"Why do you need to go? I thought we were okay? I thought I was loved by your mom and dad? Is there a problem? Do you not want to be here anymore?"
Those were the first words that came out of my mouth when I received the news of their departure tomorrow morning. It was Aling Inday who informed me, so I quickly went to the vast Rioflorida garden.
His shoulders slumped. His stern eyes remained fixed on me until they eventually softened.
"Aren't you coming back, Rik?" I asked him.
"We'll come back, Ce. That's what Dad said. We'll come back."
I didn't budge from where I stood. "Why are you leaving just after Mommy passed away? Why are you leaving me now, Arik? You're my only friend here. Dad won't let me out anywhere else. You're the first person who took me out of our land."
My heart sank completely when he averted his gaze from me. It was as if he couldn't answer the questions I threw at him. Maybe he wasn't prepared for that. I didn't know.
