"Aila, just talk to me for a moment please." Vince has swallowed down his frustration; it was evident in his voice cracks while he was trying to compose himself.
Aila felt sorry for Vince's appearance, it was as if he was carrying a huge problem with him. His hair was a mess and there are big dark circles around his eyes. Vince slowly released his hand on Aila's arm.
"Is he the new guy?" He tried to calmly ask Aila while a vortex of frustration swirled inside of him.
Although she's not together with Yhuan yet, Aila cannot deny that it has been an interesting few weeks because of him.
"He's not my boyfriend Vince if that's what you mean."
"Is he nice to you?" Vince lowered his head.
"He is nice to me." Aila was confused at Vince's purpose of interrogating her.
"Was I nice to you?" The tears in Vince's eyes started to swell; Aila felt sad seeing her friend feel this pain.
"You are one of the nicest guys I've ever known Vince." Aila was very sincere with Vince, she does not intend to sugarcoat her feelings just to make him feel better, she wants to help him.
"Your answers make feel more confused, I am nice, I am sincere, I was devoted but you never liked me back." Vince blew out his cheeks, preventing more tears to come out.
"I cannot force myself to like you back Vince and you know that." Aila patted Vince's shoulder trying to console him.
"Are you happy with him?" He exhaled deeply waiting for Aila's devastating answer.
Aila nodded in agreement, she could not bear voice it out, not at Vince's expense. She just didn't want to drag Vince's misery any longer.
"If you're happy, then I won't bother you anymore." His expression hardened as sadness clouded his appearance then he hurriedly left the room as he was wiping his tears.
Aila leaned against the wall while gathering her strength to go out of the classroom; she scrunched up her face with the thoughts of what had just happened.
"I never knew breaking someone's heart is this hard. I did not want Vince to carry on with the pain of his unconditional love when he can just move on with this life and find another girl who can love him back."
Yhuan unclenched his fists and went inside the classroom to comfort Aila. He pressed both his hands to Aila's cheeks and tenderly asked her if she was okay. Aila lifted her shoulders in a half shrug and stood up, Yhuan took this as a cue to help her, he offered his arms for her to grab on to.
She willingly hooked her arms to his and smiled at him for the support he unquestioningly gave her. Aila admired the fact that he never pressured her to talk about anything; he was just like a breathing room for her… a very willing breathing room.
As usual, they went together to the bus stop but unlike other days… today, they are both quiet. No one dared say a single word. Before they parted ways Yhuan squeezed Aila for a hug, it was the very first hug that they shared. If it were another guy Aila might have used her very powerful knee kick, but today, the hug from Yhuan was comforting, it was sincere.
It was quite a breezy afternoon; you can hear the leaves rustling, the sky was turning purple with a hint of orange and pink. It was picturesque but it further added a feeling of gloom for Aila.
Yhuan let go of Aila but he held her right hand as he shoved some stray locks away from her face.
"I don't know how to make you feel better; I just want you to know that it is not your fault if you can't reciprocate his feelings for you."
She met Yhuan's gaze and thanked him for trying his best to console her. They let go of each other's hand and Aila stepped away from Yhuan. She gave Yhuan half a smile before she pivoted towards the direction of her home.
As Aila arrived home, she went straight to her bed; the aroma of the savory meal cooked by her chef was not able to lure her into the dining room. She lounged in her window seat where some of her books were placed; she noticed the book that Vince gave her was on that pile. Aila drew in a long breath as she leaned against the window.
"Why am I so sad? It's not like I wanted to hurt him… but I feel like I lost a friend… a true and loyal friend." She blurted out of frustration.
"ring…ring…"
Aila checked her phone and to her surprise, it was her mom…
"Hello, mom… how are you?" She tried her best to conceal her current emotions.
"I'm worried about you my dear."
"Oh, I guess I really can't keep anything from you." Aila blew out her cheeks.
Her mom let out a harsh breath, Aila can clearly hear her.
"I'm sorry but I instructed your staff to check on your new friend. They said you look sad today and don't want to get bothered for dinner, is it because of him?"
"No mom, it's not because of him, don't worry, actually he is the one who's trying to make me feel better, I've had a pretty rough day, I would like to rest."
"Okay my princess, it's good that you have someone making you feel better but please be mindful if he deserves to know the truth about you at this crucial point in your life."
"Yes mom, I understand." Aila's response was short and concise but it was all that was left for her to do… to understand.
Aila is evidently still not prepared and capable to perform her capacity as a princess. The nobleness, the graciousness, the courage under unpleasing circumstances is not yet there, she was just a little girl cowered in a corner.
The journey for her is indeed still long however, the fact that she is feeling sad for someone is already something worth pondering on. The indifferent and emotionless princess suddenly has a heart that feels… that hurts for someone.
Aila wanted to prepare for bed; she reached for her robe when she noticed a note that fell off her coat that was hanging there. She scratched her nose as she picked up the note; it was a small blue fragrant stationary, this scent is very familiar to Aila. She opened the note and read it carefully.
"To the woman I love, you were once just a star for me, something I get to appreciate from afar; I am really thankful for giving me a chance to get blinded by your light."
It was a short note but was enough to cheer her soul. She carefully placed it in a wooden trinket box where she kept all the other notes Yhuan gave her.
Aila could not deny it but she felt a glimmer of happiness with Yhuan, she felt the spark with him, the spark that she never felt with Vince, she murmured to herself.
"Perhaps that was the missing piece for Vince… the spark, that damn spark."