A BEAUTIFUL DAY
They say teenage love is just a game of hearts.
But for Arka and Nara, it was the only thing that felt real.
Arka was like a calm twilight sky. Nara, a lively morning sun. They met in Class 11-3, sitting side by side. A once quiet world turned warm.
"I like your silence. But don't stay silent forever," Nara said when they first met.
"If you can stay quiet for a full minute, I'll talk," Arka replied calmly.
Nara laughed, and from that day on… they were inseparable.
They completed each other. Arka often stared at the sky while Nara talked about her dreams, and Nara would gently touch his arm whenever he avoided eye contact.
"If you're the sky, then I'm your rainbow," Nara said as she doodled in her notebook.
"But rainbows only appear after the rain," Arka replied softly.
"Then I'll always come after the storm in your life," Nara whispered with a gentle smile.
Not many knew about their relationship, but to them, that closeness was enough.
SILENT
That day, Nara wanted to surprise him. Her face was beaming, unable to hide her smile. She carefully held two chocolate-filled buns and two boxes of orange juice like they were treasure — Arka's favorites. But he wasn't in class, the cafeteria, or the library. She headed to the back garden.
Her steps stopped. Her breath caught, and her chest tightened.
Arka stood under the flame tree. His shoulders tense, hands in his pockets like hiding his restlessness. With a beautiful older woman Nara didn't recognize. She hid behind a bush, hands trembling, fingers clutching the juice box tightly.
"You've gotten taller... I almost didn't recognize you."
"You shouldn't have come. We agreed."
"I just missed you... You know I can't relax until I see you."
"I'm not a kid anymore. I can take care of myself."
"Take care from what? The girls here?"
"None of your business…"
"What? Scared they'll find out who I am... or that you're close to someone my age?"
"Enough... don't make this complicated."
"You know I can't stay away. You... still belong to me."
"Don't say that here."
The woman then kissed Arka's cheek — soft, quick, but enough to spark any misunderstanding.
Nara froze. Her tears fell. The bread and juice dropped from her hands. She ran.
SKY FADES
Nara changed. Her gaze empty, her once bright smile vanished. No longer sitting beside Arka. No more laughter. Arka tried to get close, but Nara kept her distance. Her heart was wounded, and that wound pushed her away slowly, as if she wanted to avoid the truth.
"What did I do wrong?" Arka asked.
"Maybe you know better."
Arka was confused. He looked at Nara who now often stayed silent, no longer chatting about the sky or their vacation plans. But Nara held her pain in silence, as if words weren't enough to express the hurt she felt.
MISUNDERSTOOD OR JUST WRONG?
Two days had passed since the garden incident. Arka couldn't sleep well, his mind haunted by the image of Nara's shattered face. He went after her to the garden, the place where it all began. The sun was setting, the sky orange. His breath was heavy, steps hurried.
"Nara! I need to talk."
"Nara."
"What now? I don't want to hear any more lame excuses."
"I know you saw me with her. But you misunderstood."
"You think I can't tell the difference between a romantic kiss and a normal one? I saw it!"
"But she's not who you think she is."
"Then who is she? Why didn't you ever tell me?!"
"You never asked, and I was scared you'd misunderstand. And now you really did!"
"You're defending her? She's older, Arka!"
"You don't know who she really is!"
Footsteps approached. The woman appeared from behind the trees, walking with calm, a serious face carrying an undeniable presence. She had come to pick Arka up — as usual — because his father was out of town.
"Arka, let's go home. Your dad asked me to make sure you're okay."
Arka turned. "Wait a sec, Mom. Nara... this is my stepmother. She can explain everything."
"Hi Nara. I'm sorry about that day. I should've known better."
Nara froze. Her surprise melted her swirling emotions. Her face showed a mix of confusion and hope. "Stepmother?"
"Yes. I married his father two years ago. We're close. Maybe... a little too close sometimes."
"Why didn't you say so from the start?"
"I was scared you'd take it the wrong way. But it only made things worse."
Tears fell again from Nara's eyes, but this time out of relief.
"I was stupid, huh?"
"No. You just cared too much."
They walked out of the garden together, with Arka's stepmother as living proof of the truth that had been hidden. Nara walked in front, steps light though some doubt still lingered. Arka walked beside his stepmother, looking more at ease.
Occasionally, the stepmother glanced at him. Their eyes met.
"You still want to keep this going?"
"For now... yes. As long as she doesn't find out."
When Nara looked back briefly, Arka smiled and waved. Nara replied with a faint smile and walked on.
As her steps grew distant, the stepmother stopped. She looked at Arka — deeply, full of feeling.
"Nice acting back there," she whispered.
"You too. But don't get too emotional when you apologize next time — I almost believed you felt guilty."
"Well, I have to look like a good stepmom in her eyes, right?"
Arka chuckled. "Are you still coming over tonight?"
She smirked, brushing a finger against his arm. "Of course. I still owe you a hug from last night."
Arka glanced around quickly, then leaned closer. Their lips met — brief but deep.
A love hidden behind the mask of family.