Echoes Of Hope!!

Amara's heart swelled with gratitude and relief as she sat with her parents, cherishing every moment while the sudden change in her demeanor, from the tense confusion of earlier to the newfound appreciation for her family, left Isobel and Harry both surprised and touched.

Despite the lingering fear and uncertainty about the mysterious events, Amara found solace in the familiar comfort of her family's presence.

After Amara getting done with her breakfast, she patiently waited for her parents to finish their's as well.

"I....have something to say" she began.

Isobel and Harry stared her in silence as their daughter cleared her voice, them wondering what is it now.

"I....want you both to celebrate your anniversary.....in our own house. No one, just the.... three of us?!"

Silence followed.

"Can I be granted....for this?!"

It felt odd, Amara was such a party type, always willing to enjoy herself in family gatherings, and now she is wishing to celebrate it in private?! The function she was planning for excitedly from one month, now she wants it to be held in private with only three of them?

And she was asking permission for it?

Very unlike her!!

What happened to her?!

Though quite wondering it was, Harry responded; "I think it's late dear, I've recieved a call from your uncle this morning. He invited us to their home to celebrate our anniversary. And I... likely agreed for that!"

Oh she knew it, for god's sake.

And that's what she is planning to stop!!

Only if they know!

"I'll talk to uncle Max, will convince him!" Amara suggested instead, "Please ....?" she requested.

She spoke no more but her eyes did communicate.

Isobel and Harry exchanged a glance before nodding at her with a smile.

"Alright then, you're on your own for the denial. Do not expect my interference!!" Harry shrugged as he said which though made Isobel sigh, made Amara happy to her soul.

"Thank you dada!!" She hugged her father excitedly.

The day passed by them spending quality family time together; they prepared lunch together with a lot of chat, having a pleasant meal later.

They watched a movie and later participated in gardening. Harry and Amara together watered plants, cutting off extra plants while pulling off the weeds. While Isobel took her time preparing evening tea with snacks for them all.

They had a pleasant evening spent in their garden, staring up the peaceful sky that slowly yet steadily declaring the set of sun, the sky a shade of orange, white, yellow and blue.

Isobel later drew a beautiful potrait of her husband and daughter with herself, the result mesmerising, both Harry and Amara feeling a mixture of contentment with pride.

The three of them even then baked a cake together, their laughter and giggles being a part of the ingredients.

Having a candle light dinner in the garden, under the shelter of stars and moonlight, in the presence of gentle sway of trees.

Harry even then played a guitar, making his family happy.

"If not the medical profession, what else would you both have become?!" Amara asked wondered.

Isobel smiled, "Your father would definitely have become a musician!" she said proudly.

That took her to surprise, "That's so good to hear, can you play any other instruments, dada?!"

"Your father easily can play violin, guitar, piano and flute which is his favourite!!" Isobel answered instead.

Amara taken aback looked at her father, for which the man only shrugged.

"Your mother is no less, for that precious hands doesn't only know how to cook and treat but also to paint!!" Harry said proudly as well, for which Isobel chuckled.

Amara was sure her mother has that skill by the way how she painted a potrait of the three of them just hours ago, and the way how she always excitedly paints in her free time! "You could have been a great artist!!" She said looking at her mother in pride.

Isobel shook her head for that, while Harry continued to speak, "Even the sketches of her while we were in the medical course, were so perfect as well!!"

"I see that is why you requested me to do it for you always!!" Isobel teased.

Harry shrugged, "Well you were too perfect for that!!" he said feeling a little bit shy.

Amara laughed, her giggles echoing, "Well then...why the medical profession?!"

Isobel breathed, "Cause we wanted to help others, to find a way where we can help anyone without making them feel hesitant, to heal the people who are needed to be healed." she took a brief silence as if something unbearable settled in her heart suddenly, "We..... just wanted to help people... unlike others!" her gaze settled down.

Amara couldn't comprehend it, "Unlike...others?!" she wondered who was she referring to.

Isobel looked up as if her daughter's question brought her back to senses, Harry and her exchanging a look which went beyond Amara's understanding.

