Unrequited Vows: The Heart That Was Never Hers

Chapter 2

ASTER

I had lost count of how many times mosquitoes had bitten me. My body was itchy as I hid behind the plants. And from where I was, I could clearly see Yuan sitting at the table he had set up, with food I had prepared—and, of course, an unlit candle. He was just waiting for Samantha to arrive.

He had given me specific instructions: the moment he kissed his girlfriend's hand, I would light up the fireworks.

We had set everything up together. Initially, he wanted to have it on a restaurant lawn, but his budget fell short. With no job and still being a student, he suggested we do it in the garden instead.

Also, he had already booked a room for the night at a well-known hotel. I advised him not to forget a condom, just in case, because I honestly couldn't handle it if he got Samantha pregnant.

Still, even though it wasn’t a grand setting, my best friend had spent a lot on this. He rented a table, chairs, and a red carpet fit for royalty. Plus, there was the cost of the foods, the fireworks, the hotel room and yes—even the price of a condom.

I scratched my face as another mosquito bit me. But I straightened up right away when I saw Samantha finally arrived. Yuan handed her some flowers, and they began eating.

My eyes were nearly bulging from waiting. How much longer until the hand-kissing moment? These mosquitoes were relentless! If I got fed up, I would light these fireworks right now.

After almost ten minutes, the moment I had been waiting for was now happening—Yuan kissed his girlfriend’s hand.

Panicking, I struck the lighter and aimed it directly at the fireworks' fuse, even though Yuan had told me to use a longer stick to safely ignite them from a distance.

Unfortunately, instead of shooting up, the fireworks exploded right on the ground. It looked like New Year’s Eve, even though it was nowhere near January! Screaming, I emerged from my hiding spot, burns covering me, and I could smell my singed hair.

When Yuan saw what happened, he quickly rushed over with Samantha right behind him, both of them looking alarmed.

"Are you alright, Aster?" Yuan asked, hugging me and trying to calm me down, brushing my still-smoking hair.

"My precious hair!" I cried. "How can I be alright? I nearly became a roast chicken!" I shoved him off, still in tears. "Next time, don’t make me part of your props for surprising your girlfriend. It’s dangerous!"

"Aster!"

"Don’t stop me!" I snapped as I yanked my arm from his grip, ready to storm off.

“I’m taking you to the hospital,” he said.

“Hospital? You’ve spent all your money on this extravagance. You can’t even afford Betadine!”

“I’ll cover the hospital costs, Aster,” Samantha offered.

“No need. Just continue your date,” I said, walking away.

As I left, I overheard Yuan tell his girlfriend that the plan was canceled. He hurriedly left her side and followed after me.

“Please! Go back to your girlfriend!” I shouted at him.

“No. I’m treating those burns!” he insisted.

“Since when are you a doctor?”

“Just in case you forgot, I’m a medical student, Aster,” he replied.

“You’re still a student!”

“I’m graduating! I know a lot about first aid!” Yuan shouted, clearly frustrated, knowing I was stubborn.

Ignoring him, I entered the house first and rushed to my room, locking the door. I collapsed onto my bed and buried my face in my hands, pitying myself.

I looked in the mirror and wailed even louder, seeing that I now resembled a character in a horror movie.

“Aster! What’s going on in there?” Yuan’s voice was full of panic as he knocked repeatedly. “Aster! Open this door!”

“No way! Go back to Samantha. All our efforts will go to waste!” I shouted.

“You’re more important, Aster!” he replied.

Important? Would he have cared if I hadn’t nearly turned into roast chicken?

I ignored him, even though he didn't stop banging on the door. I thought he had left because the noise had stopped. But moments later, I saw the doorknob turning, and he stepped in, holding a spare key.

“Didn’t I already show you how to light fireworks?” Yuan asked, coming closer to examine my small burns. He then ran his fingers through my hair, still smelling of smoke. “I’m so sorry, Aster.”

“Your sorry won’t fix anything! I’m going to go bald!”

“Only the tips are burnt. You just need a trim, but your hair will end up shoulder-length.”

“What if I can’t tie it up anymore?” I was about to cry again. I was used to having my hair in a ponytail. When my hair was down, everything felt chaotic.

“If you want, we can get it rebonded. I’ll take care of it tomorrow,” Yuan offered.

“Swear? You have money for that?”

“Of course, it’s me!”

“Alright, I’m not mad anymore. Go back to Samantha,” I said, finally softening.

Yuan hugged me and flopped onto my bed, burying his face in my hair even though it still smelled burnt. It was his way of showing affection.

I knew it was probably inappropriate at our age, especially since I had started feeling something more for him. But I couldn’t help it. It was like my small moment of fulfillment, even if it lasted only a split second before reality set back in, reminding me we were just childhood friends.

“Aster, I’m not scared of losing a girlfriend. I could find another easily. But I’m terrified of losing a best friend like you,” he said.

Ouch. When would I ever escape the friend zone?

"T-thank you, Yuan."

“So, you’re not mad anymore? Wake up early tomorrow because I’m taking you to—”

“Yuan! Where are you?” Samantha’s voice rang from the distance, cutting off whatever Yuan was about to say.

“Wait, Aster, I’ll just go to my girlfriend,” he said, trying to stand, but I pulled him back down.

He looked at me, his brows furrowing. “I thought we were okay?”

“We are. That’s why I’m going with you. I want to get some water,” I replied.

“I’ll bring some here for you.”

“No.”

“Please, Aster.”

“I know what you’re planning to do now that your parents are not home, Yuan. Not here, please. If you want, take her to that hotel room you reserved,” I said.

He hesitated, clearly torn. “Are you sure you’re going to be okay here?”

I nodded.

“Thank you, Aster! I love you!” He kissed me on the cheek before leaving my room excitedly.

“I love you too, Yuan,” I muttered sadly, sitting down on the edge of my bed as I heard the sound of his car leaving.

It was a secondhand car that had once belonged to his godfather. But even so, it still looked new and added to his charm, making him even more attractive to girls who only cared about appearances.