12 Ai Ko

A few days have passed and her relationship with the two guys was surprisingly relatively peaceful. Aila was reviewing for their 3rd grading exams when she saw a letter written on one of the pages of her physics notebook. She remembered this notebook was borrowed by Ken.

Ai ko,

Do you want to know a secret? Ai ko means, my love; Ai in eastern language means love while ko denotes ownership. I just thought you might want to look back and realize how many times I have called you "my love" <3 I just want to let you know that your smile brightens my day so please don't hide that beautiful smile of yours.

Ken

Aila looked back at the times Ken actually called him Ai Ko… and she found the gesture sweet rather than annoying which is a first for her. She decided to send a message to Ken.

"Hi, I saw your letter just now, thanks for being thoughtful. Review well and good luck for tomorrow's exam."

Aila was looking at her phone every few minutes to check if Ken actually replied to her text. But there was none...nada… zilch…

Bothered by her own behavior, she placed her phone inside her drawer to prevent herself from checking it from time to time. She had to focus on the exams, she managed to do it; even forgot about it the rest of the night.

"BEEP, BEEP, BEEP" Aila's alarm went off and unlike a few weeks ago; she is calmer and more composed now. She smiled as she went on about her morning routine.

"Good morning!" Reese greeted her as they went to their classroom together. This has been the task of Reese as one of her security staff; make sure Aila is safe inside the campus. She is in charge of reporting and anticipating anything that may cause harm to the princess.

"Are you ready for the exams?" Aila asked Reese; both of them are on the top 10, not only of their class but of the whole batch. Vince also is part of the top 10; while Ken is at the brink of being dropped out.

When Aila reached her seat, she saw Ken busy with his notes; what a very unfamiliar sight for everyone!

"Good luck with the exams! You can do it, it looks like you prepared well this time." Aila smiled at Ken. He saw Aila's smile he fell into a trance; he can't believe it; just now the school's goddess just gave him the sweetest smile!

"I worked my as* of last night, but I'm pretty sure my score won't be anywhere near yours; I'm just not as smart as you." Ken humbly said to Aila.

"Tsss.. Where's the arrogant Ken that I knew, please bring him back, you need that self confidence in cases like this." Aila sneered at Ken.

Ken laughed at Aila's comment. "God, I needed that… my nerves are killing me."

Aila's forehead furrowed;

"What's wrong? Why are you so pressured today?"

Ken's face turned serious.

"I want to be the one who deserves you… You are everything I want in a girl and I want to be the one you'd want too."

Ken's words dropped like bombs on Aila, her face turned bright red. She quickly covered her face using both of her hands;

"Silly guy, let's do our best to pass!" after saying that she dived back to her books.

As always, Aila was one of the first ones to finish the exams, she was followed shortly by Reese. Both of them went straight to the school grandstand to eat their snacks;

"I wanted to ask you something, but I don't know how to ask you this." Aila was hesitating to ask Reese.

Reese smiled at Aila,

"I think I know what's on your mind… I'm getting a car, a house, cash, and a college grant after this."

Aila glared at Reese and sighed, Reese felt small with Aila's reaction, and she bowed her head and kept quiet.

"Hey, you got robbed, you should ask for more!"

Reese was relieved to hear that from Aila.

"Well on top of all that, I get to be friends with the princess; that's like GOALS right?".

"Hahaha that's not much of a reward. How about a challenging me at the self-defense classes?" Aila asked naughtily,

"Why not? Just tell me when." Reese readily accepted her challenge.

As they were talking a couple came up the grandstand; it's the hooded guy with a girl that is looking quite sad. Aila and Reese decided to leave and give the couple their privacy.

When they got back in their classroom, the results of their exams were out; Aila got the top spot and Reese was second. Aila saw Ken turning on his phone, the thought of her text message she sent last night; "Hmmm, that's why I did not get a reply last night… wait, why am I expecting him to respond to me, haiiissst."

She observed Ken and saw how his face lit up when he was reading his messages. "Could he be reading my message? Haaaay the suspense is killing me." Ken looked her way and caught her gaze; she automatically looked away.

"It is such a shame that I was not able to read your message last night, it could have given me more boost for today," Ken whispered to Aila.

She was flustered, "why do I feel this way a lot lately? Geez, what's happening to me?"

Ken cleared his throat; "Ai ko, don't be too serious, I don't want you running away from me again."

"It's okay, you know I'm starting to get used to this," Aila assured Ken.

"I barely managed to pass the exam, but compared to my previous scores this one is way better." Ken was proud of his achievement and is even more proud of sharing it with Aila.

"Do you want to study with me? I hope to help you improve" Aila offered Ken.

He almost fell off his seat, and looked at Aila with awe;

"Seriously? I'd love to." The smile on Ken's face was from ear to ear; it made Aila smile too.

She's starting to warm up to other people, she loved the reaction of Ken, of how she is able to influence other people.

"If my parents will be able to see this, they will surely be proud of me." The smile on her face was immaculate with just the thought of making her parents proud.

"So, should we go to the library? Let's study for the next exam." Ken excitedly asked Aila.

"I have a better place in mind, let's go" Aila grabbed Ken's hand and pulled him while walking fast.

Reese tried to catch up with them because she knows how others would react if they saw this scene with just Aila and Ken alone.

They reached the grandstand and it surprised Ken. "Here? We'll study here?"

Aila and Reese smiled, "This is our favorite spot on the campus" Reese explained.

Aila sat down and pulled out her notes and tapped on the seat beside her for Ken. He willingly obliged and sat beside Aila. Reese was pleased with the scene in front of her, she slowly went down to give the two their time alone.

The two started studying together, Ken was very attentive to Aila and she was very patient with him.

"Thank you for your time, I appreciate your efforts." Ken was sincerely expressing his gratitude. Aila smiled, not wanting to hide the fact that the appreciation was heartfelt.

Ken was smiling at Aila; "You're making me fall for you even harder."