THIRD PERSON
All of the member of Clara family had gathered for a casual party. Some are from other country, some had cancelled their plans and meetings just to join the whole family with this once in a lifetime opportunity.
The clan is still on its business and the family had no plan to cut ties and call it an end.
At the less crowded side of the mansion, he saw a face that he only see on pictures.
He sat on the couch as he join his niece.
She came from abroad and only joined her father, which is his cousin, because she is forced to. Her father had missed this place so much that he doesn't want to leave anymore.
"You've grown so well, Jian. It is nice to see you again in this place," he greeted her.
"We'd seen each other last week, Tito Uno," she chuckled, he laughed too.
Juan Jaiden Clara, the first son of Clara family, always makes sure that all of his close relatives are doing fine. As the oldest cousin and the next leader of the Clan, he takes good care of his family.
"It's your last year in high school na pala. Tell me what career do you want in the future?" He asked.
She stayed silent.
"Come on, tell me anything. You know I am the only one you can trust in this place, right? I won't judge," he assured.
His cousin had Jian at a young age, that it gives her the pressure to achieve more, as athe first one in the third generation of Clara.
He waited longer, but his niece doesn't even plan to respond. "Seems like you still have no plans yet. It is fine,"
"But Jiana, you have to choose properly because once you grow up, there is no trustworthy people like me anymore," he told her.
She looked at him. "Tito, what if, I don't want to grow up?"
"Can I just stay like this? Or can I just go back and restart all the things I did back when I was at this age, or younger?" She asked.
"I don't like the future, just thinking of it makes me sick already," she groaned.
Teenagers are vocal about their frustrations these days. Jiana couldn't hide the madness she had in receiving a lot of pressure as the older one.
He looked down as he suddenly remembered something.
"Tito, are you alright?" She asked worriedly.
"Oh, yeah," he smiled.
"Did my answer upset you? I am sorry," Jiana apologized to her uncle.
He shook his head, "No, I just remembered someone,"
He remembered the lady who had shown him how beautiful it is to stay young even just in the mind.
The cheerful side of the youth, fresh and innocent, the fun they had because they know they still got a lot of time left. Indeed, youth is precious.
"Jiana, me too. I want to go back to that age and restart the way I lived before,"
"After graduating, do you have plans already?" Jaiden asked as she is busy reloading the empty shelve of the store.
"Ako? Hmm, siguro, hahanap ako ng magaling na magician. Tapos magpapatulong ako sa kaniyang ibalik ako sa ganitong edad, or mas bata pa rito," she giggled.
He just rolled his eyes because he wasn't able to get the answer he wanted to hear from her. He is considering things, though he already planned to continue medical school after pre-med
The lady sighed, "Jaiden, kung puwede lang na bawiin ko 'yong mga panahong 'yon sa akin, gagawin ko talaga,"
"Restart,"
"Magsisimula ako ulit from scratch. Gusto kong makita kung ganito pa rin ba ang kahihinatnan ko kung sakaling baguhin ko lahat mula sa umpisa,"
"Kumbaga sa game, kapag ilang beses mo nang inulit ang isang stage, makakabisado mo na 'yong map. Mananalo ka,"
"Pero minsan, kapag paulit-ulit na nating nalalaro, nagsasawa na tayo kasi parang hindi na siya challenging katulad ng unang try. Gusto ko no'n, ayaw ko nang mahirapan. Gusto kong ako na mismo 'yong aayaw sa game kasi kabisado ko na,"
"Gustong-gusto kong humakbang papabalik," she smiled at him despite the weighs on her shoulder.
She loved the concept of youth but she's never young.
She never experienced youth because the society, her relatives, the school, her job, had stolen it from her. She was forced to act older than her age because of the burden she had on her tiny shoulders. She was pushed to hide her inner child for she was deprived to feel the happiness even just in small things.
But she still dreamed about being young and innocent.
"Restart," he muttered.
"I wish we can restart it just like in the games," he smiled at his niece to brighten up the mood.
__________________________
AUTHOR'S NOTE:
My intrusive thoughts told me to publish this at midnight.
Please be reminded that I am still in the process of adapting new things such as stepping out of fanfictions. This is not an svt fanfic but will still use them as portrayers. Just check my twt acc or I might open my facebook again for promotion and such.
As I was not around, I am writing this one. It was my habit before pandemic, writing a full-length novel without publishing it. But with further drafting and revisions, I think it could be out in the public!
I might just missed you all, I miss receiving comments and messages from the readers. I still receive some, though. I am really grateful that you guys still read and re-read my past books, the best kayo!
Just be warned that it will contain alarming theme, violence, foul words, extreme violence, bullying, and another disturbing violence. Do not affiliate with real people, place and other non-fiction things.
I hope you will enjoy reading it! Love lots<33
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One Step Ahead
Romance"I want to see myself through your perspective," In which experiencing youth is a privilege. She was forced to act older than her age and always had no choice but to move forward, making her one step ahead of others. But this advancement has her no...
