I wake up wearing the same robe that I had been wearing yesterday. It is past the morning call now and the curtains in my room are still closed. Staring up at my fireplace, the fire is still raging. Dia was right. Why is it still burning?
I crawl out of my bed to pour a bucket of water on it. Then two consecutive taps on my door attract my attention. The maiden hands me a tray of food, she smiles as I notice the note underneath. Afterwards, I go inside.
"I know you are not feeling well...so am I you know." Dia's handwriting scribbles on it. "I hate this whole place as much as you do."
Her words lift my mood and didn't realize a smirk on my face.
Tomorrow is my last day and I have no idea if Dia will know. I will not be able to see her ascend as a protector though I don't want to lose her that way. But the fact that I won't be able to see her again... It's an endless regret.
My time of leaving soon came. The maiden accompanies me through the death hallways. All initiates by now are sleeping and don't have to know that I'm leaving. Later on, I'll be seeing my mother—the only happy thought that came to my mind.
"Era!"
Dia's voice stops us before we could pass the field. She jumps from a tree that hides her and runs to me.
"Why didn't you say anything?" She asks, sobbing while seizing my hands.
"I shouldn't," I say.
"You– you can't leave me alone here." She stutters.
"You are not alone, Dia," I tell her.
"I am, Era. Without you, I am." Her legs collapse that she suddenly on her knees and curls up.
I didn't expect Dia to have such thought when she is known and admired by everyone. She's shaking from crying and the tiniest thing that I could do is sit down and lift her face to look at me.
"You're going to be good, Dia... with or without me." I console her, wiping her tears that run down her cheeks. "I'll always be proud of my friend that soon will protect me."
"And if she is not that busy crying like a baby, I would like to see her cheerful smile once more." I smile to convince her to do it.
"Fuck you." She ignores my demand and embraces me, tight as if I have to answer it back...so I did. She uttered profanity with the maiden on our side. I've never seen her this brave as before. She just said what exemplifies dark side.
We hug each other and I could feel myself tearing up. It was like an eternity until the maiden taps my back.
"It's time, Miss Dia Pura."
Dia must be in her room right now before the routine check, so I release my hold on hers and finally say cheerfully as I could, "Bye."
The tears outpour on her cheeks again while I turn to resume our walk now to hide my own silent cry.