In the dimly lit living room, Tassa's anticipation mingled with agitation as she strained to hear the approaching voices. Ayamani stood beside her, and together, they awaited the arrival of their friends. The atmosphere was charged with a mixture of excitement and an underlying tension that hinted at something more profound.
As the front door swung open, Céline burst into the room, exclaiming, "First!" Nia'le, arriving in second place, playfully retorted, "We are not racing, Céline. Believe me, Tassa; I can easily beat a child in a foolish race." Laughter filled the room, but Tassa gave a bitter smile, hiding emotions that didn't match the cheerful reunion
Céline enveloped Tassa in a warm embrace, showering her with cheerful greetings. However, Tassa's response was silent; her smile carried a weight of unspoken concerns. Sensing an unsettling atmosphere, Nia'le, curious, inquired about the apparent unease. Tassa gently released herself from Céline's embrace and walked towards Nia'le, her demeanor suggesting a reluctance to reveal the turmoil within.
"I know you guys are pretty tired," Tassa finally spoke, attempting to divert attention. "Let's eat, so you two can take a bath afterwards." Her words held an undertone of distraction, a veil over the lingering tension.
As they gathered around the table, sharing the tales of their hunt, laughter echoed through the room. Tassa joined in, her smiles and laughter seemingly genuine. Yet, beneath the facade, a shadow of discontent persisted. After each moment of apparent joy, a bitter expression clouded Tassa's face, leaving Nia'le unsettled and determined to uncover the concealed truth.
In the midst of a quiet evening, Nia'le's attempt to reach out to Tassa took an unexpected turn. As his hand neared hers, a surge of electricity coursed through his body, emanating from Tassa's very being. The shock served as a stark reminder of a deal he had made with Ayamani, leaving him with a sense of being deceived.
Tassa's face, etched with bitterness, hinted at a deeper issue that Nia'le yearned to understand. After their meal, Tassa and Céline ascended the stairs together, leaving Nia'le to tend to the aftermath. As he diligently cleaned and washed the dishes, his thoughts lingered on the enigma surrounding Tassa.
Tassa emerged from the bath, donning her old clothes that had been left behind in their previous mansion. The sight brought a smile to her face as Céline confirmed that the clothes fit perfectly, a reminder of their shared size during their younger years. The bond between them seemed unbreakable as they prepared to sleep together, not waiting for Nia'le to join them. In a tender moment, Tassa lovingly sang Céline a goodnight song, treating her as her own child. With a gentle kiss on her forehead, Tassa bid her goodnight. Céline drifted off to sleep, feeling a sense of belonging and peace beside Tassa.
Meanwhile, Nia'le was in the midst of ascending the grand staircase, his footsteps echoing through the opulent mansion, when suddenly, without warning, Ayamani's powers whisked them away to a realm beyond their own. It was a world where dreams took shape, where time flowed differently, and minutes could feel like years or weeks, even though mere moments had passed in reality. Nia'le was caught off guard by the sudden shift and fell into a deep sleep due to exhaustion. As his body went limp, he tumbled down the stairs, but Ayamani quickly intervened to stop his fall. With a gentle touch, Ayamani lifted Nia'le's unconscious form and carried him to a nearby bed, carefully arranging him there. However, Ayamani couldn't bear to leave Nia'le with the visible marks of his fall—a prominent bump on his head and scars on his skin. So, he used his healing abilities to mend Nia'le's wounds, erasing any trace of the accident.
As Nia'le stirred from his sleep, his eyes fluttering open, confusion and disorientation washed over him. The unfamiliar surroundings and the lingering haze of the dream world left him momentarily bewildered. Sensing his bewilderment, Tassa approached him, her expression grave and laden with a weighty secret.
"It's about Céline, Nia'le," she began, her voice tinged with a mixture of sorrow and determination.
Nia'le's brows furrowed, his curiosity piqued. "What about her?" he inquired, his voice laced with a mixture of concern and anticipation.
Ayamani, his gaze fixed upon Nia'le, took a deep breath, preparing to reveal the painful truth. "I want you to listen, Nia'le," he implored, his voice steady yet filled with a hint of sadness. "Céline is the daughter of a prostitute, and her past is marked by unspeakable hardships."
Nia'le's heart clenched at the mention of Céline's troubled origins, his empathy for her growing with each passing word. He braced himself for the revelation that would follow, unaware of the depths of darkness that awaited him.
Ayamani continued, his voice laden with the weight of the unspeakable. "At the tender age of twelve, Céline was forced into a life she never chose. Her foster father, a man devoid of compassion, subjected her to unimaginable horrors, forcing her to work in a despicable club against her will."
Nia'le's eyes widened, his mind reeling from the sheer magnitude of the revelation. The innocence of a young girl stolen, her spirit crushed under the weight of exploitation and abuse. Ayamani's words hung heavy in the air, threatening to suffocate Nia'le with their unbearable truth.
But before Ayamani could delve further into the harrowing details, Nia'le's voice, filled with anguish and a desperate plea, interrupted him. "I... I don't want you to continue this story," he pleaded, his voice trembling with a mixture of fear and compassion.
Tassa's voice trembled as she mustered the courage to reveal the harrowing truth to Nia'le. They sat in the dimly lit room, the weight of their shared experiences hanging heavy in the air.
"Nia'le," Tassa began, her voice barely above a whisper, "Céline... she almost fell victim to a horrific fate. Men, driven by their darkest desires, sought to violate her in the most unspeakable way."
