had bristly eyebrows. His brown eyes, they were a-dazzle with wonder over a friendly smile. He carried an imperious nose well and the lineaments of his face were in perfect proportion to each other. He was dishy and he had a Titan’s shoulders. For me, he is the kind of man that every girls dream to marry with. I do not know about the others, but for me he is my cup of tea.

My summer season is always the same every year, but one summer day he just came and made my summer extra special. He spent his summer vacation here and that was the only chance for me to see him. And because of that one summer day, I knew that a beautiful story was going to happen. I can’t remember when it started, but I found myself looking forward to summer. Not because of the weather, it’s because of him. But unfortunately, the truth is, he doesn’t know I exist. As of now, I am just a girl living in the same neighbourhood. 

It’s been two years! Two years of liking him at the dark corner and I do not know what should I do. Summertime is waving again and a chance for me to notice by him is coming and I do not want to waste another summer just by looking at him from afar. So, I started browsing the internet, searching what to do, but I couldn’t find the right answer. I only have six months, so, I started to ask the universe for help. Before I go to sleep, I think of him while asking the universe for help. I told the universe that I want Zhou Keyu to know that I, Liuyu, exist and that I genuinely like him. 

On the very next day, I woke up with the smile on my face because I dreamed of Zhou Keyu. I do not know what the meaning of that dream is but I considered that it was a sign that me asking the universe for help is working. So, every night before I went to sleep I keep on doing that. There were nights that I saw him in my dreams, but there were some nights that I don’t. But still, I didn’t stop from believing and I keep on holding to that hope that one day Zhou Keyu will notice me and eventually like me too. 

Summer came and my heart races on while I am waiting for Zhou Keyu’s return. I get mixed emotions. I am happy and excited that he is coming back. I am getting nervous and I still keep on thinking if it is really be the summer that we will formally meet; while, there is a doubt coming from my inner thoughts that maybe he won’t like me. I do not know! There were lot of thoughts running in my head right now. 

My friends asked me to go to the beach party with them tonight. Actually, I am not a party girl, but how can I say no to their invitations when all of them went to our house? I guess, this is the situation where there is no way out. I cannot do anything but to come with them. At the party, there were lots of unfamiliar faces, but some of them are my friends’ acquaintances so we eventually talk to each other. Though I am not a good at expressing my thoughts, I am proud that I am a good listener. So, I listened to their stories and talk when I needed to. It is just that I am avoiding making bad first impression and I do not want to hurt their feelings. 

I was busy talking to my friends when I saw a familiar face coming towards us. While he is getting closer from where we were my heart skips a beat. I am trying to calm myself so that no one will notice. I am not mistaken; Zhou Keyu is here standing in front of me. He said ‘hi’ to his friends who are sitting with us and before he said goodbye our eyes met for a second and I felt something. I was intrigued by those eyes. I want to know what the meaning of that glance is. I want to know what he is thinking. All the ‘what ifs’ and ‘whys’ are coming out from my head and my mind is spinning like a rollercoaster. 

I sat by the sea, staring at the never ending ocean while my hair blows back and forth in the sea breeze. I am silently sitting there when I heard footsteps coming. My heart starts beating fast again when I recognized him. It’s Zhou Keyu. Why is he here? But before I could even speak to ask him, he sits beside me. I am confused and I do not know what I should be doing in this kind of situation. I am asking myself when he broke the silence between us. 

“Have we met before?” He asked me. 

Does he know me? 

“I mean, have we been together before like in an activity or else?” He continued.

“I don’t know, maybe?” I answered with confusingly-tone.

Actually, I couldn’t remember if we had been together before, because as far as I can remember this is the very first time we had an interaction together. 

“In a camp.” I look at him as he continued. “Summer Camp? You and Me.” He said.

I look at him with confusion.

“Was that in a dream, but…?” He continued.

But at that moment, I remember the dream I had before when I asked the universe. Don’t tell me we really met in dreams?

“Summer Camp, on the first day we were both wearing white t-shirt and jeans.” I said.

“You were carrying a blue backpack.” Zhou Keyu continued.

“You were wearing a blue cap.” I said.

“We both wearing white shoes and you had a bubbly outlook that time.” He said.

“We became partners and you asked my name.” I continued.

“You said your name is Liuyu and I said…” I was shocked when he said my name.

“You said you are Zhou Keyu with a serious tone.” When I said that he laughed. 

“Oh my gosh! Is it real? You are real?” He asked me.

“Yes I am real, Zhou Keyu.” I answered.

“So, we do really meet in dreams? How could this happen?”

“When the universe permits.” I said and he smiled at me.

“I’m glad that I finally met you personally.” He said.

“Me too.” I said.

“Hi! I am Zhou Keyu.” He extends his hand towards me.

“Hi! I am Liuyu.” I took his hand.

I couldn’t believe that it actually happened. We do really meet each other. Fate is really powerful. Just believe in yourself and the feelings that you have. Love really moves in mysterious ways and the universe will give you the answer. 

The End