''That's why you shouldn't trust anyone blindly, young lady. This world is full of people who won't hesitate to hurt others just to get what they want.'' A middle age woman spoke from the side.
Inayah turned to face her. ''Who are you? Can you see me?''
''I came to accompany you to your resting place.'' The woman smiled as she climbed the stairs up to where Inayah was.
''Am I really dead?'' Inayah's voice quivered.
''Yes. What were you thinking? Tsk, tsk, tsk! Jumping down from a fifty storey building? What has the world come to? People feel they can do whatever they want."
The woman scoffed. "Well, now that you are finally dead, I won't have to be anxious while watching you every day wondering when you will finally lose it all and just throw yourself down.''
Inayah kneeled down in front of the woman and held her hands. Her actions surprised the woman and she frowned.
''What is it?'' She asked.
''Help me, please!'' Inayah said desperately.
''Help you? I wasn't the one who jumped down to her death. Why should I help you, uh?'' The woman laughed.
Inayah shook her head, ''I don't want to die like this. I can't die like this.''
''Well you tell me. I am not the man up there. I just came to escort you over there.'' The woman said and before Inayah could say a word they were already in a different environment.
A path that had a lot of flowers on both sides of its way.
Inayah pulled the woman back and continued to shake her head. ''I can't go just yet. Give me another chance, please. I promise to live well.''
Solar smirked and folded her arms. She cocked her brows and asked, ''do you have regrets? Are you thinking of getting revenge because you feel betrayed? I'm sorry, but, I can't help you; especially with that mindset.''
''No. That is not the reason why I want to go back. I want to go back because I just realised how precious my life was. I shouldn't have played with my life. Please help me. I will live right this time around.'' Inayah knelt on the grass.
''You are already dead. There is nothing I can do to help you. Now, is time to go.''
''Wait!!! I have a reason. I have a reason for wanting to go back.''
''Really? What it is? Let's hear it then!'' Solar folded her arms and stared at Inayah.
''I was selfish and arrogant. I always thought the world owed me but now I realise the world never owed me. I owe the world. I owe it to myself to live right and also…to love right.'' Inayah sobbed.
''You seem to have figured it out already. I can help you, but there are consequences and conditions that come with what I will give you.''
''I don't care. As long as I get to live again!'' Inayah said.
At this point she was desperate for a miracle and would do anything for that miracle.
''Right now, is too late to go back into that body, but, I can grant you the opportunity to go back to your 18-year-old self but, memories of this life might disappear and you will have to start all over again from the time you met that man."
"The second option is to let you live as a different person without that man in your life. The choice is yours but of course; both have their consequences that you must face.''
''I don't care about the consequences. As long as I get to live again. I believe I will be able to fight those butterfly effects. Also, I want to remember everything about this life. I need to remember so that I can live wisely.''
''Remember, whatever happens is all your decisions!''
''Can you put her name on my hand? I don't want to forget her and what she did to me''
''Why? So you will get revenge on her?''
''Can't I do that?''
''You can, by living very well and not getting into any deceptive situations especially with those closer to you.''
''Then, let me not forget these names; Jasper Miles, Noah Miles and Samantha. I need to remember these names so that I can avoid them.''
''I can only help you go back but as to whether you will remember them or not, is up to the one up there and maybe your will."
"One last thing, there are consequences in going back and how deadly they can be, I can't tell right now, because I can't see far ahead. Go through that door and your new life awaits you.''
''Will… I get to see you again?''
''Why? Would you like to meet again?''
''I think I will be able to remember you when I see you again. I have a sharp memory and I don't forget faces that easily.''
''Well, we will see about that. Go on, now!''
''Thank you!'' Inayah walked out through the door and opened it.
…..
City Int'l Airport.
Inayah opened her eyes and found herself sitting in a plane. She looked outside the window with a strange and bland feeling.
''I must have been dreaming again. What kind of strange dream did I have just now?''
Inayah broke into a smile when she heard the announcement of their arrival. ''Is good to be back home!''
When she walked out of the exit with her luggage, she went straight to the roadside and hailed a taxi.
''Taxi!'' Inayah raised her hand stopping the taxi. ''5th Avenue District H, Capital City.'' Inayah gave her direction as soon as she got into the car.
''Yes, miss!''
Four cars pulled over the roadside as Inayah's taxi drove away. Jasper Miles walked out of the terminal and entered one of the cars.
.....
Inayah's apartment.
Inayah got out of the taxi and paid the driver before turning away towards her open yard apartment. ''Is been a while. How have you been?'' She smiled and turned to look at the luxurious house next to her apartment.
''When did our neighbour have such a beautiful glass house? Is that person taunting my little house by building a glass house just beside it?''
Inayah entered the house after removing her shoes and putting on her slippers. She looked at the couches and curtains and mumbled, ''just like how I left it.''
Inayah sent her bag inside before she came out and started cleaning the house.
After cleaning, she took her shower and changed into a black chevron shorts that was a little above her knees and a blue pullover top. She picked her iPods and purse before leaving the house.
...
Hanna's diner.
Inayah arrived at her former workplace and entered the restaurant and went to the counter.
When the middle aged woman saw her, she exclaimed.
''Look who we have here. Is that you, Nayah?''
''In the flesh, Mrs. Hanna!'' Inayah smiled.
Mrs. Hanna walked out of the counter and hugged Inayah tightly.
A girl, same age as Inayah hid behind the door of the kitchen when she saw Inayah.
''Whoa. How have you been?'' Mrs. Hanna looked happy to see her.
''I'm fine. How are you too? How are things going on around here?'' Inayah looked around.
''I'm excellent and things are going on well. As they chatted, the girl at the door secretly took a picture of Inayah and posted it in their class group page.
''How long since I last saw you?'' Mrs. Hanna asked.
''8 months, I guess.'' Inayah replied.
''Exactly, look at you? You haven't changed a little. You must be hungry?''
Inayah nodded her head. ''You still know me best, Mrs. Hanna. I just got back and I'm very hungry.''
''Go and sit over there. I will get you something to eat. You still like the same thing, right?''
''Yes!'' Inayah turned to go and saw a familiar face staring at her. She gave the girl a nonchalant look before going to sit at an empty table.
Inayah leisurely took out her phone and scrolled through as she murmured to herself. ''I'm sure Bertha has already told everyone I'm back.''
The door opened and a young boy walked into the restaurant. The sound of the door opening made Inayah turn.
When she saw the boy entering, a feeling of deja Vu enveloped her and the scene felt oddly familiar.
As if, sensing someone looking at him, he turned and his eyes met with hers.
Inayah realising she's being caught starring quickly looked away and he also turned towards the counter.
Mrs. Hanna walked out of the kitchen holding Inayah's food.
''Nayah, come and take this!'' Mrs. Hanna said Inayah got up from her seat and went to the counter.
Inayah took the food and asked. "Isn't this a little too much, Mrs. Hanna?''
''Silly girl, you just got out of the plane; you must be hungry. Quickly, send this back and eat everything. And make sure you rest.''
''Trust me, I'm already jetlagged.'' Inayah replied and overheard the boy talking to Bertha.
''I will have the pizza, family size.'' He said and turned to look at Inayah. ''Is very rude to look at people that way; especially when is the opposite sex.''
Inayah snorted and shook her head saying, ''what an obnoxious person. Mrs. Hanna, I will make sure to enjoy the food.'' She said to Mrs. Hanna and turned to go and the boy held her hand.
''What did you say? Obnoxious person?'' He asked Inayah.