Unwoven Heart Threads: A Dance of Yearning

"Nadia!"

A sudden exclamation jolted her to attention, and she immediately saw Gris seated at the bar, right across from the man who had greeted her earlier. Gris's face registered disbelief, and Nadia quickly approached to sit beside him. Angelina followed, looking somewhat awkward as she glanced around Bar Eve, noting its distinct ambiance.

"What are you two doing here?" Gris whispered, his voice tinged with anxiety. Nadia felt as if she both heard and didn't hear him, her gaze still fixed on the man before her. It was as if she recognized him yet didn't, trying to hold his gaze longer, hoping an answer would emerge in her mind.

Jaime noticed this and cast a glance towards a girl who seemed entranced by the colorful drinks lined up on the shelf behind him, or perhaps she was captivated by him. Either way, it felt strange to be scrutinized so deeply. Gris, seeing Nadia lost in her trance-like stare at Jaime, pinched her.

"Ouch, Gris!" Nadia protested.

"Fool, you've been staring too long," Gris whispered into her ear.

"Who?" Nadia replied.

"You."

Nadia suddenly became self-aware, her face turning crimson.

"Alright, Miss, what would you like to order?" Jaime inquired politely with a smile. Nadia's heart raced once more. She remembered the masked man's way of speaking and the shape of his lips when he smiled; it was almost identical to how this man asked for her order and smiled at her. This made Nadia once again gaze directly at the man, unhesitatingly and without embarrassment, as if the part of her brain that governed awkwardness had vanished, replaced by overwhelming curiosity. This time, Gris spoke up, "Jaime, just give them Spumoni."

"Alright," Jaime responded gracefully, "That's the cocktail most frequently requested by women when they enter a bar." He added, trying to lessen the awkwardness he felt from his guests and also, to some extent, the discomfort he felt from being observed by two beautiful eyes. At this moment, Jaime wasn't entirely sure if the girl was staring at him or the drinks behind him.

"We... We're not old enough yet," stammered a girl who appeared shy and hesitant.

"Oh really?" Jaime suddenly became intrigued, "Aren't you ladies at least 18?"

Angelina quickly replied, "All three of us are just 17 years old."

Jaime instantly turned his gaze to Gris, and somehow Gris's expression soured immediately. "Alright then, is there any other drink I can serve you?" Jaime quickly presented the daytime menu of Cafe Eve to the trio. Angelina took it and started to scan its contents. Nadia, on the other hand, briefly glanced at the menu and then resumed her stare at the man before her without even opening the menu, while Gris eagerly grabbed the menu, burying her face in it.

As the three of them were lost in their own thoughts, Jaime spoke up, "Miss Gris, thank you for bringing guests here, allow me to treat you to a drink that's just right for you." Gris quickly put down the menu and looked at Jaime, who was smiling at her. She felt a mix of relief and joy because the bartender was about to make a special cocktail for her. Then she saw the drink Jaime set before her. White and warm, it was a cup of hot milk. Gris bit her lower lip, gazing at Jaime who smiled and said, "I hope Miss Gris enjoys it and grows up soon." Jaime pointed to a small sign next to the bar that read, "No alcoholic beverages for those under 18."

Forcing a grin, Gris stirred her hot milk. Two days ago, she had ordered a cocktail, and since Jaime felt she was still too young, he inquired if she was over 18. With pride, she had claimed to be 20 and even presented an edited ID card to prove it. "What would you like to order, Miss?" Jaime promptly asked again. All Angelina could think of were cake, pudding, or ice cream, while Nadia requested a hot tea. The three young girls entered the bar with orders for pudding, hot tea, and hot milk. Perhaps only Cafe Eve was equipped to serve them, and after all, the guests at Cafe Eve were all BtP individuals, so the Master saw no issue in slightly altering the drinks and overlooking the sanctity of the bar. As long as they were customers making purchases, they were kings.

When the orders arrived, Angelina immediately enjoyed her pudding, Nadia kept stirring her tea while occasionally glancing at Jaime, and Gris sipped her hot milk restlessly, knowing she wouldn't get another cocktail since her real age was discovered. Nadia looked at the man once more, and this time she was startled because he was looking back at her; their eyes met. A peculiar feeling bubbled up and enveloped her, a sensation she couldn't comprehend. The man's eyes bore into hers so deeply and he smiled at her. A smile that nearly made her heart skip a beat.

