"Is that your first LQ?"
Reese was making fun of Aila, her eyebrows furrowed;
"Really? I need your support right now and you're mocking me!"
Aila was urging her friend's conscience.
"Hahaha. It's just that I think it's cute that you are experiencing these types of emotions now, months ago you simply just would not care at all."
"Just how much have I changed?" she asked anxiously.
"Girl, having me as your friend is the first BIG change!"
Reese was laughing hysterically at Aila who had a worried look on her face.
"Don't worry, all these changes it is actually helping you be a better person, you will be able to use this in the years to come."
The following day, Aila was in charge to report for their Values Education Class. The topic assigned to her is the verse; 1 Corinthians 13: 4-8
"Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails. "
Aila was about to wrap up her report when she asked.
"Do you have any questions classmates?"
Vince raised his hand.
"If love never fails, why are there people failing in love?"
His tone is very sad and direct as if he was asking Aila's feelings personally.
"If you fail on your love today, perhaps it isn't the right love for you because the right one will not fail you,"
Aila explained as precise yet on the contrary it was vaguely the answer Vince was expecting.
Aila smiled and again asked,
"Are there any other questions?"
Vince raised his hands again.
"If love is kind, why do we get hurt? If love does not boast, why do we want to prove the whole world about our love? If love does not envy, why do I feel this way?"
The voice of Vince was cracking as if he is about to cry.
The whole class was lost for words on Vince's questions, most of them are not aware of the situation between them.
"Maybe this is not the love for you yet, just a test for the greater love that is destined for you. Think of it like unconditional love; loving without conditions, without expectations of anything in return, just how our parents love us."
Aila answered calmly to not alarm the whole class, that Vince has an underlying interpretation for his questions.
Vince raised his hands again but before he could speak, Ken stood up, faced Vince, and with a pissed-off tone said;
"Your problem is so simple; don't force yourself on people that doesn't like you back!"
Vince also stood up and confronted Ken;
"She didn't like you back too before right? But you did not give up, now you're telling me to dismiss my feelings?"
"Quit it now, both of you!"
Aila went in between the two guys to control their raging emotions.
"Are you guys fighting over her?"
Their teacher can't help but ask what is going on with the three students.
Aila and Reese went out for lunch at their usual spot, and a few minutes later, Ken appeared there looking upset. Reese immediately left them both to get some food and some space so they can talk about what happened earlier.
"Why are you mad at me? Did I do something you do not like?" Aila confronted Ken.
"It's not you; I'm annoyed with Vince, why can't he just let us be?"
Ken grabbed Aila's hand and held it tightly.
"Just let it go, it's not good to hold on to that issue"
Aila replied calmly to Ken while Ken kissed Aila's hands.
"Hey Aila someone is looking for you outside, he said his name is George I think he's the guy from university last time."
"Who's that?" Ken asked Aila, again with an upset tone.
"I'm not sure, why don't you come with me, let's see who it is".
Aila is about to dragged Ken who is obviously more annoyed now than a few minutes ago.
"Hi Aila, do you remember me? Here is the portrait I drew for you."
He handed Aila the framed artwork.
"Ahh yes, I remember you now, thank you… This is beautiful"
Aila accepted the gift and was very grateful for it.
"It is because you are beautiful, I hope you like it, I'm a fan of yours"
George was trying to flatter Aila.
"You're my fan? I'm not a celebrity, anyway thank you for this."
Aila humbly answered, when Ken approached them.
"Ehem"
He coughed to get Aila's attention.
"Hmm ... George, this is Ken, my friend."
Ken was disappointed with how Aila introduced him, he was expecting more.
"Nice to meet you bro"
George shook his hand.
"Aila, I'll go ahead; again thank you for letting me draw you."
George whispered to Ken before finally leaving.
"Good luck bro, take care of her many guys like me are just lurking."
George smiled at Aila then hastily left.
"Don't tell me you're mad again?"
Aila is now the one pissed off with Ken who seems to blame everything to her.
"How can you blame me feeling this way, when there are just so many guys hovering around you?"
He sounded like his ego was hurting.
"And why is that my fault?"
Aila pointed it out to Ken who can't seem to get it.
"I'm so glad you're not my boyfriend yet, I can't imagine how you'll burden me with things that are totally out of my control."
Reese and Aila went to their favorite breathing ground outside school; the viewpoint. With both holding a cup of coffee they almost let out a sigh at the same time.
Aila and Reese laughed at themselves;
"Are you okay?" Reese asked her friend.
Aila nodded.
"You know; I just realized how annoying it is to have a boyfriend... to think he's not even one yet."
Reese rolled her eyes "It only gets annoying when your boyfriend is as possessive and untrusting like Ken."
"I know right!" Aila almost choked while laughing
A few days had passed and Ken was not showing up in school, there was no information on what happened to him, Aila was a bit curious about his absence.
"Girl, Ken is out of school for a week already, do we have something to do with this?"
Aila was eager to know the truth. Reese was looking apologetic and said;
"hmmm, I'm currently not in liberty to talk about it friend, please understand."