CHAPTER 01

"No, you're not telling me that." I already warned him not to meddle with my own business. Not with my work.

"You can't do anything about it anymore, Ymira. Stay still and follow what I say." he stated calmly. I don't know but I find it more scary when he's saying things in a calmer manner. It just means he's dead serious about it.

But I couldn't stay still knowing he's doing things his way again, even without my say.

I'm so tired of them leading my steps to somewhere predictable. I thought we were done discussing this specific thing since I've moved out of the country to continue my study and work. There's nothing wrong with what they are doing, really. Because I fully understand that they are just doing what they have to, for my own sake. But I hope they can also understand my point. That I want to do things my way again. I want to continue building my name and paving my way. With my own efforts and hardwork, and without any of my parents' connections.

"Geunde Appa..." I tried to protest even though I already know his final verdict

"There are no ifs or buts, Ymira Kristelle. I don't have any more to say here. I'll be seeing you at home." he abruptly ended the facetime call without allowing me to speak. Then I got an email with my travel ticket and flight details attached. Looks like someone must be really coming back home here. What the-.

***

I went to my workplace earlier to inform my coworkers and the management that I will be coming back to my home country. I told them I wasn't sure if I'd be coming back here for work because my dad hadn't told me about it. I also don't need to explain this to the superiors any further because they had already been informed. My coworkers came into my office and assisted me as I was packing my belongings.

"Is that final?" Sheryl broke the silence in here. TThere were a bunch of people gathered, but no one dared to say anything. Don't tell me they are sad about this? I'm just returning home, but I'm not going to die.

"I think so." I replied, still packing.

"Hey, Kevin. Don't be such a crybaby, she's not gonna die you jerk. Not like we're not gonna see her anymore. Ew, your face looks like poop." said Sheryl that made everyone in the room burst into laughter. How come Kevin's face is unimaginable. He's handsomeness can trigger anyone's gay hormones. But today, he looks like a baby who got his feeding bottle stolen. That anytime, he is about to bawl.

I approached Kevin to console him and help him stop sobbing.

"Do you love me that much, huh?" but I decided to tease him more.

After I completed packing all of my belongings at the office, I expressed my sweet goodbye to my friends and colleague stylists. I returned to my condo unit to finish organizing my remaining stuff. I won't be bringing all of them with me. Some will be delivered to my parents' house, while others will be donated to an organization. I took a few minutes to wander around the entire room. I've made memories here. This is where I first grew to become a legit independent individual. No mom to cook for my meals, no dad to help me fix my broken stuff, and no sibling who will listen to all my rants about the problem I'm having. Literally no one to rely on but myself. After zoning out for a while, I proceeded to take a bath to prepare for my flight later tonight.

I double-checked if I had everything I needed in my bag. The most important items to carry are my tickets, phone, earbuds, and neck pillow. It'll be a long and exhausting flight, so I'll need my pillow to keep me company.

We arrived at the airport. I was about to just hail a cab to the airport but then when I got out from my condo unit, there's Sheryl and Kevin waiting for me at the lobby. At the very least, they insisted on driving me there. What are friends for, as they put it?

"Hey, don't be so down. I'm one call away so call me whenever you need me." I said but no one responded. They were both so silent that they didn't make a sound.

"Really. You can bug me at 2 freakin am if you want me. I'll wake up and accept facetime. I don't care if it's gibberish or what. You are best at bugging me, right?" For a little while, I attempted to sound upbeat. It's difficult for me to simply return home and leave them here. We've been each other's family and friends for what seems like an eternity.

"As if that would make things better. I can't just budge to your room to sleep over or have an unplanned late night snack and party with you anymore." Sheryl isn't the kind of friend that clings to you. She's like that one tough friend of yours who won't hesitate for a second to protect you if you're being wronged. Today's Sheryl, on the other hand, is gentle. I'm afraid I can't resist her.

"I know. But I promise we could still catch up. Or better still, pay me a visit. Let us visit each other. It's only a short distance away."

"Yeah, short distance away. Just gonna have a 15-hour flight." sarcastically Kevin said. They finally spoke up.

"You don't plan on buying my time and making me miss my flight, do you?" I cut out the drama since I realized we'd already been here for a while.

I hugged them so tightly that I can't seem to let go of their embrace. I'm going to miss these beautiful yet annoying people. It's gonna be hard but we'll manage to adjust. I let go of their grasps and smiled at them. I turned and began walking towards the escalator. I didn't look back. We have a rule that after saying goodbyes like this one, we should never glance back at the people behind. Because it will only make us more emotional, and we will forgo our original plan.

"See you when I see you, my people." I hissed under my breath

***

After a lengthy fifteen-hour flight, I finally arrived in my homeland. I slept like I'd had a string of sleepless nights, and I'm finally catching up on my sleep. I didn't have a proper meal because I mainly ate snacks. But that's perfectly OK. I'm just going to eat at home. I missed my mother's cooking.

I texted my mom that my plane already landed in the country. She said I'll be picked up here and all I have to do is wait. I walked outside and waited for the driver to come get me at the exit gates. My tummy grumbles as I walk. But before I fully exited the building, in the reception area, I noticed an older man holding a little banner with my name printed on it. I approached him right away, introduced myself, and asked whether he was the one my mother had sent to pick me up. We headed towards the car after he verified and helped me with my bags.

I chose to get inside the car first while the driver was loading my stuff. But when I opened the backseat door, there was a sleeping man wearing black shades and a cap. With a bewildered expression on my face, I looked at the driver. He nodded and motioned for me to get in the car. When the sleeping man awoke, my eyes widened in surprise at who I saw.

"Levi!!" I exclaimed and hugged him.

He ruffled my curls and said, "You bore me from the waiting little girl." Aish, my hair.

My stomach's grumbling sound, however, interrupted us from catching up.

"First, let's go home. It seems that the big-eater has returned. We still have a lot of catching up to do," he said. I concur with what he has said. Not with the "big-eater", but with the fact that we have a lot of catching up to do.

What a great way of welcome.