Melting Ice Cream

The ice cream popsicles in our hands had melted, dripping down like a sweet syrup around our feet, casting a needle-like pattern in the grass. The leaves of the oak tree above us rustled in response to a gentle summer breeze, creating a soothing melody. A pair of sparrows had chosen a thick branch for their nest, and the male sparrow fluttered away in pursuit of nourishment for his newborn and mate.
Standing beneath the tree's comforting shade, we observed the avian family's struggle to care for their offspring. The mother sparrow diligently pecked at grains of food, chewed them with care, swallowed, and then regurgitated the nourishment into the tiny beak of her baby.
"Arthur?" I heard her say my name. The way she pronounced it added a layer of sweetness and gentleness to my otherwise not-so-soft name.
"Hmm..." I hummed, my attention still captivated by the endearing scene of parental care unfolding in the branches above.
"What's life?" she asked, her question breaking the tranquil atmosphere like a gentle breeze.
I averted my gaze towards her in shock, her innocent expression captivating me in a way I had never seen on any girl before.
"You," I whispered, almost breathless.
"I'm serious," she responded, her concern evident in her eyes.
"I'm not joking," I said with a seriousness that matched the weight of my emotions.
Carelessly, I reached for her hand, which lay straight at her side, and grasped it firmly in mine. She stared at me while I gently caressed the back of her hand.
"For me, you're more than my life. Every day, I wake up and I sense you around me. Each moment with you leaves a lingering touch on my skin, caressing me for days until we meet again. Your sight brings tears to my eyes, and your smile breathes life into my soul. For me, you are my life," I confessed, my gaze fixed on her hand.
As I raised my head to meet her gaze, looking up at me, I felt like a tree had fallen on me, and I was burdened beneath its weight.
The sky, seemingly echoing the intensity of the moment, started raining. An unpredictable drizzle fell from her eyes. I gently cupped my hand around her face and wiped away the tears streaming down her cheeks.
"Stop crying, please. My feeble heart can't afford to see tears in your eyes," I pleaded.
"It's tears of happiness," she exclaimed with a soft breath.
"Tears are tears. No tears in front of me," I asserted, my tone authoritative.
She didn't utter another word, choosing instead to embrace me tightly. Her arms locked around my body, and she watered my shirt with her tears.
"No more tears. Else, you'll have to face my romantic wrath," I teased, smirking as I gently caressed her hair.
Sitting on the grass by the riverbank, I watched the water flow pleasantly and carelessly. She went inside her home to fetch something for us to eat.
Our vacations were coming to an end, with just a week left before school reopened. I had come to her place to complete my math homework, and luckily, her parents had gone out for some grocery shopping.
Her plan for a riverside picnic while doing homework was something I truly appreciated. The waves splashed politely, overlapping each other, creating a symphony of chaos and peace. I sat amidst it, marveling at the wonders of nature.
The sweet chirping of birds, the rhythmic splashing of waves, the rustling of leaves, and the soft sound of her voice reached my ears even from a distance. She called my name from her door, asking for help, and I couldn't help but feel grateful for the simple yet special moments she added to our time together.
I jogged towards her home, eagerly picking up the basket she had prepared. Following her back to the riverbank where we had recently sat and enjoyed our ice cream, she spread out the white checkered sheets she had brought along, and I placed the basket on it. Carefully, she selected pancakes and orange juice, serving them to me.
"Leisel?" I interrupted her movements, capturing her attention.
"Yes," she responded, her gaze scaling up to meet mine.
"What's life for you?" I inquired, taking a small bite of my pancake. I wasn't sure why I asked this question, much like I didn't understand why she had posed a similar question to me earlier in the day. Neither of us seemed to be seeking an explanation.
She tilted her eyes, closing the lid of the basket before returning her focus to me.
"Arthur, I think I'm still in the age where kids of my age search for the meaning of life. However, so far what I have realized is that your life can't be a person, nor can it be something associated with others. We can't tether our life to someone we love or feel attracted to; life is more profound than that.
Life is about experiencing different things—nature, humans, weathers, mountains, and even air. Sometimes, we imprison ourselves in the cells of our own wishes and desires, forgetting to cherish the simple feel of fresh air against our skin, nourishing our bodies, kissing it, and consoling our souls.
We neglect our lives for others we feel attached to, but that just couldn't be life for me, at least. The idea of dedicating my life to one thing or one person is something I don't support. In fact, one should not dedicate their whole life to one person or thing. The world is huge; God has bestowed us with His most precious, creative, and unique masterpiece—the world itself. He's the artist. It would be wrong if we neglected everything else He created for us and dedicated our lives to just one thing. Why not experience all the colors He created for us?
You see, Arthur, life is just this—it can't be spent for the sake of others. It's yours; live it for your own sake. Enjoy every day like a new day. People will come and go. No one cares about others. In some very rare cases, you'll see someone dying for someone. No one cries here for others for their lifetime. They'll cry for a day or two. After that, they'll come back to life and start living it like before. Your absence will have no greater effect on their happiness or life. Then why dedicate it to someone."
She spoke like a philosopher, and I listened intently without averting my gaze from her. I absorbed her words, trying to grasp the deeper meaning of her ideology. A knot turned itself in my stomach as I felt insecurities rising within me