My Safe Person

WAIT HOPE HAPPINES

It was past midnight.

Aaira’s house was quiet.

Everyone asleep except Aaira.

She sat on her bed, phone in her hands.

She didn’t understand time the way adults did, but she understood waiting.

And she was tired of it.

She walked into her parents’ room.

Aaira (serious):

I need to talk to Watch- prince.

Her father sat up immediately.

Father: Aaira, it’s very late.

Aaira crossed her arms—stubborn, small, and unmovable.

Aaira: You said grown-ups keep promises.

Her father sighed.

He tried everything.

Milk.

Stories.

Logic.

Nothing worked.

Finally, he picked up his phone.

The Call

Elias was still awake.

He always was.

When his phone rang, he frowned—then froze when he saw the name.

He answered.

Elias:

Yes?

There was silence.

Then—

Aaira:

Hi. It’s me.

Elias sat up.

Elias:

Aaira?

Aaira smiled so wide it hurt.

Elias didn’t know why his chest tightened.

Elias: You shouldn’t be awake.

Aaira: I can’t sleep when my head has questions.

Pause.

Aaira: Are you still my safe person?

Elias closed his eyes.

That word again.

Safe.

Elias (quiet):

Yes.

Aaira talked fast.

About her toys.

Her drawings.

Her room.

Then, suddenly:

Aaira: Come see it.

Elias hesitated.

He looked at the clock.

Then thought of the art. Of the university’s cold words. Of that painting.

Elias: I have to talk to the university first.

Aaira frowned.

Aaira: Then you can come after.

Elias smiled without realizing it.

Elias: Alright. I promise.

Her father leaned closer to the phone.

Father: Mr. Blackwood, I know you’re busy—

Elias: It’s okay.

Elias: I’ll come.

Aaira clapped quietly, like she didn’t want to scare the happiness away.

After the call ended, Aaira sat on her bed.

She didn’t write the number down.

She didn’t need to.

She already memorized his number.

She opened her phone and saved:

WATCH PRINCE

SAFE

Morning

Elias stood by his window.

He replayed the call.

Aaira's laugh.

Her stubbornness.

Her trust.

He didn't understand why this mattered.

Only that it did.

For the first time in years, Elias thought

I want to protect someone... not because I have to... but because I want to. He touched his watch.

And smiled.

Aaira sits on the floor, legs crossed, surrounded by crayons, broken pencils, and scraps of paper

Aaira sits on the floor, legs crossed, surrounded by crayons, broken pencils, and scraps of paper. A toy rabbit lies beside her.

She hums softly nonsensical, tuneless, and happy.

Her mother watches from the doorway, worry heavy in her eyes.

Mother (softly):

She hasn't eaten properly today.

Her father sighs.

Father: She was waiting.

Mother: For who?

He hesitates. ...Elias.

Aaira suddenly looks up.

Aaira (excited): Is he coming? Is Watch Prince coming?

Her mother forces a smile.

Mother: Maybe, sweetheart.

Aaira frowns, picking at her crayon.

Aaira: People say maybe when they mean no.

Aaira (soft, hopeful):

He said today. Watch Prince said today.

No one answers.

Minutes pass.

Then an hour.

Aaira's fingers curl into the strap of her bag. Aaira: He promised.

Her voice doesn't sound angry.

Just Confused like a child waiting for someone who doesn't know how to wait.

University Office

Elias sits across from the university board.

Formal. Controlled. Cold.

A file lies open on the table.

Committee Member:

Miss Aaira Exceptional portfolio. But... cognitively unsuitable for independent academic life.

Elias flips a page.

Drawings fall out.

Brilliant. Detailed. Emotional.

Elias: You approved her admission interview.

Committee Member:

We did. And then her psychological assessment arrived.

Pause

Committee Member:

She functions emotionally like a child.

So the only problem is she only have parents and what happened I don't means after parents who took responsibility

Elias without hesitation

I will I can sign anything any paper

Elias Pov

shit

I told her I'd meet her today.

Elias looks at his watch.

10:47 AM. I late oh no Elias feel panic

The assistant mam we have meeting very important

Elias: cut her before he complete

...I'll be late today. Cancel the meetings but mam I said cancel

The assistant looks surprised but nods.

Back home.

Aaira still hasn't moved.

Her bag is now on the floor.

Crayons spilled out, unorganized unlike her usual careful patterns

.

Aaira (whispering):

Did I do something wrong?

Her mother kneels.

Mother: No, baby.

Aaira's lip trembles.

Aaira: Then why didn't he come?

She presses her palms against her head.

Aaira: My head was good today. I kept it quiet.

That breaks her father.

He turns away.

The door opens.

Aaira doesn't run this time.

She looks up slowly.

Sees Elias.

And freezes.

Aaira (small voice):

You forgot.

Elias kneels immediately

not polished, not powerful. Just human.

Elias: I didn't forget.

Aaira's eyes fill.

Aaira:Then why does my chest hurt?

Elias doesn't answer right away.

Elias: I'm really sorry I at your university its took some please forgive me

Elias: I'm really sorry I at your university its took some please forgive me

Aaira light up hearing university she said its okay

Tea is served.

Aaira sits on the floor instead of the sofa, lining up her crayons by color.

Elias listens as Aaira's father speaks, his voice careful but tired.

Father: I know your busy she ask I'm sorry

Elias's gaze flickers toward Aaira.

Don't be sorry I'm free always for her we are friends now right Aaira

Aaira ya friends friends

Father: She understands colors, shapes, patterns... better than most adults. But people confuse that for maturity.

He clenches his cup.

Father: She's not grown. She's just... different.

Aaira suddenly interrupts.

Aaira: Daddy says my brain is like a puzzle with missing pieces.

The room goes quiet.

Mother (quickly): Aaira

Aaira (cheerful): But I like puzzles.

Elias feels something tighten in his chest.

Then Elias tell her whole scene about university and when new admission start Aaira can join university after 2 months

Hearing this Aaira father cry hug Elias try to hold Elias feet for thank you for help

Elias: immediately hold his hand sir please I said she my friend don't think is pity don't make look like that she think I pity her

Aaira on other hand clapping dancing announcing to her toys she going university and then she does something shock everyone she hug Elias tightly saying thank you bunny

again and again

Elias freeze his heart beat faster

her parents shock not because hug but because Aaira hate stranger touch she not comfortable with anyone rather than with parents but seeing her with Elias it's different

Aaira tugs gently on Elias's sleeve.

Aaira:Can I show you my room? The real one