Where My Gaze Lingered 3

Whether searching for traces already washed away by the rain, or after touching everything, she waves as if someone were there and walks towards my building. A little later, I hear footsteps at the entrance. I wait until I can see her hair, which was just at the playground, through the peephole. The speed of her ascent, one step at a time, is slow. My heart, unlike hers, races. One, two, three, four, four and a half. I open the front door. Just before I almost collide with her, I quickly stop my steps, grab her stumbling wrist, and steady her so she doesn't fall. "Thank…" Behind her hoarse voice, unable to finish, I see her eyes clouded with tears. "I'm sorry. Are you okay?" She nods with difficulty and pulls her wrist away from my grasp. Her wrist, marked with deep fingerprints, seems to hurt, and her tears briefly stop. "Does it hurt?" She nods. I lead her inside. She follows weakly, then spots the yellow size 120 rain boots with Joa-ping drawn on them. Immediately, she buries herself in my arms and sobs.