by Faulina Arif
"Huff . . ." Marsha let out a long sigh. What will she do to make Reyn paying all his attention to her? Reyn never give her something special. This was the first time, but she knows it was not from his genuine feeling.
Hafiz always scolds and interferes in Marsha entire problem, especially about clothing. And if Hafiz can't persuade her in any way, he then will ask Reyn to do it. All of her behavior towards Reyn leads to one thing and all people in the workshop know what that was. Marsha always loved Reyn. They didn't know why Reyn still not noticing, maybe he know but pretend not to know. All of those people can sense her feeling. But when all of those unrelated people can comprehend her feeling, why did that young man she wanted to know about her feeling always ignored her.
Marsha only wanted a little attention. Marsha did not want to agitate him with some serious relationship before their mission is completed. At this time she doesn't even want to confess about her feeling to him. But she don't ask for much, she just wanted a little of his attention. Even though it's just a care for a friend, it can still soothe her mind and fill the blank inside.
Thinking all of that makes her heart painful. She thinks even that little wish is just too far away and impossible for him to understand.
A Piece of The Past
392 years ago
After a long day of hard work, now that young woman that looked like in her 20th can smile with satisfied feeling. She gaze happily to that piece of fine drawing in her hand, she takes a deep breath and look around her. This time she now realized, the sun is already set. She doesn’t know how much time she spends to finish that drawing.
Beautiful scenery.the smell of wild flowers. The sound of flowing pure water in the river not far away from her, the sound of bird chirping and pleasant wind blowing made her forget about the time.
Many people say, this kingdom is very beautiful because there are still so many places of untouched nature. She could say that was the truth, that beautiful young woman with short red hair intentionally came to this kingdom because of that. Although she’s here for only 2 days since her arrival, she’s really enjoying this trip.
This is not her first time exploring the forest, or go to a new place that she never been. She liked to be alone then drawing a beautiful scenery. Spending the time in nature make her mind at ease and made all of bad memory disappear.
But now she must go to inn, because night will soon come. The beautiful scenery in daylight will turn into horrid scenery in the night. It was possible for her to get lost in the forest and can’t go back to the inn.
That young woman quickly tidying her drawing tools and then walk through the forest until she arrives beside the river. She then carefully treads in the slippery stone, trying to cross the river. After that she walk fast following the river water flow direction, she remember the city was there below this hill, she just need to follow the downstream.
In a rush suddenly she fall to the ground, her leg was tripped on a large stone. She yelps then reflexively touches her painful waist that was hit by a large stone in her fall.
“Are you alright my lady?” She heard a man’s voice.
She look at the source of the voice while still leaning in the ground, she saw an old man in his late 60th extending his arm. That young woman smiled and reaches at his arm, slowly she gets up.
“Thank you, sir.” Said that young woman.
“What are you doing in here my lady? Alone in this forest” That old man asked her whilst confused.
That woman fell silent then looked around her. The night will come for a moment, it seems at day she was enjoying this trip very much and doesn’t realize that she was too deep walking into the forest. And now she had a hard time to seek for her path earlier. If she forces herself to wander inside the forest her unfamiliar with, no doubt she will surely lost and sleep in here.
“Is . . . the city still far away from here?” that young woman asked.
“Far . . . Too far from here my lady, are you lost your way?”
“W-well . . . that was right, I came here with a group of traveler then unintentionally I was separated with them. How can I go back to the city sir?”
That old man shake his head “It’s too dangerous to travel at night, but I suppose for now my lady can go to our village which not far from here. I live there with other villagers, if my lady wants to come with me.”
“And I recall in a day there will be a cart in village that will go to city.”
That young woman sighed, that was the only choice she had. It was fortunate that she can meet that kind old man in this quiet forest.
"I'll be in your care sir, thank you." that young woman replying.
That old man then let out a lantern from his bag. There is some fishing rod sticking out from inside his bag, he then slowly walk in front of that young woman, illuminating a light in the darkness of the forest, the young woman then following him.
Even though it still dusk, but the darkness in the forest made anyone afraid. It’s so quiet, not even the bug sound was heard.
"Young lady is fine it's seems?" The old man spoke.
"Yes, did you just fishing sir?" That woman asked.
"The fish is easier to catch in the afternoon."
For a while that young woman gaze at a bucket in the old man left hand.
"I suppose you are not from this kingdom? Are you in a journey?"
"Yes, you are certainly right sir." that young woman replying with a smile
"This is my first time to come across a young lady in forest at this time. And you seems not scared at all . . . "
"M-Hmm, I like to draw nature scenery, so this is not my first time to be lost in a forest."
"Hoho, what a brave young lady" that old man laugh "That is good, this means I don't need to worry about young lady and we can arrive at my village shortly."
That young woman just smiled, there are so many reasons why she doesn't scared anymore with only forest and darkness. For a long time, until now and forever, she will not tell anyone about her reason. In all her life, deceit is a normal thing, because of that she can live a peaceful life.
