Mask

"A-after he explained to me a lot of things. Well, the point is, he never meant to be mean or anything to me. So, it was just my misunderstanding all that time." Tasia explained in hurry. She was suddenly nervous when being asked some questions that related to what happened last night.

"I've told you before, haven't I? It's all just your unfounded fear." Tata said.

"That's true, Tasia. Didn't you feel sorry for Hadyan? Luckily, he's tough enough to accept that all. But if you look at his behaviour and the way he talks, he's a bit old-school and stiff, doesn't he? Maybe, that was scaring Tasia." Marya recalled.

"That's because he comes from another area and lives in a small village. You don't know how the customs and culture are there. Come on, don't scare Tasia anymore!" Tata said annoyed.

"It's okay guys. I won't be afraid anymore, Hadyan had explained everything very clearly." Cut Tasia with a smile.

'He had explained it clearly. And it changes the way I look at him.' Tasia added in her heart.

That day, the entire class hours were full from morning to break because, in two weeks, the semester exams would soon be held. Tasia and her friends, as usual, eat together in the school canteen.

"Mark, please study seriously. Jordi, teach him! Don't let this kid bother us again because he must do the remedial alone." Said Marya.

"Why me? Tasia, teach this friend of yours! He can't be taught. I might get stressed before the exam because of teaching a stupid boy like him." Jordi huffed in annoyance.

"Why should I?" Asked Tasia, did not accept it either.

"Yes, that's right! Why should Tasia? Tasia is already in charge of teaching me." Patra replied by embracing the girl.

Tasia looked at him irritatedly, "It's nice of you to say so. Since when, have I been your private tutor?"

"Since.. since you started teaching me?" He said as pretending to think.

"You must grow up, Patra. You are so egoist!" Nagged Tata.

"I'm sorry, mom!" Patra grabbed Tata's hand, tried to kiss her before getting a heavy blow on the head with an almost empty water bottle.

"Don't ever try to touch me!" Tata Roared.

Hadyan laughed along while the others laughed. But inside, he was screaming in anger because another man was trying to claim his future wife. It felt like he wanted to stab Patra's skull with his long, sharp fangs.

'I'm helpless. How much longer do I have to be patient?'

***

This was not the first time Tasia had received a harsh scolding from her grandmother. When she came home from school, for no apparent reason, her grandmother immediately attacked her with harsh words. Tasia didn't fight back, just sat on the guest couch with her head down and still listened patiently.

For her, there is no longer a place that deserves to be called home. A place where she could feel comfortable and could be herself completely.

Maybe for her friends, Tasia was a cheerful girl even though she has lost her entire family. But behind her laughter, some tears always accompany her sleep.

Tasia decided to go to the mini market around her aunt's house to buy some snacks to accompany her to play a house game.

She walked alone. It was half past seven in the evening. Although quiet, the housing is not an unsettling and unsafe area. Tasia's housing area could be considered as one of the elite housing estates where there is always a security guard going around with a bicycle every few hours.

Arriving at the mini market, she bought what she needed and added canned drinks outside of the plan. After paying, she stepped out with a shopping plastic bag in her left hand.

'Tringg!' The mini market's glass door rang when she opened the door. But her steps stopped there.

Hadyan smiled friendly, "Hi!"

"Hadyan? Why are you here?" Tasia asked in surprise.

"I want to buy something. I'm thirsty."

Tasia thought for a moment then reached into her plastic bag and pulled out a can of soda, "Want this?"

Hadyan smiled, "May I?" Tasia nodded. Then they decided to sit for a while on the bench outside the mini market.

"You... do you really want to go to the mini market by chance?" Tasia asked suspiciously.

Hadyan gulped the drink Tasia gave him with difficulty, "Honestly, I followed you." he said with a heavy heart.

Tasia chuckled, "It turns out I wasn't wrong."

"Sorry. I shouldn't have done this," Hadyan bowed his head in shame.

Tasia smiled and shook her head gently, "Maybe I'll get angry. But honestly, I don't think I can do it. That because I need a friend too right now."

Hadyan raised his eyebrows, knowing something was wrong.

"What happened?" then he realized. "I mean, I'd listen if you wanted to tell me your problem." he corrected his sentence.

Tasia laughed by seeing Hadyan's attitude which was different from when she first met him. At that time, he was pushy and scary. But now, he was a polite person and full of respect for others.

"You know what? Either this was a coincidence or it was your plan. But, you're my only friend who ever seen my plight."

Hadyan looked at her questioningly.

"It's only you who know how I was outside the school. How my grandma treated me harshly. Even at the worst time, when she slapped me, you were there." Tasia carved a sad smile.

Hadyan sighed heavily, "It's true that I often follow you. But about that, I didn't plan it at all. In fact, it also changed the way I see you. If I could do something about it, I would have made your grandma not treat you like that."

Tasia looked at him amusedly, "How was your view of me before?"

"I thought you were an ordinary good girl. You are beautiful and friendly. That's why I was interested in making you my empress. At first, I thought this was all just a challenge for me. But the more I got to know you, I feel like I fall in love with you."

Tasia couldn't answer, she just looked at Hadyan who didn't dare to look at her and just looked down. A hot air slowly ran down her cheekbones.

"You know what? I've never even been in love before. I don't even know what love is like." Hadyan chuckled.

"I.. I think, I've forgotten what love is like. Since the death of my family, my heart has frozen. You must be surprised that I'm always friendly and smile at everyone. I played a good girl character so well, didn't I? All of this was just a mask." Said Tasia.

Hadyan looked straight at her, he saw two beautiful eyes weakened with a sad smile on the girl's lips, "Don't blame yourself. It's not a mask. You're just trying to be strong."

Tasia smiled as holding back her tears, "But I lied to people."

"I've always lied to you. I even tricked you in the first place. Think of it as breaking even. How about that?" Hadyan offered seriously. Sometimes, that prince who had lived for hundreds of years had the mindset of a child.

Tasia laughed, "Hem.. Prince Hadyan, Marya was right. You are indeed good. But it turns out you are also very innocent."

Hadyan laughed too, "Even so, I have won many wars and controlled many territories."

"Really? I'm curious about how the territories you are controlling look like." Tasia put her hands beside her ears and raised her two fingers in quotes and wiggled them.

"I'll show them to you next time. How about it?" Hadyan offered.

Tasia thought for a moment, "You rule the ocean, right? I can't hold my breath too long in the water. I'm not good at swimming either."

"I'll let you breathe underwater. Like what I did when I kidnapped you."

"What? You did that? Really? I don't remember," Tasia was very surprised.

"Yes, I did. But then, you fainted."

"Eh.. I forgot so many things. I feel like I want to quickly remember everything." Tasia said.

"I hope that doesn't happen." Said Hadyan. Tasia looked at him questioningly.

"I'm afraid, if your memory returns too soon and you still don't love me, then I'll have to go home alone and never get to see your face again," Hadyan said honestly.