Elara walked down the forest path toward her home. Her heart was still not calm. The image of the man she had saved kept popping into her mind. In her past life, she had never met him this early. She only saw him much later, when she was already struggling in the industry.
Why now?
Was this another crack in fate?
She shook her head lightly.
"No," she muttered. She'll think about that later.
The road narrowed as she moved deeper into the residential area. Houses lined the street, looking similar at first glance, but each one had its own little difference. Some fences had bird carvings. Some had flowers etched into the wood. Some had old Aurelian symbols that Elara remembered her grandfather explaining to her when she was young. She smiled. Then she heard quick footsteps.
"Elara!"
Before she could turn fully, a small figure crashed int her waist.
"Thud—!"
A bucket fell to the ground with a dull sound, and round green fruits rolled everywhere. Melcos.
"Zia," Elara said, surprised.
The little girl hugged her tightly, arms wrapped around her like she was afraid Elara might disappear. Zia's hair was a warm brown, almost red under the sunlight. Her cheeks were dotted with faint freckles, and her eyes shone brightly.
"You're back!" Zia said loudly. "I missed you!"
Elara laughed softly and patted her head.
"Yes, I'm back."
Zia stepped back, crouched by the bucket on the ground, placing the fruits gently back into the bucket, Elara also joined.
And then as if Zia suddenly remembered something very important, she looked up.
"Did you bring it?" she asked, eyes wide.
Elara blinked.
"Bring… what?"
Zia stared at her, pouting her lips slightly. The air went very quiet.
Elara felt cold sweat on her back. Ah. She promised something. Definitely. Thinking fast, Elara smiled awkwardly.
"Oh… that thing," she said. "I forgot."
Zia gasped.
"But!" Elara quickly added, "Training was really heavy. I didn't even sleep well."
Zia's shoulders dropped disappointedly. Then she nodded seriously.
"That's okay," she mummured. "Being a singer is hard."
Elara laughed as they both stood up.
"Lorien has become bigger now, right?" she asked as they walked together. "Are the buildings taller than the hills?"
"They are," Elara replied. "And louder too."
Zia frowned.
"I like Crelou more."
"So do I," Elara said honestly.
As they walked, neighbors greeted them.
"Oh, Elara is back again?"
"Training going well?"
"You've grown thinner."
She answered them all politely. This time, she really looked at their faces. In her past life, she barely noticed them. Now, every greeting felt precious.They stopped in front of a small house with a crooked fence. Zia suddenly stopped.
"Wait here!" she said, then ran inside.
Elara watched her go and finally remembered. This was Zia's house.
A loud noise came from inside. Something fell. Someone yelped.
A woman rushed out, almost tripping over the doorstep. She was holding a bowl and wearing mismatched slippers.
"Elara!" the woman exclaimed warmly. "When did you come back?"
Zia stood behind her mother, holding onto her clothes. "Mom fell again," she giggled.
"I did not fall," her mother protested, then almost fell again.
Elara laughed.
"Auntie, are you okay?"
"I'm fine, I'm fine," the woman said, waving her hand. "Just clumsy."
She picked up some Melcos and placed them into Elara's hands.
"Take these home."
"Thank you," Elara said.
Zia smiled brightly and followed her out without asking.
"Zia," her mother called. "Don't bother her."
"I'm not," Zia replied. "I'm escorting her."
Elara didn't stop her. They walked together until a familiar wooden gate came into view. Elara stopped staring forward. Zia stared at her, eyes blinking in confusion.
Elara's throat tightened.
The house was there. The small garden. The old tools leaning against the wall.
The door opened suddenly and an old man stepped out. Her grandfather. He stilled for a moment before smiling.
"Elara?" he said. "You came earlier than last month?"
She ran to him immediately and hugged him tightly.
He froze. Then smacked her head lightly.
"Hey," he said. "Can't you see I'm old? You'll knock me over."
She laughed and cried at the same time.
"What's wrong with you?" he asked. "You're acting like you just came back from a ten-year trip."
She shook her head and wiped her eyes.
"I just missed you."
He snorted.
"You're dramatic."
Zia waved excitedly.
"Grandpa, Elara is back!"
"I can see that," he said and then turned back to Elara. "And why did you bring along the little one?"
Zia pouted. "I'm not a little girl"
Inside the house, everything felt warm.
Her grandfather poured tea. Asked about her training. Asked if she was eating well. Asked if her singing improved.
She answered everything carefully...
–
The two days Elara spent in Crelou were simple but memorable. In the morning, she followed her grandfather to the reserve garden where he worked. Rare plants grew there. Her grandfather moved slowly between rows, trimming leaves, checking soil, talking to plants as if they could hear him.
Elara stayed beside him.
She carried water. Held few tools and listened to him mumble nonstop.
In her past life, she rarely came here. She always said she was busy. Now, every step he took made her heart ache.
That afternoon, as she watched his back bend slightly while working, she clenched her fists.
"I'll rise faster this time," she told herself.
"I'll protect you."
In the evening, she practiced singing with Zia sitting on a rock, swinging her legs.
Zia loved to sing, even though she missed most notes. She sang loudly and proudly. Elara corrected her gently, teaching her breathing and rhythm.
Zia listened very seriously.
"I'll be famous too," Zia said once while Elara smiled fondly.
"I believe you."
On the day she would return back to Lorien, her grandfather had already left for the garden early in the morning. There was too much work. He couldn't walk her to the station. Zia went with her instead. They walked side by side, not saying anything this time.
At the bus station, Zia suddenly looked up.
"Elara," she said. "Don't forget the Dragon candy."
Elara froze for a second. Ah. So that was what she promised.
She laughed softly.
"I won't forget."
"You promise?" Zia asked seriously.
"I promise," Elara said.
The bus arrived without them waiting for long. Elara stepped on, then looked back.
Zia waved both hands, jumping a little.
As the bus moved away, Elara pressed her hand to the window. She didn't want to leave. But she has to...