Frila’s heart had been overburdened, especially since she had lied to Xiran. He was like her only family left, after Carios was no longer there, she felt utterly alone. Now that she was living on her own she tried to busy herself with work but at times memories of Carios and the moments they shared began to haunt her.

Today was such a day that the time seemed to be moving at a sloth’s pace. She wanted to open her heart to someone instead of crying alone. Yurian came to her mind and before she could think it through she found herself dialing his number.

-----------------

In Lahoire City, Aselia and Yurian were fighting over the videogame they were playing late at night. It was a game with car races and both of them wanted to surpass the other, hence the struggle.

"My Tetra-2000 is going to wipe the road with you," Aselia sneered at him as she controlled her car and overtook Yurian’s. Her tongue was peeking out from the side of her lips.

"Not so fast, partner," Yurian didn’t give up, his body leaned to his left side along with the controller as they tussled to take the lead.

Finally, Yurian won the race and got up to do a happy dance like a penguin in front of Aselia. Roby barked from Aselia’s side and joined Yurian in the dance, his tail wagging in excitement.

"I won, I won," he teased her, his tongue sticking out.

"Haha! I am going to beat your ass in the next round," Aselia snickered at him with her nose upturned.

"Just accept your defeat, partner," he wickedly replied, still dancing with Rony.

"Never," she clucked at him and rolled her eyes.

"We will have another round then, I am going to visit the bathroom real quick," Yurian made his way to the bathroom and Aselia began to shuffle through the cars, checking their stats to see which one she should pick.

Yurian’s phone began to ring in that instant. He had left it lying closer to Aselia. She turned her head to see the caller ID and it said:

~Frila~ 𝘧𝓇ℯ𝑒𝓌𝑒𝑏𝓃𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘭.𝒸ℴ𝓂

The name didn’t ring a bell for Aselia and she wondered who she was. Yurian had never mentioned that name and Aselia almost knew everyone Yurian was acquainted with. So who was this mystery girl?

The call ended without being answered and then Aselia heard a ping. A message has been sent which floated on the locked screen of the phone.

Aselia knew she shouldn’t be peeking at his phone, knowing she was invading his privacy, but it intrigued her too much and she couldn’t help but look at the screen again. The message said:

[Yurian! Please call me if you are free.]

Aselia quickly averted her gaze. Was she his secret girlfriend? Why wouldn’t he tell her if he had someone? She always shared everything with him. Maybe he wasn’t comfortable sharing with her. Her heart slightly pricked.

’Don’t be ridiculous. It’s his life, he will share when he will be ready to do that,’ her mind chided her and she knew it was right. She shouldn’t be jumping to conclusions. Maybe they weren’t even romantically involved and she was his cousin or something.

The door opened and Yurian made his way back and instantly picked up his phone. Aselia tried to keep her eyes glued to the screen but her curiosity got the better of her and she found herself side-eyeing him.

His expression changed to a serious one upon reading her text and she could sense the uneasiness settle on him. Aselia didn’t want to pry and wanted to give him some privacy.

She stifled a yawn and stretched her arms as if she was tired and mumbled:

"Yuri! Can we do this tomorrow? I am sleepy and exactly the reason I lost to you or I would never. Tomorrow I am going to bury you on that track."

Yurian was still glued to his phone and turning his head he said:

"Sure, tomorrow will be better," and went back to typing on the phone. Usually, he would pester her to play just one more game since he was winning, but not at that moment. Aselia pursed her lips to not smile at his actions but he was clearly into this girl, whoever she was.

"Night little brother, don’t stay up late," she got up and ushered Rony to follow her, closing the door behind her. Aselia lingered outside his door for a second when she heard his soft voice on the phone.

"Frila! Is everything alright?"

Pause.

"I am free, talk to me," his concerned voice sounded from inside. Aselia had heard enough. The girl was someone he cared about the question remained who she was and where they had met. Could it be that they met when she was in a coma? So many questions swirled in her mind.

Aselia moved to her room, lost in the events of the last 15 minutes, and lay down on her bed. Rony jumped and joined her, whimpering lightly, demanding to be petted on his big head.

She absentmindedly began stroking Rony’s fur while her other hand went to her neck and roamed there as if she was looking for something invisible. Consumed with all these thoughts Aselia drifted to sleep.

Back in Yurian’s room, he was on the phone with Frila and she was in a vulnerable state today. Yurian quietly listened to her laments and comforted her. Yurian’s words were kind and soothing and Frila soon found her heart to be in peace.

They talked for a long time and when he peeked at the clock it was almost dawn but none of them wanted to end the call. But Frila knew they both had other duties.

"I am sorry I took up all your night Yurian," she was apologetic.

"Nothing to be sorry about. I am always here whenever you need me. Call me again if you feel down," he answered, his heart fluttering for reasons unknown to him.

"I will. Goodnight, Yurian. You are one of the kindest people I have met. Please take care of yourself," she sleepily whispered to him.

"Good night, Frila," he whispered back before the call ended. Her sweet nature was drawing him to her with every passing day and he was spending more and more time thinking about her.