The most awaited Sunday finally arrived.
Aarav woke up earlier than usual.A small smile appeared on his face.
Today was the day. He and Selena were finally going to watch the theatre performance together.
Yet.. For some reason, a strange feeling lingered in the back of his mind.
"What if she..."He quickly shook his head.
"Nah...I'm just overthinking."
Before leaving the mansion, Aarav activated his communication crystal."Selena hello ?"No response. "...She must still be getting ready."
Smiling to himself, Aarav climbed into the carriage."Let's go to the theatre."
The carriage slowly rolled through the capital streets.
________________________________________
When Aarav arrived, he stepped out of the carriage and looked around excitedly.
Selena wasn't there yet.
He smiled."I guess I came too early."
So he waited.He didn't even go inside. He simply stood outside the theatre, waiting for her.
Couples entered together.Children excitedly ran inside while dragging their parents along.
Merchants called out to passing customers.
Yet Aarav remained where he was.Minutes slowly passed. He checked the entrance again. Still no sign of Selena."It's fine... Maybe she's taking longer to get ready. Maybe she wants to look pretty."
He smiled to himself "If I go inside and she arrives later...she'll feel bad that I didn't wait."
Just then Buzz..
The communication crystal in his pocket vibrated.Aarav's face immediately lit up.He quickly answered the call."Selena!"
A tired female voice came from the other side."Aarav? You called. Is something wrong?"
Relief washed over Aarav."Where are you?The show already started."
A brief silence followed."What show...?Then "...Wait ...That was today?"
Her voice was filled with shock."Oh no...Aarav... I'm really sorry.I completely forgot.Alice professor called us in for extra training today.We've been practicing since morning.
Aarav stood there speechless .
"I'm really, really sorry Aarav." Selena continues to apologise to Aarav
Aarav clenched his teeth for a brief moment before forcing himself to smile."..It's okay. Don't worry about it."
Selena let out a relieved sigh."Thank you for understanding.And... I'm really sorry.Let's go another day, okay?"
Before Aarav could answer, Alice's voice called for her from the distance.
"Selena! We're starting again!"
"I have to go Aarav. I'm sorry for not coming .Bye."
The connection ended.
Aarav slowly lowered the communication crystal.
Silence.
He looked at the two theatre tickets in his hand.
For a long time...
He simply stood there.
A single thought quietly crossed his mind.
"...Is what Senior Hugh said... right?"
He didn't go inside.He didn't go home either.
He simply continued standing outside the theatre.
The performance eventually ended.People slowly walked back out.
"That play was amazing!"
"It was definitely worth watching."
"The actors were incredible."
"The ending almost made me cry."
Aarav never moved. He simply continued standing there.
_______________________________________
When Cassian finally arrived to pick him up, Aarav quietly climbed into the carriage.
Looking out the window, he suddenly asked,
"Cassian..."
"Hmm?"
"Do... Do I have any talent?"
Cassian froze.Before he could answer, Aarav quietly sighed."I'm useless...aren't I?"
Cassian's heart tightened.
"Young Master...You're not useless.You possess a gift that very few people in this world have.You can ease people's pain.You can heal their injuries."
Silence filled the carriage. Neither of them spoke another word until they reached the Valden estate.
The moment the carriage stopped, Aarav hurried toward his room."I won't be having dinner."
Watching him disappear upstairs, Elara turned toward Cassian."Cassian...What happened to Aarav?"
Cassian lowered his head "Madam...I believe Young Master was waiting for Miss Selena"
Cassian shakes his head"....But she couldn't come.He seems... deeply hurt."
Elara's expression softened.Her heart ached for her son.
________________________________________
A few minutes later
Knock.
"Aarav, honey...May I come in?"
She carried a tray of food in her hands.Since the door wasn't locked, she quietly entered.
The room was completely dark.Aarav had buried himself beneath his blanket.Soft sobs escaped from underneath it.
Elara walked over and gently pulled the blanket down "Aarav...Look at me, son."
Smack.
Aarav instinctively pushed her hand away.
"Go away, Mom..."
Elara pretended to wince."Ouch...My hand...I think it's swollen."
Aarav immediately threw the blanket aside.
"Mom?! I'm sorry!"
He hurriedly grabbed her hand to check it.
Realizing she wasn't hurt, he looked at her with teary eyes.
"Mom...Why...? Do you think I'm a clueless idiot too?"
Before he could hide beneath the blanket again, Elara gently stopped him.
"Aarav i was joking . Aarav .. " her voice from jovial to serious
" Aarav...I heard everything from Cassian. She couldn't come... did she?"
Aarav silently nodded."...Yeah.She said Alice Madam called her for extra training."
He lowered his head."..She even forgot today was the day."
After a long silence, he quietly asked,
"...Mom. i think she is using training as excuse to avoid me ...Do you .. think.....training has become more important than me?"
Elara gently stroked his hair."Aarav , don't overthink it."
" Also you shouldn't say like that. It has always been her dream to become a captain right . Remember never expect someone's world to revolve around you okay. That is wrong "
Aarav just nodds wiping his tears
Elara sighs "Listen, Aarav ,Until now...Selena has always been a part of your world. She played with you whenever you wanted her to . She went out with you when ever you invited her."
"So...this time why don't you try becoming a part of hers?"
"Maybe then...You'll grow close again.". Saying that she ruffles his hair .
"But for now...Eat something, okay?" She patiently fed him dinner before tucking him into bed.
Aarav looked at her uncertainly "Mom...Are you sure it'll work?"
Elara smiled warmly."It will, honey.Now go to sleep."
Aarav slowly closed his eyes.He truly wanted to believe her. "Everything will go back to normal..."
That was the thought he held onto as sleep slowly claimed him.
But deep inside..A single question echoed through his mind.
"Will it...?"