[At XX Cinema]
The cinema was alive with the soft hum of whispered conversations, the occasional burst of laughter, and the melodic soundtrack of the romantic movie playing on the screen. Couples leaned close, sharing popcorn and quiet remarks, while friends exchanged knowing glances at the film's heartfelt moments. The air was thick with the scent of buttered popcorn and the faint sweetness of candy, creating a cozy, communal atmosphere.
But amidst the warmth and chatter, Tina and Paiming sat in silence, their presence a stark contrast to the lively energy around them. The glow from the screen flickered across their faces, illuminating Tina's troubled expression and Paiming's distant gaze.
Tina peeked at Paiming from the corner of her eye. He was leaning forward slightly, his chin resting on his hand, his eyes fixed on the screen but clearly lost in thought. Her heart ached as she watched him, and a whirlwind of emotions churned inside her. 'What does Paiming want to say to me?' she wondered, her brows furrowing. The weight of the secret she had been keeping from him pressed heavily on her chest, and she clenched the fabric of her dress tightly in her hands.
'Actually, I also have something to tell him', she thought, her stomach twisting with guilt. She closed her eyes for a moment, trying to steady her breathing, but the turmoil inside her only grew.
'Stop hesitating', she scolded herself silently. 'If I go on like this, it will only hurt him more.'
Paiming, sensing her unease, glanced at Tina. Her face was shadowed with sadness, her usual brightness dimmed by the weight of her thoughts. His chest tightened, and he quickly looked away, blaming himself for her discomfort. 'This is my fault', he thought, his jaw clenching. 'I've made her feel this way.'
The silence between them stretched on, heavy and unbroken, as the movie played on. The characters on screen laughed, cried, and confessed their love, but Tina and Paiming remained trapped in their own world of unspoken words and unresolved emotions. The distance between them felt insurmountable, even though they sat side by side.
[Outside]
The movie ended, and the cinema slowly emptied as people filed out, their voices a mix of laughter and tears as they discussed the emotional scenes they had just witnessed. The weather outside mirrored the somber mood, dark clouds hung low in the sky, and the air was heavy with the promise of rain. A cool breeze swept through the streets, carrying with it the faint scent of damp earth.
Paiming walked silently ahead, his hands tucked into his pockets, his shoulders slightly hunched as if carrying an invisible weight. Tina followed a few steps behind, her eyes fixed on his back. The silence between them was deafening, broken only by the distant rumble of thunder.
'It suddenly occurs to me that...' Tina thought, her gaze lingering on Paiming's figure. 'Paiming has... changed a lot.' There was a distance in him now, a quiet sadness that hadn't been there before. It made her heart ache in a way she couldn't quite explain.
As they reached a quiet corner of the street, Paiming stopped abruptly. Tina hesitated for a moment before stepping closer, her voice soft and tentative. "Paiming..." she began, fidgeting with the fabric of her dress. She looked away, her heart pounding as she gathered her courage. "I... I have something to tell you..."
But before she could continue, Paiming spoke, his voice calm but firm. He didn't turn to face her, his gaze fixed on some distant point ahead. "Tina, let's break up."
The words hit her like a punch to the chest. For a moment, time seemed to stand still. Tina's mind went blank, her eyes widening as the meaning of his words sank in. "Ah..." she murmured, her voice barely audible.
Paiming finally turned to face her, his expression unreadable but his eyes filled with a quiet resolve. "Sorry," he said, his voice steady. "I've fallen in love with Wendy. So, let's break up."
Tina's heart ached, though not for the reasons she might have expected. She had come here to tell him about her relationship with Jim, to come clean about the feelings she had been hiding. But she hadn't anticipated this, Paiming's confession, his decision to end things so abruptly.
She lowered her head, a bittersweet smile tugging at her lips. "Wendy... she's a nice girl," she said softly, her voice trembling slightly. "You'll be very happy together. There's no need to say sorry."
Paiming's chest tightened at her words. He had expected many reactions from Tina. Anger, tears, even accusations but not this quiet acceptance. Her selflessness, her ability to put others before herself, only made the guilt in his heart grow heavier. He looked at her, his expression pained but resolute. "..."
The sky above rumbled with thunder, the first drops of rain beginning to fall. Paiming took a deep breath, his voice low and steady. "In a few days, we'll be leaving for France. Tina... we probably won't see each other again."
Tina's smile faltered, but she quickly composed herself, nodding slowly. The rain began to fall more steadily, the droplets soaking into her hair and clothes. She looked up at him, her eyes glistening with unshed tears.
To be Continued :-