Arthviu’s funeral was held by his family. The shock of his sudden passing away made his parents regret everything they had done. Many fans mourned for him as well as his school’s classmates. Many people have also waited for Tia’s visit to the funeral to see her but the security was tightened to respect her privacy while she is mourning. She was with the club members and she comforted them one by one. When she decided to go back, Troy was waiting for her outside.
She stopped when he stood up. There was a silence between them. She looked at the tiny beautiful girl who was holding Troy’s hand. Because she is weak to kids, her mood immediately improved and she could not help but approach the little girl. She bent down her knees to reach the child’s height.
“Hello.” She smiled to not scare the child.
The child was a bit shy at first. She looked up to Troy before talking to her. “Hello.” The child greeted back, with her cute baby voice.
“What is your name?”
“My name is Mystia… My nickname is Tia.”
Tia flinched there but decided to just let it go.
“Oh! We have the same name. I am also Tia.” She replied enthusiastically. “I will call you baby Tia and you call me big Tia. Hehe.”
Tia and the little Tia eventually got close to each other as if they had known each other for a long time. Little Tia even let her hold her in her arms. So they went out together with Troy. They went to Tia’s neighbourhood so that little Tia could play with the other kids there. So then, they met Eraus and Hajun there and they let the two kids play.
Tia introduced Eraus to Troy and vice versa. Looking at Eraus now, he does not seem well but he acts with his usual self. Tia asked Eraus to look for the kids while she walked away with Troy. They went to an empty bench nearby and sat there to talk. However, they were in silence for a few minutes until then Troy spoke.
“Tia really wanted to meet you.” He was talking about his daughter. “She will brag about meeting you when we come home.” A small smile formed in his lips but then, he could not stop the feeling inside his heart. It’s heavy and it feels like if he says it out aloud, it will break apart.
Tears formed in his eyes so he stopped talking to not let Tia know. He let out his tears silently, looking down while gripping his pants.
“I’m sorry.” It was no use hiding his silent guilt. He said it out aloud with sobs. “I am sorry that I wasn’t there for you… that… I left you alone.”
“I don’t resent you.” Tia cut him. “I never resent you, Troy.” She turned her gaze to him.
Their eyes met and as if the time stopped, the wind blew. Tia’s lips curved. “I only wanted to see you, one last time, before I go back.”
Troy’s eyes went wide because of her strange answer. Hearing her say ‘go back’, it made him feel like she is really going somewhere where they could never meet again.
Tia leaned to the back of the bench and looked up to the leaves of the tree beside the bench. She sighs.
“I know you were threatened which is why you went away. I know you would never leave if it doesn’t harm me. Actually, I’m happy that you recognized me,” she looked at him again.
“… it means that you have never forgotten me. I’m happy for that loyalty.” She smiled at him before standing up.
“I guess this will be our last conversation.” She turned back to look at him again.
“Please take care of yourself and baby Tia. Cherish her and never make her sad.”
“W-Wait, where are you going…” He was cut with the sight of bliss drawn to Tia’s face.
“It’s a place where I am safe and sound. It’s a place where I can show my feelings and say what I want to say.” She started walking back to the park and he followed her, intuitively.
He was so confused but he did not want to ask. Seeing her being carefree and happy, how can he ruin it by asking her to stay?
“Eraus,” Tia called Eraus.
Eraus immediately stood up upon hearing her. He walked close to her. Tia looked at Troy before she grabbed Eraus’ hand and pulled him with her. They walked a bit away from the playground before she let go of his hand and faced him with a smile on her lips.
“I know you have not moved on yet.”
Eraus flinched and he looked away to avoid her eyes.
“I want to tell you a secret.”
Eraus got confused with her random statement again. He looked at her eyes and somehow, her eyes were sincere as if she would tell him something unbelievably true.
“W-What is it?”
“Osiris…”
Eraus suddenly felt nervous upon hearing the name she stated.
“In another world, Osiris and you, as well as Hajun, are inseparable. In that world, you cherish the two of them. You will do anything to protect them while they are also protecting you.”
Eraus found himself touching his chest as he could feel the beating of his heart, loudly. In some way, he can imagine that.
