"In the evening around 5:00 PM, I stood at the entrance of the gate, bidding farewell to Aisha and Bell.

"So, I am going. Please take care while I go," I said.

Aisha waved her hand, saying, "Take care and don't forget about my dark Deluxe chocolate cake."

Bell chimed in, "And my pudding as well."

"Okay, okay, I won't forget," I reassured them.

As I left the apartment, I messaged Aris to let her know I was on my way.

At Aris's residence, I knocked on the door. Her mother answered.

"Ah, White! Aris mentioned you were coming this evening. Initially, she was reluctant to get ready, but I convinced her. Wait here; I'll call her," Aris's mom said.

"Aris… Aris… White has come!" she called out. Aris emerged, wearing a beautiful yellow casual dress and a hat.

"So, you're ready. Shall we go?" I asked Aris. She nodded.

Before leaving, I checked with her mother, "Aunty, what about Zen? Has he returned? If so, he can join us; it might help him calm down."

Aris's mother touched her face and replied, "No, he hasn't come back yet. But I'll let him know you want to talk to him."

"Thank you; please do," I said gratefully.

"No, thank you for caring about my children. They're lucky to have a friend like you," Aris's mother said.

"Don't mention it. It's my privilege to have friends like them; they mean a lot to me," I replied.

As Aris and I walked to the café, I sensed the awkwardness. The girl who used to speak energetically, never stopping, now walked beside me in silence. It felt like a different person.

I decided to break the silence. "By the way, I've never been to the newly opened café. You seemed excited about it before. Any suggestions?" I asked Aisha, hoping for an answer.

"I don't have any special suggestions," Aisha replied, still gloomy.

"Well, no worries. As promised, I'll treat you, so don't hold back," I said, trying to cheer her up. But she responded with nods and brief sentences.

This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report.

At the café, I ordered for Aris since she didn't express any preferences. I hoped this outing would help her recover, but it didn't make a difference.

I attempted various topics, but she remained unresponsive. Every conversation I started ended with just a line or two.

Time flew, and before heading back to Aris's house, I bought cakes for Aris' family, Aisha, and Elsa sister, and pudding for Bell.

I asked if there was anywhere she wanted to visit, but her response remained unchanged—she wanted to go home as soon as possible, defeated. We decided to end our meeting.

My plan had failed; I hadn't made any progress. I knew Aris's trauma wouldn't heal overnight, but if things continued like this… the opportunity I have today will never come again.

I had to do something; otherwise…

"Aris!" I blurted out, thinking about the consequences. She nodded.

"There's something I want to show you. Please accompany me a little longer. I beg you," I said, bowing my head.

Aris looked confused but agreed. I led her to our middle school, where I first met her and Zen

"Why did you bring me here, to our old school?" Aris asked, her expression a mix of surprise and confusion.

I replied, "I wanted to visit our little hideout—the one we created with you, me, and Zen behind the school, in the forest."

"But a hideout? Why now? I don't think there's anything left," she responded.

"Well… Maybe, but how can we know until we find out?" I suggested.

"Okay," she said as we entered the forest.

We searched for the spot where we once built our hideout. Our memories were blurry from back then, but we finally reached the place. Sadly, there was nothing left—the hideout we had built together had faded away.

I looked at Aris, who stared at the remains, lost in thought. "I'm sorry, Aris. I was hoping that coming here—to our hideout with Zen—might lift your mood," I said, my hope dwindling.

"Nnnn…" She shook her head and walked toward the tree that had once held our hideout. As she touched the tree, she pointed out the barely visible words etched into its bark.

"Well… I guess, but my memories are still hazy," I stammered, my hesitant smile mirroring the uncertainty within me.

Her eyes softened, and she turned toward me. "If you don't remember, it's alright," she said gently. "Don't force yourself to recall. This place holds precious memories for me, and these words are the proof of that."

Her smile—genuine, warm—was a rarity today. It thawed the frost that had settled in my heart since morning.

"Let's go back," she said, walking past me. Her steps were deliberate, as if each one led her closer to healing.

I hurried to catch up. "Wait! But what were the words written here? Give me the answer," I pleaded, my curiosity tugging at me.

The path to Aris's house remained silent, just as it had been all morning. No words exchanged, no conversations shared. Yet, somehow, I sensed that returning here might help her find herself again. It wouldn't fully heal her, but it was a crucial first step toward her recovery.

Thinking about the words written in the tree and tried to talk with her during the path we reached our destination bidding farewell to the Aris.

I started to walk back to the apartment holding the promised I made with the Aisha and bell