After Alice finished talking to him, then she started to leave the place after saying goodbye to him. So far, they had never met like this before and naturally it made Alice feel awkward after meeting her and chatting. Arriving in front of her house, Alice then entered her house and not long after she went to her room to rest because everything she did today was so tiring. When she was already in her house, Alice suddenly remembered something and made her get out of bed and now she quickly turned on the computer monitor in front of her. Alice remembered that she had some unfinished work to do and it made her feel uneasy when she started to rest. Alice then did her job and she seemed serious about her work as usual, yes she was always like that. right now, for him all his work and even college assignments are something that is quite valuable to him and this is his step towards achieving that goal. a goal that only a person can achieve and that is the reality. Right now, Alice was trying her best to achieve her goal even though it wasn't easy. For him, no matter how difficult the obstacles in front of him will all be passed by him no matter what.
Today, to be precise at Grace's residence, she is currently in her house. Grace has been living alone all this time because there are various reasons why she decided to make this choice. The choice that has been in his hands is none other than his struggle in living life. Some time ago, his relatives came to visit him for some reason and it really made him feel frustrated about it and now he who was in the living room felt that way. Grace then got up from her seat and she started to take the beer that was in the fridge. not long after, he started drinking it until his head was no longer dizzy and resumed his previously delayed work due to having to go to the hospital for counseling. Grace is known to have had several ailments within her that made her feel vulnerable and had to undergo a lot of treatment. It started when he was 12 years old. At that time, when he was young and lived in a relatively harmonious family, his presence was never considered. Little Grace who saw that fact of course made her feel very tormented and she often cried under the covers because of what had happened in her life. behind the happiness that appears in the eyes of others, but in fact it is all just an illusion. He became an anti-social person for some time. His family never cared about him at all and he began to grow up with pain in his shoulder. A woman who is none other than his servant who works in his house, she is the only one who has been by his side all this time and always helps him in any way. Grace feels grateful because there are still people who can accept her well even though she is only a worker in her house and not a real member of her family.
“Grace, open the door. Now it's time to eat," said a servant behind Grace's door.
"Yeah, I'll be there."
"Come on."
"Is everyone gathering?"
"Of course. Tonight is a special day for you."
"Really?"
"Yes. Therefore, you must come and meet them.”
The hope that appeared on the corner of Grace's face made her feel the happiness within her. today, he did get an award as the smartest student in his class and it made several other children feel amazed and proud of him at the same time. everyone who saw him at that time clapped his hands full of joy and even congratulations were always said in every greeting of those present at that time. except for those who were none other than his family. because his work is always busy, so that makes him have to be at work and not attend a very important event for his son. Grace who already understands this and tries to understand it even though it's not just one or two times . Unlike other people, he always does everything himself and often they always give responses that make other people misunderstand. Deep down, he wanted the same as what other people in his life had experienced and felt what it was like to be appreciated by a family. Dreams that have been buried so far will come true if he tries to make it happen and the hard work and patience that goes with it. That was an expression someone said to him to strengthen his actually very fragile self. Grace along with Nina who is the family's maid walked slowly filled with joy in her heart towards the dining room on the ground floor of her house. Arriving in front of the room, they then entered it and there were already a lot of people. They are seen sitting and then Grace sits in front of her parents chair. There were some of his relatives and also his cousins .
"Grace. I heard you got good grades in school. Is that for real?” his cousin named George asked Grace with a look of delight on his face.
“Oh, that...”
“Wow, you are so cool. can you teach me some lessons? I want to be like you too.”
"Yes. I would be happy if I could help.”
"Okay. I've already decided."
In the dining room it sounded crowded because his cousin and some of his relatives began to praise him sincerely. He who looked happy was in his heart really hurt. How can they congratulate him but his parents don't really care about him and they just change the subject. Grace, who felt sad about it, made her lose her appetite until finally Nina realized it but she couldn't do anything. Not long after the dinner was over, Grace then entered her room and there she just shut herself up for a while. Seeing this incident, of course, made some people worried and then entered his room where it turned out that he was studying hard until he had a nosebleed. The look on his face looked blank and knowing this then some of the residents of the house immediately took him to the hospital. Arriving at a hospital, it turns out that Grace is suffering from an illness that makes her have to be treated for some time. After undergoing treatment at the hospital, the doctor then entered his room and examined his condition, which was still lying weak. Her heartbeat was still throbbing and it made them feel relieved that there was nothing more comforting than her being alive. Nina, who was responsible for being a guardian, made her have to wait in the hospital for a relatively short period of time and it didn't make her feel frustrated at all and just waited patiently. Day after day passed until Grace finally came to her senses and then Nina came to her room to see her condition.