Nia'le's eyes widened in shock, his heart pounding in his chest. The mere thought of Céline enduring such a traumatic ordeal sent shivers down his spine. But before he could fully process the gravity of the situation, Tassa continued, her voice filled with a mix of sorrow and urgency.
"Thankfully, she managed to escape their clutches," Tassa revealed, her voice quivering with a mixture of relief and anguish. "But, Nia'le, she made a deal with the devil to ensure her safety."
Nia'le's mind reeled, struggling to comprehend the depths of despair that had driven Céline to such desperate measures. His heart ached for her, for the pain she had endured and the choices she had been forced to make.
"And we saved her," Nia'le interjected, his voice filled with sadness.
"But if we don't, she will be—" Nia'le didn't let Tassa finish and interposed, saying, "She will be happy, Tassa."
Tassa couldn't understand what he was trying to say and wanted him to elaborate. But without saying anything, Nia'le continued with a sound of guilt in his voice, "She almost got drowned in the river today. And she asked me why did I save her, so that's why? She just wanted to escape this cruel world."
"But—"
"Tassa, don't you?" He said.
Tassa's gaze locked onto Nia'le's eyes, revealing a depth of remorse that lingered even after saving her. It was in that silent exchange that the unspoken words began to take shape, and Tassa gradually comprehended Nia'le's underlying message. The weight of her own struggles with thoughts of self-harm to escape the harsh realities of their world suddenly seemed less significant when compared to the desperate choices others were forced to make.
Tassa's recognition of Céline's predicament and Nia'le's intervention highlights the profound responsibilities of foster parents. Stepping into the role of Céline's foster parents was not just an act of sympathy but a deeper acknowledgment of the pain and desperation faced by many children in care.
Tassa and Nia'le decided to dedicate themselves to bringing happiness into Céline's life. Even though they didn't fit the traditional definition of a family, they worked hard to give Céline the warmth and security of a loving home. Their shared experiences created a strong bond that felt like a real family.
Tassa, understanding how fragile life can be, realized the importance of their mission. Their commitment went beyond guardianship—they wanted Céline to feel loved and supported, giving her the joy and care she had missed in her life.
Meanwhile, Ixartxist called Ayamani to inquire about Tassa's well-being. Ayamani reassured him, saying that she was alright. Ixartxist then inquired about Nia'le, and Ayamani conveyed that Nia'le had already passed away. Ixartxist, with a smirk, commanded Ayamani to eliminate anyone who might threaten or disturb Tassa. Ayamani, understanding the directive, acknowledged the order.
One lively day, Nia'le emerged from his room wearing only his underwear, searching for his misplaced clothes. He entered the living room, where Tassa and Céline were spending time together. As soon as Céline caught sight of Nia'le, she instinctively hid behind Tassa, covering her eyes. Confused, Tassa turned to Céline and asked what the problem was.
Céline, her voice muffled from behind Tassa, timidly replied, "Nia'le is naked." Nia'le, taken aback by the accusation, quickly defended himself, "I am not. I am wearing my floral underwear." He protested, trying to lighten the situation with a touch of humor.
Tassa, however, stood up, her expression firm as she addressed Nia'le, "Nia'le, you know you're not allowed to wear just your underwear in common areas." Disgust flickered across her face as she struggled to comprehend his lack of understanding.
"Oh, so you want me to take it off?"
"Eww, you disgusting creature," she exclaimed.
Unfazed, Nia'le confidently flexed his biceps, attempting to make light of the situation. "Oh come on, Tassa, our bodies are nothing to be ashamed of," he remarked, his tone playful.
Tassa, holding Céline protectively, maintained her stance, refusing to be swayed by Nia'le's nonchalant attitude. She calmly replied, "I know, but we are talking about yours."
Nia'le stared blankly at Tassa, his words dripping with sarcasm and defiance. "Go ahead, Tassa, hurt me. Strike straight at my fragile heart. Anyway, have you seen any of my clothes? I can't find anything."
Céline, who had stopped walking, chimed in to answer Nia'le's question. "I washed our clothes, and they were all outside," she informed him. Tassa couldn't help but feel a surge of pride for Céline's helpfulness and kindness. "You did that, Céline? That's so nice of you," Tassa commended her. However, Nia'le, visibly annoyed, rolled his eyes and muttered, "You're just proud because you still had something to wear."
Tassa, feeling exasperated by Nia'le's attitude, turned her back on him as he walked away. "Who asked you?" she retorted, dismissing his snide remark. Céline, observing the interaction, couldn't help but be curious about the nature of Tassa and Nia'le's relationship. "Tassa, what are you to him? And what is he to you?" she inquired.
Tassa gently held Céline and explained, "Well, I'm... I'm just his friend. We have a very complex and flexible relationship that's not easily defined." She paused for a moment before continuing, "But no, I don't have romantic feelings for him. I'm already in love with someone else."
Céline's curiosity piqued, and she pressed further, asking Tassa who the person she loved was. Tassa sat down, a soft smile on her face, as she shared, "His name is Xart. He was kind, smart, and incredibly caring. He was the first person who truly cared for me, but he also hurt me deeply when he left." Tassa's expression turned somber, and she didn't offer any further explanation when Céline asked why he left.
Sensing that the topic might be too personal, Céline decided not to push further. Instead, she joined Tassa in the kitchen to help prepare their lunch, silently acknowledging that some things were better left unspoken.