Chapter 1:The Day a White Scarf Was Given

" When i opened by eyes I saw a seed, when I closed my eyes I saw a tree "

                                     ....

The classroom was slowly emptying as the last few students packed their bags and left, their voices fading into the hallway like echoes that refused to fully disappear. Jeain sat quietly by the window, resting his chin lightly on his palm while staring outside the school gates. 

Groups of students walked together, laughing, smiling, talking about things that probably would not matter tomorrow but felt important today. The afternoon sunlight slipped into the classroom, spreading warm golden light across empty desks and faint chalk dust floating lazily in the air. 

He was not waiting for anyone, and he was not avoiding anyone either. Going home felt like effort, and staying here felt easier. The sky outside looked clean, almost freshly washed, like a blank page that no one had written on yet. The silence around him felt comfortable, like a familiar blanket.

The silence broke when the classroom door opened loudly and Anika rushed in without slowing down, already speaking before she even reached his desk. 

She started talking about the vending machine eating her coin, about a cat sleeping near the school gate like it owned the place, about a bakery her cousin mentioned where the bread supposedly smelled like heaven. 

Her words flowed endlessly, jumping from one topic to another without pause, like a river that had forgotten where it was supposed to end. Jeain did not look at her and kept his eyes on the sky outside. 

When he finally spoke, his voice was flat and emotionless as he said, “Wow, that’s crazy.” To him, the words were just tools to keep the conversation moving without inviting more of it, but to her, it sounded like interest. Her eyes lit up, and she continued talking with even more energy, believing he cared about everything she was saying.

As her voice filled the room, Jeain quietly thought about how to make her stop talking without creating conflict. He was not angry, just tired. After a few seconds, a simple plan formed in his mind. If he took her somewhere and then left, it would probably give him peace for the rest of the evening. 

He turned slightly toward her and casually asked if she wanted to hang out. The words were simple, but to Anika, they felt like warm wind on a cold morning. She agreed immediately, her smile bright and genuine, like she had just received unexpected good news.

Outside the school, the road stretched long and calm under the soft afternoon sun. The light painted everything in warm colors, and as they walked, small pebbles shifted under their shoes, making soft cracking sounds like warm bread breaking apart fresh from an oven. 

Anika talked nonstop as they walked, jumping between thoughts about teachers, pigeons possibly having best friends, and why talking felt healthier than keeping thoughts trapped inside. 

Jeain walked beside her silently, listening without reacting much, but not interrupting her either. After some time, her voice softened slightly as she told him he was the only friend who truly listened to her. 

She admitted that she could not stop talking once she started and that she believed most people only pretended to listen to be polite. She told him he was different, and although he did not respond, he also did not walk faster or try to leave her behind.

When they reached the mall, bright lights reflected across polished floors while the air smelled like popcorn, perfume, and new clothes. People moved in different directions like slow currents in a warm ocean. 

Anika reacted to everything with pure excitement, moving from one shop window to another while pointing at stuffed toys, clothes, and accessories, calling everything cute or funny. 

Jeain stood nearby quietly until he noticed a simple white scarf displayed neatly. He picked it up and handed it to her, telling her it was for her. She froze for a moment before taking it carefully, almost like it was something fragile. 

When she asked if he was serious, he calmly told her yes but warned her to never make it dirty or he would be sad. To him, it was just a clean way to end the day, but to her, it felt like trust. 

She promised to treasure it, and after that, he told her he was going home and left without hesitation. She stood there holding the scarf close, softly thanking him and calling him her only real friend even though he was already gone.

The next morning, sunlight spread across the school courtyard while Jeain walked through the entrance quietly, commenting to himself that it was a nice day. 

When he saw Anika wearing the white scarf, he told her she looked good with it. His voice sounded warmer than the previous day, which made her visibly happy. When she asked if he meant it, he only nodded and continued walking. 

She later joined her friends, laughing and talking, but from a distance, Jeain noticed that she was the only one really talking while the others mostly listened. He quickly dismissed the thought, telling himself it was not his problem.

During lunch break, Anika sat carefully while adjusting the scarf and reminding herself to be careful not to dirty it. As she prepared to eat, someone accidentally bumped the table, causing soy sauce to spill directly onto the white fabric. 

Time felt like it stopped as the dark stain spread across the clean surface. Panic filled her chest as she whispered in disbelief while trying to wipe it. 

Her eyes searched the cafeteria and landed on Jeain leaving, making her believe he had seen the stain and was leaving because he was disappointed. In reality, he had simply finished eating and had not noticed anything.

After that moment, she stopped talking. She barely touched her food and avoided looking at anyone. The friends she thought would notice did not say anything meaningful, and the loneliness settled heavily inside her. 

She quietly blamed herself, believing she had broken his trust and proven she was a bad friend. In class, Jeain noticed something was wrong because she was unusually silent. 

When he looked closer, he saw the stained scarf and immediately felt guilt hit him hard. He realized his careless words had created something fragile that she had taken seriously.

After class ended, she stayed seated, clearly sad and distant. Jeain walked over and placed his hand on her desk loudly enough to get her attention. 

When he greeted her, his voice was noticeably warmer than usual. The moment she looked up, tears started falling as she apologized repeatedly, saying the scarf was dirty now. 

Her sadness was genuine and innocent, which made his guilt heavier. He quickly reassured her that it was fine and that he was not mad. 

When she asked why he would be happy, he hesitated before explaining that he was happy because she had tried her best to protect it, and that showed she cared. His words reached her like a lifeline thrown into deep water.

Slowly, her smile returned, fragile but real. When she asked if they were still friends, he quietly told her yes, and in that small moment, something between them changed without either of them fully realizing it.

Outside, the sky remained clear and endless, as if quietly watching their story begin.