“Miss, you are awake. Thank God," said Nina while shedding tears.
"Why are you crying?"
"I'm just happy, miss."
"I am alright. Do not exaggerate."
Hearing his words made him feel touched and not long after that the doctor immediately informed him of the illness he had suffered without realizing it. Nina, who listened to the doctor's explanation, accidentally got carried away by her emotions and then couldn't believe what she just said. as soon as the doctor tried to keep him calm, but it was all in vain. Nina still couldn't accept the truth and she just stood there with a blank stare. Three days had passed, now she had improved quite a bit with signs of her body still being able to move and now Grace was on the roof looking out at the view. There, he was accompanied by a nurse and continued to stare at the sight that seemed so boring to him. Grace then felt the sensation of a gust of wind and immediately realized herself to recover in a fast time. The nurse who was with him then asked him something about the outlook on life for his young self.
“The sky looks clear, how are you feeling?” the nurse said to him while looking at him with a very warm and gentle gaze.
"Yes. The sky is very clear.”
"Is there anything that makes you feel good?"
"I think it's just the color and the wind. What do you think, Sister?”
"I feel that way too. Does this mean we have the same thoughts? What do you think."
"Nurse."
"Yes?"
“All this time, I only lived in the shadows and was never seen by anyone. Does this mean the end for me?”
"Not. It's not an ending. But your beginning will grow. Like a towering tree, many winds shook it but they did not destroy it. That's how simple it is."
"But, it really hurts."
"It is true. it will feel like that at first. But, believe me, you can handle everything.”
“Even when I grow up?”
"Yes. Of course. Because on that day you will become a strong person.”
"Thank you, sister."
“It was a pleasure to hear your story Grace.
Starting on that day, Grace grew into a mature child before reaching her age. Everything just happened without him realizing it and now, he just needed to face everything alone as usual. Night in the hospital. Again he was only accompanied by his servants and they never came there, only received reports from doctors and continued to focus on his work. Grace, who was still not asleep, was seen sitting on her bed and reading some books that her maid had previously brought so she wouldn't feel bored because the doctor still said that her treatment was still long and that made her feel lonely. In a different place, which is none other than his relative's residence, his cousin lives with his parents and the cousin asks them something about Grace. As soon as he heard his words, his cousin couldn't help but be surprised because he heard the truth.
"What? impossible. This is wrong right?”
"You can't believe it?"
"But that? why? If it continues like that, it's a pity for him."
"You better study hard and don't get involved in unnecessary things."
"I feel this is unfair," said his cousin as he left the room and ran to his room.
'Should I tell him? Not. It will only destroy him,' thought his cousin
Grace, who was still being treated at the hospital, left her room and walked to the toilet because she wanted to go there. On the way, he saw some patients walking around and there were also some of their families with him and that subconsciously made him jealous. The pain in his heart reappeared along with the unpleasant memories that continued to haunt him. Currently he is only 12 years old and it weighs heavily on him. It doesn't feel like 3 years have passed. Grace, who is now a teenager and is facing the bitterness of life in front of her eyes, is no longer an obstacle. He also frequently won violin contests and brought many awards. The achievements he got were enough to make his grandfather began to pay attention to him and often congratulated him and even gave him lots of gifts. It wasn't long before Grace came home from school and she started getting ready to go to practice. He saw some gifts in his room and they came from his grandfather who was none other than the owner of a hospital. Grace then saw it and after she finished practicing, she started to open the gift.
"Wow, this is amazing," Grace murmured filled with joy.
He who was happy because he got so many gifts then remembered that only the two of them did not give him gifts and even congratulations were never said to him. Grace then felt empty and immediately became depressed. The happiness disappeared again once the terrible reality was in front of him. He who began to not be able to control it now just silent with tears that continue to roll down his cheeks. His eyes are still blank and again sometimes he laughs for no reason. The next day, Grace went to school as usual and there met her friend, Janette.
"Grace."
"Oh, Janette. You just arrived?”
"Yes. Uh what is it?”
"What?"
"Apparently you got a lot of gifts, huh," said Janette, who was peeking at Grace's locker.
“Oh, this....”
"There's no need to be ashamed. You deserve it."
"Is that true?"
