We studied the tangerine hues that twirled in a peaceful dance, the colours were soft, yet burned the sky ablaze with a passionate vigour. The clouds were scattered like forlorn members of a broken family, but the light that glinted through the haze told of hope that they would unite, when the dark paves its way through faded lustre.

Words could not tell of the beauty of these moments that felt so spesh as if tailor-made to fit seraphic standards. As if to signal the calm before the storm. A memory to soothe unforeseen wounds. 

A prophecy was coming true, for even nature was now submitting to fate, every shred that ever formed the mortal realm now witnessing the game conjured by Lady Luck's own hands– the wind, a silken breeze meant to enhance the trance of the stars that had aligned.

"Anna, have you ever heard of the Ladder of Love?"

"L-love? Why are you talking about love? Did you fall for someone?" Anna spoke, a tremor in her voice.

"No, it's not that. The Ladder of Love is a metaphor that relates each step toward Being as consecutive rungs of a ladder. Each step closer to the truth further distances love from beauty of the body towards love that is more focused on wisdom and the essence of beauty. Basically, loving someone truly without the want for something in return, at least not in a superficial sense, something akin to divine love."

"You mean, platonic love?"

"Yeah, that. Would that be a good thing or a bad thing?"

"A good thing, I guess, I'd be safe from heartbreaks! Also no more jealousy from people clinging on to y- I mean my crush."

"Anna."

"Yeah?"

"I am that person." I let out the words as a bitter taste was left in my mouth. 

"W-what?"

"I am aromantic, Anna." My heart sank, seeing the pallor on my best friend's face.

"N-no, I...this can't be true. Tell me you've developed a taste for sick gags, right? You were just dating William last year, then how-" Anna frantically blurted out, confused by my sudden disclosure.

"Anna. I am not joking. I am also aware of your feelings for me." Great going, Seph. You might as well forget your friendship ever existed.

*  *  *

ANNA'S POV:-

Shit. Shit. Shit.

No. No. No.

How could I be so stupid?

I gave my heart to someone who won't love me.

No. Someone who can't love me.

I knew I should've been supportive. I knew she was my best friend. I knew I had no right to be angry. I knew I shouldn't have thrown a tantrum as if I were a child. I knew it wasn't her fault.

Then why couldn't I say anything?

"Seph...I..."

"I...."

"Anna, say something...please. Your silence hurts me. I'm your best friend, right?"

A tear found its way down my cheeks to my lips, and I could feel the salt irritate my dry skin. My head hurt from the countless thoughts that now overwhelmed me, a part of my subconscious now cursing me for my faults. I could swear I saw my own soul leave my body the moment Seph told me her truth. A truth that shattered my reality. The hopes I had of a dreamy future with Seph one day, or at least a chance at a few years of romantic companionship– all destroyed in the flick of a second.

And she knew.

But how? I had made every effort to conceal what I felt for her. Then how? Was it the staring? The too-friendly smiles? The cuddling? Too much of talking? Not spending time with anyone else? Maybe the heart-shaped chocolates I gave her on Valentine's Day as a joke? What was it?

"Anna, there's one other thing..."

"W-what is it?"

"I love you. Not in a romantic way...because as you know, I'm incapable of that...but in a platonic way. And I always will. If there's anyone I'd ever want to share my life with, it would be you."

"Are you confessing to me right now? Can this even be called a confession? Seriously? After that?" I said, my voice coming out sharper than intended.

"I know you're angry...but hear me out. Can't we be together as friends? You love me, right?"

"No, Seph. We can't. For I not only love you, but I'm in love with you! I can't spend my entire life by your side, being in agony every moment knowing that you won't ever feel the same way for me." I was on the verge of tears now, my pool of patience now exhausted from overload.

'Why, Seph... Why? Why did you tell this to me?'

I stormed-off, not knowing where my legs would take me.

And then, everything changed.