Chapter 8：Bumped

Oh! I'm sorry, I didn't see you" says Maria while helping the woman she bumped into

Israfel was flustered when she recognized the woman in front of them.

"M- Moira" surprised Israfel to Moira

Good thing Maria, got it very well when Israfel mentioned his sister's name. She needs to think of something. She can't be known by his siblings.

Suddenly, a woman came calling her name.

"Maria, oh dear, there you are. I'm sorry for being late" The woman approach Maria and pull her to leave the place.

The woman's compact powder fell on ground, that makes the powder spread all over the floor.

The woman took the compact powder and pulled Maria away.

"Let's go, father is waiting for us" the woman says

Maria, let the woman pull her. She need an exit anyway.

When she thinks that she's quite far from Israfel.. she asked the woman

"Thank you, but do I know you? Maria asked the woman

"This is Dara your highness" the woman told her

"Oh! B- But how did you become a woman?" Maria aske Dara, surprised

"The teacher gave me a permission to transform myself like human if needed. Especially that your highness is in danger" Dara explained

"Oh! God, thank you so much" Maria said holding Dara's hand. She felt a little weak for what happened.

"B-But what if she recognize our smell?" Asked Maria

"She won't your highness, remember that compact powder that fell from me? It was a trick your highness, I intentionally dropped it to cover your scent." Dara explained

"Oh, thank you Dara" Maria hugged Dara.

"Don't worry your highness, I will always be in your side. Though I can't go back being a bird for a longer time especially that I can sense danger." Dara

"Oh, you don't have to worry about that. You can stay with me" Maria offered Dara

"I hope your mother won't recognize me" Dara

"She won't, but grandma will. Don't worry about that grandma doesn't leave with us" Maria explained

They continue walking until they reach Maria's house. She told her parents that Dara is the daughter of her father's cousin, and she's going to live with them while studying.

Aling Janet didn't ask anymore, she can't sense that Dara is one of them. Good thing Maria told them that story or she will recognize Dara's scent if she dig more.

Dara serves as her body guard. Dara can sense that Maria is in great danger. They cannot let that happen especially Maria is about to turn twenty. She will now spread her wings. She will be one of the most powerful Nymph in the forest. She is the only princess after her grandma. She has a throne waiting for her. In a few months, she will be one of them.

Monday morning

Maria has to go to school, Dara needs to go too since they told Maria's parent that she is studying too.

Maria and Dara were waiting for Israfel to take them to school. She's already used to it.

Maria was a little late, when she realize that Israfel is not coming

They took a jeepney going to school. Maria was a little frustrated and curious to why Israfel failed to convey them that morning.

Maria was a little flustered when she saw that Israfel is already in school.

She tried to talk to him in her mind. Hoping that Israfel will get it.

"What happened?" Maria is trying to connect with Israfel through his mind

Israfel looked at her.

"I can't talk to you, I can't come near you or hold you" Israfel talking to Maria thru their minds

"W-Why? Something came out?" Maria is asking him

"They already know that I am in a relationship, but they're not yet sure who you are" Israfel

"What should we do?" Maria

Maria, was out of words… suddenly a tear fell from her eyes. Israfel saw it and heard Maria's breathing. It rapidly hurt his heart.

"You know how much I love you, I love you more than myself Maria. No matter what happened I will always love you. I have to do this, I can't let my family use you nor hurt you" says Israfel in his mind. Trying to hold his tears.

"I will come back, I promise" says Israfel

Maria, went out of the room before her tear fell out of control. Israfel followed her, grab her hand and pull her in one of the empty classrooms there. She hugged her tight and kissed her deeply. No one wants to finish it first. Tears are rolling down their cheeks. He can hear the sound of her heart, it's tearing her. He felt it it's tearing him too.

"I may forget everything about you, but my heart will always recognize you. The beating of your heart is connected to mine already, remember that. Our hearts will always beat as one, that same melody that only you and I will understand." Israfel says in his mind while kissing Maria.

"With this kiss, I, Israfel Gustafsson together with Maria Candez Cruz sealed our hearts to only beat as one, that we will be able to recognize each other no matter how, no matter where, no matter when." Israfel chanted.

Maria was surprised when her heart beat changed, it magically followed Israfels heartbeat. As if they are sharing the same heart. Her heart is following the same rhythm as Israfel's.

Then Israfel let her go, Israfel went out of the room without looking back.

Maria was left inside the room, crying. Her heart is still racing… she's hurting.

Maria, stayed there for another hour. Until Dara came to take her.

Let's go Maria" Dara says

"I can't look at him" Maria says

"He can't remember you anymore, I already took his memories about me and you Maria" Dara says, saddened by the truth that his friend won't be able to recognize her again.

She has to take everything from her and Maria, or she might endangered Maria.

Maria is also saddened by the truth that her one and only love won't be able recognize her anymore.

Maria and Dara goes to the classroom.

Maria looked at Israfel, Israfel did't even bothered to look at her. She tried to talk to him in her mind… but failed to do so. Israfel cannot hear her anymore. She lost the connection.

Maria, listened to her heart beatings. He could still feel his. Maria wants to cry again… she looked at Israfel.

Israfel's POV

Israfel paused while talking to Andrea... He felt a little pain in his heart. As if he wanted to cry, but didn't know the reason why.

He search inside the classroom, he can't explain what he is feeling.

He saw that woman, who was about to cry. She was looking on the floor, tears fell from her eyes.

Israfel felt the pain in his heart but choose to ignore it.

Days passed by… graduation is around the corner.

Maria, chose to stay strong. Even if she feels like dying every single day. Dara stayed beside Maria, she became as Maria's friend, and she has to enrol in the school, as Maria's classmate in every subject so that nobody will question her identity.

Maria sees Israfel every day in school. He's with Andrea already. They hugged each other everywhere. Kissed each other everywhere.

Maria felt the pain everyday but endured it.

Nobody in their school remembers that Israfel and Maria was once became close. Dara managed to erase everything in their past. She has to do it. She needs to protect Maria.