"Thank you sir," bidding to the bus driver politely.
"Have a good day miss," as he gave a small smile back, but feeling a there was hidden emotion behind them.
It wasn't like I was going to see him again, atleast not daily. But the look ached my heart.
Hill 24, a place I researched beforehand. I had to, I knew one day, they were going to come back, and of course I had to get a get-away place.
A place I could feel myself, someone where I truly feel at home. Obviously i couldn't just get a plane ticket back to Indonesia, as tempting as I was all the time, I wasn't worth it, and I'm being childish as they say.
The urge go back, being with them at home, being a kid with no care at all except when to potty.
The breezy wind brushed my face, and I smiled slightly. Strolling far into the forest, taking the path which leads to the location.
The fresh air I breathe here, unlike the air in the city, felt soothing. I could hear birds chirping and bushes moving. Nature was so calm I would love to be here forever. Heading out the other side was a clearing. Hills after hills were everywhere.
Smiling widely, I couldn't contain the excitement bubbling inside me. Jogging up the nearest hill. I let out a long sigh.
Observing around there was no one here.
'Perfect'
Laying down on the grassy hill. I gazed at the skies. Placing my headphones aside. I listen to the wind blowing, and silence. Gazing at the sky once more, it felt perfect for once.
The sun wasn't blazing but it lit up the sky. The calming blue skies painted with clouds. These clouds weren't the usual puffy ones. These were thinly spread. Almost covering the blue sky.
My eyes were getting heavy, feeling drowsy. Not long I was dozing off to Dreamland.
"Everything stays,
Right where you left it,
Everything stays,
But it all changes," a melodic voice sang.
Cool air swept my long hair to the side. The feeling below my feet felt soft.
Looking down I gasp. It was like cotton, like clouds. Observing my surroundings, I had my eyes widen in shock.
'Where am I?' I asked myself.
"You're in peace, my child." A soft voice whispered back at me.
Opening my mouth to speak, but nothing came out.
'What's happening to me?!' I couldn't sound my voice.
"You're in peace, my child." The voice repeated.
'Who are you? Why can't I talk? How can you hear my thoughts?'
"You're in peace, my child."
'Stop saying that!'
"You're in peace, my child."
'Stop! Get me out!'
"You're in peace, my child."
'No, I'm not! Let me out this instant!'
"You're in peace, my child."
I let out a shaky breath. I sobbed, but no tears came.
'Someone help me!'
"You're in peace, my child."
I gave up.
Every time I say something the voice would repeat the same line over and over again.
Now feeling light-headed.
I fell to the ground.
-
Opening my eyes, I was still in the same place. But something was different. A few meters away, there stood something, a familiar object.
Running towards it I realized it was a mirror. 'That mirror!'
What I saw in the reflection shocked me.
The girl there didn't look wild.
No.
Her hair was still long but tamed, no puff nor wild frizz, it was soft as I felt it.
Brown wavy hair.
My face, it has no scar, it was clear, but still pale, like before I started getting active in sports.
My lips have returned to their normal colour.
My nails weren't sharp nor long, it looks as if someone has taken care of it, short and neat.
My body was my current present body.
And I was wearing a white simple nightdress that stopped at my knees.
My eyes.
I notice it has gone back to its soft brown, it looked calm.
"Hello, my child." A too familiar voice greeted me.
It was the mirror.
I wanted to feel frightened and scared, but I didn't. I felt nothing.
"I'm here to be your friend." He explained.
'Ok'
My voice echoed.
And I began to feel sleepy.
A soft wind blew and carried me, laying me on the soft ground. And darkness took over.
"You're in peace, my child."
Gasping, I shot my eyes open. Blinking a few times. A vibration was felt in my pockets, I sat up and swiped my phone out of my hoodie.
43 missed calls from Sarah
76 missed calls from Aden
34 missed calls from Jerry
And the list goes on.
But the last caught my eyes.
82 missed calls from Jo
'Why are there so many missed calls.' I thought.
A call appeared and it was from Sarah. I answered it and put it on speaker.
