WELCOME

Since Tia had come back and there was nothing else stopping Araxie from the family members, she went ahead and made a call to her lover, Trion, adding that she was coming back home the next day and that they should organize a grand ceremony cos she was coming with a surprise that would leave everyone amazed like never before!

She didn't tell him the full details since it was a surprise and she never wanted to ruin it. Leaving Trion in all that suspense, Araxie hang up the phone as she knew he'd insist till she told him everything.

"She hang up!"Trion breathed in realization.

He was so happy to talk to his fiance after almost two weeks. For him, a week felt like a year, a day as a week and a second too felt like an hour without his Araxie.

At least he then knew that she was doing well somewhere though he still wondered what could have taken her so many days without coming home. He couldn't stop him but to share the news with everyone.

"I have good news for you all."he began and then paused to read their faces. He liked keeping them in suspense after all Araxie had done the same to her.

Now he was doing tit for tat on them.

"Is it about my daughter? Obviously it can't be good news to me unless it's about my Araxie. She's gone missing for all these long days and I'm starting to lose hope that maybe....." Marina was still mumbling when Trion cut in to comfort her, assuring her that their Araxie was coming home the following day which brought a slight smile on her face but still, she wasn't totally convinced as she thought he might've lied to her so she could stop crying.

"I hope you're telling the truth this time. I'm tired of your song...every day you promise to bring her back and it seems to have become a song."

"I swear I'm telling the truth this time Mother. Araxie had phoned and she's coming to. She said she's bringing us a huge surprise for all of us and that we should arrange for a grand celebration but she hang up on me before I could ask where she is."

A cold night came without a moon nor stars in the sky. Darkness was all over the place that the once dazzling lights in the castle seemed more like deam candles.

"I don't know but I feel strange. It feels like I'm excited for something I have no idea about. I..am a bit anxious."King Beryl said.

Yes, his magic had started to sense Tia's return. He had started to feel like Tia was alive but he feared to say it because he never wanted to hurt his son, Trion in any way.

"I'm feeling the same too. Perhaps it's because of this cold dark night. It's possible that we're finding it unbelievable cos this darkness is just too much."Trion pointed.

It was at dawn when Trion woke everyone up to start the preparations for the party since he had failed to get sleep throughout the night.

By 10am, everything was ready and they were all impatiently waiting for Araxie who promised to come back with a surprise.

They couldn't do anything else other than staring at the entrance expecting Araxie to come but in vain. They all had lost hope as some had started to curse inwardly whilst others seemed furious at Trion for wasting their time for no reason. Some of the guests had left.... when Araxie showed up looking more beautiful than before. She was smelling different, her once beautiful face was now more like a charm since everyone found it hard to take their eyes off of her.

"Araxie dear. How are you my daughter. Where were you. Why did you leave without telling anyone. I wouldn't stop you. Did you get hurt?"Marina spoke while her eyes scanned Araxie's body to make sure she wasn't hiding any wound.

"I'm okay Mother. Nothing happened to me and... I'm really sorry for worrying you so much but I had to do it."

"I've run out of words for sure. I'm beginning to feel like there's a reason why your face is glowing like that. I hope you didn't get married when you were away from me for this long."Trion teased before he spoke again. "I missed you so much love but unfortunately no good words can express how much I did miss you." Wow! she was hugging her..

"I missed you too my love but...."

"But what... Tell me Araxie."Trion was sweating unto hearing such. His mind quickly reminded him of Tia. He had thought that she went with her but now, Araxie was back, standing before him but Tia was nowhere to be seen.

"Don't give me that look."

"I need to ask you something."Trion cleared his throat before he asked not giving Araxie a chance to respond to his first question.

"Did you perhaps take Tia with you. She went missing the same day you did and... I'm not seeing her. I hope nothing happened to her."

"Yes, I took her with me but unfortunately... something happened to her right before my eyes.

I'm sorry that I didn't stop it from happening."

Wait! Why was Araxie lying? She wished she could continue with the game before she noticed that Trion had started crying and yet she never wanted to see something of a sort.

"Stop crying otherwise I won't show my surprise."

"I don't care about the surprise anymore. I'm so angry right now. Where's my Tia. What happened to her."he was shouting as he asked when he saw a woman at the entrance who looked just like his mother.

He found it unbelievable because deep down he knew his mother died ten years ago.

"Mo...

Who are you?"he almost called her mother but a part of his stopped him.

"Trion my son."the lady called with that familiar voice that he had missed for a long time now.

Well, call me that woman who carried you in her womb for nine months during difficult times in her life. I know it's hard for you to believe that I'm back but whatever it is, it's the truth. I'm back my sweetheart. Your mom is back dear."Tia said but Trion seemed shocked instead.

"What's happening Araxie. Who's she and... w-where is my Tia?"Trion was staring at Araxie with those unsatisfied eyes which demanded for an explanation.

"Trion dear, it's okay to doubt this woman's words. Perhaps you think that she's lying, don't you? But... could you please give me a reason why I would ever lie to you? Did your mom have a twin sister? No, right? Then who do you think she is. Trust me when I say that she's your mother. The same mother whom you've been missing and wishing to meet again. Your prayers have been answered today, love and your mother... she's standing right before for you. She wants to hold you in her arms once again because no matter how big you've grown, you'll remain a child in your mother's eyes!"Araxie said.

"Mother!"Trion called while he embraced his mother in a tight hug that felt like forever till when king Beryl's voice spoke with so much emotions and was like..."I hope I'm not daydreaming. Good Lord, this can't be just a dream."

He was trying to climb down the stairs quickly when Tia broke a hug with Trion and went to help king Beryl out.

"Are you here with me for real?"he asked touching her cheeks before he held her face between his hands. "I can't believe this.... You still look amazingly gorgeous like how you left. How are you my dear. I missed you. Yes, I missed you so very much. Only God knows how I yearned for your love every day and night."

"How come you've quickly recognized me? I thought you'd doubt me and demand for explanation but you..."

"How could I fail to recognize the love of my life? And this fragrance of yours....it has aroused all my once hidden feelings."he said.

"What kind of a miracle is this? I mean... I don't understand. How...

How did you bring her back to life that too, without any help from any of us.

Tell me Araxie. How did you revive her?"

"I will tell you everything but right now I need to get some rest. I'm feeling tired."Tia said and before she knew it, Trion had hugged her again.

Looking at immense happiness on their faces, Araxie suddenly missed her mother so she ran straight to her bedroom and locked the door behind her. She needed a moment alone.

While crying her sorrow out, memories of her late Mother summoned to her her. She recalled how they used to play hide and seek from their living room.