I Followed Him In The Dark

5

"Aria.", napalingon ang dalaga nang marinig niyang tinawag ang kaniyang pangalan.

"Novie, I know na tingin mo mahina lang ako para masama sa grupo niyo pero gusto ko talagang makatulong. Babalik ako sa pag t-training ng martial arts at di parin nawawala ang--"

"You're strong, Aria. I'm sorry about yesterday, nagulat lang din ako. Welcome to our team.", Novie said, then smiled at her.

Shux, na miss ko bigla si Ate.

"Ahh, may sasabihin ka?", she asked.

"Jeoff told me to show you your room, you need to rest.", the older answered.

Tumango si Aria at sumunod sa kasama, her room is at the second floor. Marami siyang pinto na nakikita sa hallway, parang isang hallway ito ng hotel.

"Magkakatabi lang ang kwarto nating lahat, the first room at the left is Zion and Loui's katapat noon ay ang kanila Jian at Rhoge, sa tabi naman ng room nila ay kay Matthias at Justin. Sa tabi ng kanila Zion ay room ko at katabi ng kwarto ko ay yung sayo. Sa tapat ng kwarto mo ay kay Jeoff.", paliwanag ni Novie kay Aria.

"Bakit hindi nalang tayo magsama sa isang room?", she asked.

"Queen's orders.", tipid na sagot nito.

Na-aamaze parin ako pag sinasabi yang Queen's orders kineme na yan parang ang bongga ng dating. Nakaka curious lalo yang si Queen ha.

"Aria, clear ba lahat ng memories mo mula noon?", she was confused because of Novie's question.

Oo naman, clear na clear lahat ng nangyari mula noon. Kaya nga ang sakit parin, kaya nga ang hirap parin. Kasi kahit ilang taon na yung lumipas ay malinaw parin.

"Y-yes, bakit mo natanong?", she asked her back.

"N-nothing, I know that we aren't close pero can you do me a favor?", she looked at Novie because of what she said.

"O sige, basta wag lang math.", she joked.

She really gives me that Nishia vibes, they both hate mathematics and both are witty and funny. Novie thought.

She smiled before answering.

"Call me ate.", sinabi niya at yumuko.

The thought of having an ate again touched Aria's heart. She looked at Novie and saw sadness and longing in her eyes. Novie is very pretty, she's the kind of girl that can make anyone's head turn when she passes by. If ate lived, will she be as beautiful as Novie?

Noong mga bata kami, lagi nilang sinasabi na sobrang ganda at talino ni ate. Lahat nasa kaniya, pero hindi ako nainggit because ate  never failed to make me feel beautiful. She's also brave and fierce even when we were just kids. Ate, I miss you. Is this the sign that I should let you go now?

"Ok, ate.", Aria said and smiled at Novie. The latter smiled back.

They entered her room quietly and when they closed the door, Novie started to tell her story.

"I lost my sister 14 years ago, even if it's really impossible I'm still hoping that she's alive. When we were young, the queen asked us what we want on our first christmas day together. Zion asked for a new toy car, Loui asked for new shoes, Justin asked for a puppy which eventually died after few weeks because he can't take care of it, Matthias asked for the new video game, Rhoge asked for books, Jeoff didn't asked for anything but the queen insisted that he should ask for a present too so he asked for a cat. Jian was the sweetest, he told the queen that he wants a wish and the queen should grant it. That silly kid wished for my happiness that night, so the queen asked me what I want for christmas, I wished to be reunited with my sister. The wish wasn't sure but she still promised me that she will find my sister but I have to endure and enjoy a few more christmas without her. It's been 14 years and I'm still holding onto that promise.", Novie told her.