"Miss, I think that's salt, not sugar," the man said.

"Wha..?" Nadia seemed momentarily stunned.

"I believe that's salt..." Jaime pointed at something she was pouring into her tea.

"What?" Nadia swiftly looked down to see her hand holding a salt shaker, with salt still sprinkling into her warm tea. Coming to her senses, she hastily set it down. Gris quickly chided her, "What are you doing?"

"Wha?? Me? No..no," Nadia stammered, her face turning a deep shade of red for no apparent reason.

"Perhaps we should head back now," Gris suggested, pulling out her card to pay. Her enthusiasm to stay had waned the moment she realized she wouldn't get her favorite cocktail anymore. "O..okay," Nadia replied as if she was jolted back from a dream. Both of them quickly departed, dragging along a hapless Angelina who hadn't even finished a quarter of her pudding.

***

In the soft, dim light, I watched as Nadia's silhouette slowly faded into the distance. Each step she took seemed to pierce my heart, the chasm between us widening with every moment. Just as she was about to be swallowed by the darkness, she paused, turning back to me. Our gazes intertwined, creating a bridge of raw, unspoken emotions. The world around us blurred, leaving just the two of us, frozen in a moment that felt eternal.

Her eyes, those deep wells of emotion, spoke of stories untold, of desires unexpressed. They held a plea, a silent scream, echoing a yearning that seemed to resonate with my own heart. Her delicate lips trembled, hinting at words she wished to say, yet couldn't. It was as if our souls whispered to each other, their voices resonating in a symphony of silent confessions.

As I stood there, an overwhelming urge surged within me to reach out, to pull her close and shield her from the world's cruelty. To declare my undying love, to promise her eternity. Yet, societal norms and our differing worlds bound my feet and silenced my voice, trapping me in a cage of my own making.

Her very essence called out to me, a siren song so enchanting that I found myself willing to lay down my life for her, to find a life's purpose in her. But did I have the valor to defy conventions for this sacred love? Was fate kind enough to grant me this one wish?

The daunting thought clouded my mind: What if she turned away from my vulnerable self? Would my soul find the strength to endure such a profound heartbreak?

'I am sorry,'

I looked away

And there she walked away

***

I just returned from Cafe Eve and arrived home at midnight. Frankly, my mind is blank and filled with thoughts of that girl.

A girl named Nadia.

A beautiful girl as enchanting as an angel; perhaps even angels would feel envious looking at her.

'She is the most beautiful angel God ever created.'

I knew of her from once seeing her taking off her mask from atop a tree, but seeing her up close and being looked at by her deep black eyes made my heart almost stop. And yes, my heart did stop for a moment, only to then race uncontrollably. Her gaze might drive me mad. Just her presence made my whole life light up, becoming radiant and beautiful. And suddenly, after she left, everything felt so empty and dark, reminding me of my constant solitude. I took out two cans of drinks and sat in front of the house, on a chair I just finished making, gazing at the starry, moonless, and slightly cloudy sky.

I've gone mad.

Why am I so smitten with her to the point where I can't control myself? What has made me feel this way? Hormones? Soulmates? Fate? Who's foolish enough to believe all of this? Nevertheless, I don't understand why I acted the way I did around her. Like a fool constantly stealing glances at her, feeling so happy just by looking at her.

Honestly, it was only with all the self-control I possessed that I managed to act normally around her earlier. My eyes stared at the dark starry sky, trying to think deeply, yet finding no logical answer to this madness unless Nadia has the kind of face or appearance I'm drawn to, or maybe I'm just hallucinating. Perhaps I'm merely entranced by the image I've created of her, trapped in that illusion and convincing myself that she's incredibly beautiful.

In the realm of silent hearts, my tale unfolds,

I love her deeply, yet her heart withholds.

To end this love, I've oftentimes conceived,

But it's too sweet a poison, to be relieved.

For in its essence, such allure it bears,

A tantalizing mix of joy and despairs.

I yearn to sever ties, to find release,

Yet find myself ensnared, with no decease.

In the dance of emotions, this pain I court,

Enjoying the sting, to love's rhythm I resort.

This love, a conundrum, both bitter and sweet,

In its tender torment, I'm made complete.

Or is it my low self-esteem that's to blame?

My cowardice masked in love's fervent flame.

God, grant me strength in this heart's dire quest,

To find peace and solace, and love's true rest.