CALLA

"MISS CALLA, somebody wants to visit you," Berta announced as she entered Calla's room. The all-around maid who has been with her since the day she arrived.

Calla had just returned from Crimson Summit Territory a few days ago. She was living at Crimson Summit since she was sent away by her parents. Calla felt like she had to do something but she had no idea what. Something was pulling her back to the place where she grew up till she reached seven—before her parents sent her away from home. The place that was full of happy, sad, painful, and bitter memories. And, it took her too much courage to return home.

"Calla, should I let them in?" Berta raised a question that made Calla wake up from her momentary stupor.

Calla took her eyes away from the laptop and turned her head to Berta. She smiled and nodded. "Ah, yes, Berta, please," she responded before turning her attention back to what she was doing. She was on her vacation but it doesn't feel like she's really on it because she's still working. She was sending new designs through e-mails while talking to the people who related to her work.

Calla saved her newest design and decided to continue doing it later. She had to face her friends first. And, if she is not mistaken, they will surely take her somewhere again. Knowing her friends...

Calla rolled her eyes as she remembered Dev and Nirel. She exactly knew how outgoing her two friends are. And, both of them are her exact opposite. Calla is the type of woman who prefers to spend the day in her room while reading or sleeping than to exhaust herself outside. And, she really doesn't know how the two of them end up being her friends.

A few moments later, the two appeared in the living room of her house. Her house was built four hours drive away from her former pack, the territory that was previously ruled by her father.

Upon remembering the past, Calla could not resist the onslaught of pain and bitterness from the corner part of her heart. Sadness filled her hazel brown eyes as she once again remembered her parents.

She could still feel the pain and bitterness of the past no matter how much she tried to forget. She still couldn't do it. It was like a time bomb to her that would explode at any time if she will not stop immediately. The thought of losing them while she was not around added to the pain that she was bearing for years. She wasn't even given the chance to protect them. And the most painful thing is that the thought of her, not being capable of protecting her parents even if she was beside them felt like a hell of torture to Calla.

Calla took a deep breath as she forced a smile on her lips. She blinked slightly before stepping out to greet Dev and Nirel who were both looking at her while raising their eyebrows.

"What?" Calla innocently asked the two as she looked to Dev and Nirel.

"'What' your face, Calla." Nirel talked back as she rolled her eyes. "For your information, our dearest Calla, we've been talking to you for a minute but we didn't get an answer from you! It was as if your soul was stuck or should I say, your thoughts are way too far from us and you got stuck somewhere out there. Girl, are you with us ?!" she added up while frowning as she took her steps towards the sofa to sit followed by Nirel.

"I'm sorry, I just remembered something. But I'm perfectly fine." Calla replied as she set aside some of her belongings that were scattered.

"Yeah, right," Nirel mumbled. "I thought, you're on vacation that's why you come home here after years of running away from—"

"Dev, stop!" Nirel rebuked the woman next to her with glaring eyes. "You are being insensitive again."

"It's okay, Nirel. I'm just finishing my final design then I'm going to rest." Calla immediately stop the two before they could even start to argue.

Every time they are together, the day does not end with no quarrel going on between Dev and Nirel but they remain friends despite their countless arguments. Instead, they became, even more, closer to each other and eventually end up being best of friends.

"And, then you'll be locked up here in your house all day while you are drowning yourself in a pile of books and lying on your bed, right?" Nirel queered to Calla while snorting. "Come on, Calla, let's go out and have some fun!" she continued as her eyes suddenly twined with delight.

"True!" Dev agreed as she nodded her head repeatedly. "Can we go barhopping?" She suggested as the undeniable excitement filled her round blue eyes.

"I think, that's a better idea. So, where to?" Nirel quickly agreed, accompanied by applause.

She was not excited and overjoyed, yeah...

"Quantum Leap!"

Calla was stunned as she heard the familiar name of a bar mentioned by Dev.

Quantum Leap...

That word seemed to be a broken plaque that repeatedly echoed inside Calla's head.

That place...

"Hey, Calla, are you okay?" Nirel asked worriedly as she might have noticed Calla's momentary stupor.

"I'm fine," Calla replied with a frugal smile.

"But can we just go somewhere else?" Calla asked in a hoarse voice.

Why is it that in so many places, the two even thought of going there?

"Let's go there first, Calla. There are a lot of hot boys in Quantum Leap. Don't argue anymore. You need to learn how to socialize with the opposite sex so you can have a love life." Dev hurriedly stopped Calla from talking while frowning.

Calla just sighed. It seems like she won't have any choice but to agree. After a few more moments of talking, Calla decided to stand up to fix herself. Quantum Leap is also far from her house because it is located on the border of Black Forest territory.

Calla let out a sigh before saying goodbye to Dev and Nirel to get ready. She doesn't know if it was the right decision for her to join Nirel and Dev in going to Quantum Leap but let it be.

Like what they've said... What comes around, comes around!