A Seat Called Destiny

Sometimes the smallest memories leave the biggest marks, and remembering those memories refreshes your soul. Mine began in a classroom I barely remember... with a boy whose face has faded from my memory, but whose kindness never did. And trust me, he was cute—even though I don't remember his face now.

If someone asked me where my love story began, I'd probably laugh before answering because I can't really define it as love. Maybe it was just a feeling—a simple, human feeling where a little girl starts liking a little boy.

It wasn't something grand or extraordinary, but it was something that still makes my heart flutter. It also raised my standards. Now, it might seem like the bare minimum, but I'd say no boy these days would be quite like him.

It began in UKG.

Yeah... rolls eyes.

UKG.

It's funny and unbelievable, right? But it is what it is.

I know what you're thinking.

"You were only a kid!"

Exactly.

What did you expect?

Back then, my world was incredibly small. School felt enormous, and my crayons were my greatest treasure. One even got stuck in my ear once. Yeah, I was that naughty kid. What do you expect from the second child?

I studied at a school called Joyland. I joined in Nursery, although I don't remember anything from then. LKG? Still no memories. My real memories started in UKG.

The school was amazing. My favorite part wasn't studying—it was playing on the merry-go-round. One of the biggest reasons I loved the school had nothing to do with classes. My father's elder sister, my Fufi, lived right beside the school. Every afternoon, after classes ended, I'd run straight to her house before going home.

To little me, it felt like having my own secret kingdom. While the other children waited at the school gate, I had another home waiting for me.

And let me tell you about my Fufi. She was the sweetest and kindest woman you'll ever meet. She loved everyone. Not just people—even animals. She had dogs at home, and I was terrified of them because... well, I was tiny.

Life was simple.

And then...

there was him.

His name was...

Well, I can't tell you because I don't have his permission. So let's call him Flower.

I'll tell you why later. There's a reason behind that nickname.

The funny thing is, I can't remember his face anymore. Not at all. No matter how hard I try, it's just blank.

Time erased it completely.

If someone showed me a photograph of him today, I probably wouldn't recognize him. We were both so little back then. Maybe he's even cuter now... or maybe not.

Who knows?

But somehow, I still remember how I felt whenever I saw him.

To my little heart, he looked like a prince.

The Prince of Flowers.

Children have strange imaginations.

Don't judge me.

We don't notice expensive clothes or handsome faces the way adults do. But he had a computer and loved playing chess on it, so in my little mind, that made him look rich and incredibly intelligent.

Children don't need much.

We simply decide someone is special...

and that's enough.

I've always believed in destiny.

And honestly...

I still do.

Maybe that's why, the moment I finally noticed him, something unbelievable happened.

We had probably been in the same class since Nursery, but I had never really noticed him. It's like that saying: You'll only meet the right person at the right time. Before that, even if they're standing right in front of you, you won't truly see them.

It was exam time when our teacher suddenly asked him to sit beside me.

I remember looking at him for a second before quickly looking away, trying my best to act normal.

Because...

he looked cute.

He looked at me and whispered,

"Can you help me?"

I know, I know.

It was only UKG.

What could the exam possibly be about?

Alphabets.

Numbers.

Missing letters.

Something like that.

Still, he asked for my help.

I was one of the top students in class. There wasn't much academic pressure, but somehow I always managed to come first.

Part of me didn't want to help him.

I thought, Didn't we both have the same amount of time to study? Then what was he doing instead?

But...

he asked so politely.

And he was cute.

So instead of letting him copy my paper, I came up with another idea.

I quietly pointed toward the classroom wall.

There was a big alphabet chart hanging there.

A for Apple.

B for Banana.

C for Cat.

Practically the entire exam was hanging right in front of us.

He looked where I pointed, then turned back to me with the biggest smile.

"You're a genius!" he whispered happily.

He finished his paper by looking at the chart.

So technically...

I didn't let him cheat from my answer sheet.

I just helped him use the resources already available.

Honestly, the teachers should've been more careful about what they left hanging during exam time.

At the same time, another thought crossed my mind.

Why was he the only one sitting beside me?

Inside my head, I had already reached a conclusion.

See? I knew it.

This is destiny.

Of course...

destiny apparently had a strange sense of humor.

A little while later, the teacher changed the seating arrangement again.

Just like that...

he was gone.

Maybe the teacher realized I was helping him during the exam.

Or maybe it was just a coincidence.

Either way, we never sat together again.

I remember staring at the empty seat beside me, completely confused.

Wait... wasn't he supposed to be my destiny?

Looking back now, I can't help but laugh at how dramatic I was.

Maybe I've always been dramatic.

Either way, that tiny moment stayed with me far longer than it probably should have.

The rest of the school days passed quietly.

He was one of the most popular boys in class.

The girls seemed to like him.

Maybe he really was that cute.

Or maybe little girls simply liked boys who smiled a lot.

Meanwhile, I stayed exactly where I always was...

watching him from a distance.

We never really talked.

Not even once.

Eventually, I convinced myself to let my tiny crush go.

After all...

summer vacation was about to begin.

And summer vacation was my favorite time of the year.

Every single year, without fail, our family packed our bags and traveled to my grandmother's house.

For me, summer didn't begin when school ended.

It began the moment my mother said,

"We're leaving tomorrow."

Nothing could compare to those vacations.

The food somehow tasted better.

The afternoons felt longer.

The evenings were filled with laughter.

Every corner of my grandmother's neighborhood held another adventure waiting to happen.

When we finally arrived, I spent the entire day doing exactly what every child dreams of.

Eating the delicious meals my Nani lovingly prepared.

Running around with my cousin sister.

Playing with the neighborhood children until sunset painted the sky orange.

By the time night arrived, I was so exhausted that I fell asleep almost the moment my head touched the pillow.

Little did I know...

the very next morning was about to surprise me in a way I could never have imagined.

After breakfast, my grandmother smiled and said she wanted to introduce me to our neighbors.

I happily followed her outside, completely unaware of what was waiting at the gate.

She raised her hand and said,

"Come here. I'd like you to meet my granddaughter..."

Before she could finish her sentence—

A familiar voice interrupted her.

"Anya."

I froze.

Slowly, I looked up.

There, standing only a few steps away...

was the boy from Joyland.

The Flower Boy.

For a second, I forgot how to speak.

He remembered my name.

But...

what was he doing here?

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