100 Years

Chapter 3 - March 1906

(This chapter is dedicated to uncoPsychiatrist for giving me my very first vote and comment on a story, thank you so much :D)

Year 1906, March.

The roads were for once a lot more quieter than before. From what I heard my parents say, something has changed in the government that has slightly calmed the people down. Ana said that her father was formimg something called the Duma, and whispered about not telling anyone that she accidentally overheard about it. She knows so much more than I do, despite being three years younger than I was. That was exactly what I meant about her being dead smart.

I would choose to believe that this Duma, whatever it was for, would be for the better. Peace would be restored in here. Nothing could go wrong, right?

I leaned against the parapet, closing my eyes. I wished this silence could last forever, and no one would interrupt it.

Yet, nothing lasts forever. But it could be a good thing too, for today was a special day. Today would be the first time Ana comes to my house.

Ana had tried to discuss about the matter with her parents repeatedly, but the Tsar always dismissed the idea. Today, things were different, and the Tsar agreed to make the arrangement to bring Ana over. She had told me about it in my last visit to her house, ecstasy shining upon her face. That was when Maria told me in the few conversations we had about how Ana liked exploring new things.

I began to realise on how I was slightly more comfortable around Maria now, having exchanged conversations with her more often lately. Perhaps I had realised that Maria's personality bore some similarities to mine, being more subdued and good-natured. At least I think I was, like how my parents had wanted to say so. Everything else was still the same. I still felt more comfortable around Tatiana, still intimidated by Olga, and still did not see Alexei around.

I left my bedroom. My house was big, and I liked that. I liked the empty hallways, the silent surroundings, the secluded rooms. I just loved silence as a whole. I could let my thoughts wander in that way.

Trudging down the hallway, I started to think back on the conversation I had with Tatiana on my last visit.

"Had Nastya told you about OTMA?" she had asked me.

"No," I adopted a look of confusion, "what is that?"

"It's the initials of our names. The four of us sisters. We decided to use it as a form of signing off in letters. Maybe because Nastya hadn't started sending you letters, so you don't know about it." Tatiana explains. "It's also like a symbol of our closeness, even though we are 'separated' as the Big Pair, representing me and Olga, and Little Pair, which represents Masha and Nastya, we are still the OTMA sisters." Tatiana glanced fondly at the ceiling. I assumed Masha was a nickname for Maria.

I had no siblings, and what Tatiana said about her closeness with her siblings made me wonder about how living with brothers and sisters in the house felt like. But I enjoyed life as it is now. I relish the silence. Yet Ana prefers the crowd more, and does not like silence given her bubbly and enthusiastic nature.

Perhaps in our case, opposites attract.

Alas, the silence was broken with a commotion from downstairs. That could only mean the arrival of Ana. I walked down the stairs as quietly as possible, still wishing to prolong the silence before meeting Ana. Foolish.

My parents were already seated at the dining table with the guests. Ana's widened eyes were taking in the surroundings of my house, and as soon as I sat down in the seat across her, she greeted me with enthusiasm.