“Of course you are smart and talented. Isn't that pretty obvious? And again everyone is starting to pay attention to you, look at them your fans, "said Janette with a face that looks mocking.
"Stop it. That's enough."
"You really are very humble."
Today was her first day of high school and now she looked better than ever. He has learned many lessons and of course good grades have become his obligation. Grace was now on the top floor and she then went to the music room. In the room, he played a lot of songs using his violin and it made him feel comfortable for quite a long time. Some people who witnessed the action were amazed and they always gave a lot of praise. During his life, many kind words were spoken by them to him and often he did not even want them. Until one day, he was called to his parents' room, who happened to be at home at the time. At first he just thought something good would happen. However, it was just a fantasy and he got slapped for something he didn't do at all. Behind the door, his cousin who was visiting at that time heard what they were talking about in the room and he who was outside then took a short breath and left there.
"What? why did you hit me? What did I do?” Grace shouted in front of the two of them
"You are. No self-awareness."
"What?"
All the words that come out of their mouths are not pleasant to hear. Grace, who was in the room at that time, then left while running towards her room. Arriving in the room, he could only cry even until morning. An incident that made him feel compelled to hate him then he did it because he couldn't take it anymore. in front of the mirror in his room, he then separated it by throwing a glass at the mirror because he was filled with annoyance that was getting more and more peaked. A year had passed and now he had begun to decide what he would do and would no longer be subjected to such horrific treatment. the day after she won the contest, Grace then worked part time to earn money and after she had reached her target she then did something by buying a piano and used it as a tutor at a very young age. He started earning more money from the job until finally his grandfather found out and started offering him something.
"What?"
"If you please. You don't have to worry about money and even work.”
"Okay. I'll consider it."
Grace then left the room and then she started thinking about her next move. It came to a decision where he agreed to major in biology and made it a person who could be of use to him at the medical center in the future. He began to reorganize his life even though he now knew behind their treatment of him was none other than that day. the day when they were talking about something and he overheard that all this time Grace was not his parents' biological child. Instead, someone else's child was taken by one of his relatives as a sign that they both deserved a position in his grandfather's company when he retired. They both deliberately adopted him by telling his relatives to take it from someone. Grace, who knew this fact, then secretly did a DNA test at a different hospital and it turned out that what her aunt said was true. However, his current biological parents based on information are people who live abroad and they deliberately gave himself away in order to live a better life compared to them. It was a very difficult fact for him to accept and it made him suffer from depression for a long time. Someone who realized it was his cousin and he immediately took him to the medical center.
“Now you just need to undergo treatment and don't think about anything. Understood," said his cousin who was none other than a man named George.
"Why do you care about me?"
"What?"
"Of course because you are my brother."
"Not. You are wrong. I'm not your brother. I'm just a foreigner."
"What are you talking about?"
At that time, Grace began to get counseling at a psychiatrist and it turned out that she was seriously depressed because of the shock of the events that happened in her life. Even though George knew it from the start and he just chose not to tell him because he knew Grace would end up like this. Hearing what the psychiatrist said for the past few months she always received treatment and not long after, Grace began to realize her purpose in life and she then rose to finally accept the reality that was in front of her with no fear at all.
"It's clear now," Grace muttered
He then left his house and started renting a mini apartment which was big enough for him to live alone. Grace begins to live her life much better than before and many also get help from her because she is a good person. the dark day had begun to pass and before him a light was waiting for him. Grace began to step foot to reach it and it turns out that slowly in her life began to appear several obstacles that made her start to be disturbed again. On this day, his aunt who turned out to be that person was always contacting him and even seeing him was nothing but to annoy him for some reason. Grace is getting used to situations like that and apparently doesn't scare her at all and now she has the courage to show her fangs for her future and the beautiful life that awaits her on the other end.
Today when Grace arrived at her house, it was raining heavily in the city. He who saw the heavy rain from behind the window of his house then took a deep breath because he was relieved to have returned home. In the place where he lives alone, it doesn't make him feel lonely because there are several pet cats that are always with him. In a different place, currently Alice was busy with her work, it was finally finished and then she stretched her arms because she had been tired of typing for several hours. The rain that fell made him feel relaxed and then looked at the rain from behind his window which looked so heavy it was as if the world was crying under pressure. Alice then got up from her seat and immediately saw an old photo that was still hidden behind her notebook. The photo shows her smiling widely under the beautiful light.
“This…” Alice muttered