Zhan's pov.
Today was the day I was supposed to meet Bodhi.
Yibo and I were already in the car, and he told me a lot of things about Bodhi as well as the place where we were going.
He seemed happy while talking about it, and I was happy to see him smile.
I was curious about this guy. After a long three-hour ride, we finally reached the temple, which was more like a monastery where the monks stayed, it was situated in the outskirts of the city, away from the noise and pollution, in a peaceful environment near nature.
I already liked the place.
I parked my car and Yibo took out all the things he had brought as an offering to the temple, before we walked inside the temple.
"You know, after Bodhi had found me, this is where he brought me, and I stayed here for a few days, this was my home," Yibo said as he looked around with a gentle smile on his face, "let's go inside."
I followed him, and soon we stepped into a hall, that had a huge golden Buddha statue at the other end. It was a huge hall, and there were several pillars standing in a line, they were painted red, and the bottom of the pillar was painted golden, there were several other paintings on the walls, and was we went near the statue, I saw several incense sticks and fruits, flowers and many other things sitting at the alter.
And near the altar stood a man, who Yibo recognised immediately, "Bodhi," he said as he walked towards him, the man turned to him and smiled before he hugged Yibo.
"How are you, Yibo?" he asked as he looked at Yibo, Bodhi was around my uncle's age, and he looked quiet fit for his age, he wore a red cloth, which was wrapped around his body, his face had sharp features, he was a bald guy with a very shiny head. I would say that Bodhi was a good-looking guy, his eyes held a gentle gaze and his smile seemed genuine.
His voice was rather calm and soothing, as he talked to Yibo. Yibo looked happy while talking to him and I can see why, the man had a friendly aura around him.
"This is Zhan," Yibo said as he grabbed my hand and gently pulled me near him.
Bodhi looked at me and our eyes met, I smiled at him and greeted him, "Hello, sir."
"Just Bodhi is fine," he said, "I am happy to finally see you, Zhan. Yibo has told me a lot about you."
I smiled, "Oh, I am curious to hear what he has told you about me."
Yibo spoke, "it's all good stuff."
"I know," I said.
"Let me just offer my prayers," Yibo said as he sat on the ground and I sat beside him, he stared at me and I just gave him a smile, I wasn't a religious person, in fact I didn't believe in god. However, if Yibo believed in something, then I will too.
I joined my hands and closed my eyes just like he did, I just stayed in that posture for a few seconds, if there was really a higher power, then the only thing I ask of him is a, forever with my Yibo.
I gently opened my eyes, and looked beside me, Yibo still had his eyes closed, I looked up at the statue, and then Bodhi who was smiling at me.
I got up and went beside him.
"Would you like to take a walk with me?" Bodhi asked.
I looked at Yibo and Bodhi said, "let him meditate. It's what he does whenever he comes here."
I gave Yibo one last glance before I agreed to take a walk with Bodhi.
"This is a beautiful place," I said as I looked around.
"I am glad you liked it."
"Actually." I said, "I am thankful to you for helping Yibo, he told me how he was in a very dark place all those years ago and it pains me that I wasn't there for him, but you were. If it wasn't for you I wouldn't have been here with him."
"I knew Yibo's mother before she was married, I have known her since she was a young woman, I was there when she married, when she had Yibo, when she was diagnosed, and when her illness took over her, I was there. Yibo's mother was a very kind woman. I had held Yibo in my arms when he was a baby, so when I saw him in that state all those years ago, I had to help him. He is like my son.
Besides his bravery and stubbornness, it was his will to meet you again that kept him going, you did help him, Zhan. Besides you had your own struggles, reaching where you are today wasn't easy, right Zhan?"
I nodded, "No it wasn't easy."
"In life, we all have our individual battles we have to fight alone, no one can fight them for us, not even god. Yibo had battles that he had to go through alone, and you had yours, but what matters is that you both fought and became who you are today. And you two are finally together, if either of the two you had given up, then you wouldn't be here."
"Yes."
"You have to be self-sufficient before you help someone else, you are self-sufficient now, and you have your entire life to be there for him."
I smiled, "yes."
We continued with our walk and he and I had some really deep conversations, I also learned that Bodhi actually had a degree in psychology, which made me kind of shocked as well as impressed.
It was easy to talk to him, he was truly a wise man, and I am glad that Yibo had someone like him in his life.
Yibo joined us soon, and the three of us talked for a long time about various topics before it was time to leave.
"He is a nice man," I said as we drove back to the city.
Yibo smiled, "I know, I am glad that you liked him."
"I am actually surprised to learn that he has a degree in psychology."
Yibo nodded, "yup, he is my unpaid therapist."
"Oh wow, do you think he would consider taking me under his wing too?" I asked him with a wink.
"I am sure he would love to, be prepared to learn meditation."
"That's boring."
Yibo gasped and kept his hand over his chest, "I am offended," he said in a joking manner, "you take that back."
I laughed, "Alright, alright I apologise."
"Good."