ChApTeR 5
It
takes a minute to have a crush on someone
an
hour to like someone, and a day to love someone...
but it takes a
lifetime to forget someone.
After the remarkable news, everyone had been so busy planning worthwhile days before Friday. No one noticed how this girl searched for him, or how she found him, or even how she had made her way beside him and stared unfathomably at his unfathomable figure standing on the balcony alone until she came of course.
"You never returned to the dining room." Aya whispered at him, now sounding worried. Rei barely even moved in his response and only raised a brow, as if to say "…and so?"
Aya gave out a blush and averted her gaze from him. She decided to focus more on the scenery laid before them. She sighed and whispered her concerned answer to his unspoken question, "Well, I was…just thinking something might had happen to you."
He winced slightly upon hearing this and didn't understand why'd he felt such. But being the ice prince he was, his guts kicked off and answered, "Why do you care?" instead. From the corner of his eye, he found her winced too like what he'd just did and mentally hurt himself for letting his egocentric side talk him into this.
Aya knew Rei was just being well, Rei. She was used to it by now, she should be. But still she doesn't understand why he can't just simply accept that she cares about him. Maybe he can't have the same feeling for her, she wasn't forcing him anyway, she was wishing that at least he'd understand that she cares a lot, If he can't take it as someone who loves him, at least being his friend.
After a long while of silence, Aya can no longer hold on and had to break it. She finally gave up and took out the first thing that was on her mind.
"It might take longer than 2 years before I would be back but I –"
" I'm not interested." Rei interrupted and walks off. For no reason whatsoever he felt his blood ran wild and burn. That topic, about Aya leaving for London and all, there was something about it that triggers his anger. He doesn't know, but it sounded to him more like he doesn't want to know. He just doesn't want that stupid thing being shove in his face.
Rei went somewhere away from the balcony, somewhere away from her. He found his room the best place and locked up. He threw himself on his bed and stared on the ceiling trying to sort things in his mind. 'Why am I feeling this way', he uttered and heaved a sigh, a deep-in-thoughts sigh. He, out from nowhere, suddenly remembered things from last night. It was suddenly like a movie flashed before him. Only difference was, he was feeling how her height felt on him and suddenly thought like missing her warmth around him. The very idea of her crying on him was like making him feel like he wants to be always the one to comfort her, to hold her down and be the one to wipe her tears. He remembered how she smiled sweetly, though sad, that smile that was always meant for him and him alone. He always wants to see her smile. He wants to be the one to make her smile. He, as sudden as the rest, felt the strange touch of her lips. How they felt so gentle, so soft and sweet on his own. And impossible as it may, he found himself wishing he could feel the touch of her lips on his even just for once…
"Arrrggghhh…" he scowled at the thought, not believing himself. He slapped his forehead and propped his head on the pillow heavily. He kept his eyes shut close and told himself sternly to keep his mind off matters. And soon he found rest, though not as restful as he wanted to, and drifted to an uncomfortable sleep.
Ran and the others spent the rest of their remaining days doing shopping. They were spending the most of their lives having fun and spending cash like hell. Well, at least most of them do.
"What's the matter, Aya?" Ran asked sitting in Aya's bed while she watches her friend neatly pack her new clothes they help her choose. It was evening but still the two friends remained awake. Miyu was tempted to join them but then 'Yamatto made himself irresistible tonight' according to her, whatever that means.
"Dare des ka? (Who is it?)" Ran added and finally got the absentminded girl to finally look up at her.
"Huh?" she simply answered. Perfectly unaware that her friend was trying to make a conversation for about minutes now.
Ran sighed and gave her a smirk. She edged closer to Aya and was now sitting near her, though Aya was on the floor and she was rather sitting on the bed.
"Aya, something is bothering you and I can see it…" She whispered coolly, trying to make her open up. "The plain leaves the next day. We-" Aya tried to answer but felt a gentle finger on her lips, hushing her. She looked up questioningly at her friend who returned the gaze. Ran smiled smugly at her and pushed on, "You know that I know that you know that that's not what is bothering you…"
With this said, Aya unconsciously bit her lower lip, indicating she wasn't expecting and wanting they'll reach to the topic. She was silent for a while until Ran lowered her head and whispered something in her ear, "Is it Rei then…?"
She looked away from her, her insides suddenly sorting to some sort of sad feeling. And as unconsciously as she did the latter, tears began to form on the corner of her eyes and drip down her face. Even before she knew it Ran had her in her lap and was comforting her while she poured all the emotions out.
"Ran… I'm sorry… I…I-I just can't…" Aya started, out of the blue, "I can never forget him…"
Ran ran a soothing hand on her friend and tried her best to make her feel better. "I know… but, Aya, you must. You can't live the rest of your life crying over him. I wish you would find someone who'll love you back."
" … I wish I could, Ran, I wish I could…" Aya whispered her answer, her voice faltering. As the night grew deeper, the two friends remained still.
Ran was pitying her friend. She'd seen her cry a thousand times before over him and try as she might to convince her, she just wouldn't let this man go. She wants her to be happy. She ought to be happy. But she must understand that she is destined to be happy with someone else. And that was her problem. She knows her friend will never ever love someone so much anymore like she did for him. He was her first love and by the looks of it, also the last. Her heart would remain with him forever, even if that forever means till the day they fade.
And she knew she had to do something.
