Under the Cherry Blossoms🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸

Oh, I had had a dream many a night that he was sleeping under the cherry blossoms in a rain of petals. Of course, I never actually saw him. Not when I had a chance to pass by the park that day. Sure, I studied each and every one on their phone, taking pictures or just texting. The blossoms weren't a big deal to everyone.

But to me, it was like living out a fantasy. I would find my solider of fortune. We would somehow unite in all that pink love and have a happily ever after. Oh, I must have watched one too many dramas. I dunno. My head ached from the allergies and I must have sneezed a million times. Not my fantasy.

As luck would have it. There he was with a tissue. A whole pack, in fact, in his shirt pocket.

"Do you feel OK?" He asked.

I looked up at him, thinking. No. Really? He looked so much like the guy sleeping in my dream.  I didn't smile, but took the tissue and thanked him. Honestly, I didn't want to blow my nose in front of him.

"I hate this time of year," he sighed. "I can't smell a thing."

I nodded. 

"I could really go for some Bibim Guksu about now," he said as I was about to go. "It might keep you from getting a cold."

Of course, he told me he wasn't even Korean but his roommate's mom was and she made the best.

"Would you know how?" He cracked a smile.

I shrugged with a smile and kept walking. He followed. Along the way, I found out his name was Benji and he liked to make miniatures.

 "I can't stop myself now." He told me. "I guess I must miss my little sister after all. Back then, I was moody about making doll stuff for her Barbies, but I did or it would have been hell to pay. Now that I've moved away, I find myself folding recycled paper and painting things that might fit in one of her Barbie rooms."

"Like what?" I wanted to know.

"Oh, you know, suitcases, sandwiches, even a cellphone or two," he told me he must be boring me. "I bet you didn't see that coming?"

"I dunno. I never expected to ever see you," I let slip as I got to the street where I'm sure we would say goodbye. We were past the canopy of pale pink cherry blossoms. It was time to get back to reality.

"You didn't?" He looked at me as if I had no faith in him at all.

"See, you're the one being a mystery, not me." Benji's lean face looked at me blankly as if I needed to decide. Should I leave when it flashed WALK or stay?

I pressed my lips tight. He was right. I was wrong.

"Well, let me introduce myself," I put out my hand and he shook it ever so firmly. "I'm Ellie and I had this silly dream you were sleeping  under the cherry blossoms."

"It was probably my allergies," Benji nodded as his long lashes fluttered...it was as if I remembered the dream so fondly. I'm pretty sure I kissed him on the cheek.

"I might look like I know a lot about spicy food," I said as I held on to my backpack. "But it doesn't sit well with me."

"Can you handle dairy?" He wanted to know with a wink and lopsided smile.

I nodded as if I might be a giddy kid after all.

"Well, I know a place," Benji pointed down the way.

"And you've got pictures of all those things you're making your little sister?" I asked as I walked with him now.

"Of course, I send her a pic every day." He smiled. I smiled too. Maybe he'd send her a picture of us.