Heartstrings and Forever Bonds

Natalia's Surprise

Nikolai's Perspective:

I pondered for a few days whether I should confessed my feelings to her or just keep them to myself. It had becomes increasingly tough for me to restrain these emotions. My attendance at school was irregular, but every time I showed up, it was for Natalia. I missed her cuteness when she wasn't around, her smile, her innocent face, and every touch, no matter how subtle. Even though I had to admire her from a distance because she didn't talk to me, I couldn't help myself. Things had become a bit more normal, but I doubted she would ever approach me after that incident.

The next week, after the incident...

There she was, sitting on a bench in the schoolyard. I watched her, and she didn't notice, but when our eyes met by unfortunate chance, she quickly looked away. It felt like someone was stabbing my heart. Despite the pain, I gathered my courage and walked towards her. I stood in front of her, although she avoided looking at my face. Without asking, I invited her to meet after school, whispering, "Ï need to tell you what I truly feel for you. Please come." The air was thick with silence, my heart pounding in my chest.

She replied with a simple, "Okay!" and I walked away. Just "Okay!"? I approached her first, reach out as a friend, and all I got was an indifferent "Okay!" I mustered the courage to ask her to meet me after school, and this was her response. Little did she know, this indifferent attitude was last thing I expected after baring my feelings to her.

After the final class, I packed my bag and scanned the room for Natalia, but she wasn't there. I searched the entire classroom, but she was nowhere to be found. An unsetting feeling gripped me as I rushed down the stairs to school ground. Even there, she was conspicuously absent. I approached the guard, desperation in my voice, and he informed me, "She left with her mom." The pain hit me like a tidal wave, but there was nothing I could do. On my way home, I pondered over what she might be going through. Maybe she no longer had feelings for me, and perhaps, in the realm of childhood, it was easy to brush off such matters as inconsequential.

The next day...

A the school day drew to a close, I prepared to leave. The school bus awaited me, along with a few students. Then I saw her_ Natalia_ carrying her bag, her hear neatly tied in a bun, her bangs falling into her eyes, waiting for her mom to pick her up. This was my chance. If I didn't confess today, I might never get another opportunity. I sprinted towards her, demanding, "Why didn't you wait for me yesterday?" S he replied casually, "My mom came early. That's why." I retorted, "Did your mom came early, or did you simply not want to talk to me?" She fell into silence. I sighed, deciding to let it go. "Fine. I have something to say to you in just three words. They are significant to me, and maybe they are to you too. I need to say it now; my bus will leave in a minute."

She nodded, indicating she is listening. I locked eyes with her. The relief that washed over me was immense; it felt like falling for her all over again. I was on the verge of confessing, but the I saw my bus starting to pull away. Without a second thought, I sprinted towards it. In that moment, I caught a strange expression on Natalia's face. I didn't care about the opinions of others; I needed to say it out.

"N-Nataliaaa...I love you!"