IRISE DELEGNERE
"Daddy!" a little girl in her age of 8th years old suddenly opened the door, she bump into him purposely.
Albert smiled to seen his little daughter.
"Who?" that little girl look at a young woman standing behind Albert, she asked while at the same time releasing the hug. She then walking toward that young woman.
"Um . . . hello?" that young woman smiled while greeting the little girl.
That little girl smile widely at her, she looks really happy.
"What's . . . your name?"
"My name . . ." That young woman word was halted because the little girl suddenly yell in front of her while at the same time hugged her.
"Irise! I will call you Irise!" that little girl laughing happily.
That little girl doesn't know why, but she wanted to give her deceased sister's name to that young woman. That little girl feels that name was suitable for a beautiful young woman in front of her.
Because of her cheerful attitude, that young woman feels she can't turn down the name given by that little girl. She looks at Albert "Um, what's her name?"
Albert wanted to answer but his word is halted.
"Aria! My name is Aria." That little girl answering first while releasing her arms. Then she look at Albert "Did daddy take lot of fish?"
Albert shows his catch inside the bucket to Aria "Tonight you can eat to your heart content."
"Uwahh . . ." Aria widely smile, her eyes glittering. She saw many big fish in that bucket.
She quickly takes that bucket in Albert's hand and with fiery spirit she takes Irise hand, and then ran to the kitchen. Irise can only follow that little girl whilst confused.
"Let's cook a fish!"
In the kitchen, Aria put down that fish bucket beside the water container. After that she take a big knife and a wooden board, she then squatted in front of water cont
ainer. Aria catch the fish inside then she strike it's head with blunt side of that big knife to kill it before cleaning it's insides.
Irise stare at her in silent, she suddenly reminiscence, her past memory suddenly emerged from her deepest mind. And she doesn’t know why, but she missed those beautiful memories. When she's at that time, in that beautiful moment.
"Big sis? How come you meet with my daddy?" Aria asked while still chopped at those fish.
"I was lost in the forest, your father helped me." Aria answered.
Aria turns her head to the back, she look at Irise "Will you stay the night in here? big sis must try my cooking." Aria show her bloody thumb full of fish blood toward Irise, while at the same time smiled widely till her white tooth was seen.
Irise let out a little smile, she then crouched beside Aria "Did you always do this alone?"
Aria nodded."Since mother was sick, Aria is the only one that can cook in this house. Big sis! Did you know? Fish meat will taste great when it was still alive, killed and then cooked immediately!"
"Haha, you're right" Irise smiled sincerely and without her realizing, she rub Aria's hair with love
It was for a long time ago that Irise ever feel this happiness that came only from a little conversation with another people. A little girl beside her made her really impressed. Aria is a witty and smart little girl, she was diligent at house work and her homemade food was surprisingly delicious. Throughout the night they spend their time together. Aria was delighted to hear Irise story about outside world and she hoped that someday she can become like Irise. Have enough courage to leave this little village to see all wonder and beauty in this world. For now she can only imagine it inside her little mind.
"So, what is your mother illness?" Irise asked while helping Aria tidying her little bed.
Aria shakes her head "Aria didn't know. Mister physician still find out what illness is happened in this village. But until today they said still don't know"
Irise sat above the bed and Aria is following her. That little girl face became sour.
"When my sister Irise is sick, they say her illness is not dangerous and can't spread to others. Then Irise pass away, my mother fell sick too. Is that illness really not dangerous?"
Aria looked at Irise with a sad face
Irise can't answer, how can she explain everything if she herself did not know the truth?
"Irise is a good sister, she always loved me and . . . Aria too loved her. Aria . . . don't want to lose mother too." suddenly that little girl hugged Irise and crying without a sound, releasing all of her sadness and suffering that in a long time torturing her.
Indeed, Ariamind now at its limit. She was tired pretending she was fine and act cheerful to both of her parent. Aria wanted to complain, she want to talk about every tiring things and burden she possess. But if she did that, Aria will only add more burden and sadness for her parent, she did not want that to happen. She wanted to console her parent and became strength for them, she will tell everything is alright although that was a lie. She believes that everything will turn to the better if she always smiled.
Aria believes that this meeting with Irise today is a miracle, that beautiful young woman was so kind to her. She even agreed to be called by Aria deceased sister name. Aria was happy and can feel that this meeting replenishing her weary soul .
A few hour before, Aria sit nicely in front of the window. She waiting her father for a long time, she hoped there's no bad things happened to him. Then she saw a bright light came from that direction she saw. Her father is coming back with a beautiful young woman. This is her first time seeing that young woman and for unexplainable reason she fall in love with her. Love at a first sight, that impression is what she felt. That beautiful young woman with short red hair and blue eyes made her remember about her older sister that passed away not long ago. Can't hold her sadness, she quickly run, then bump into her father.