“If you’re sad about what happened, in that world… Osiris will never leave you behind.”
Eraus was left speechless. He remained standing to where he was while Tia ran towards the playground to play with Hajun and little Tia. He turned to look at her back and somehow, tears were coming out his eyes as he could see an image of people with unfamiliar appearances but are familiar with the way they were interacting. He can see something in his subconscious mind where three people are having fun while talking to each other. What was that? Why does he feel like one of them was Osiris? Why does Osiris look so happy while he is looking at him?
Tia took time playing with the kids until they finally decided to rest and go home.
“Goodbye, older sister!” Hajun waved his hand enthusiastically, while he was walking away with Eraus who was holding his hand. Eraus waved his hand to her too.
“Goodbye!” She waved her hand back, showing a smile. She waited for them to change direction before she turned to see Troy carrying little Tia in his arms.
“Are you going home too, baby Tia?” She asked the child.
“Yes! Thank you for playing with me! That was so fun!” Little Tia cheered while clapping her hands together.
She giggled and pinched her cheek, lightly.
“Always listen to your dad, okay?”
“Yes! I love dad the most!”
She turned her gaze to Troy who’s still looking at her all the time.
“You should go now. My house is just nearby.” She beamed.
Troy remained looking at her for a few seconds before he finally came to his senses and spoke.
He forced a smile. “I wish you a long lasting happiness… Tia.” He tried to sound calm when he called her name one last time.
Tia wanted to smile back but she was shocked to see an image of another person through him. She could not believe who she was looking at.
“Y-Yes. I wish you happiness as well.” She stuttered with her reply which made Troy worry but she managed to smile for reassurance.
Troy got speechless and he bit his tongue and convinced himself that he should go now. He finally turned his back and started walking away with heavy steps. But it took five steps away when he carefully put down little Tia as he ran towards Tia, pulled her to him as he wrapped his arms around her. He cried in her arms, not wanting to suppress his feelings anymore.
“When I heard the news, I thought about doing the same, Tia. I thought about feeling the pain of falling from a higher place just like what you did. I thought about… following you, Tia. But… my daughter… she made me think that you might still be existing. She made me think that you might not want me to do the same. Thank you.
Thank you for giving me this chance. Thank you.”
Tia’s tears fell from her eyes while she was listening to every word he spoke. Hearing Troy cry words and say everything in his mouth without a filter, it moved every inch of her heart. How could she not cry in a situation like this?
Troy finally let go of her. He took two steps backward before raising his head to look at her eyes. They just looked at each other while exchanging invisible feelings with the look in their eyes. He tried smiling with all the tears from his eyes.
Tia turned her back and started walking away to go home. She was sobbing and is thinking about the fact that she knows Troy’s alternative life in the parallel world.
‘Tia…’ Troy watched Tia’s back as she walked away.
He sobbed. ‘If there is another life, I will surely stay by your side even if it will cost my life’. He felt his daughter’s hand on his hand. He finally turned his back and walked away with little Tia.
“Acacius…” Tia fell on her knees when she arrived at the gate of her house. She could not contain the feelings in her heart anymore. Seeing Acacius through Troy, she knows what Troy wished for in this world.
Now she knows why Acacius does not want to leave her side. Now she knows why Acacius sacrificed his life for Princess Epiphany… it is because… he wished to not leave her side anymore.
So many things have happened recently. Tia has finally decided to go back to the parallel world so they are currently preparing for it. But before that, she wouldn’t leave in a rush. She was laughing with Athena in the bookstore while they were having a good chat. They were talking about each other’s personal life while they laughed at their past mistakes. Tia finally decided to say goodbye normally but she was stopped when Athena suddenly asked,
“Are you leaving?”
Tia knows what she means. She turned back to look at her and smiled because she looked sad.
“Yes.”
“Don’t you have anything to say to me?” Athena asked. Her eyes were misty.
Tia reached out her hand and tapped her shoulder. “No, but I just know that no one will ever ruin your happiness. I mean, you are living the best of your life as of today and in the future too.”
