We, From The First
#13. Limit

It had been three days that Nico felt that Aira was avoiding him. Aira did not look to exercise in the morning as usual. In fact, Aira no longer went to school with Nico delivered by Mr. Salim. Previously, Aira had indeed told Nico, that for the next he would go to school by bus. At the beginning Nico had strongly rejected the idea of Aira. But when Aira explained, that he wanted to do everything himself, without needing to rely on Nico again, making Nico in the end could not say anything more. He had to harbour his anxious feelings for the girl secretly.

While from the side of Aira, he had tried hard against himself not to avoid Nico, he tried hard to be normal as usual, he was trying hard to be normal, and not wanting to make Nico's efforts all along that tried to erode the awkwardness between them go to waste, but Aira couldn't. Whenever he was required to deal with Nico by accident, Aira always felt his guts shrivel. It feels very small.

It's the seventh day Aira has avoided Nico. And just like the days before, today he also took the bus to go to school. Aira took a position beside the window. He then put earphones in both ears and play the song A Shoulder To Cry On. The song that Nico had ever played was now his favorite song that he could always win.

Moments later, Aira felt someone sitting next to her. He immediately opened his earphones and turned his head. And how surprised Aira when he saw the figure of Nico who is now perched beside him with the look of his face that is always flat.

"Nico?"

Nico ignored Aira just like that. A week of playing with this girl's cats, enough to make Nico feel frustrated. Every time he tried to talk to Aira, and asked her what the problem was, Aira always avoided him for all sorts of reasons. Nico who had been completely deadlocked even naively drew the conclusion, that the reason Aira constantly avoided him for this one week, was because Nico had thought he was stupid at that time.

"You still angry?" Nico asked quietly, as the bus carrying them was already running.

"I'm not angry." Aira replied briefly as she continued to stare at the outside scenery through the open window glass.

Aira again put the earphones that she had released. But actually, Aira's mind is in a mess right now. The sudden appearance of Nico was completely beyond his expectations.

"Why do you keep avoiding me?" Ask Nico again. He could confirm, that this time Aira would no longer be able to escape.

This time there was no response from Aira. Nico who felt his patience was exhausted, just pulled out the earphones that Aira was wearing, and pulled his arms firmly until now their faces were facing each other. Both of Aira's eyes widened, while Nico simply threw her cold gaze.

"If I'm wrong, please tell me I'm wrong. Don't keep avoiding me, and make me confused myself. If there is my attitude that makes you sprained, just hit me directly as you often do first. Do whatever it is, but please don't shut up." Nico took a breath for a moment, to give his chest a looseness that was now starting to fill and make it crowded. He then continued his words in a soft tone as if pleading, "please... Nana..."

Hearing Nico calling her by that name again on purpose and mindfully, Aira suddenly felt her blood flow rustling, and made her whole body tremble violently. The look in his eyes could not escape for a second from Nico's two beads.

Aira then touched the hand of Nico who was still holding his arm firmly. He touched her gently, and purposely held her for a while before finally releasing Nico's hand from her arm. Aira who was able to calm down finally answered Nico.

"You're not wrong, Nic. The mistake was entirely on me. I'm not angry with you, I'm just angry with myself. Sorry for confusing you."

"Promise you won't do this again?"

Aira this time turned her eyes away from Nico's eyes while sighing softly. He chose silence again.

"Look at me, and promise you won't do this again." Nico's tone sounded demanding this time. He began to get caught off guard, as if this time again Aira ignored him, he would force Aira to get out of the bus, and take him away.

"Yes, I promise."

Odd. That was what Nico could feel from the promise that Aira had just said. There were actually a lot of things that still stuck in Nico's mind. There were many things he wanted to ask Aira. Why is he angry at himself? Or why is all the blame on him? There are many things he has to do. But the gaze of Aira's eyes that seemed to ask him not to ask anymore, and understand the 'limit' that Aira had outlined from the beginning, making Nico unable to do anything.

From the very beginning, Aira had already restricted her movements.

...****...

Banu Island, September 2005...

"Na, if I'm wrong, hit me. Don't keep on being like this."

Nico said to Aira while continuing to follow Aira who was walking at a fast pace in front of Nico.

Three days ago, Nico removed the Aira bracelet. Though Aira has been hard-earned to make the bracelet itself as a birthday gift Nico. But Nico just eliminated it so easily. Doesn't Nico know what? That Aira had to stay up all night to finish the bracelet?

"Na, don't cuekin Nico hold." Pinta Nico with his warm tone that can always make Aira melt.

And it worked! Aira just stopped her steps. Without wasting any more time, Aira turned around, then walked over to Nico who was left behind. After being close to Nico, Aira then hit Nico's head, as Nico requested at the beginning. Aira's punch which turned out to be quite hard, just made Nico grimace in pain.

"Aw!" Ringis Nico rubbed his head, "kok Nana really mukulin Nico, anyway? It hurts." The Nico protest.

And for the next. Whenever Nico makes a mistake and makes Aira angry, Aira always hits Nico. Since this ridiculous idea came directly from Nico, of course he had no right to file a protest.

"Congratulations! Starting today, Nana will follow Nico's request. Every time Nico makes Nana Sels, Nana's gonna hit Nico."

Nana then continued her steps. Nico is back behind him. A regretful look began to be drawn on Nico's face. Why would he even give that ridiculous idea to the determined and evil Aira?

"Naa. wait for Nico." Said Nico while trying to pursue Aira's steps.

^^^To be Continued...^^^