" I asked her what do you want in return for your love?

And she looked into my eyes and said.

.........Nothing......

" Just a smile would be enough"

......

12 years Later

" It's mine!"

" No! It's mine! "

" You are lying Veronica! You stole it from me!"

" I didn't steal! Why will I steal when it is mine!!!"

Two girls were brickering . Fighting with each other over a pair of new shoes.

Going to the extent of literally tearing each other's hair. When the other students rush in. Holding back the girls .

" You thief! Let my daddy come! He will not leave you!"

" I am not scared! My mom is the trustee of this school! She will throw you out!"

The fight was getting out of control. Some snicker at their childish fight while majority stood there just watching them in indifference.

Except for one.

Whose gaze for fixed at something or rather someone other than these two girls fighting.

A girl with beautiful grey eyes was looking outside the school gate at another girl leaning on the gate door. She looked poor, with clothes torn and hair shabby.

But the girls eyes? They had a lot of hopes in them. Lot of dreams and desires.

She stares at the beautiful pair of shoes the girls were fighting over. Her muddy hands holding the railing tightly.

" What do you think of yourself! You think I am lying!"

" Yes you are! I said I never stole it! We just have two shoes with same design. "

" No these are mine! They are limited edition!"

In the fit of fighting, the so called shoes they were fighting over was laying on the ground.

And the girl with grey eyes moves forward. Stopping near them.

The two girls fighting. Were too lost. Oblivious of anything around.

Picking up the shining pair. The girl approaches the entrance gate of the school. Moving closer to the girl outside.

" Here. They are yours now"

Offering the shoes to her through the gate railing. The brown eyes of the girl outside held shock. Her hands retreating.

She has never been shown such generosity before. Why was this girl giving it to her? What will she ask in return? From what she knows about this world, nothing is free.

" Come on. Take them."

Scared, looking into her grey eyes. The girl finally dared. Moving forward her hand to hold the shoes with her trembling fingers.

Her eyes shining with happiness looking at the shoes in her hands, that couldn't be described.

For the poor girl, it looked like she has found the most valuable thing in the world.

A small smile broke at the corner of her dry chapped lips and she stutters , looking back at the girl with grey eyes .

" T-th-ank you"

For the girl with grey eyes, the image her eyes beheld were beautiful. The dimples smile on her dirt covere face yet shining eyes. Was priceless.

But before the grey eyes girl could admire her more a hand clasps the girl's wrist. A scream roaring behind.

" What the hell! How dare you give my thousand dollar shoes to this...this girl!"

The girl to whom the shoe belonged screams, realising that someone took her shoe. Looking at the poor girl outside the door in disgust.

Her hand grabs the girls wrist to push her back when the grey eyes girl steps forward.

Holding the girl's wrist , stopping her.

" Veronica. Don't"

The grey eyes girl warns and Veronica 's eyes widen on realising who was speaking.

" Zaria? But how can you give my shoes to her! I was fighting over it! Hell you know how much I love them!"

" They are mine! I want them back!"

And that's when Zaria's calm grey orbs settle at Veronica 's chaotic ones.

" I know you love them Ver. I know you like their design and I also know they are limited edition. But-"

Looking down at the girls naked feet. Zaria speaks with a soft voice.

" The girl needs them more than both of you"

" You may love it, wear it on few occasions and then once you are bored. You will throw them in the pile of used clothes. But her? She will cherish them forever"

"She will wear them everyday "

" They will save her feet from burning, while for you? They will just be an accessory."

Veronica and the girl that was fighting, look at each other. Feeling guilty of fighting for such a petty matter. They look at the girl on the other side of the railing.

Who was still trembling in fear. Her eyes lowered.

And the girls nod at each other. Smiling. Asking the guard to open the door. They approach the girl and together offer her the shoes.

" I am sorry. Please take these."

Veronica speaks and the other girl nods. Looking at the poor girl. And she looks back at Zaria instead for confirmation.

Zaria nods. Urging her to take it and she does take it.

The bell rings.

Turning around Zaria walks back . With a small smile on her lips. When a voice calls her from behind. Walking beside her.

" Nice way to resolve a conflict. I must say"

Zaria looks at the young boy of her age. Rolling her eyes at him.

" Let me rephrase it. Nice way to enlighten our lost souls."

The boy looks at her in disbelief to only whine in irritation.

" Damn Zaria! Why are you such a philanthropist all the time! Can't you be normal for once."

" This is my normal "

"Oh lord! What am I gonna do with this girl?"

And that's when Zaria cocks a smile at him. Placing her arm around his shoulder to pull him along.

" You are gonna tolerate her. What else? Aren't I your best friend?"

The boy nods. Trying to break free of her lock. Feeling shy suddenly. Looking around at people.

