Best Friends?

The next few weeks passed quietly, but something beautiful began to grow between Aria and Siya. Every morning, Aria would knock gently on the door next to hers and ask, “Can Siya come out to play?” And every time, Siya’s mother would smile tiredly and nod.

Siya always stepped out holding her teddy bear, as if it gave her courage. She still spoke very little, but she stayed close to Aria, following her like a small shadow.

One afternoon, Aria decided to show Siya her favorite place.

“Come,” she said, grabbing Siya’s hand carefully. “I want to show you something.”

Siya let herself be pulled along.

Behind their building was an old mango tree, big and wide with branches that spread out like open arms. Aria had spent many summers climbing it, pretending it was a castle, a spaceship, a tower made for adventures.

“This is my special place,” Aria said proudly. “I always come here when I feel bored.”

Siya looked at the tree in silence. Her eyes softened, as if she liked it too.

“You can climb it with me,” Aria added. “Only if you want.”

Siya hesitated, but then she held out her teddy bear to Aria.

“Hold him,” she whispered.

Aria understood. Siya was scared, but she was willing to try.

Aria held the teddy bear close and climbed first, showing her where to place her feet.

Siya followed slowly. She almost slipped once, but Aria reached down and held her hand tightly.

“You are doing great,” Aria said. Her voice was full of warmth and encouragement.

Finally, they sat together on a thick branch, the wind brushing against their faces. From up there, they could see the whole neighborhood. Children playing. Women hanging clothes. Birds flying past. The world looked bigger and happier.

Siya looked at Aria and whispered, “Thank you.”

It was the first time she had spoken more than one word to her.

Aria’s smile grew bright. She handed Siya the teddy bear back and said, “You know, you do not have to be scared of me. I want to be your friend.”

Siya hugged her teddy bear tightly. She looked down at her lap, then slowly looked up again.

“You are my friend,” she said softly.

For a moment, Aria felt like her heart was glowing. She had waited for those words. She had hoped for them. And now they were real.

They stayed on the tree branch until the sky turned orange. They talked about small things. Favorite colors. Their mothers. School. Dreams. And though Siya still spoke quietly, she spoke more than ever before.

When it was time to go home, Aria climbed down first, then helped Siya down step by step.

Before going inside, Siya stopped and turned to Aria.

“Best friends?” she asked in a small voice.

Aria’s eyes widened in surprise, then she nodded happily.

“Best friends forever.”

They did not know what the future would bring.

They did not know how much happiness they would share.

Or how much pain.

Or how their innocent promise would one day return in a haunting way.

But in that moment, under the evening sky, two little girls m

ade a promise that tied their hearts together.

Forever.