1 The Life is all ours

Rain was dancing due the strong blowing wind. The highway to the city B was usually heavy with traffic was abnormally silent due to the rain. Hence he decided to park the car on the side and take a quick nap.

On the highway he saw black Audi parked on the side near the trees. The rain had stopped by the time he parked next to the Audi. He got down from the car to stretch himself. While stretching he noticed a water body in the vicinity behind the trees and bushes. He picked up a blanket, few snacks and water. After locking the car, he walked towards the water body.

When he went closer, he realized the water body is actually river Ru. He laid the blanket on the shore and sat to enjoy the view in front of him. Since it just rained, everything was looking lush green. When he was looking around, he noticed a fragile figure sitting on the side under the shade of bushes. She was completely drenched in rain sitting on the sand by placing her head in the folded legs.

He went closer to check how she is doing. She was shivering due to cold, So He placed a warm blanket on her shoulders. She felt the warmness and lifted her head to see the person. Her eyes were full of tears and she just said "Thank you for your kindness".

He has never seen a girl like this before, she was icon of pure beauty. Without any makeup or expensive dresses she was looking very stunning. He asked her

"Are you alright, why are you sitting in the rain like this. You will fall sick quickly"

"I ran away from home, tomorrow is my wedding. I don't know where to go. So I decided to sit here for a while. Suddenly it started raining."

He was shocked hearing her. He asked

"Are you running away because its forced marriage or you don't like the person you are going to marry?"

"No, I'm not running away because of the person I'm going to marry. I have never met him. The marriage was fixed by our grandfathers. I'm running away due to my own family problems?"

"Hmmm, Seems complicated. Do you want fall sick by sitting wet like this. I strongly suggest that you should first change your clothes, do you have spare ones in the car?"

"Yes, I do have it in my bag in the car"

"Okay, I will go and rest near water. Quickly you can go change behind the bushes or wherever you want without any worry."

She was amazed by the gentleman behavior of him. How can there be man who doesn't take any advances when a girl is alone.

Before she left to change her clothes, she asked him

"Thank you so much for kindness, I know you didn't do anything, but I feel much better and clear in the head now. By the way I am Xue Nuan, You are?"

Zi peng was shocked to hear the name. He didn't show it outside. With the flat face he said

"You can call me Peng. I'm glad that you feel better. Please go change your clothes and come"

She gave a confused expression and left to change.

By the time she returned, he made a bonfire and boiled water and made an aromatic tea for her. He handed her a cup to drink along with the some biscuits

She was surprised to see him by his behavior.

"Mr. Peng, How come you have all the items you need for the picnic with you. Are you supposed to be elsewhere? Are you stuck up because of me?"

"No, No Miss Xue Nuan. I had a party with guy friends recently. They gave me a gift of picnic set to tease me. I had it at the back of my car, it came as a handy for us today. We are still far away from the city, what if you catch fever on the way, that's why I made some hot tea for you. Please drink it."

"I know I have thanked you multiple times, But for a guy you are really kind and thoughtful Mr. Peng."

"So what are you planning to do, how did you end up here in first place. Do you live in the mountains or in the city B?"

"Actually I went to temple in the mountain to pray. I thought to ease my mind before I get married. But I am also human, I got scared about so many things. So I stopped the car and sat here. It started raining, My Legs became numb and I couldn't move till you came and placed the blanket on top of me."

"Okay, what do you want to do now? It's still afternoon. Ms.Xue Do you want to think about it? Wherever you want to go, I will help you reach in any way I can. "

"Sorry Mr.Peng, I didn't think so much. I haven't informed my grandfather anything. He must be dead worried about me. I'm not sure about marriage?"

"Ms Xue Nuan, if you don't mind, I will tell my two cents, listen to me carefully and then you decide what you want to do."

"Okay, Mr.Peng, Please tell me"

He poured another cup of hot tea and passed it to her.

"Ms Xue Nuan, Here is the thing

The Life is all ours, we are the owners of everything we do. We have every right to decide whether we should marry or not. Whether the person is right or not.

But it will be better if we decide that before you agreed to fix the marriage with someone. Because the person on the other end doesn't know the problems you have nor he will be aware of the difficulty you are facing in your family. Am I right or not?"

"Yes Mr.Peng, I agreed to marry because I didn't have anyone in mind and more I trusted my grandfather than anyone in the world."

"Then why are doubting your grandfather now and running away from the marriage. You should ideally run away from the troublesome family right. Your action of running away from marriage is going to hurt your grandfather and the guy you never even met. You should have atleast called and let him know that you are not interested in him.

I'm just stating the obvious, just think in relaxed manner and come to a conclusion. I will go make a quick call and come"

Though Zi Peng's words were harsh, He said with calm and collected voice. It showed his maturity. The words hit Xue Nuan like thunder on her head. She was staring at the water currents of the river and leafs floating in the water.

"So Ms. Xue Nuan, have you decided what you want to do?" Zi Peng came after a thirty minutes and asked her

"Yes Mr.Peng. I am going to get married tomorrow. I don't want to disappoint my grandfather and I really don't want to abandon the guy before even I marry."

"That's sounds like a real good choice Ms.Xue Nuan, the sun is out, lets lie down and enjoy the sun for sometime. After that I will drop you in your place and I will send someone to get your car. I know you're worried about going home without car, that's why."

"I can't thank you enough today for doing so much for me. I will never forget this day."