"I'll do it. Go and read for your exam." With a swift snatch, my mom took the knife from my grasp, her eyes blazing with a mixture of exasperation and determination. She gave me a forceful shove towards the door, sending me tumbling out of the kitchen.
Exhausted from hours of relentless reading, I let out a weary groan as I plopped down on the couch, my body aching for rest. I switched on the television, the flickering images casting an ethereal glow on my weary face.
"I told you to study!" I heard a loud scream of my mom coming from the kitchen. I rolled my eyes, changing the channels. "C'mon mom, all day I've been studying. Give me a break!" I whined, sitting straight on the couch. It's boring to sit at home all day and read. It was better when school was still on. I sighed and again lay on the couch, staring at the ceiling.
"Zeya, have you decided which university you want to study at?" My mother whispered, her voice laced with a mixture of anticipation and concern. Her eyes held a depth of emotion that belied her simple question. What's going on with mom? She had been acting strange since yesterday.
Initially, I had set my sights on L.R. University. I believed that changing universities would be useless, as I was certain that Amaya and her friends would never agree to study at other universities. Therefore, I decided to attend L.R. in order to be near Sophia, to protect her and to change our fate.
However, everything has changed now. Since Amaya possessed knowledge that I lacked—she knew the exact location, time and date. It's not like I don't know but hearing from the news and witnessing first hand is different. Amaya would undoubtedly try to stop everything from happening again.
"I've decided to continue my studies in this city," I replied, my voice filled with newfound determination. It doesn't matter where I study anymore. I know that Amaya would never willingly return to the city where tragedy would strike. She would do everything in her power to convince her friends to change their plans. With Amaya's determination, I was confident that Sophia's fate would be altered, so will our life. Someone who meant the world—perhaps even the universe—to her, I'm sure she'll protect her at all cost this time.
"Is it because of me?" I turned around to face my mother, her eyes filled with a mixture of sadness and concern. I smiled softly at her and walked towards her.
"Mom," I called, taking her hands in mine. "It's my own decision. Do you really think you can stop me if I want to study somewhere?" I joked, though I knew that I would never go against her wishes.
My mother's eyes softened as she looked at me. "Of course not, my dear," she said. "I just want what's best for you."
"I know, Mom," I replied. "And I appreciate that. But I'm old enough to make my own decisions now. And I've decided that I want to stay in this city."
My mother smiled. "I'm glad to hear that..." she said, her voice trailing off as she noticed my mischievous grin. "But did you want to study at L.R. because of Amaya?" she asked suddenly, her eyebrows slightly wrinkled.
I blinked in surprise. How did she know? I must have given myself away somehow. I chuckled nervously. "Yeah, I wanted to study with my friends, but we decided not to go there anymore. So don't worry about it. Just prepare me a delicious dinner!"
I hugged her tightly and smiled at her before walking back to the couch. Just as I bent to pick up the remote, I heard my mother's voice, making me drop the remote again.
"Decided? But Amaya said she's going to study at L.R.," my mother said, a puzzled expression on her face.
My eyes widened in shock as I turned around to face my mother. "How do you know?" I asked, my voice trembling.
Mom's eyes flickered with guilt as she averted her gaze. "I saw a recommendation letter for her and her friends," my mother said, her voice filled with concern. "When I asked, she told me about her decision and also told me not to tell you about it." Her eyes held a mixture of worry and resignation.
"Zeya, whatever I do is for your happiness and safety," she continued, her expression softening. "I don't know why, but every time I think about letting you go to that city, my gut feeling tells me I shouldn't."
My heart sank as the realization hit me. Amaya was going back to L.R., the place where she had lost everything. The place where her world had been shattered, where she had been once shattered.
"Why?" I whispered, my voice barely above a breath. "Why would she want to go back there?"
