To Endure A Little More

SIX

Sigh. A weary, audible, heavy sigh escaped her lips as she looked into the eyes of her best friend, Terran. A soft drawn smile replaces the faint, exasperated misery and desolation in her eyes as she looked at him. The devastation she was feeling inside was visible on her face as her eyes glistened with tears that were brimming up on her lower eyelid margin, threatening to fall. Terran's eyes soften, his heart aching seeing the Sun is his life burn with so much pain inside of herself and it had him more distressed knowing he has nothing to help with and take it away from her. 

There isn't a any use in keeping myself trapped in this melancholy. She thought to herself as she receives a reassuring squeeze in the shoulder. "It'll be okay." She immediately drops the hard face she was keeping up to look strong and turns on her bed to hug the man.

"Terran."

"I'm here." He says, smiling into her hair and sniffing in the fruity freshness which caused him to let out an Achoo! before kissing her forehead.

"Why?" Aelia breaks down again from the gesture.

"Hey hey, don't cry please. Your tears are so precious, you can't waste them. Cry when I beat that rapscallion loser up, out of happiness because that's what he deserves for making you cry sad tears." Terran's words break a laugh on Aelia's face as she wonders where did he even learn the unique word from. "Just for a week, I was gone and he dares to hurt you, I'll show him what real pain feels like."

"It's okay, go easy on him. I'm the one to blame..." Sigh.  " God, I'm just so glad you're finally back. It's been a tough few days. Even though, fault is mine to be... It's alright. It'll pass, I hope." Aelia breathes out as she tries her best to convince her best friend with a weary smile that she manages to force out. Terran raises a brow at her in confusion.

"Maybe I was using him for too long. Although, I did end up falling for him while I tried to shut out who's truly in my heart, maybe I was so desperate to get over him that I accepted everything about Harvey, even the cold ways he'd treat me sometimes. But now if I come to think of it, my life keeps revolving around him."

"I think it's a sign. I think it's time you think straight and start over with Luan." Terran says, making me serve him a confused, questioning look.

"What do you mean?"

"I still believe in the three of us and I know you do so too. Aelia, Luan, and Terran. You were given the name Aelia which means the Sun in Roman. Luan stands for the Moon in Portuguese and I stand for the Earth in Latin. Even though it was an odd choice of names, we were given these names by our parents for they believed and hope for our bond to last forever. Now, even if they did not last forever, I hope we can let their belief do so."  Terran speaks as Aelia gets caught in a trance of thinking. "You know, I used to dislike my name but what has caused me to love it is because you are my Sun and Luan is my moon. The two of you, together, used to light up my earth." He speaks, deeply touching her in the feels and making her regret all her past actions. She gets ready to speak her excuse against Terran's words but he throws a nag to ease the tension in the air and make her laugh.

 "It's been dark in my earth for ages now! It's time we need an eclipse here so let's start over. I believe it will be alright."

Aelia starts to speak but fails to find any words to say against him. She knew, deep down she too wanted the past before the pain back.

"Oh A- uh Luan!" Terran calls, causing Aelia to glance behind towards the entrance to the terrace. There stood Luan in his leather jacket and polished boots , causing Aelia to gulp for only she knows why. Ripped jeans that matched his shoes and a loose t-shirt tucked in at contrast. He looked stunning in the eyes of the lady sitting next to Terran. And his hair was nicely combed and parted on his forehead. He had a pair of sunglasses in his possession, making it obvious that he was heading out.

"Brother, let's go out if you're free." he says his words directed to Terran, avoiding to look at Aelia.

"Yeah, I'm in. Aelia, you should join us." Terran says, speaking with a little hint of astoundment in his voice which was caused by Luan calling him brother all out of a sudden. There's no change in the latter's face which makes it hard for Aelia to figure out if he minded her joining them. "Come on, it's a weekend and we don't have class today. That calls for a hangout!" Terran states, picking back up his usual jollyness, trying his best convince her. In the back of her mind, Aelia knew exactly why Terran was asking for her to join them.

Getting the hint, Luan creates a loud tapping noise with his boot on the floor, waiting for them to follow him out if they were actaully interested.