Harry cleared his voice, "I guess it's late enough, the weather is getting cold!!" he looked at his daughter, pinching her cheek, "Don't you have to go to college tomorrow?!", his gaze then shifted to his wife, "And we have works too!!" he reminded her softly.

Isobel nodded with a faint smile.

While Amara though felt a glimpse of her parents hiding something from her, the latter took over her, college?!

"We enjoyed today, Amara, thanks to you!!" Her father's words halted her thoughts.

Amara smiled, "I have another....wish?"

Her parents looked at her in wonderment, what more?! "What is it?!" Harry asked softly.

Amara now in her parents room, sleeping between her parents, could feel the immense peace within. After talking for a while, her mother has fallen asleep and so her father who kept playing with her hair until he dozed off.

However, Amara found it difficult to sleep, anxiety taking over her again.

She spent the entire day feeling thankful, for getting an opportunity to spend her time with her parents.

Her hand settled over the chain she wore, her fingers carefully tracing the designs of the butterfly pendant, what a gift it was!!

And as time passed, the belief that she had a chance now to save them strengthened, believing her that she indeed time travel despite not knowing how exactly.

For now, she wanted to cherish this moment. All those sleepless haunting sobbing nights are the past, sorry, her future, and she, will live now.

************

The next morning came early and bright, as if the declaration of a new beginning.

After a peaceful sleep, with no nightmares, Amara opened her eyes slowly, the ceiling up, her view. A sudden fear and anticipation took over as she got up with a gasp when she realised the absence of her parents beside her. However, her still being in her parents' room gave her a glimpse of assurance, yet the contrasting feeling stayed.

In instance, she rushed out of the room, searching for her parents and finally having them. Her mother cooking breakfast while her father preparing his and his wife's bag.

Amara breathed deep, she didn't lose them again.

She didn't!!

"You're up already?!" Harry asked surprised, making even Isobel turn and take a glance of her daughter.

"Why do you look.... breathless?!" Isobel wondered.

Amara took a minute to stable her breath which she seemingly lost mind of while rushing to the hall. "I just thought....you guys already....left!"

Harry chuckled while Isobel with a shake and a smile continued her work, "Why would we go to work without dropping you at college?!" Harry said with a smile.

"Get ready as you're awake now, no getting late today!!" Isobel warned sweetly.

Amara though smiled at the warning, the one she missed for whole of a two years, her stomach curled in uneasiness, does she really have to go to college?!

With a sigh, not wanting to stress her parents or make them suspect her, she decided to get ready.

After a while, they all had breakfast together and left for work. Amara suggested she would drive and pick them up as well, surprisingly, however her parents seemed resistant.

"Dad, at least once? Trust me I won't make any accident!!" Amara assured, yes, she didn't want any accident!!

"But you barely know how to drive, you aren't that well trained!!" Isobel remarked.

"And you having a trial of drive would only make us all get even more late!!" Harry joined.

"No more talk, I said I'll drive!!" Amara behaved like her past stubborn self, the only way which seemed to work now!!

Harry and Isobel sighed in unison, them being doctors is the only thing that assured them in the presence of the slightest fear and anticipation, in case....of any accident.

"Stop doubting me!!" Amara scoffed looking at them as she began to drive, as if she can read and see through them.

However, their fear subceeded, itself getting replaced by pride as their daughter drives.

"How did you learn to drive this well?!" Isobel wondered.

"I'm god gifted!!" Amara proudly said, while focusing on the way, she didn't rush and drove slowly, staying alert of any unexpected movement.

"It's surprising, but I'm proud that you became capable for a drive!!" Harry said with a smile as they reached the destination.

"And where did the doubt go?!" Amara asked with a brow raised as their parents got off the car.

"Somewhere into the skies!!" Isobel chuckled making them both chuckle as well.

Amara felt a sting as she watched her parents getting into the hospital, did she really have to go away, leaving them behind?

Her gaze heightened, 'Sion' the name board displayed itself with pride, the fruit of her parents efforts!! The hospital, after the accident, remained as the only way by how she felt close to her parents. Her eliminating the thought of practicing medicine even after getting graduated in the course, though kept her away from the haunting memories, she couldn't leave the hospital just like that! The one with which she had a lots of precious memories.

