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Siha’s hair was soft and silky, that was Yulissa’s first thought when she ran her hands through her friend’s hair. Mother has just teached her how to braid hair yesterday, so of course she had to show off her new skills to Siha. The smooth dark strands were cool to the touch, and they slipped through her fingers as easily as water.
The sensation was strange - a little tingly - but it felt nice. She picked up the strands, rubbed them between her small fingers, and let them drop like waterfalls from her hand while looking at how the strands floated gently in the air. She did it again, and again, and again, until Siha’s voice snapped her out of it.
“Yulissa? Aren’t you gonna braid my hair?”
Ah right, she was supposed to style Siha’s hair, not play with it. Yulissa, flustered, scrambled around to look for the brush, before realizing she was holding it all along. Siha lifted her head a little to glance at Yulissa, then chuckled softly. Yulissa’s entire face flushed with embarrassment.
“S-stop laughing! I’m going to focus now!”
Siha turned her head so Yulissa could work on her hair again, the smile still lingered on her face. Yulissa tried to ignore the urge to let her hands roam free through Siha’s navy blue locks, and quickly braid them into cute little pigtails, tied with blue ribbons at its ends.
“Tada! It looks cute, isn't it?”
Yulissa proudly shoved a handheld mirror into Siha’s hand and scooted beside her. Siha looked in the mirror, turning her head left and right to observe the new hairstyle. Then, she turned to Yulissa and gave her a bright, wide grin. “You really are the best!”
Siha’s compliment, her soft voice and sparkling eyes made Yulissa’s insides burn up with an unknown feeling - warm, fuzzy yet hard to breathe. She puffed up her chest in pride. “From now on, I will make you the cutest girl in the class - no, in the whole school!”
“Hmm, then was I not cute before?”
“N-no, that's not what I mean! You're always the cutest!”
“But you're much cuter than me.”
“That can't be true!”
Siha tried to hold her laughter in and leaned her head on Yulissa’s shoulder. “Well, we can both be the cutest now, don'tcha think?”
“You're messing with me again, aren't you? You meanie!” Yulissa half shoved half tackled Siha, making the both of them fall down the ground. Siha cackled and rolled over, dodging Yulissa's hands that were trying to sneak attack her.
“Stop! You're gonna mess my hair up!”
The two girls continued to tease each other, their childish laughter echoed in the chilly night air until their bedtime finally rolled around the corner.
***
Yulissa wrapped her arms around Siha's small body, tears rolled down her cheeks in a neverending stream. This couldn't be the truth. They were supposed to be in the same school, to debut on the same stage, to be the best duo there ever was. They made a promise.
Siha clung on her body, burying her head in Yulissa's shoulder, the frail back trembled with every breath she took. Teardrops stained her uniform. She hugged Siha tighter, her fingers touched stray purple strands and the now loosen braid.
Something flashed in her mind. She bolted up straight and grabbed Siha by the shoulders. “Siha, Siha! Give me a lock of your hair!”
Siha blearily looked at her, not understanding the sudden change of subject. “But what for?”
“I heard that if we braid our hair together, we can be together forever! Not even fate could keep us apart!” She rummaged through her pocket for a moment before finally pulling out a small cloth bag with cutesy patterns. Yulissa carefully untied the bag, revealing ribbons, hair ties and a small pair of sewing scissors inside. Since that day when she first did Siha’s hair, this bag has never left her side at school. Siha had laughed at her for being obsessed with hair braiding, and she had felt embarrassed for wanting to touch her friend’s hair so badly, but now she was glad she didn't leave the bag behind out of embarrassment.
Siha watched Yulissa raising the scissors to her hair, her hesitation dissipated as the blades nipped away a lock of golden silk. She picked the scissors up and raised it to her head in turn. “I’ll do it too.” She closed her eyes. The blade snipped midnight blue hair with resolution.
Yulissa took the blue hair lock from Siha’s hand. Her fingers brushed against Siha’s soft skin and silky hair strands; again, that strange tingle. She divided each of their locks into two, weaved her hair into Siha’s, and tied them up with the prettiest ribbons she had. In a few minutes, two small braids appeared in front of them, gold and blue intertwined.
The two of them stared at the braids laying in the middle of their palms. Would these tiny frail strands be strong enough to tie their fate together once again? Yulissa wasn't sure either, but this was all she could do.
Suddenly, Siha's hand covered her own. “Don't worry, we’ll surely find each other again. I promise,” Siha gently reassured her. The soft and warm sensation made Yulissa's eyes well up again. This moment would be the last for both of them for a long time. She clenched her hand around Siha’s, trying her best to carve this moment into her memory.