" Wh-at are you doing Zaria? People are watching!"

" So?"

" So...they are gonna assume things. And I don't want your dad to think I am flirting with his daughter and....."

Zaria stops to look at him. Placing her hands on her waist.

" And......?"

" And you know. Plus your dad is so scary! I like my bones intact!"

" And what if I break them before him?"

Zaria says, locking his neck in a neck lock from behind. And he giggles, literally begging her.

" Ahh stop! Stop Zaria! You are hurting me!"

" Oh really touch me not flower? You got hurt from this only?"

He manages to break free and Zaria starts running after him. They run a cat mouse chase. Both giggling.

" Hayden! Stop ! Okay I won't trouble you!

" Naa! I don't trust you! "

When suddenly Hayden crashes with someone and the person catches him before he could fall.

" Careful boy"

" Thank you Si-"

Hayden's words die down as he looks at the man who saved him. His heart thudding.

Beautiful grey eyes look back at him and he gulps. Nodding immediately.

" Sir! I am fine! I am fine!"

He exclaims, standing in attention and Aaron furrows his brows seeing the kids weird behaviour. To dismiss it.

When he heard his beautiful daughters laughter behind.

" Daddy!"

" My love! Zari!"

Rushing forward she jumps and falls into his arms as he picks her up. Kissing her forehead.

Zaria giggles to only realise a shy Hayden looking at the floor. Standing there awkwardly. And she taps Aaron's shoulder.

" Dad! Put me down! "

" Woah calm down love. What happened?"

As soon as her feet touch the ground. She pulls Hayden forward. Making his eyes to widen.

" Meet my best friend Dad! Hayden!"

Aaron's eyes shift from Zaria to Hayden and back to Zaria. And he raises a brow, to have her nod.

Winking at him.

Crouching down , he sees the boy looking down at the floor. To shy to look up. And Aaron holds back a smile.

The boy was too cute.

" So you are Hayden , huh?"

The boy looks up at him with widened eyes . To barely nod.

" Y-es S-ir! I am sorry I didn't flirt with your daughter! I seriously lo- .....I mean li-ke her alot! I would never hurt her!"

Zaria holds back a chuckle while Aaron stares at him in surprise.

Taken back by his words. To recover. Putting on that neutral face, making his emotions impossible to decipher.

" I see. So what do you like about my Zaria?"

He asks surprising Hayden. Who looks at Zaria and answers with just one word. His voice confident and firm.

" Her selflessness."

Aaron's heart thuds faster. And he stills seeing the boy's smiling face.

" How she gives without asking for anything in return? That's what I like about her."

Zaria feels a warmness rush to her cheeks at the boys words.He never said something like this to her before. He never complemented her. He only joked about these things.

Looking at Aaron's expression. Fear enters the boys eyes and he just realised what he said.

"I...am...I....."

Seeing the fear in the boys eyes. The doubt in his own eyes on his own self worth for Zaria Made Aaron to drop his cold exterior.

And he couldn't help pull the boy for a hug. Seeing his own self in him.

He was just like him.

" Always stay with her."

Is all that Aaron whispers in his ears and the boy stills. Stiff in his embrace. Not able to believe he was hugging him.

" I don't hold to leave, Sir"

Hayden speaks smiling. And Aaron was impressed. The boy may be shy, but he was different.

Hayden hugs Aaron back and Zaria literally looks at them in disbelief.

What is happening?

Since when did they got so close and forgot her.

" Hey! Hey! Boys! What's going on here! Have you forgotten me?"

She joins the hug and Aaron kisses her forehead. Pulling her to his chest.

" Do you like him?"

She asks in his ear. Anxious of his answer. When Aaron chuckles.

" When have I not liked anything you like , love?"

" Really! I knew you would love him!"

Kissing Aaron's cheek . She exclaims in excitement. Too happy to express her emotions.

Her eyes met Hayden's Aqua blue ones and she winks at him. Pulling him for a hug. Making the boy to hug her back

Aaron just looks at them hugging, a small smile evident. He couldn't help stare a longer at the boy and wonder.

Who were his parents?

And that's when a voice comes from behind. Drawing everyone's attention.

" Den! "

The boy turns around to look at aqua blues eyes similar to his. His face lighting up like fireworks

" Dad!!"

Turning around, he hugs the man's legs and that's when the man's calm blue orbs neet Aaron's grey ones.

And they both go still for a second.

" Aaron ?" . . .

" Declan?"

............

" I wished to place ,the stars, moon's and this entire universe at your feet.

To only realize later.

That in search of them I forgot to give you the very source which illuminated them all for you.

That I forgot to give you the very ' Sun'

That I forgot to you.....

. . . "Myself"

- suzangill