She though didn't go often to the hospital, took care of it, in the assistance of managing department and the experienced doctors, she tried her level best to take care of Sion, cause many lives depended on it! After settling all the salaries, she would donate the remaining hospital economy to the charity trusts, in the name of her parents.

Everything remained same, but she still felt the loneliness, with her parents' absence.

With a painful sigh, she drove to her college, the one with just a mere distance from the hospital.

Amara, suddenly felt nostalgic.

As she went in, after parking the car, searching for the specific room, a voice startled her.

"Am....! Good morning!!"

It was Sarah, Amara smiled, "Goodmorning, Sarah!!", she somehow felt happy to see her here, as if...her presence relieved her, "Where is Ralph?"

"Hello Amara!" Ralph who just came from behind her, greeted her.

"Good morning, Ralph" Amara greeted back.

"Good morning, and good mood and all! What happened?!"

Amara nodded, "I'm happy!!"

"And for what?!" Sarah enquired.

"You have memory loss!!" Ralph remarked her, "It's her parents' anniversary that's getting her this excited!!"

Sarah who thought about it which seemed to have a logic, soon nodding.

"Well.... yeah, same somehow!" Amara shrugged, "I'm getting late for the class, meet you guys later!!" she waved hand at them soon departing.

"Somehow?!" Sarah wondered.

Ralph hit her on the head, "Aren't we getting late for the class as well?!", he smiled wide.

Sarah felt the rage within rising, "How dare you hit me???" she ran behind him to hit back, who rushed away with a laugh.

Amara studied medical course but Sarah and Ralph studied a course based on social media and entertainment. That is why they both choose to work under cultural and entertainment department. As Amara lost interest in becoming a doctor, she had chose to work under her uncle while her friends accompanied her shortly after Oliver.

Amara though seated in her class, could get no interest, her trial to pay attention only failing her. To hear something she knew all over again, resulting only in her boredom. She tolerated it until lunch, and the whole time her mind only racing with unanswered questions.

As the the lunch time finally arrived, she served herself the meal with her lunch Id, though she didn't feel hungry.

As she sat there in silence at cafeteria, her thoughts disturbed her.

Was the gift even for her?!

Everything still felt unbelievable.

Her hand again rested on the chain she wore, just what was happening?!

Among all of these, she even worried if her parents were alright there at the hospital.

Her actions went unnoticed by her as she was taken by her thoughts, that she kept tapping the table with the spoon biting her lower lip, her leg tapping the floor constantly as she looked here and there, as if wanting to prevent or searching for the upcoming danger.

Suddenly, she caught a pair of eyes looking at her.

The man was tall, wearing a white in-shirt with a suitable black coat and pant. His shoes were black too!

Seeing everything black except the in-shirt made her thought about the person.... which the paper showed, tensing her all of a sudden.

However, the person who was looking at her was calm, pleasant for one's eyes to see, and charming. His appearance....why did it feel familiar.

"He....?" she whispered to herself low.

As if listening her, his lips curved up into a smile, which wondered her, however he soon looked away, starting to walk away.

Amara was taken aback, why did he look at her? And the smile?!

With an instant curiosity and anticipation, she got up almost immediately, deciding to follow him.

The smile somehow felt familiar, even the face! She tried to remember where did she see him as she tried to catch him.

Amara kept following him, climbing stairs....but he was very fast compared to her, he climbed stairs as if he was flying over them.

At one moment she lost him, however she was determined to find him. She climbed till the end and when she reached the last floor of the building, a huge arm grabbed her hand and pulled her in with a swirl.

Amara lost her balance with the sudden pull, sensing her fall, however, she felt the man catching her, by waist, preventing her fall.

She was about to yell but his another hand softly shut her mouth, giving her no chance to speak.

Time felt at pause as she looked up at him, his face near to hers. His smile, like a precious gem.

The smell of petrichor suddenly embracing her out of blue.

His stare that focused her, calm with peace.

As the breeze embraced them, his long neck-length silky hair swayed.

She found herself mesmerized, despite feeling glad that she found him and annoyed by his behaviour, she felt herself staring him in silence.

The man smiled, his hand which till now helped her stay silent, reaching up, tucking her hair behind the ear, with a smile.

"For the one with the captivating smile. From, a secret admirer."