Seconds *COMPLETED*

Chapter 5

Tiara Qaleesya

After changing into the clothes Daniel's elder sister, Isma, had provided, Mila and I were sitting on the bed in the guest room in Daniel's home. Mila was falling asleep again as she was tired and bored and obviously hungry. I was lost in my thoughts.

What had made me come here to this house? I didn't know anyone here; why had I just followed Daniel when he asked me to? What was it about him that was overwhelming me? What made me blurt out to him everything about myself and Darien? Could I even actually trust him?

I didn't know the answer to any of the questions in my mind. But I knew one thing: his words intimidated me into silence, not because I feared him, but because his words... impersonated Darien's words exactly. Every single word he uttered reminded me of Darien. Even his voice almost sounded like Darien's, except that his voice was just a little coarser unlike Darien's. Daniel's similarity to Darien; that was the only reason for me to have followed him here to his house.

But, could I actually trust him? What if... he revealed my presence here to Rats? I shuddered, just thinking about him. Rats. No matter how much I hated him for all that he had done, he was still my wounded hope. Rats... where was he? How was he? Was he safe? Rats... that was the nickname I had called him whenever he called me Meow since the day he had started speaking. My Rats... would he ever come back to me? As the brother-like friend I had looked after and protected?

I was alone now... all alone. Father and Mother wouldn't have survived. Darien too is probably dead by now, or else he would never have left me and Mila stranded like this! He would've at least come to see his much awaited daughter, the daughter he hadn't even seen before. Darien, where are you? Aren't you going to come to see Mila at least? You chose her name; you loved her more than anyone else, before even she was born. Won't you come for her at least if not me? Every trace of your mere existence is being wiped out, my beloved, where are you?

Darien would most probably be dead by now. So there was no point crying or waiting for him to come. I had lost everyone in my life, except Mila. Now, there was only one person who I could certainly trust. Rats....

Knock! Knock! Knock!

I was jolted into reality. Someone was knocking on the room door.

"Yes?" I asked.

I couldn't remember where the room door was as I was blind. But I was sure it was not locked.

"May I come in please?" I heard an unfamiliar lady's chirpy voice at the door.

"Yeah," I stuttered, as my heart started to pound heavily against my chest. Who could it be? It was not Isma's or Rina's or even Daniel's mother's voice, then who could it be? All I hoped was that she wasn't anyone who knew Rats.

I heard the door creak as it was slowly opened and someone cautiously tiptoed into the room.

"So, you're Tiara Qaleesya? And your daughter, Mila... is she sleeping?" asked a lady, with a chirpy voice gradually reducing to a whisper.

"Yes, umm... may I know who you are, ma'am?" I asked.

"Narissa Eliza, call me Narissa. It's nice to meet you, Tiara," she introduced herself.

I was stunned, practically lost for words. I couldn't believe it! My favourite singer was now standing before me, but I couldn't see her.

"So, uh... how do you know Daniel?" asked Narissa.

I paused for a moment, before saying, "I just met him today. The only reason I've followed him all the way to his home is because he promised me that he would help me find my Darien."