A Love-Giving Valentine's Day
By Celina Tang
On the night of Valentine’s Day, colorful lights illuminated downtown Toronto. White snowflakes added a touch of pureness to the night. Couples were promenading slowly along the crowed street despite the coldness. Young lovers hugged and kissed as if they were in a world of their own, while married spouses cuddled and shared secret words with a soft smile. They all looked blissful. Warm, loving atmosphere spread across the entire street.
“Ha, I am all by myself again this year. Bad luck, bad luck…” said Alvernia, walking alone in the crowd on her way home. She could only laugh at herself with self-pity, since she had no experience in the joy of love for 20 years of her life. Suddenly, Alvernia felt a light pull on her coat and turned around to find a short, little girl, holding a gorgeous bouquet of roses.
“Lovely, young lady, would you like to buy some roses for Valentine’s Day?” asked the girl.
Even though her face looked pale and tired, however she was trying to attract her potential customer with her most innocent smile. Her tiny hands were red because of the blazing wind. They would have frostbite soon, thought Alvernia, she was the same as me, always giving love yet receiving none in return. Nevertheless, her smile in darkness was as luminous as the Northern Star in the infinite sky. Alvernia bent down to the same level as the little girl and took the bouquet from her.
After Alvernia paid, she took off her gloves and put them on for the girl. “Here, they are your Valentine’s Day present. Keep your beautiful hands warm and always have that great smile with you, okay?” Alvernia petted her on the head and walked away, leaving the little girl in wonder.
After a short walk, Alvernia saw another person who was also in solitude. Unlike Alvernia, he was a homeless old man begging for money. He was shivering in cold. The snow that fell on his head made his sliver hair seemed to be even paler. At least I have family, friends, and a home to return, thought Alvernia, he doesn’t have anyone today at all.
“Hey, today is Valentine’s Day, you can at least get some warm food to eat.” Alvernia gave him some change. Then, she took off her coat, “Here is your present. I hope you will still have faith to experience love and kindness in the future.”
“You have my most grateful thanks, but will you not be cold?” The old man was confused.
“No problem, my house is pretty close anyway.” Alvernia shook her head and walked away.
Finally, she arrived at her bus stop. It was late at night and the temperature had dropped to its lowest.
Alvernia breathed onto her hands and murmured to herself, “Uh, it’s getting cold. Well, I hope the little girl and the old man can feel that they are loved despite being alone. I mean, today is Valentine’s Day…”
Abruptly, there was a thick jacket fell on her shoulders. She was astonished and quickly turned around. A tall, handsome man stood in front of her. His beautiful face held a contagious grin; it brightens the night with its warmest radiance. Alvernia felt that her frozen life had finally reached its sunlight. His dark green eyes were glittering with curiosity.
“You are interesting. Who would go down the street and give out belongings like an idiot?” said he.
The question sounded like an insult, however Alvernia felt that he was kindhearted.
“At least, I am receiving someone special in the end.”
Their encounter on the most extraordinary Valentine’s Day ended Alvernia’s record of being single for twenty years.
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By Celina Tang
On the night of Valentine’s Day, colorful lights illuminated downtown Toronto. White snowflakes added a touch of pureness to the night. Couples were promenading slowly along the crowed street despite the coldness. Young lovers hugged and kissed as if they were in a world of their own, while married spouses cuddled and shared secret words with a soft smile. They all looked blissful. Warm, loving atmosphere spread across the entire street.
“Ha, I am all by myself again this year. Bad luck, bad luck…” said Alvernia, walking alone in the crowd on her way home. She could only laugh at herself with self-pity, since she had no experience in the joy of love for 20 years of her life. Suddenly, Alvernia felt a light pull on her coat and turned around to find a short, little girl, holding a gorgeous bouquet of roses.
“Lovely, young lady, would you like to buy some roses for Valentine’s Day?” asked the girl.
Even though her face looked pale and tired, however she was trying to attract her potential customer with her most innocent smile. Her tiny hands were red because of the blazing wind. They would have frostbite soon, thought Alvernia, she was the same as me, always giving love yet receiving none in return. Nevertheless, her smile in darkness was as luminous as the Northern Star in the infinite sky. Alvernia bent down to the same level as the little girl and took the bouquet from her.
After Alvernia paid, she took off her gloves and put them on for the girl. “Here, they are your Valentine’s Day present. Keep your beautiful hands warm and always have that great smile with you, okay?” Alvernia petted her on the head and walked away, leaving the little girl in wonder.
After a short walk, Alvernia saw another person who was also in solitude. Unlike Alvernia, he was a homeless old man begging for money. He was shivering in cold. The snow that fell on his head made his sliver hair seemed to be even paler. At least I have family, friends, and a home to return, thought Alvernia, he doesn’t have anyone today at all.
“Hey, today is Valentine’s Day, you can at least get some warm food to eat.” Alvernia gave him some change. Then, she took off her coat, “Here is your present. I hope you will still have faith to experience love and kindness in the future.”
“You have my most grateful thanks, but will you not be cold?” The old man was confused.
“No problem, my house is pretty close anyway.” Alvernia shook her head and walked away.
Finally, she arrived at her bus stop. It was late at night and the temperature had dropped to its lowest.
Alvernia breathed onto her hands and murmured to herself, “Uh, it’s getting cold. Well, I hope the little girl and the old man can feel that they are loved despite being alone. I mean, today is Valentine’s Day…”
Abruptly, there was a thick jacket fell on her shoulders. She was astonished and quickly turned around. A tall, handsome man stood in front of her. His beautiful face held a contagious grin; it brightens the night with its warmest radiance. Alvernia felt that her frozen life had finally reached its sunlight. His dark green eyes were glittering with curiosity.
“You are interesting. Who would go down the street and give out belongings like an idiot?” said he.
The question sounded like an insult, however Alvernia felt that he was kindhearted.
“At least, I am receiving someone special in the end.”
Their encounter on the most extraordinary Valentine’s Day ended Alvernia’s record of being single for twenty years.
Go Back