Athena wrapped her arms around her and gave her one last hug before she leaves. After waving her hand, Tia went to the bus stop and waited for the bus. She could only think about that time she met Arthviu there. She sighed as she looked up to the sky.
‘Don’t worry, Cyn. You’ll have what you wished for.’
She looked up to the tall building with amazing architecture. It looked peaceful and nostalgic. She sighed before walking to the entrance as she made her way to the information desk to ask.
“Hello, I would like to ask if the Executive Director is around? I would like to make an appointment.”
“Excuse me for a moment, ma’am.” The clerk immediately made a telephone call. When the clerk started talking and she figured out that it was the Executive Director, she added some information.
“Please tell him that my name is Tia.”
The clerk told her name on the telephone and then later, she hung up and smiled at her. “Please, come this way, madam.”
Tia followed the clerk to the upper floor and she was guided to the Executive Director’s office. When she went in, Devinus stood up from his seat to approach her. He guided her to the sofa as they sat across each other. Later, they were served with tea.
“How are you?” Devinus was the first one to ask.
“I am doing well.”
Devinus could only look at the dark circles under her eyes. He already knows that she cried last night. But what could have made her cry like that?
“I am here to say goodbye.” Tia directly confessed, with a small smile on her lips.
Devinus felt the skipping of his chest after hearing what she said. What is he going to do if she is really leaving? He has lost her once and he doesn’t want to lose her again. Maybe she is just joking right—
Terror got painted in his face when he looked at her face. She looked too honest that he could not believe it.
No, he does not want her to leave. No…
“Since I am done with my duty here, I will not stay longer because many people are waiting for me.”
“Are you… not coming back?” Devinus’ hands were trembling as he waited for her reply. If she does not plan on coming back, how could he live a good life if he could not even see her?
Tia’s lips curved. “It will take some years.”
IT’S BEEN a while since Tia had not gone to the convenience store in her neighbourhood. She went inside the store and immediately greeted everyone.
“Good afternoon!”
“Amy! It’s been a while!” The owner of the store immediately recognized her voice. He stopped unpacking the products to entertain Tia.
“Yes! Life has been tough during these days.” Tia beamed while she walked to the section of milk. She also took a chocolate bar and went to the counter.
There she saw the part timer again. She put the milk and chocolate she took to pay for it.
“How are you these days?” The owner of the convenience store asked her.
“I am doing well and we are currently preparing to go somewhere.”
“Are you having a vacation?”
“Yes. Sort of.”
Again, after paying, she left the chocolate on the counter and smiled at the part-timer. “That’s your treat.”
She walked toward the exit. “Goodbye, mister!”
“Yes! Take care and come back whenever you want to buy your favourite milk again.”
“Yes! Please take good care of Picka!” She waved before she walked home, leaving the mister and part timer confused.
They could only look at Tia walking away.
“Sometimes, I think that Amy is someone who knows everything.” The owner commented. “How did she know your nickname?” He turned towards the part-timer who was also surprised at how Tia knew her nickname.
“Judging by your reaction, you seemed to be shocked too.” He chuckled. “Just like how she knew what my name was.” Odry, the owner, could only laugh.
“Sean babe!”
Tia was jumping when she arrived home. She looked for Sean and found him walking towards her from the kitchen.
“Are you cooking?”
“Yes.” He spread his arms so she could give him a big hug.
“Ahw. You’re like my house husband. Hihi.” She squeezed her face to his chest while her arms were around him.
“Look at you. You’re so cute with a pink apron on.” Tia broke the hug and showed him a teasing look while looking at the apron Sean was wearing.
Sean blushed and he looked away. “T-Thanks.”
Tia chuckled as she touched his cheeks to make him look at her. So then, she elevated her ankle to reach his height and because she could not still reach him, she ran her right hand to the back of his head to pull his head down. So then she kissed his lips and she opened her mouth when Sean moved his lips to deepen it. So then, Sean lifted her up so she could wrap her legs around his waist as they continued owning each other’s lips. However, when Sean felt his limit, he stopped and let go of her lips. He put her down and kissed her forehead.
“We’ll continue once we’re married.” He smiled and walked back to the kitchen so his dish would not burn.
Tia was left with a pout on her lips.