Chapter 3: Explanations.

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"Crystal snow only holds an ambiguous shape,

I can't bear my story of unrequited love"

-BTS: Crystal Snow-

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| K I R U N |

I honestly did not intend to hit her on the neck. She was supposed to block me. But she didn't. And she ended up fainting. The Sensei gave me an earful of what my mistake was and that I would be penalized. What more penalties do I have to pay than to see her in such a condition? I have to take full responsibility of my actions and take care of her until she recovers.

Oh and cherry on top: we were banned from the Dojo until she recovered and we pushed aside our differences. We, 20 something humans, were BANNED! That has to be the most embarrassing part of it all because it was announced in front of our juniors.

How it was my fault, I had no idea. I mean how was I supposed to know she couldn't handle it? Jeez.

So here I was, sitting outside the hostel with the boys waiting for her. The boys were my mates, since high school. It's been years and we lost count.

"I think she'd probably plot ways to kill you" said the cynical Carwayn and I glared at him. He was only adding fuel to fire.

"I agree. Look at it in a more positive manner. You two will get over your differences" said Aqua, the pessimist one.

"I don't care." muttered Kwan, leaning against the wall and closing his eyes. I hit his head with my phone.

"Turtle." we all muttered at the same time.

"Haha. Funny." he replied in his sassy tone making us laugh.

"Either way, I don't think I am even ready to face any of her friends yet." said Ahren and I sighed, rubbing my forehead. This is not how I planned my Friday evening to go.

"KIRUN ARTHIT!"

I am so dead.

I looked to the side to see a fuming group of females, staring right at me. If looks could kill, I'd be dead by now.

"Daw"

"Don't Daw me. What did you do to her?!" snapped the tomboy and I opened my mouth to speak but I could not think of a better explanation. If I tell them I aimed a high kick at her, they'd say I did it intentionally as it's not exactly part of the basics.

"Well?" questioned the red head, Asteria and I took a step forward towards them. It's not or never. See, the thing about Indah's girl gang or wander women as everyone calls them, is that they are very scary. They are amazing, don't get me wrong but they tend to get scary when angry hence no one messes with them. Until now that is.

"Look. It was an accident. We were demonstrating the basics of Taekwondo to the recruits and I high kicked her so that she could block me but she didn't so it hit her neck, she lost balance and fell on her right hand, while trying to save herself. I hurt her shoulder but I swear it was unintentional." I explained and Daw growled before I felt my jaw stinging.

She punched me. What you sow is what you reap- Now is not the right time, smartass conscious.

I winced as I held my jaw, trying to ensure it's not dislocated.

"Daw, what the hell?!" I heard Ahren yell.

"He deserved it. He hurt Indah. He jeopardized her safety!" snapped Asteria and I finally stood up straight and looked over at them.

"I told you it was unintentional." I stated lowly because if I talk loud, I can hurt my jaw even more.

"It doesn't matter! What if she was disabled from her right hand? What would she do? You are lucky Kirun that we are leaving you now. If her hand fracture creates any complications in the future, you will surely be beaten to pulp. I give you my word." stated Daw and Asteria nodded.

I looked to the dark haired girl standing behind them for help. She was the sensible one here.

"Ayaka, trust me, I did not mean it." I explained to her. She smiled slightly and walked towards me and the boys. She stood a few feet before me and shrugged.

"You are lucky Daw gave you one punch. I told them to give five but-" My eyes widened at her words. I thought she was sensible but-

"Look Kirun, You are not wrong on your side. You thought she would block you but she didn't. But she was also not wrong. She was not expecting a high kick from you as it was the basics of the basics that you both were required to demonstrate. You hurt her. The medical complications are high of these things. She's an engineer. Her hands are the most important part of her body. She needs it to work. To top it all, you broke her right hand, the hand she uses to write and basically do everything with. Now what will happen to her? The doctors say that the fracture is not that bad but if she strains her hands, it can go worse. You needed to think all of this before your acts." with that, the girls walked away, leaving us in silence.

"You know what they said was true, right?" said Carwayn and I nodded slowly.

"I could have ruined her whole future with one simple mistake." I muttered, walking inside the dorms. I could've left her paralyzed for the rest of her life. The thought didn't sit well with me.

The boys and I walked towards the lobby and then the stairs to our rooms. IUST dormitory's depend on the students. Whoever wants whichever dorms, they get. Ours happen to have 7 floors, the top three are all boys, and the following three are all girls while the last two are common rooms, library and other things I do not know about.