"Alright, let's go out then. Terran's stupid therapy sessions weren't working anyways." Aelia says, sticking her tongue out at her best friend before grabbing her jacket and slipping  back nex to Terran and locking arms the latter's that made her feel more secure. Afterwards, the two follow Luan's lead behind at sneaking out of the school. 

*Aelia's Point Of View*

Just as we sneak out of school, a grin of victory blooms on our faces like we have just won freedom. Well, indeed it felt like we were finally free because the academy had strict rules for not letting us out of it except for the weekends only and today was a working day. This place was an odd kind of school in comparison to any other school or simply the definition of a school. It wasn't that we didn't like it. It was just that the locals found it out of the ordinary. But for the trainees who were students under this school, like us, found it just perfect. This institution was training and preparing us to build a career in the music industry just like we wished for, as well as providing us with education which are high enough to win scholarships just like any other student our age was receiving.

"Freedom." Luan says in an exaggerated tone as he takes in a heavy breath of fresh air.

"Agreed."

We start walking on our way to a destination yet to be decided but the further we were going, the quieter the walk was getting. Solid 10 minutes passed by in silence till i couldn't stand it anymore. Although, Terran would occasionally whisper jokes or random things into my ear once in a while to keep me entertained and a smile plastered to my face. He slipped my hands into the pocket of his jacket to keep me warm. It was late january and winter had come late this year but it had come furiously cold. Luan simply ignored us and walked ahead, unbothered.

A crowd of people rush past us in cheers and bustle, catching the best of our interest. The joyousness and boisterous merriment awake our curiosity. Luan stops the last person of the parade to ask about the special occasion they're celebrating. From the people we collect that there's a winter festival going on. The end of the year to begin a new year was soon which was something to be celebrated as per tradition goes and as winter too had come early this year, although it was yet to snow which had been forecasted to happen soon so winter festivals were already taking place at almost every corner of the fun loving city.

"Thank you. Have a good day." Luan wishes the man politely and looks at us excitedly, a grin making his face glow.

"Guess what I am thinking right now!" He asks with a pop of excitement in him as Terran mimics his expression with double the enthusiasm before they both take a glance at me.

"How will I know?!" I mumble with a sudden offness in my mood. "Wait don't tell me..." I start as it suddenly strikes me that the two boys must be interested in joining the festival.

"Yup, you're right." They grin at me before running, practically dragging and pushing each other away to reach first, forgetting me behind. I find it adorable, being reminded of the old days when the three of us were one, invincible against the world. But I had no strength in me to run after them and neither to call out their names for them to not leave me behind, after the silly hours I had spent on breaking down about everything that had been going wrong with me. I search for my phone in my pocket to call them, only to realise I did not bring it along. I grow slightly afraid, wondering if I just lost them.

Before I have a chance to panic any further, I see Terran running back to me. A smile immediately replaces the worry that had come visible on my face, at seeing Terran comeback for me. He kneels down and offers me his back for a piggy back ride and I accept, finding no strength to continue although I did not want to cause him the trouble. He rans back into the winter fest, making vroom vroom noises like as if he is a motorbike. I giggle as I hold onto the man tightly. Just like always, no matter the circumstances, he'd never leave me behind and that makes  me feel luckier than anybody who has ever lived this earth.

"You better not drop me!" I say but he keeps running, taking me with him. His long legs and fast pace helping him rush through the crowd while I'm holding onto him for dear life which I wasn't interested in living till now as my heart feels overwhelmed with nostalgia. We stop in front of a small crowd and see a big stage where people are dancing and singing.

"So who's up next." says the man on the stage, seeming to be the host. He looks around before his eyes to land on us.

"Hey kids...wait is it...Luan Aldrin and Terran Parker!" speaks the man in surprisal, dragging everyone's attention towards us. "Ahhh look who are here!" The man announces. Joy and bustle flushes over the crowd as people start to cheer, asking for them to come up on stage. I was not impressed by how the locals knew them because Luan was a benevolent and good-natured person's son who was loved dearly by the people of this country. Terran too came from a big background and he got more recognized as he took charge as the CEO of his father's company that was leading companies of the country in creating medicines and owned the largest hospital. It was me who was hidden from the public because of my late father's concern. 

