Above Cloud Nine — Chapter 39: CHOICES

Kamilla assisted Rose as they went inside their room. Kamilla has no choice but to also get fine arts as her course because she wanted to support her half sister. Even if she wanted to be a lawyer in the making, she respected her decision since she has to give her care and support.

After all, she owed Rose her own life and happiness. It's now time to bring back all the favor her sister gave to her freely.

"Sis, have you experienced being in love?" Rose blushed as she asked her. She smiled as she pinched her cheek.

"Nope. I have to study. You know, priorities." She reasoned out, wanting to hide Andrei from her.

"Well, I have someone I liked the most when I had my sight way back then." She started. Kamilla didn't understand the way her heart beat very fast. She's like never wanting to hear from her of what she wanted to say.

"Wow...so who is the lucky guy?"

"I haven't got his name dear. But I remembered he had a basketball game at school last time. He was the tallest member among the players." She said as she giggled.

Was it Andrei that she meant? Why, of all guys, why is it that it was Andrei?

"Hmmm...describe him to me. I might help you meet him, who knows?"

"Wow, really?" Her face lit up and she held her hands.

"Of course, sis. Karen had a lot of spy friends at school the last time. She could get a lot of information about that guy, you know."

"I will be very happy if I will meet my crush at last, Kamilla!"

Rose was the happiest as she told Kamilla about some details of Andrei. So it was really Andrei that she described after all. For the first time, after the author of their favorite book, it was Andrei whom she felt in love with. Why do they have to like the same guy at once? It's way too unfair for her to feel the same to the only guy that she loved the most for almost a year ago.

----

"Gosh, girl! Really? Why is it that cousin is really a handsome guy? There are a lot of girls who wanted to meet him."

"Yeah...I guess I can't do anything about it."

"So, what do you plan to do?" Karen frowned as she looked at me. I wanted to cry in front of my best friend but I am just stopping myself. They were inside a coffee shop and it was so crowded someone might see her crying for no reason at all.

She's too hurt about what she had discovered. She thought that Andrei was the only one who can be with her when she felt all alone in life. But then when Rose came in, it was changed forever. Yes she has the sight but she could feel a deep hole inside her heart. She could feel that she's incomplete with the way situations could happen. It's as if everything is not liking her as a person, even her existence.

How she wished that she's a whole new different person. So that she could freely live her life without anyone or anything to worry about.

Karen followed what she instructed her to do. She gathered all the possible information about Andrei. She started to tell it to Rose. She could see that it made Rose very happy and excited day by day. While her? She's crying herself every night for the unfortunate destiny that she is experiencing. As days passed, she started to let go of every feeling she has with Andrei.

If father Bernard and her mother will know that she let go of Andrei for Rose, they will praise her for doing a great job. For considering the feelings of her half sister and for being selfless enough to let go, even if it is very hard for her.

"Kamilla, you never know how happy I am because of what you're telling me." She giggled, almost gasping for air because of too much happiness and excitement.

She felt happy somehow that she caused this feeling to her half sister. She knew it's the least that she could do for her.

She is only stopping herself from crying so hard because of the decision that she's about to do. If Rose did not think twice about her love for her when that earthquake happened, then she has no right to think twice letting go of Andrei for Rose, too.

"I will do everything I can for you, sis." She hugged Kamilla after what she heard from her.

"Thank you, Milla. It's the first time I ever felt this happy. All thanks to you, dear."

"I will always do what you want, dear. I will always be there for you because I love you."

"I love you too." She looked afar as if never meaning what she had said. However, Rose could not see her eyes. She knew that she couldn't even see her crying so hard at the moment. She knew she will make a decision that will change her life forever.

----

"Girl, Andrei told me that he will see you at your favorite restaurant." Kamilla looked at her and said nothing.

"Can you hear me?" Karen added and she sighed with a heavy heart.

"Y-Yeah."

"He has a bouquet of roses, dear." Kamilla looked at her as if she is analyzing what she said a while ago.

"Bouquet of roses?"

"Yeah, girl. That effort of my cousin. He's someone who wanted to show affection to someone that he liked so much."

"Alright. Please tell him I will see him there. Same time." Karen nodded and left. She took a deep breath and looked at her reflection on the mirror in front of her at that corner of the coffee shop.

She learned that they will be seeing each other at exactly four in the afternoon. She got ready. She put on her favorite dress and shoes. She made sure she will look good on their last date.

Yes. She promised herself that it will be the last date with the love of her life, Andrei. It's time for him to appreciate the love of Rose to her instead of what she could offer.

After all, it is impossible for her to be happy with Andrei when she knew to her conscience that Andrei is the only one that Rose also wanted in her life. Her father even mentioned to her that Rose didn't have any relationship even if they were in the states because she's also too busy and focused on her studies.

Now, it's her turn for her to give her what she wanted the most in her life, and that is Andrei.

----

"Hello, Milla..." Andrei cheerfully greeted her with a smile. Yes, Karen was right. He has a bouquet of roses with him. She could feel that this day is a bit special because she noticed that the food in front of them is a bit grand compared to their usual menu when they were dating.

"H-Hi," She answered in a timid manner. Andrei couldn't help but chuckle.

"What happened? How are you? Are you feeling alright?"

"Yeah. I am. Please don't mind me." She smiled at him.

Deep down, she could feel that she's the most beautiful and luckiest girl in the whole world because he's very handsome. She can't even believe why she's the only girl he's giving attention to.

"You know what, you looked more beautiful today. Your dress suits you very well."

"Thank you so much for the compliment. I thought you will not like it."

They looked at each other as if their eyes understood what their heart intended to tell each other.

"I invited you to this date because I have to tell you something."

"You're always telling me a lot of things. What's the difference now?" Kamilla chuckled. Andrei held her hand and grip her tight as he looked to her eyes.

"I want to tell you and our plan about us."

"What?"

"You heard what I say, right?"

"Andrei, you know that I don't want to be in a relationship unless I am already a college graduate, right?"

He looked down and she could see his face suddenly got sullen. It's as if she never expected it for her to answer.

"Really? Don't you love me, Milla?" He finally dared ask.

She swallowed as she clenched both of her fists under the table. If only he knew she's been stopping herself from the possible breakdown that might happen. She has to be strong and tough not for her self the most but for the happiness of her sister.

She knew that if she will refuse him and his love, she could give Rose a chance to meet him and let him feel her love more than she could offer herself.

They ate in silence. Andrei even send her to their front gate without Rose's parents knowing it.

"I'm so sorry. I guess I was just being unfair to you. I will not ever ask of it again."

"I could only offer friendship to you, Andrei. Hope you understood what I felt."

"Yeah. I am so sorry once again. This will be the last one."

As his car went away, Kamilla couldn't hold her tears any longer. The things that happened today is too much to handle. If only she could have a choice of her own, she would gladly accept her offer. She would gladly accept his proposal to be his girl even for a lifetime. He was her first love and her first heartbreak as well. I guess nothing beats every first.

"I love you Andrei. If I will have to have another lifetime with only us, I would be glad to choose you again and again. I love you goodbye."