I’ve always told myself if I was going to cry, it wouldn’t be in front of everyone else. But given the chance that everybody else was crying, what was I supposed to do?

I offered my hankie to Yana in place of her already wet one. She, and the rest of the class, had been wiping their puffy eyes and blowing their nose from being greatly touched by a movie shown in our English class.

Yana thanked me in between little sobs while I hid my amusement upon looking at the boys who tried to be discreet, but were easily given away by the redness in their eyes.

If I were to be asked, the movie was indeed worthy of tears. It was about a mother, named Hilda, who took a curse in place of her children to keep them safe. It was an effective drama with a good ending. And to be fair, I, too, did cry a little when I first saw it aired on TV a few years back.

Right after the film showing was lunch and Yana and I decided to eat at the school garden for a change. There were a couple of pebbled benches in between trees and round table sets to choose from.

We sat down on one of the benches under the shade and took out our lunch boxes to eat. I noticed Yana had been quiet for a while, which was unusual. I was expecting she would discuss the film with me for our reaction paper.

“You’re such a stone. You didn’t even cry a tear,” Yana finally spoke to me.

I wasn’t sure if it was to praise my resilience or to show her disappointment because she didn’t get to see me sob like everyone else. I told her I had already watched the movie at home before, that’s why it didn’t strike me as hard the second time around.

“I already watched it too, you know, but it still makes me cry.” She pouted even more and it made me laugh.

It surprised me when she shifted the conversation into something personal. It was the first time she opened up about living only with her mom and her two younger brothers. It was only her mother who was working for the family and it had been quite hard to save up for her college, with her brothers going to school as well. That’s why they decided it would be more practical if Yana would transfer to a less expensive school.

And so she became a student of our school: a smart, reliable, optimistic, bossy, and most of the time, strict seatmate.

“I love my mom. I will do everything for her,” she said after taking a sip from her water bottle.

I took a drink from mine, curious about her father, since she hadn’t talked about him yet. I wondered if he was the one she was referring to when she had mentioned about a parent forgetting his child before. I decided it would be best to let her share personal stories at her own pace.

“In that case, then you’re like Helena, the witch’s daughter in the movie. There might not be magical curses involved, but getting to help your mom deal with everyday troubles is enough,” I told her, recognizing her story’s similarity to the movie.

“A great love from a daughter like that, huh. I don’t know if I’m capable of it.” Yana was looking down, wearing an unrecognizable expression.

“Of course, you are!” I said, trying to catch her gaze. “And you’re doing just fine. Don’t be too hard on yourself, okay? I’m sure your mom’s proud of you.”

The truth is, I couldn’t stand it when she was doubting herself like that. If only she could see herself the way people see her… the way I see her, at least.

“Well, will you help me then?” Yana said, her spirits back. She was looking at me with a childish grin.

“Help you with what?” I asked, confused.

“Remember? A lonesome traveler helped Helena in lifting her mother’s curse. I wonder if you could help me with that,” she said, clearly enjoying that strange thought of hers.

I was thinking of a witty remark when I just realized that the traveler named Kit was a guy who could be falling for Helena. But it wasn’t clearly stated in the end.

“If only I had magic, you know,” I replied, brushing off the romance theory.

“Hm, I don’t think it was his magic that made the difference though.” Yana looked up to admire the specks of light getting through the leaves. “I think it was his genuine concern for Helena that made her stronger in the end. It was his encouragement and unwavering support.”

“I think... you’re actually right,” I said. “It was the purity of their intentions that broke the curse.”

“The power of true love. I now get it…” She then looked at me, her face lighting up. “And when I thought the movie was just about love for the family. It’s amazing that it’s about friendship as well. It got some pretty good lessons for sure.”

I smiled at her. “Now you’re gonna ace that paper of yours.”

Magic and true love huh, I thought as I packed up my things. I hate to say it but reality is far from the movies. I don’t think true love just conveniently shows up like that in real life. And magic… If magic was real, then things would've been easier, right?

When I looked back at Yana, I found her in a reverie. Her eyes closed, it was as if she was uttering a prayer in silence. Or probably making a wish. Whichever it was, the sight of her was something I couldn’t help but stare at.

At that moment, I could feel like I was under a spell. Whoever cast it, I had no idea. But the funny thing is, I hadn’t noticed I was caught by it until it was too late… unsure if there was any way out.