16 Chapter 3 Page 1 - Reunion

Akilah threw open her bedroom door and ran down the stairs towards the kitchen. She quickly stopped in her tracks when she saw Adara, alive and well in the kitchen. She looked at her in front on the stove making breakfast. Akilah couldn't believe her eye.

"It's you" she whispered under her breath.

Akilah didn't dare look away even for a split second in fear of Adara disappearing. Everything just felt so surreal, the realization of her returning had finally hit her.

Adara had her back turned against the kitchen entrance. She had heard Akilah rush into the kitchen while preparing breakfast but didn't think too much of it.

"Are you that hungry Aki?" Adara joked.

Akilah didn't respond, she just stood there amazed 'I can't believe it, Adara she's...she's here!'

Before Akilah even realized it she was running up towards Adara at full speed, she managed to stop herself right before she collided with Adara and hugged her with all her might.

Adara was startled "What has gotten into you Akilah?" she asked jokingly.

Adara managed to turn around despite Akilah's tight grip.

"Akilah" Adara let out gently. "Not that I'm not appreciative of this lovely show of affection but I really need to finish our breakfast"

However, Akilah just stayed still for a while. Then she lifted her head and looked up at Adara. Adara was visibly taken aback. Akilah looked up at her with sorrowful eyes, almost at the brink of crying. But when their eyes met, Adara expression turned from loving to dread.

"Aki..." Adara stammered.

Akilah just looked up at her not really registering her words 'She's shocked' Akilah thought 'It must be because it's been a long time since I've acted childishly'. But Akilah was mistaken, the reason for Adara's shock was something completely different.

"Your eyes Aki" Adara managed to let out "Why do it look like that?"

Adara's words had finally reached her. 'Oh no don't tell me' Akilah thought as she pulled herself away from Adara. Akilah reached for the steel platter on top of the sink to look at her own reflection. Even before picked up the platter Akilah had a sinking feeling of what she was going to see. Akilah held up the platter to her face, although the steel had dulled over the year, she could still see it very clearly; her different colored eyes, one black and one golden.

Adara just looked at Akilah with shock.

"Akilah what happened? How did this happen? What is this?" Questions just kept slipping out of her mouth.

Akilah knew that she needed to collect herself properly before saying anything to her.

"I know this is shocking to you but please sit down, I be back right away" and with that Akilah left the kitchen.