It's clear to see. Even Petra tried to blink dozens of times to make sure his vision was still normal or not. The figure of the young man who was standing in front of Petra was so charming. Shining brighter since the last time Petra saw him.
A young man, or if you could say a more mature figure, looked gently at Petra and then smiled. He is Ken. The Snow Prince Petra.
"It's been a long time, huh. Now you are getting taller and more beautiful," said Ken, stepping closer to Petra.
"Yes," Petra replied softly.
Petra was still half-conscious when Ken was right in front of him. Petra was shocked. Petra wasn't ready to see Ken again. Not because Ken used to leave without saying goodbye. Neither was Ken's mum about where his house was. It is not that. Only, Petra felt that he was experiencing a mirage.
"Why are you so surprised? Do you think I'm a ghost?" said Ken, staring intently into Petra's still silent eyes.
"Yes, I don't mean," said Petra haltingly.
Especially after seeing Ken standing in front of her so closely, it only made Petra's heart go awry. Not because the feelings that were there had returned. Not.
"Would you like to stand here all day? Isn't there a workshop you're taking part in?" said Ken
again.
"Right. Yes, right," answered Petra, fully conscious.
"Then why are you here alone? Get lost?" Ken asked searchingly.
"Yes," said Petra nodding.
"Hemm, from earlier only yes and yes your answer. Is this the reply because before I left not saying goodbye?" said Ken, taking two steps back. Ken tilted his head, still looking at Petra.
"No, that's not it. It's just ... I don't know what to say, Brother Ken," said Petra finally, feeling uncomfortable with Ken's attention.
"Then, want to come with me for a moment?" asked Ken, then turned toward the other end of the room.
Without saying anything Petra immediately followed Ken. The young man who had turned into a man was now more charming and shiny. Also very white. Even his hair has now turned white.
Ken wore white clothes and robes like a prince. It was just like the Snow Prince Petra had always imagined. With his hair which was also white, Ken was white as walking snow.
"Sorry. Back then I couldn't say goodbye because I had to leave suddenly. The sudden task messed up my vacation plans. And it left me completely unable to go anywhere else. That task." Ken
explained again.
Now they feel in the hallway of a white Roman-style building with many pillars. The paint color matches the robe you are wearing. So when Ken stood beside one of the posts, Petra couldn't tell the difference between the pole and Ken.
They are completely white.
"Is Ken a human brother?" Petra asked curiously. The question Petra had always wanted to say to the man.
"What kind of question is that, too ambiguous." joked Ken, then laughed. Showing rows of pure white teeth.
"After all, Kak Ken always just disappears at the wrong time," said Petra trying to convince him to immediately be given a definite answer to his question.
"Sure, I'm human," Ken replied sadly. His gaze dimmed then turned his face to one of the nearby statues.
"Really? But, why did Ken's older hair turn so white?" asked Petra again. Still unsure about Ken's answer.
"My hair turned white like this on its own," Ken replied, still unwilling to look at Petra.
"Then, what is Ken doing here?" Petra asked hastily. A strange irritation suddenly burst out.
"I work here as a supervisor, Petra. From that day on until now. That's why I can't see you anymore." Ken explained, sighing softly as if he had slowly let out something heavy.
"If that's the case, you can say goodbye over the phone or even by letter, right?" Petra's grunt was getting more and more annoyed. Looking at Ken, his Snow Prince, as if he didn't care. Or act like it's no big deal for him.
"The circumstances at that time were not possible. I'm sorry, Petra. Once again I'm sorry. You want to forgive me?" Ken begged. The look in his eyes, now pitiful, made Petra falter.
"Yes, I'm sorry. It's just ..." said Petra choked up.
"It's the same as you can't forgive yet, Petra. Is there something on the hook you want to ask?" cut Ken.
"A lot. Actually. But, is it still useful now ... maybe it is not a problem for Ken's brother. For me, it is very important, sis. Why, why did Ken's brother have to appear in front of my house at that time?" said Petra sadly.
There was a part of Petra, deep down, wanting a sensible explanation. Logical words and can be accepted by reason Petra.
"Fate, maybe," Ken replied briefly. Sure it is just a cliché answer. The scapegoat for the mess Ken did in the past. His youth. "To cliché isn't it? Brother Ken himself never told me you didn't believe in God. Then what about Stev?" squealed Petra resignedly, it's useless he tried to untangle the tangled threads on his head. To what extent has Petra been trying to find the deadlock remains. Like the road nowhere.
"Steven is a good boy. He's smart enough to understand this. And you don't have to worry, Steven can be trusted to keep our secrets." Ken explained quietly. More like a whisper.
Ken, who saw Petra getting teary, did not have the heart to say any further. Ken was very clear about what Petra meant. About him. About the existence of a Ken for the lonely Petra. The meaning of a Ken to the little orphaned girl is so deep.
Not like a girl's love for a boy but more like ... an older brother. Something Petra was always looking for. The figure of a father or someone as a protector. Because of that, Ken couldn't hurt Petra's feelings anymore.
Ken loved Petra like a brother's affection for his beloved younger sibling, from the moment they met. A relationship of love that Ken should not do. Though it was a paradoxical accident though.
"Can you share a secret with Stev but can't you?" whined Petra at last. Even though Petra didn't intend to burst into tears, her five senses turned out to be a betrayal. Literal moistened cheeks.
"I never told anyone. Petra. It just so happened that Steven was there. He's the one who suddenly appeared at the wrong time and place. I'm sorry Steven for making such a mess." said Ken smiling sweetly. Hoping that Ken's smile will stop Petra's tears a little bit rolling down his cheeks.
"Even brother can't dodge?" Petra's pecker.
Suddenly, from the left side of the hallway came several large horse-shaped statues running towards where Ken was standing. The rumbling sound and vibrations that were created made the whole building feel like it had been hit by an earthquake.
Petra falls due to shock and scratches one of the horse statues.
-TBC-