A smile appears in my face as I watch Luan hop on and enjoy himself on the stage. He always had his passion for music which was a highlight of who he was. He knew how to get the kick out of music just right and he could bring the mood on everyone just by the gummy smile he'd have on his face at listening to music. The crowd cheers for him to keep going and give them a performance after a new song begins. I look beside me to find Terran missing but he's neither on the stage. I grow concerned, wondering if he left, only to later find him outside the crowd, speaking on his phone. I run up to him with a look of curiosity.

"What is it? Everything alright?"

"Sun, Jeremy needs me at the studio with him. Mr. Jensen has called for me. I'm afraid I need to leave." he says with an apologetic look and i smile at him.

"It's okay, it must be important. And Mr. Jensen will be worried if he notices your absence."

"But will you be fine?" He asks with sincerity as I nod at him and a smile appears on his face and he kisses me on the cheek.

"Yeah. It'd be great if you could drop me at the dorms on your way actually."

"No, you stay here and enjoy yourself. You know Luan will take great care of you no matter how hard he tries to play the bad guy. You know that better than anyone."

I hesitate but his glare makes me nod to him. "Fine." I say, finally convinced. Terran turns to leave before I stop him to give him a hug on last time. "I love you."

"I love you more. Now go have some fun!" He ruffles my hair before chuckling and running off as I look back at the stage to see Luan staring at me intently. I wiggle my eye brows at him before giggling a laughter at his expression he replies me with.

"Hey, Miss. You." the man points at me and looks at Luan, with the most hopeful expression.

"I'm guessing that beautiful woman is your girlfriend, Sir. Why don't you bring her in and do a couple dance. We will give you the first prize then!" he says in excitement as the crowd cheers in agreement. Luan was respected everywhere and loved by everyone. And so did he, loved everyone back just as much he loved music. I could see it in his eyes he did not want to say no to giving them another performance.

He used to be total sweetheart and was very compassionate and friendly before he grew his immature habits that most people don't know about, which is why he is loved wherever he goes. And he owned the credits because he earned all the respect, in spite of taking credits of being the son of the loved, late president of their country.

Luan comes and takes me to the stage with him before I could even process and realise what is going on.

"Luan, I don't feel well enough to participate-" I look at him and the words spill out of my mouth but he stops me midway.

"You don't need to. I will do the work. Enjoy. You've had a rough day yesterday because of me." He whispers as he looks into my eyes with sincerity. Before I could even say it wasn't his fault and that I was rather thankful he revealed the truth to me, he starts his performance.

He starts singing the korean boy group BibBang's Last Dance even though that isn't really a couple song but rather of a lone lover. The crowd sings along with him in sync because korean pop had turned quite famous amongst the locals in this generation. I couldn't deny that this made me blush and made my heart flutter along till I soon realized the lyrics. the lyrics... it hit deep. It was as if he was speaking his own feelings through the lyrics, to our story. But I believe, he didn't even know our story anymore.

Beads of sweat travel down his forehead as he takes a bottle of water and drinks it down. Yet again, the crowd cheers as if he just did a commercial and he grins at the crowd. His eyes travel to mine and we get caught in a trance for a moment, in silence. For a split second, the world revolving around us takes a halt and I try reading his eyes but I rather drown in them as if it's a galaxy of emotions. His eyes sparkle and he doesn't break the gaze.

Terran's words play on loop in my mind, trying to make an affect. A million thoughts dance in my mind as the winter wind caresses my face, making me shiver which breaks the intensity of our stare and the crowd speaks again.

"Kiss!" They chant and that's when I'm driven back to reality. It starts to snow and although it's beauty is enough to distract the crowd, they still continue to chant for us to kiss. It was said that first snow of the year was start of true love and many had fallen in love since they shared the memory of the first snow. Was I to fall in love with the same man I had already shared a love of a lifetime with, once again? I cannot let that happen because I believe it is better for this love to be forbidden due to set of circumstances. I look at Luan, hoping he'd help with an excuse.

But before I could process another second, he kisses me.