"Is this the last time I'll ask you this—do you like me or not?" Rei's voice was a little uncertain, his eyes searching mine for an answer. We were sitting side by side on the school bus, just like always, but today it's different. There was a weight in the air. I stayed silentinIn my thoughts, a chaos occurred. Did I like him? Did I not? My heart and mind were at a race, a storm starting inside me. For months, he had been a constant in my life, he is around me like a restless moon orbiting Earth, always there waiting...And now, he wanted his answer. "No," the word left my lip, just a whisper. I stood up as the bus came to the school entrance, avoiding his gaze, and stepped down onto the land of school grounds. My legs felt heavy, I couldn't quite name it. As the bus doors closed behind me, I knew I had just severed a thread connecting us... One he had been holding onto for six long months. Six months ago, Rei had walked into my life, and since then, he had never left my side. He was the first boy who had ever given me so much love and attention, the first to make my heart flutter in different ways I didn't even understand. He was confessing his feelings time and again, always with that same unwavering determination. "My heart only beats for you. I've been waiting for you all my life," he had told me once. It was during a lunch break in the canteen when I was sitting alone, lost in my world. His words had sent a strange warmth through me, something close to happiness.....but even then, I hadn't been able to believe him and not even in myself that I was truly able for his love. Rei was in 12th grade, two years ahead of me. I was only ithe n the 9th grade. Maybe that's why I hesitated. Maybe that's why I never gave him the answer. I remember thinking back then, "Maybe this is the moment when life finally offers us happiness in Ga golden spoon" But today, on his last day at school, I turned him down in a clear way and also with those words that are unforgiving. My heart ached, but deep inside, I knew I had made the right choice.ƒrēewebnovel.com I wanted to stay with him. I wanted to hold on to him for the rest of my life. I thought maybe our being together was never meant for me. Lost in my thoughts, I did not even realize when I reached the classroom. The pain of what happened between me and Ray was still bothering me somewhere in my heart. But before this Chamden tsunami could drown my heart, A Familiar voice came. "Aira! Hurry up and come here! Where have you been?" I looked up to see Nami, my best friend, sitting on the floor near the entrance of our classroom. She was busy creating a range with her full concentration. I laughed seeing her like that. "You? Making a rangoli?" I teased, walking towards her. "You can't even draw a straight line!" Nnamgaveme a glare, clearly unimpressed. "Shut up! I was waiting for you! Help me out, will you? Everyone else is busy preparing for the function."She said with a wry face when she was sitting on the ground with her legs crossed, and her hands were smeared with the colour of rangoli I smirked, shaking my head as I sat beside her. "Where are Ojasubi and Suhina?" I asked, glancing around. She gestured towards the classroom. "They're inside, finishing up the decorations." I nodded and sat down beside him.r I rolled up my sleeves and started helping her. The entire school was buzzing with excitement for the Annual Day. Students were running around, decorating their classroom, hall, and rehearsing performances. The air was filled with the scent of fresh flowers and mixed with the yummy aroma of snacks from the canteen. When I helped Nami fill in the rangoli design, I wanted to tell her everything—about Rei, about what had just happened on the bus, about everything going inside me. But words wouldn't come out. So, I just smiled and let myself get lost in the colors, pushing the feeling deep inside where no one could see. "Woohoo! The dance performance is starting—hurry up!"