In the next few hours, Siha and her mother left the city, and Yulissa spent the rest of the day in a daze, not even replying to her mother's surprise upon seeing the choppy hair. Her mind replayed the moment of separation over and over again, and only when she wrapped herself in comfy blankets did the image of the car change into Siha: their last hug, the tiny braids, the blue ribbons, the teary smile Siha gave her when their hands were woven together. That night, she cried herself to sleep, her heart ached for the warmth of her best friend’s hands and her soft, angelic laugh.
***
“Yulissa!” Siha's face brightened when she saw a blonde figure in a pink dress stepping into the makeup room. She stood up from the chair and welcomed Yulissa between her arms. “I thought you wouldn't come until later,” she said.
“What are you talking about, how can I miss the chance to be the first one to see the bride?” Yulissa returned the embrace with a smile. “I still haven't approved of that man, just so you know,” she playfully winked.
Siha giggled and lightly nudged Yulissa. “Oh come on now, we both know you're still my favorite. So anyways,” Siha took a step back and did a small twirl, the white gown flared open like a beautiful rose blooming in gentle breeze, “how do I look?”
“Incredibly gorgeous, as always,” Yulissa smiled sheepishly at the sight. And it was the truth; Siha was a fairy tale princess in real life. Her makeup was only halfway done, and she still looked as if angels had just escorted her here from Heaven.
“Enough with the flattery, you!” Siha waved her hand in dismissal.
“I'm telling the truth! You are the most beautiful and the most amazing person in this world, and nothing can change that.”
“Even if I became a beggar on the street?”
“Then you’ll be the prettiest beggar there is.”
The makeup artist, whose existence both Yulissa and Siha had forgotten about, gave a fake cough. “I hate to interrupt your moment, but we still have to finish the makeup.” She tapped the watch.
Siha turned to Yulissa, her violet eyes looked at her apologetically. “I’m sorry, can you give me a few minutes? I’ll be done with the makeup soon.”
“No no, I don't mind it, you can take your time,” Yulissa shook her hands and stepped aside, patiently watching Siha as the makeup artist continued with her work. Her eyes caught a glimpse of something white and glittering; it was Siha’s flower accessories laying on the table. She picked the delicate hairpin up. The lustrous petals were gentle to the touch; it reminded her of Siha's silky hair. The pearl chains dangled from under the flowers, making small clicking sounds.
“Pretty, isn't it?” Yulissa turned to see Siha facing towards her. The makeup artist was in the middle of collecting her tools; it seemed like Siha was done with her makeup.
“Yeah, it really suits you.”
“Wanna pin it on for me?” Siha touched the side of her hair. It has been styled beforehand, but no accessories could be found adorning it.
Who was Yulissa to turn down her best friend's offer? And so she stepped closer and raised her hand, carefully pinning the flowers to Siha's hair. Pearly white hairpin contrasted midnight purple, bringing a glow to the bride’s face. Yulissa's fingers slipped between the silky hair. A familiar heartache in her chest.
“This really reminds me of the old days, you know. Remember that time in third grade when you braided my hair?”
“Of course I do,” Yulissa continued to fix the flowers’ placement.
Siha’s pink lips curved as she snickered. “You were so obsessed with my hair back then. Sometimes I think that the whole ‘braid our hair together’ thing was just an excuse to touch my hair more.”
“You're not exactly wrong,” Yulissa hummed out a laugh.
“Well, at least the ritual seems to be genuine. We will surely stay together until the end of time, isn't that right?”
Yulissa’s throat turned dry, and she found herself frozen in her place, at a loss for words. She wanted to tell Siha about the small, shaky kisses she pressed upon the tiny hair braid in the middle of the night when her longing went out of control. The ache in her heart whenever she saw Siha’s smile, yearning to take hold of it and make it hers. The burning jealousy that's been eating away at her since the day she learned of Leo and Siha's engagement. She knew what this consuming feeling was. But looking at those clear violet eyes shining with uncontainable glee, the words that've been boiling inside her stomach once again started to settle down.
“Of course we will,” Yulissa smiled.
An hour later, she watched Siha and Leo walking down the aisles, as Siha gave the sweetest smile she's ever seen to the blond man standing on the stage. She mumbled a verse of ancient poem as the bride and groom share their vows,
Intertwined hair, we become husband and wife,
There's no doubt between you and me.
And when Siha turned to wave at her, a stage between the two of them, she gave her own sweetest smile in return, quietly burying her feelings deep inside the pit of her heart.
Their “forever” would be to share a stage until the end. She will accompany her dear Siha as her undying supporter; she will do anything for Siha, as long as that happy smile remains on her face. Her name might not be able to stand next to Siha’s, but she can hold her hands as they walk through this life.
And she’s content with that.