SHED NO MORE TEARS

"Zen! Stop the car!" screamed Mia, gazing out to her right.

"What is it?" Zen questioned confusingly.

"Just stop it!" She yelled. Zen slowed down the car. Soon after he stopped it, Mia dashed out of the car and crossed the road.

Zen yelled as he got off the car. "Mia!" he screamed in panic as he saw Mia being nearly hit by a car, but she still crossed the other side, paying no heed to him. Zen ran behind her.

"Mr. Andre!!" called Mia, running behind a man who was pushing an Ice-cream cart down the road, singing a song happily. "Mr.Andare!" The man stopped the cart and glanced behind with a confused look, but it was soon replaced with a big wide smile as soon as he saw Mia.

"My Olive girl! What a pleasant surprise!" He said as he patted Mia's head. She grinned widely.

"What magical flavor would you choose for me today, Mr. Andre?"

"Mia, you nearly killed yourself just for ice cream? Are you hurt?" questioned Zen as he checked Mia from top to bottom with panic, panting breathlessly.

"Zen! Calm down! I'm fine," said Mia reassuring him. Zen shook his head in disbelief.

"Mr.Andre, meet Zen. Zen, meet the sweetheart ice cream maker, Mr. Andre," Mia introduced both of them. "Legend says that whoever shares his ice cream, will be forever together," said Mia happily.

"Since when did you start believing such myths?" whispered Zen in her ears. "You know we could buy as much as you want from the supermarket," he whispered, locking his eyes on her olive beads. He felt hypnotized by them.

Andre smiled and said, looking at the young ones, "People don't just come for ice cream when they find me. They come to share their love and experience. I'm a creator of a magical moment, a magical moment a supermarket cannot do," he said as he scooped the ice cream.

"Now that you've found me today, I have some ice cream just for you. Strawberry and cherry for the sweet lady. Pistachio and pecan for the caring young man," he said as he handed an ice cream cone towered with three scoops of various flavors and two spoons.

Mia scratched her nape with a flustered look and said, "Eh... Actually, Zen and I are just... Uh...."

"Buddies," filled Zen as he put his hand on her shoulder.

"Yeah... best buddies..." she said.

Andre chuckled and said, "You don't have to be in love to enjoy your own scoop of magic."

"Oh, have a good day," she said as she paid for the ice cream. Andre took the paper money from her hand, swapped it, and took hold of Zen's hand.

"Keep it as a blessing," he said as he winked at Zen and eyed Mia. Zen grinned as he understood, but Mia was confused.

He nodded his head and wished a happy day to the man. "Come on, Mia. Let's go," he said as he ruffled her hair and earned a growl from her. But in a while, she stood frozen. "What is it now?" he questioned, gazing down at her.

"What did you say right now?" she questioned with a shocked look.

"Why are you frozen?"

"No... no... What did you say to me before that?"

"Let's go?" he questioned, not knowing why was she inquiring him.

"No... No!! Earlier before that!"

"Come on?"

"Uff!! Not that too-"

"I don't remember!" he yelled frustratedly.

"Zen, you were calling me by my name!" she jumped excitedly.

"Oh..." Suddenly she hugged him. His eyes widened with surprise. Andre winked at him as he whistled and raised his thumbs but Zen was more than surprised to react.

She broke the hug, hooked her hands in his, and said, "Come on, my buddy. Let's celebrate this step with the magic of Andre!" She scooped the ice cream using the small spoon and tasted it happily. "Thank you, Andre!!" screamed Mia as she waved her hands without looking at the man. Zen grinned as he gazed at the enthusiasm she had just because he had dropped the formality

They shared their ice cream along the way toward the car, enjoying the moment happily.

"What such way can love bloom!" murmured Andre as he smiled, gazing at the two and shook his head.

"We better get going before your father kills me," said Zen as he leaned on the car, and so did Mia.

"Ahh! Why do you always find a way to ruin the perfect moment?" said Mia rolling her eyes. Zen chuckled at her.

"Well... I reminded you of it."

They finished their ice cream and left the place, conversing happily. Zen was feeling giddy. 'I'll get you slow and steady' he thought as he drove the car.

Vilian stood up from the chair as soon as everyone had their breakfast and left the hall toward Daniel's room. She walked through the open hallways in a trance. The green-tamed grassy ground was visible on her left.

Hasty footsteps resonated through the hall from behind and brought her back from her trance. A long sigh left her lips as soon as she saw who it was.

"Vilian!" she didn't stop but sped up, walking away from him. "Can we talk?"

Vilian didn't stop but walked as if she heard nothing as if he never existed. "Vilian!" he called as he took hold of her wrist.

Vilian gazed up as she jerked off her hands in disgust. He backed off as she walked forward with rage gritting her teeth.

"New life," he gazed at her, but she looked away nonchalantly. "New attitude..." a long sigh left his lips, "You seem to be okay," he said with a broken voice, "Are you?"

No response. She acted as if she heard nothing.

Biting his lips, he rubbed his hands one over the other thoughtfully and said, nearing her, "Aren't you going to talk to me?" His voice was low, a few inches away from whispering.

Breathing in deeply he said, "Anyways, my parents want you to join us for the dinner out today. Do treat them fairly. I expect nothing else," said Eric and left, sparing no more glances.

She gazed in the direction where he had left. Her cold hands reached her warm cheeks trying hard to calm down. "What's wrong with me?" she questioned, barely able to speak.

Walking forward toward the short railings present between each beam, show-casting the beautiful grassy land, she took in a mouth full of air, calming her fast-pacing heart.

"Why am I turning weak in front of him? Am I not supposed to be strong?" She patted her chest as she bit her lips nervously. Tears welled up in her eyes, but she refused to shed them down. "I refuse to shed no more tears about this," she said with rage slapping her cheeks, and she walked away toward her brother's room.