Prologue

“Hello, beautiful.”

She caught her breath at the sudden appearance of a pretty face in front of her. But she couldn’t bring herself to get angry at him for even a minute. His smile would almost instantly make her world brighter like nothing else in the world.

“Stop saying that. I might believe you.”

He smiled more, deepening the dimple on his cheek. He carried her books from her like he’s always done and looked at her before turning his face forward. Her bright eyes would often cast a spell on him. It was like he could spend an entire day lost in her sparkling brown eyes; just a whole day appreciating them. Seeing them felt like seeing the night sky filled with stars.

“That’s good then.”

He raised his chin proudly and continued to walk beside her.

“Why??” She stood in front of him to stop him.

She waited for an answer while he just looked back at her fondly.

“Because it’s the truth…” He softly ran his thumb on a dark line just above her left cheek.

It must have been from her charcoal pencils.

“You are so beautiful, Aiah.”