And we live on the third floor from the top. And there are no elevators in this building. So we basically have to walk all the way up.

"Let's get you some ice pack. Its turning purple." said Ahren and I nodded. It stings like a bitch too. We walked upstairs to the infirmary. It was on the second floor.

"Ah, what is it now?" questioned the doctor in charge, Mrs. Roi.

"Punched by Daw." I muttered, holding up my jaw that was throbbing. She inspected it, turning my face form side to side to check for other injuries.

"This girl I tell you." she muttered, gesturing me to take a seat on the bed.

"He was also at fault." replied Aqua and I nodded.

"I kind of hurt Indah." I said rubbing my forehead, wincing when my jaw skin was stretched due to it.

"Again?"

"It was an honest mistake I swear."

"She broke her arm."

"Yes."

"Bad boy." she muttered laughing slightly and I shrugged.

"You should take responsibility." she said, cleaning my bruised jaw. I winced again with the stinging sensation.

"I have to I guess."

"Good!"

"OOOOWWW!"

"You deserved it. Why do you two not get along anyway? She's such a sweetheart"

"Yeah. Satan's spawn in disguise of an angel, you mean." I muttered, clenching my hands to not react to the pain. The doctor laughed and patted my head.

"You are good to go, Kirun. Apply this on it each morning and each night, alright?" she said, giving me ointment and I nodded, taking it.

"Thank You."

It was almost 7pm, and the boys were gone to their dorms. I set on the table with my MacBook open in front of me. This was my third year and one more year before I am done. Since I have elective units as well, my years have been extended. But either way, I am glad. My email was open and I was debating about applying for the photography class this year. My dad said it's alright as long as my grades are good but I am still debating. Should I or should I not. It would help in marketing but-

Just then my phone beeped with a message. My dad. Of course.

Dad: Kirun Arthit. What did you do? Skype right now!

Oh shit. I am in deep trouble. Why did I think that Sensei would not tell dad? After all they are good friends. Before I could skype, another message came. From dad again.

"Got an emergency meeting right now. Talk to Indah and solve this before we skype at 9pm." I read out loud and sighed deeply, placing my head on the wooden desk. Huffing in annoyance, I decided against my good will to simply go and talk to her.

What if she is not in her room? My conscience questioned. She's sick, of course she'll be in her room! Or I could just call her. I took my phone and went on contacts, searching her name. It should here somewhere.

CacTus.

| Snippet. |

"Wait a minute-" Kirun said, as he searched through the folders containing documents for engineering freshmen. The 18-year-old rummaged through numerous papers before his eyes caught onto the paper he was looking for.

He smirked. The smirk was evil and his friend who stood beside him knew that very well.

"What is it Kirun?! Hurry up before Prof. Felix ships us out of his class to Antarctica!" Snapped the boy in British accent.

"I am coming!" Replied Kirun, snapping a picture of the document before running out of the small room. The librarian smiled at them and they nodded.

"Thank you, Madam." The boys said, bowing slightly before walking out of the library. Kirun hit the back of the British boy and grinned.

"I'll see you later."

The boy nodded and walked away while Kirun walked out of the campus towards the engineering faculty. This was going to be fun. He saw Indah with her usual group of girls as he slowly approached them.

"I see you survived first week." smirked Indah and Kirun rolled his eyes at the white-haired beauty.

"I guess so. I see you did too, Miss. Indah Fern Gesang." he said, smirking and Indah's eyes widened.

No one knew her middle name. She liked it that way. She was not ashamed of it but more of trying to avoid embarrassment because Fern brought the whole forest vibe with it. And, she used to be teased in middle school by that name when one student said Indah should look like the plant fern when the teacher said names impact humans. It's a long story.

"How?" She gritted her teeth.

"No, No, Miss. Fern. Hmmm. Scratch that, I'll call you Cactus, because of your prickly nature. That works, little cactus?" Questioned Kirun, circling her and Indah growled.

"Unless you want this posted on the school web page...." Snickered Kirun and Indah sighed.

"Fine. What do you want?"

"Good girl. You shall be called Cactus by me and you must respond. That's it. It's our little secret." with a wink, Kirun was gone leaving Indah annoyed and frustrated as ever.

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So that was how the name came about.

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🦋 Aalihha.