The Traps of Black Swan

After knowing the cafe will be open in the winter holidays, for the first time, Ava's holidays were joyous and enjoyable staying out of hell… House from morning to evening with the two, Aaron and Nikun. Her favorite time was evening, watching the snowfall with a cup of hot chocolate sitting with the other two.

It was hard for Nikun to enjoy the silence, so it was like a punishment for him. Aaron was listening to music and she was enjoying their company even in the silence. In the thirteen+ years of her life, she felt for the first time that she had someone with her to listen to her words, other than her shadow. 

So the two had made space in her heart, a vast and important space than her family. One was treating her like a little sister and another one was like a teacher, teaching her, correcting her, and also protecting her. One was outspoken, another showed his care and concern in actions. She liked both of them. She had fun with one and learned a lot from another one. 

In the shop, she often helped them with small work and they helped her with assignments. Following Aaron, she watched and learned to bake bread, cookies, and cakes. Only the recipes needed fewer ingredients and easier to cook. Nikun taught her how providing offers and low prices truly worked in their favor to run a cafe. 

During the holidays, once, Aaron, Nikun, and his girlfriend, Mehak took Ava to the mall to spend time. Another time, they had boated in Lake Huron near the school. Each time, Ava always shared the expenses which were didn't required. 

Aaron always kept her share separately, thinking to return to her on the day they would part their ways as he and Nikun both had plans to study abroad in their respective fields.

However, her mother was noticing her all the while. She complained to Shane and Hayden saying Ava was a wanton and she will run away with some random waiter poor boy. Shane thought it was better if Ava leaves that way whereas Hayden was worried hence he spoke to Ava.

Ava had expected Hayden to stop her, but after hearing her completely, he was glad she got some good friends who help her and play with her. So Hayden knew Senior Aaron and Senior Nick. Of course, he had warned her to be careful as she is a girl and they were boys. 

So her first and best birthday celebration was when she crossed 14 years. Matter of fact, Ava had forgotten her birthday as none celebrated for her but the whole cafe was decorated to surprise her. In other words, Nikun just needed a chance to put on loud music and enjoy.

Aaron had taken his mother's help and gifted her a lavender-colored, knee-length, princess dress. Since she was in a simple t-shirt and shorts, she had changed to a dress to cut the first birthday cake in her life.

The customers and Nikun's girlfriend were there to wish her other than the two boys. Ava was all smiles, repeatedly controlling her tears. Those were tears of happiness, the first time she got to know tears do flow for happiness. Yeah, she had a good time and numerous first times with them.

When she thought the celebration was over, Nikun and Mehak sneaked Ava and Aaron to the terrace of the tallest building of their school.

Her eyes had almost popped out looking at many helium balloons floating in the air. "Allllllll… Those are for me?" She asked in total disbelief with her hand pointing at herself.

There were mainly three colors; pink, purple, and white. She couldn't count them even if she wanted to. Nikun helped her hold the balloons and Mehak took the camera out to take pictures. 

When they had asked Ava to bring them her photos to decorate the cafe for her birthday, Ava had told them she didn't have any photos, not even a single one. Hence their gift for Ava was her pictures.

Nikun was going to his girlfriend without thinking if Ava's weight could hold back so many balloons. Ava who was fascinated with so many balloons was feeling like she was in a beautiful dream. She couldn't believe her birthday was being celebrated. So nothing felt real to her.

Lost in her dream, she didn't realize her feet slowly left the floor and started floating. Mehak was focusing her camera on Ava when she noticed Ava. Her eyes widened and screamed in extreme fear, "Ava!" She wanted to tell Ava to leave the balloons but she was too frightened to say any words or move her legs.

Aaron turned to Ava at the same time so he dashed towards her immediately.

Ava was startled hearing her name on a high note, remembering her mother, who gets angry for everything. Before she could sense she was in the air, Aaron wrapped his arms around her. He was terrified just by imagining Ava floating away with the balloon and falling to the ground.

Without knowing she would have flown away with balloons if Aaron hadn't held her in time, she focused on clutching the balloon ribbons tight as those will fly away if left.

Aaron gritted his teeth. His heart shuddered in fear with the imaginary images flashing in his mind and grunted coldly, "Nikun Morris." Aaron, who was always polite and warm, yelled at his friend holding Ava firmly.

Nikun was shocked by Aaron's outburst while his girlfriend was frightened again looking at Aaron. Whereas Ava was in his arms, waiting for him to let go of her. She wanted to ask what happened but sensed Aaron was angry.

Still having no idea about the situation, she tried to persuade him while her face was buried on his chest. "Brother Nick didn't mean to do it." She didn't want him to be angry.

The muffled mellow voice caught Aaron off guard before realizing he was glaring at his friend. He knew Nikun meant no harm to Ava and despite saving Ava in time, he lost his temperament at the thought of losing her.

Nikun lifted his eyebrow at Aaron as he approached them. He started noticing Aaron getting very much involved with Ava. Initially, he had thought Aaron was pitying Ava, then he felt Aaron cared for her hence he was helping her.

Many times Nikun noticed Aaron's day would start with Ava's name and end with her name. And his attentiveness to her activities was high, just to make sure she was doing fine.

Aaron realized the changes too. The importance he started to give to Ava and the special space she had created in his heart. He never got angry or raised his voice at anybody. Not even when Nikun or his younger brother Shawn was creating blunders or a whole lot of mess. 

Even though this was a matter of life, Aaron knew he wouldn't have reacted so strongly as he did for a girl who was holding the balloons as her lifeline.

Shaking his head at Nikun to shrug off the latter's worries, Aaron unwrapped his arms and pressed her shoulders so that she wouldn't start flying again.

He was surprised to see her unaffected by his cold voice. She always leaves him amazed by doing nothing special and being herself. He didn't deny his feelings, he could feel that he stays lighthearted, weirdly relaxed, and content just by being around her.

"Dummy!" He scolded her and flicked on her forehead, yet there was no hint of anger.