Mom reached out and cupped my cheeks, her eyes filled with concern and worry for me. "I wanted to stop Amaya too, but she didn't listen. Zeya, I'm happy you decided to study here–"
I pulled her hands away from my cheeks and turned away. Tears streamed down my face as I thought about Amaya. I had lost her once, and I couldn't bear the thought of losing her again. "I... I need to go somewhere first. I need to talk with her."
"It's late already! Take the umbrella at least!" she shouted behind me, but her voice was filled with a sense of urgency rather than anger.
I could never forgive myself if everything went as it was.
Why are you doing this, Amaya!? What are you planning?!?? You don't want me by your side! You aren't trying to protect your friends! You are following the same doom again! Are you fucking trying to die!?
I halted, my eyes wide, my lips and throat dry. I gulped. My heart was beating rapidly, my hands were trembling, and fear was growing inside me. It can't be. There is no way she is trying to die with her friends this time. She... she…
I ran and ran mindlessly, my breath coming in ragged gasps. It's impossible! She lived more than two decades even after Sophia died, she lived without her other friends beside her! There is no way she will try to do suicidal pact!
The rain was pouring down, soaking me to the bone. But I didn't care. I had to find Amaya. I had to stop her.
My mind raced as I tried to make sense of everything. Why would Amaya do this? Why would she risk her life and the lives of her friends?
I couldn't shake the feeling that there was more to this than met the eye. Amaya was hiding something from me. Something dark and dangerous. Where were her other friends in her last life? Did they fight? How did they get separate? How come I never find them?
I was exhausted, both physically and emotionally. But I couldn't rest. I had to keep going. I needed an answer today. You stayed silent in our last life but not today.
"Wow, so we won't stay a night either?" Fred asked, his legs stretched out on the table as he lounged on the couch. Sophia sat beside him, engrossed in a game on Amaya's phone.
"Seth already booked the flight tickets," Amaya said, lying on the other couch with her eyes closed. Elli was sprawled on top of her, her body warm and heavy. "Ama, be my pillow for a lifetime," Elli whispered, squeezing Amaya's breast.
Sophia paused her game and stared at Elli, her eyes darkening slightly. "Go and tell your boyfriend. I'm not interested," Amaya said, swatting Elli's hand away and opening her eyes.
Only to see Seth standing directly beside her, his expression unreadable. "What?" Amaya asked.
Seth knelt down and stared intently at her face. "You're becoming ugly," he uttered.
Amaya stared back at him, her face impassive. "Thanks for the compliment," she said sarcastically. "Get out of my house."
"Our house," Elli whispered, making Amaya roll her eyes.
"Sorry, Elli, but father-in-law passed this house on my name as a dowry," Seth said, a smirk playing on his lips. His eyes were mischievous and proud.
"Who would even marry you?" Amaya asked, her voice dripping with disdain.
Seth raised his eyebrows, a sweet smile on his lips. "I don't need you either. I'm only interested in this house, my dear fiancée."
Amaya gritted her teeth, the urge to punch him in the face growing stronger with each word he spoke.
"Oh right, Elli, aren't you going to break up with that boy?" Fred asked, his eyes twinkling with amusement.
Elli stood up from Amaya's body and sat on the couch, her expression thoughtful. "He called me tonight to meet him. So maybe tonight," she replied, her voice soft and hesitant.
"Then just in case for safety, we'll also follow you," Seth said, his eyes scanning Elli's face for any signs of uneasiness or fear.
Elli nodded her head, a small smile playing on her lips. "I won't. If something happens, call me and I'll come there," Amaya said with a yawn, her voice muffled by the pillow she was hugging.
"Since we have exams from the day after tomorrow, how about doing a little shopping? We are leaving the same day after giving the last exam, aren't we?" Sophia asked, her eyes bright with excitement.
Everyone nodded their heads and stood up, their faces filled with anticipation.
"Do shopping, settle things with your boys, and go home safely. If you need something, call me. I'll be sleeping now. Oh yeah, umbrellas are in my room," Amaya said, her voice trailing off as she drifted towards the dream world.
"Lock the door!" Seth screamed as he closed the door behind her, his voice echoing through the empty house.