Aria fondness toward that beautiful young woman is what making Aria to call her by Irise, Irise is Aria deceased older sister. Aria is really happy, because that beautiful young woman that now called Irise is very kind to her. Aria hoped that Irise wanted to stay in this house longer, accompanying her and agree to be her friend. Until Aria became stronger and can accept her loss.
IRISE DELEGNERE
Alfred sighed. He was staring at the failed sample that was inside a prison. That sample is screaming loudly and drew its last breath. This is his umpteenth time experiment. How much time, money, and life are wasted in this experiment. But it still bearing no result and always fails.
He leave the control room, that bald man in age of 50thyears old is now entering his working room. Sit behind a desk and leaning his back in his comfy chair.
Alfred let out a sigh of weariness. He really works hard more than anyone, spending and dedicating his time for his work. For a scientist like himself, there are no important things more than these researches. But 10 years has passed and he still can’t bear a good result. He always lost and fall behind from the other organization.
Yes, there is much organization now in this world whose objective is to facilitate the human life to be much better and easier, two of them are Tri-eyes and Elysion. Unlike any other organization, those two organizations received an acknowledgement from many kingdoms in this world and always participate behind the scene for at least a hundred years. They are there inside many kingdoms in this world and work with those kingdoms official. This world technologies, medical knowledge, food processing, and general knowledge is developed in fast pace because of them.
It’s already 30 years since he joined Elysion. Alfred was transferred from Britannia kingdom to a new formed kingdom in the far south. Because of his great ability to lead, he was trusted to lead the research in new facility in that kingdom. Alfred accepted this role happily, he don’t want to miss this chance to produce some great work result. It was his dream since he was still young.
But, in reality. To lead this vast facility is really hard. The responsibilities that he bear is too big. And more than that, he must be ready to be criticized by his own friend in other organization and facility. On top of that, not only once he was insulted by the others because he can’t get an interesting research idea.
For 20 years Alfred lead this facility as its highest official, but he still can't get a good result. Many people now doubt his skill, he feel disgraced and because of that Alfred always working hard. He doesn't care about the method, he will do anything to make himself respected and recognized by others.
Alfred takes off his eye glasses, for a while he close his eyes then massaging his nose bone. His eyes then gaze at ceiling while at the same time taking a deep breath. if only he can get that unknown method, maybe everything can change drastically.
Alfred ever heard for some time, about a rumor of immortal human. That story was told for at least hundred years ago and many people said that was only a myth. But because he suddenly heard that rumor from his closest friend from Tri-eyes organization in far west, he chooses not to ignore that and believe in him. Alfred friend never said a meaningless word let alone lie to him, he liked to converse with Alfred about interesting things. it was possible that Tri-eyes is one step ahead from Elysion right now, Alfred thinks this was because Tri-eyes got some clue or a secret that related to that myth.
Approximately 5 years ago, Alfred announces that this facility that he led now will research about immortal human. This research theme is an odd one, many of his co-worker sneers at him. But Alfred doesn't care, he even use his own money to fund this research. He pay many historian and informant for a little bit of information that he think will have a clue about their whereabouts. He gather all story around the world, and many historian and informant that said those immortal human is there, but no one knows they whereabouts. a lot of people believes that those immortals is a descendant of gods, or a people that blessed with gods power, and their appearance is still became a mystery.
Alfred did not have even
a slightest faith about god or spirit. For him believing an existence like that is illogical, no one can ever prove about their existence. But because of that he wanted to find out and prove it with his own eyes, about the existence of those god descendants. The immortal human.
Maybe if he can find one of them, he will believe god and spirit. Alfred indeed hoped to find those god descendants, if that wish can come true. He will be recognized, no more insult and no one will underestimate him anymore. Maybe if he can find one, a human's life will take a drastic turn, they can no longer sick, get a longer lifespan and of course human's life will prosper. He was confident, this research he led will be recognized and considered as a greatest in human history. No doubt he will be proud and satisfied, his life will be completed.
IRISE DELEGNERE
Irise still can't believe, for a long time she now can became close to another people. It’s because Aria always asking her to stay, Irise can't do anything but comply with Aria stubborn request. And now 2 weeks is already passed and it's became more difficult for Irise to leave Aria. Irise liked her very much.
Even though this village is small, but their residence is very kind and friendly. Aria cheerful character and Sir Albert kindness, made Irise liked to stay with them.
"Irise did you ever do fishing?" Aria asked.
"Yes, maybe long time ago." Irise answer.
"Aria liked fishing very much, but since mother was sick, Aria can't go along with daddy anymore. Aria must take care of mother." Aria let out a sad face.
Irise became awkward, she then changed the topic.
"Hey Aria, do you want to see my drawing?" Irise asked.
"Do you mean that picture? Irise really can draw that?" Aria smiled, her eyes glittering.
"Aria see that picture before, Irise was hiding it so Aria want to see it badly. It was a picture book!." Aria grin happily and didn't realize she doing something naughty, but Irise seems didn't mind that at all.