Chapter 2 The Meeting

The man holding Stella, gently lay her down. She removes the books on her feet and crawl out. He slowly stood up, pushing the shelve back on it's place as if his aching bones are clueless on what it did.

"Is everyone ok?" Father Rhen said running towards them

"Y-yes Father" Stella answered as she drag her right leg “B-but I don’t think he is” pointing at the man stacking up the books as if his joints are as healthy as it was before

“Justine” Father Rhen called out “Are you ok?” 

“Yes, I think the books really made an impact” he chuckled. Momentarily, Stella thought it was the man on his dreams yet this man has a black hair that covering his eyes. His skin was so pale that the ray of sun doesn’t dare to touch it. She just can't seem to understand the leap on her heart and image she saw moments ago.  “I think that girl sprain her leg” Justine said as he points to her. 

“Let me call Sister Lily” Father Rhen immediately runs and called out for Sister Lily.

“Oh I broke my glasses” Justine said as he picked up his round eye-glasses on the floor

“I am s-sorry” Stella answered

“U-uh?!” Leis was taken a back and drop his glasses “O-oh no! I-it’s not your fault!” he said stuttering as he shakes his hand left and right. A blood comes out on his nose and Stella jump on her feet, feeling the electricty craw up on her knees. 

“O-oh no! you are bleeding!” she said as she abruptly pulled out her handkerchief and put it on Justine nose “I am really sorry” she said. Their knees suddenly give up on them taking back the adrenalin rush they once have.

Stella looks at Justine, unknowingly their eyes met. A burst of laughter comes out, filling up the dusty old library. Droplets of tears drop from Stella eyes as her heart continue to laugh on what just happened. They catches their breathe for a second and chuckle for more

Sister Lily and Aeriol comes running finding the two clumsy head on the floor laughing.

"S-stella" Aeriol called out. She waves at Aeriol with her gentle smile as usual, while Justine fix his hair a little and hold the handkerchief on his nose. As soon as he reaches Stella, he checked for wounds and bruises. She smiled, thinking how Aeriol acted like a mother hen towards her. Forgetting about the throbbing ankle to the fear of getting scolded. Hence, a mother hen never misses any pain. The clumsy Stella received a cold look from him, and a good scolding when they got home. Aeriol immediately lift her up and carry her to the table. "Your leg" a crest on his forehead formed

"Just a small sprain" she answered

"It is not" he protest as he carefully removed Stella's shoes. He pulled out the roll of bandage and gently wrap her ankle.

"Where is Lynx?!" he asked

"Oh, we are looking for Lala. We split up" she answered

"He shouldn't let you alone. What if it was not just a----"

"Konnichiwa!!" Lynx greeted. As soon as he entered the library dagger of eyes were immediately throwed at him.

"HEY!" Nathaniel called out as he tries to catch his breathe. This is death for Lynx, not just a friendly death but death death. As he roams his eyes he saw a nose bleeding man, Aeriol wrapping Stella's ankle, the scattered books and broken stair, Father Rhen pilling books back on the shelves, and lastly is Nathaniel with his fiery rage.

"O-ok" he stuttered and chuckled as he raise his arms "Let's just all calm down" he said slowly as he tries to step on his right little by little "Everything can be fix by good communication" after he said that he sprinted away not leaving any of his presence behind.

"Get that man!" Aeriol shouted and gasp of wind blow on the direction of Lynx while Nathaniel continued to run after him. Stella laugh on everyone reactions, especially the way Aeriol shouted. Lynx looks like a theif or a killer that the detectives had been looking for. 

"This is not a laughing matter young lady" Aeriol said. Stella immediately closed her mouth and nod obediently 'It is' she said to herself

"Master" a man in black tailed coat came in "Oh Dear" his eyes widened and run towards to Justine

"Thank you for the treatment" Justine said as he slowly stood up and pick up the book Stella was holding before. "Father Rhen, the books are already with Tala hope they can be useful for the children" he said as he hand over an envelope.

"Thank you Justine, would you like some cup of tea?" Father Rhen asked

"N-no I need to leave" he said 

"We apologies for this" Sister Lily said as she lowers her head

"It is no one's fault"

"Master are you ok?" he asked

"Dont worry, I just slip and fell." he answered

"We need to take you to the doctor immediately" he said agitatedly

"I am fine, can you pull over the car? I want to rest"

"Yes" he respond politely 

Justin Gatchallian is one of the main donor in the orphanage. He always has a weak body and moving for just a hour really put a strain on his body. 

He walks towards Stella and Aeriol stood up "Hope you'll get well soon" he said and hand over the book to her. He slightly bend over and whispered "Nice meeting you" 

"I am too and thank you for saving me" Stella said and hugs the book

"Thank you for saving her" Aeriol said as he extended his hand

"I never felt more alive" he said as he shake Aeriol's hand.

"I'll get going now" he said and went on.

Aeriol stared at the man until his figure blurs. 

"A-Aeriol?" Stella called out

"Yeah, I am sorry just zone out" he immediately responded "I will just help Sister Lily and the others" he said. Stella nods as she watches Aeriol walks away. She opens up the book and this time there are words written on it. 

This is the day they meet again, the stars were out and moon is shinning brightly. His heart is dwindling on the wicked fire as he once set foot to save his Princess. Memories are ajar and her heart is in scatter. A flower blooms tonight as one of the fragments reappears

Then below there is a painting of a green vast land, dark sky, stars, and moon. Stella smiled finding comfort on the painted picture. She brush her index finger on it, but like a wet ink she smudge the beautiful scene. She immediately rub the green ink on her finger to her skirt and close the book. She looked at Aeriol and Sister Lily tidying things up, no one seems to notice but her heart leaps higher than the height she fell into.