"WHERE THE FUCK ARE YOU?!" The voice shouted, making me startled. 'What's going on?'
I've never heard Sarah so angry before, and here she was yelling at me her voice was unstable like she had been crying.
"DO YOU KNOW HOW WORRIED I WAS? HOW WORRIED WE WERE?!"
"SAY SOMETHING DAMN IT!" She was frustrated.
"What happened?" clearly confused.
"KIRA!" another voice called.
My brow knitted.
"Jerry?"
"Where are you! Aden went to find you! Your friends are also out searching." His voice softened.
My eyes widen.
"Wait what's wrong? What is going on? Why are you here?" questions begin to fill me.
"Do you know what time it is! Why didn't you tell anyone where you're going?!"
Then I realized, looking up at the sky was dark filled twinkling stars.
I told him about my location, but I didn't move from my spot. Laying back down I stared at the sky. Not long I heard running footsteps. And in seconds I was scooped up and was tightly squeezed.
"Damn it! What were you thinking?!" the guy shouted but he didn't let go.
"Aden?"
"ADEN!" I hugged him back beaming.
We pulled away, his faces showed rage and anger. My smile dropped and I looked down at the grass. He sighed heavily.
"Hey, your friends are worried. At least tell them where you are. Ok?" his voice softens.
I nodded and was pulled back to his tight embrace.
"It's alright. I'm here now. Let's go home." He assured me by stroking my hair.
"Home?" I asked, lifting my head to stare at his eyes with hope.
He nodded and we headed to a taxi waiting.
Getting in at the back, I rested my head on his shoulders as he held my hands and rubbed circles with his thumb.
"Sleep. I'll wake you up when we get back." He told me.
-
Feeling a light shake, I fluttered my eyes open. Peeking out the window, we were back in the city.
After Aden paid for the taxi, we walked in silence to my flat. Unlocking the door, heads turned towards us. And everyone rushed up to me.
"Where were you?" Stephanie asked as she had tears stained on her face.
"I'm sorry for making you worried, I need a break so I went out," I explained with a faint smile.
Dew came and hugged me.
"Kiddo, when we said we were not a family and had our backs we were serious, don't go disappearing like that again." Scold Dew.
"and someone was very worried." She added the last part.
After assuring everyone I was alright, they all went home, except for my childhood friends and Jo.
I smiled at him as he was last.
"Hey," I called out.
Sarah ushered the two others to the kitchen wanting to give us some privacy.
"Are you ok?" he asked.
And I nodded at him, giving my assuring smile.
"Well, I guess I have to go. If you need anything you call me." He said.
"Thanks, I'll keep that in mind. I'm sorry if I made you worried."
He let out a shaky laugh. "It's fine"
And he left.
"He was really worried now." A voice told me.
I jumped in surprise. Facing behind my three childhood friends had the same smirking faces displayed.
Rolling my eyes at them I went to my room to shower.
Finishing up, I headed to the living room. Aden and Sarah sat there watching some channel TV. But I could smell something delicious coming from the kitchen. My eyes lit up and I ran to the kitchen. To my suspicion I was right, Jerry was cooking dinner. Sitting on the stool and I watched him do his thing. I helped out setting the table as the food was set.
We gathered around seating the delicious food jerry made, which never fails to please us. Chatted and joked keeping up one another's life story.
Until it was time for them to go home. 'Again'
"Can't you guys stay a bit longer," I whined.
"You know we would love to but we can't. College sucks." Frowned Jerry.
"We're going to miss you both." I cried tugging on their shirts.
"Put that frown away and smile." Jerry snapped a selfie of us all.
Aden ruffled my hair. "Yoo group hug!" he announces and holds us all in a tight embrace even dragging Sarah who groaned.
Jerry snapped another one.
"Matta nee¬" I waved as I and Sarah stood outside our apartment saying goodbye to those too.
I sigh.
The night went as I slept remembering the lullaby.
But it all changes,
Ever so slightly,
Daily and nightly,
In little ways,
When everything stays.