Harmony continued her studies in City D, this time intending to keep a lower profile than she did in high school. She would also keep her writing a secret as much as she could because that had made her acquainted with people.
It was difficult balancing her life as Harmony during high school because of this, so she'd rather not let anyone know anything.
It will shine in its own time; for now, she could only do what she needed to do.
The orientation took longer than she expected, and when she got back to her place, it was already past lunchtime.
She glanced at the house opposite hers, emptied when another school year ended. Not just that, but a few other houses.
This time someone was moving in.
This subdivision is a bit remote but has a good environment, especially when you want to stay away from the hustle and bustle of the city. So most of those staying in this place are students just like her, those who are willing to travel a long distance.
Anyway, not that it mattered to her. All she wanted right now was a bit of rest.
She returned early today for the enrollment, and she would have to return in the night for the rest of the things she needed to do.
"Because that person insisted that I continue gaining experience outside, they placed all the pressure on me," she sighed.
She went and lay down, succumbing to the sleep she badly needed before returning to that battlefield.
~~~
'Daddy!' a young child, around five, exclaimed at the arriving person.
'My sweet girl, have you been good?' the man picked her up.
'Yes, I was a very good girl,' she beamed.
'I studied the alphabet and numbers. I can also play Twinkle Twinkle a bit. Hehe,' she giggled as she counted through her fingers what she did for the day.
The man dotingly looked at her and ruffled her hair, 'That's my girl.'
Then he extended his hand, receiving something from the servant behind him.
'Since you've been a good girl, here's your reward.'
The little girl's eyes twinkled upon seeing the big bunny embracing a big carrot.
'Bunny!'
'And what's this? The bunny seems to want to give you something.'
She blinked when her father pulled the carrot from the bunny's embrace.
He slowly pulled the green top and slowly opened it to show that the carrot itself was actually a big chocolate.
'This is all mine?' her little face immediately brightened.
Her father laughed seeing his daughter's reaction, 'But don't finish it all at once or your teeth will instantly rot.'
She nodded vigorously while staring hungrily at the chocolate.
'You are home, there is something I have to discuss with you,' another voice butted in as they stepped inside the mansion.
The man looked at his wife, 'I have something to discuss with you as well.'
'Welcome back, Father,' another one said.
'Here, Matt, why don't you play with your younger sister?' the father's face softened upon seeing his son.
The young boy, who seemed to be twelve, nodded.
'Why don't we bring Mister Rabbit to your room?' he asked his sister.
The little girl looked at her father, kissing him on the cheek before extending her hand to her brother, who carried her gently.
The father watched the two children walk up the stairs with doting eyes.
'I heard everything that she did today. Why are you being too strict with her?' he instantly asked his wife.
'That girl is lacking compared to Matt; at that age, he can already do computations,' she replied.
The man sighed, 'But she is still young and a girl at that. Matt will handle the company in the future. Let her follow what she wants instead.'
The woman frowned, 'Don't you think Matt will need support as well?'
'I am not saying that she won't have responsibilities. But she can relax a little more,' he approached her.
The woman sighed, 'Anyway, there is another matter.'
'What is it?' he asked, his tone gentler.
'I'm pregnant.'
…
'I…' the little girl atop the stairs.
The people downstairs are rushing about. A pool of blood under her mother's body.
The shout of her father and the hands of her brother covered her eyes.
Followed by the scene in the hospital, her father receiving news, and the devastation that filled his face.
'Dad…dy…' she called but she was instead met with cold angry eyes.
'Da-'
*SLAP*
She tried to reach out, but her hands were instead slapped away.
'Ouch, Daddy, that… hurts…'
Her complaint turned to a whisper when her father glared at her; her small body shivered.
What followed was the indifference and hatred of her mother and father.
~~~
Harmony abruptly opened her eyes.
She slowly got up and supported her head.
The rest did not help her but instead, caused her further discomfort.
She had left only for about two weeks since graduation, and now she would begin her university life. And obviously, during this time, she was not spared from going back and forth from City S to this place.
"Come to think of it, because I was too busy I had forgotten, it was April…"
Her life turned upside down in the year when she turned six.
She shook her head, deciding to cook a meal before returning to City S.
She won't have classes tomorrow at the same time; she still has something to do before she can stay here for a while again.
That is why she will have to return tonight before coming back again tomorrow evening for her first class the day after tomorrow.
Just then, her doorbell rang.
With a slight frown, she went to check it, only to be left stupefied upon seeing who it was in the monitor.