The veil of hearts

•Silent guardian•

A/N: Listen to If you were with me (Joshua's POV)

19
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Felix's POV

I'm lost in the warmth of Aina's presence when the cafe door bursts open, bringing with it a gust of cold air and a man I instantly recognize: Professor Joshua. My heart sinks as I watch his frantic eyes scan the room, landing on Aina with visible relief.

"Aina!" he calls out, rushing towards our table. I steel myself, knowing our peaceful moment is about to end.

Aina looks up, surprise coloring her features. "Professor Joshua? What are you doing here?"

I watch as Joshua reaches our table, slightly out of breath. "Noor and Bella told me they couldn't find you. You weren't answering your phone. I've been worried sick!"

A pang of guilt hits me. I should have thought about her friends worrying, should have encouraged her to contact them. But I was selfishly savoring our time together.

Aina fumbles for her phone, her face falling as she realizes it's dead. "Oh no, it's dead. I'm so sorry, I didn't realize..."

Joshua's eyes finally land on me, and I see the suspicion form immediately. I don't blame him; I'd be wary too if I found Aina with a stranger.

"And who is this?" he asks, his tone guarded.

Before I can speak, Aina jumps in, then pauses. The realization that she doesn't know my name is a sharp reminder of our current reality.

"Felix," I supply, standing to offer my hand to Joshua. I force a polite smile. "I found Aina looking a bit lost in the snow and offered to buy her a warm drink."

Joshua shakes my hand, but his eyes narrow slightly. "That's... very kind of you."

I can see the questions forming in his mind, the protective instinct kicking in. It's clear he cares deeply for Aina, and for a moment, I feel a surge of jealousy. But I push it down. What matters is Aina's wellbeing.

"I'm so sorry for worrying everyone," Aina says, looking genuinely distressed. "I just needed some air and lost track of time."

Joshua's expression softens as he turns back to her, and I know it's time for me to bow out.

"Well, now that you're in good hands, I should be going," I say, gathering my things. The words taste bitter in my mouth.

Aina looks up at me, and for a moment, I allow myself to hope I see a flicker of reluctance in her eyes. But I know it's probably just wishful thinking. "Thank you for the coffee and company, Felix," she says softly.

I nod, offering a small smile. "It was my pleasure, Aina. Take care."

As I make my way to the door, I hear Joshua asking Aina if she's ready to head back to the hotel. I allow myself one last glance over my shoulder. Joshua has taken my seat, leaning in close to Aina, his concern evident in every gesture.

The sight is like a knife to my heart. That used to be me, caring for her, protecting her. But now, I'm just a stranger she met in a cafe.

I step out into the snowy night, the warmth of the cafe and Aina's presence already fading. As I walk away, I'm torn between relief that Aina is safe and cared for, and a deep, aching sadness at having to leave her side once again.

Part of me wants to turn back, to tell Joshua and Aina everything. But I know I can't. It's not safe, not yet. And so I walk on, carrying the weight of our shared past alone, hoping that someday, somehow, Aina will remember. Until then, I'll watch over her from afar, a silent guardian in this city of snow and hidden memories.

////

Joshua's POV

As Felix disappears into the snowy night, Aina turns to me, her eyes filled with a mixture of emotions I can't quite decipher.

"Professor," she says softly, "I need some time to process."

I nod, understanding her need for solitude. "Of course, Aina. But it's late, and the streets can be confusing—"

She cuts me off with a gentle shake of her head. "Please. I just... I need to walk. To think."

Something in her voice stops me from protesting further. Instead, I make a quick decision. "Alright. But please, stay in well-lit areas. And if you need anything—"

"I'll call," she promises, offering a small, grateful smile. "Thank you, Professor."

I watch as she turns and starts walking down the snowy street, her figure slowly being swallowed by the falling snow. Every instinct in me screams to go after her, to make sure she's safe. But I know she needs this time alone.

So I do the only thing I can. I follow, at a distance.

I hang back, always keeping her in sight but never close enough to intrude on her solitude. The streets of Helsinki are quiet at this hour, the snow muffling what little sound there is. Aina's footsteps leave a trail in the fresh powder, and I find myself stepping in them, a silent guardian in her wake.

She walks with purpose, her head slightly bowed against the gentle snowfall. I wonder what's going through her mind. Is she thinking about Felix? About the strange familiarity she's felt with this city? Or is it something else entirely?

At one point, she stops abruptly, looking up at a building. From my vantage point, I can see her brow furrow in confusion. She stares at it for a long moment before shaking her head and moving on. I make a mental note of the address, another piece in the puzzle of Aina's mysterious connection to this place.

As we walk, I notice how naturally she navigates these streets. There's no hesitation at intersections, no pausing to get her bearings. It's as if her feet know the way, even if her mind doesn't understand why.

After about twenty minutes, Aina comes to a stop in a small park. She brushes snow off a bench and sits down, her gaze fixed on the horizon where the city lights meet the dark sky. I hang back, concealing myself in the shadow of a nearby building. Close enough to intervene if needed, far enough to give her the privacy she needs.

Watching her sitting there, snowflakes settling gently in her head, I'm struck by how small she looks against the vastness of the night. Yet there's a strength in her posture, a resilience that shines through even in this moment of vulnerability.

I don't know how long we stay like this – Aina lost in thought on her bench, me standing silent vigil in the shadows. But as the night deepens and the temperature drops further, I see her shiver and stand up.

For a moment, I think she's going to continue walking. But instead, she turns and starts heading back the way we came. As she passes by my hiding spot, I catch a glimpse of her face. There's a new determination in her eyes, a set to her jaw that wasn't there before.

Whatever revelations or decisions she's come to during this solitary walk, I can see they've had a profound effect on her. And as I fall into step behind her once more, keeping a watchful eye as we make our way back to the hotel, I can't help but wonder what this means for her journey of self-discovery – and for my role in it.

One thing is certain: whatever challenges lie ahead, I'll be there to support her, whether she knows I'm there or not.

AUTHOR'S NOTE

That's all for today.

Tell me your opinions via comments.

Bye bye for now.