Chapter 55 - 56. Loot II
Having slept for two hours a day was really awful. My eyes were really heavy and my head felt like throbbing heavily. And I could fall asleep anywhere at that moment.
After collecting all the supplementary credentials I needed to apply for the final exams, I had to wait in the waiting chair for the printing of the exam number and the exam date. Then unconsciously I fell asleep. A student woke me up.
An officer called me. He laughed at me, perhaps he knew that I just fell asleep, "Congratulations, I hope it all runs well. Best of luck," he spoke kindly.
"Okay, thank you so much," I smiled back politely before I left the place.
When I was outside, I looked again at the building that had given me many memories and experience for the last five years. I was quite late completing my study due to a proposal for leave, 'Thanks a lot' I said in my heart.
I did not know if a year or two years to come I would be able to come here again. I had a life path a bit different from other normal people, but I did not regret it. I just had to lead the life and did the best I could do for that.
I looked at my watch, and I still had enough time to meet Emma first before I went to Azalea's place. I knew that I could not work in that florist shop anymore so I decided to talk with her. My happiness, my hobby, and my interest in plants had to be postponed for some time.
"Tha," Someone called me from behind when I was about to walk away. It was Professor Heong, my counselor, "This year our campus opened a Mathematics for Magister Program, and you will get a dispensation because you are an alumnus. If you cannot continue your study this year, you can take it next year. I have hope in you so that you continue your research and develop the program you have made," said professor Heong enthusiastically as he always was.
"Thank you very much, Prof, but I would rather get a job first. Perhaps next year I will try my best," I replied spontaneously. Indeed, I could not believe that I would get this valuable opportunity.
"Wish you all the best with all you have planned and you are doing at the moment though," As he took out something from his bag, "This may not be a mathematics book, I just thought it might be suitable for your reading resource," he handed that thing to me. I received it happily before I heard his advice again, "Remember, never give up for your dream! And follow your heart,"
I saw him walked away after saying goodbye with me. Study time, days full of tasks, cramming the whole night, and the figure of professor Heong who was always excited and on time suddenly crossed to my mind, "I am not giving up yet," I mumbled and put that book carefully in my bag.
…
That afternoon the shop was still quiet so a shop assistant asked me to go in while I was still standing by the door. Emma, sitting on the cash register table, quickly stood up as soon as she saw my presence. She ran to me, hugged me like two little kids who had been apart for a long time, "You have to go back there?" She asked. Her voice sounded sad as if she already knew the answer.
.
I nodded, "I will be back in a few days, don't miss me. I will ask Azalea to allow me to," I said slowly with a smile hoping she felt relief, "I have to resolve my issue with Mr. Stone and Erick," I added.
Emma still looked sad. She tried to stretch a smile somehow, "Your boss, is she nice?" she was curious, "She is patient, isn't she?"
"She is very strict and a bit cruel, that definition is very precise although it sounded too much," I chuckled and walked to the flower section. I saw two very beautiful orchids, moon orchids. I want two Em, white and salmon, okay?" I pointed to those flowers.
Emma ordered her employee to wrap them for me right away, and I went to the cashier, "I come here to say goodbye," I took out money for the orchids, and I said to her, "I leave Mickey and my house to you, okay?"
"Just take them," she said, "That place must be different from here," I nodded, left the money on the cash register's table, picked up the flowers and then left the shop.
"I don't like sad farewells, bye," I yelled and ran away.
I turned back after I thought I had walked far enough, and I saw Emma was still standing there, gesturing to me to come back. I chose to wave her back, gesturing to her that I could not come back, then, I drew my feet to walk home.
…
After having all things ready, I walked to the busy stop which was not far from my home. I took one suitcase and a backpack. I sat alone on a chair that afternoon, watching the quite hectic traffic in front of me.
The house I had lived in so far after that incident was just like a stopover now, a place for sleeping and for taking a bath. The heavy traffic in front of me did not reduce the wave of questions coming to my mind; what was the meaning of a house? Was it simply a construction with rooms and other needs in it? Was there any other meaning?
I was drowned in my own thoughts, and it was almost fifteen minutes I was waiting for the bus for it finally came. My steps felt so heavy to get on it. a question came up; 'Do I really have to take this decision? Why don't I just run away now?'
But, there was an urge and determination that I had to go Azalea's place although I had no idea what kind of life I would have ahead of me. I took a seat right behind the driver so that I could get good views outside the bus, it would relieve my distressed feelings and fear.
In the end, I came back to that place. Two days of going back home upon Azalea's permission were to take care of my pending issues to be finished. All were done, but only one left, it was with Mr. Stone.
Once I got off the bus, I walked to the forest to search where the portal was. I was trying to remember one thing about the demolition of Zie's grave from Erick. Unfortunately, I did not have much time left here so I could not do anything about it. I trusted Erick to take care of it.
I was there in front of the portal when I was surprised with the presence of a white dog right there. His dark eyes looked straight at me, "I will come along with you, Miss," he said shortly. I was just quiet, mixed between confused and happy, "I know that the tubby cannot come with you due to his problem with them," His voice sounded upset, but I was relieved when he narrated further, "But I don't".
I smiled lightly, at least now I had more friends in that dimension besides Naar and Hana who were originally from there, "Alright," I said as I gestured to him to follow me.
We went through that dimension like walking in the sea of air, instantly a familiar landscape unfolded before me, the night sky with one white dot drifting slowly up there. I checked the watch Naar gave me, because all my electrical technology I brought just did not work here.
"Thank God, we are not late yet," I was grateful as Kerberos and I walked through the ruins.
I believed I could easily find the place where Azalea lived in, it was the tallest building and was still intact. We did not talk much during the walk because we paid more attention to everything around us.
Ever since Kerberos stepped his feet on this dimension, he was in his real shape from a white dog to his real shape, a spirit realm guard creature. He looked alert and vigilant despite the effort to convince him not to be worried, "Aren't you afraid to be here,Miss?" He asked without taking his eyes off the road we were on.
"I feel numb to the fear," This attracted his attention, "Now I have to pay all what I have owed from Azalea. She has guaranteed Zie's safety as long as I work for her. That is my only reason to survive here and to make me strong," I saw that that white dog was looking at me in disbelief but he was quiet.
"I am focusing on that woman's promise over Zie's safety so that no wizards can target him due to that immortality spell. That simple thing can keep me strong. I will do everything for her as long as she keeps her promise," to be honest, I felt like I had sold my soul to that woman for Zie's safety. I had no other ideas to make him safe and we were not hunted anymore.
Azalea had said that hunting Zie was no use, but not with my father and some groups of wizards. They were still hunting him.
When we arrived, I saw Hanna was standing in front of the gate, it seemed she was waiting for me. She waved at me, and I waved back in return even though it was not esasy with my hand holding on to my suitcase handle.
"Hana," I held her tight like someone who was afraid to lose," It feels ages we did not meet," I really did not understand my emotion that I really missed those who took care of me here.
Releasing my hold, I turned back and introduced that three headed dog, and asked him to come forward, "He is Kerberos, a friend who has taken care of me during my escape and ran away from the chase of Azalea's guards," I explained to Hana.
Kerberos came forward, "Hello," he greeted stiffly and responded with Hana's wave.
I handed her something I had prepared for her, a beautiful moon orchid of salmon color, representing her gentle and graceful character.
"Orchid, this is the favorite flower of my nanny, her name is Nana. I hope you like it, too," I said as I handed out that pot.
Although Hana was faceless, I believed she could see it.. She leaned her head forward to examine a flower that looked strange for her, "Beautiful!" She exclaimed joyfully, "I will take care of it," I just smiled and nodded.