Chapter 3 Make a wish
δάκρυα and χαρούμενο τέλος staring at each other from across the street.
******
Both sitting on bench close to the mall
δάκρυα: Uh, where do I even start?... I mean... well... (pauses, struggling to find the words) How about this...…
χαρούμενο τέλος: (interupted) happy birthday (as χαρούμενο τέλος looked at her daughter with tears streaming from her eyes)
χαρούμενο τέλος: am sorry I wasn't…. (as δάκρυα hugged her, as she exhaled as tears flowed down her face)
χαρούμενο τέλος: your birthday is almost over (as δάκρυα stopped hugging her) did you have fun
δάκρυα: I tried to, that count, right (as she tried to laugh)
χαρούμενο τέλος: sorry, I didn't get you anything (as they both stood up)
δάκρυα: your presence means a lot more,(as δάκρυα started walking)(mumbling) I guess he was right (χαρούμενο τέλος followed suit behind her)
δάκρυα: my wish did come true
Flash back
마음: And pain is inevitable while suffering is optional so don't choose to suffer
Flash back over
(δάκρυα hearing his voice in her head with a wide smile)
마음 voice: blow out the candle and make a wish
χαρούμενο τέλος: what are you thinking about
δάκρυα: nothing (as δάκρυα walked faster)
χαρούμενο τέλος: are you in love or something (as she caught up with her)
δάκρυα: No, I just recalled, a present a friend gave me
χαρούμενο τέλος: boy or girl
δάκρυα: ma
χαρούμενο τέλος: what, you are of age to like someone, right
δάκρυα: am forteen
χαρούμενο τέλος: girl your age do fall in love
δάκρυα: but Sebastian will never consent, I must behave myself in the eyes of the public, so a boyfriend is a big no-no
(χαρούμενο τέλος stopped moving , looked up at her daughter, δάκρυα turned around to face her mother who was behind her)
χαρούμενο τέλος: is he strict with you or harsh, does… he (she stuttered, fearful of the answer)
χαρούμενο τέλος: does he hit you
δάκρυα: (as she smiled) No. and I can handle myself (as
χαρούμενο τέλος squatted down)
χαρούμενο τέλος: am sorry (χαρούμενο τέλος squats down, starts crying, and δάκρυα walks up to her, squats, and hugs her)
χαρούμενο τέλος: am sorry for leaving you
δάκρυα: it's not your fault,mom. Look at me
(χαρούμενο τέλος raised her head)
δάκρυα: I know you had your reasons for leaving, so stop blaming yourself, I grew up well, see?
χαρούμενο τέλος: are you happy
δάκρυα: am happy now(wipes χαρούμενο τέλος' tears and hugs her)
δάκρυα: 사랑해요 (pronounced salanghaeyo)
χαρούμενο τέλος: (releases herself from the hug, giggles) "What does that mean?"
δάκρυα: I love you, in Korea
χαρούμενο τέλος: why are you learning Korea
δάκρυα: I have a Korean friend... well, I think I do! (smiling and walking away) And learning a new language is always fun!
χαρούμενο τέλος: ohhh, is it who is making you smile(stands up, runs after δákrya with a smile)
χαρούμενο τέλος: are you in love (catching up with her)
δάκρυα: (in that exact moment she stopped) no, I never want to fall in love, I have enough pain as it is
(as she smiled and turned to face her mother)
χαρούμενο τέλος: it my fault (δάκρυα looked at her)
χαρούμενο τέλος: I gave you a bad lesson on love, with my love story
δάκρυα: do you regret it (as she lowered her head)
χαρούμενο τέλος: what
δάκρυα: falling in love
χαρούμενο τέλος: no (as δάκρυα looked up in disbelieve)
χαρούμενο τέλος: I may have suffered as a result to love, but I don't regret it(as she smiled)
δάκρυα: why. I watched you get bitten time and time again, he was a monster, you should regret, you should regret loving him
χαρούμενο τέλος: Alfred Tennyson once said that it is better to have loved and lost than never to have loved at all
(as χαρούμενο τέλος smiled, and δάκρυα stared into her mother's eyes with disbelieve and questions)
χαρούμενο τέλος: and am glad I loved, I'm glad to have loved and been love and you are the result of my love
χαρούμενο τέλος: Joan Crawford once said love is a fire…..,
(as she smiled and started walking ahead while δάκρυα remained in her position unmoved)
χαρούμενο τέλος: whether it will warm your heart or burn down your house you can never tell,
(as she looked back at her daughter)
χαρούμενο τέλος: so δάκρυα when you find the one that you love, take it, seize every opportunity to love and when you do, you love and love hard (χαρούμενο τέλος smiling and walking ahead of δάκρυα, she ran after her mother)
*****
Next day
The family gathered in the dining room, the air thick with tension. δákryα sat rigidly to Sebastian's right, Veronica to his left, her eyes fixed on her plate. The triplets beside her, their usual energy stifled by the heavy silence. The table, set with formal china and silverware, seemed to stretch before them like a cold, unforgiving slab, weighing them down with the weight of unspoken expectations.
Sebastian then broke the silence
Sebastian: you came back late yesterday, what were you doing
δάκρυα: I was in solitude
Sebastian: run down (looking straight ahead)
δάκρυα: I departed from my friends quarter too ten, then I stayed in the mall for a while then trekked home
Sebastian: alone
δάκρυα: a woman kept me company
Sebastian: a woman (mumbled to himself)
δάκρυα: I came home exactly twelve
Cane: were you waiting for your birthday to be over
δάκρυα: uhmm
Dane: we made something for you
Zane: glades would you please
As glades the triplet nanny brought a cake out, the triplet all came down from there sit then all three of them carried the cake.
Cane, Dane and Zane: (singing) happy birthday to you, happy birthday to you, happy birthday, happy birthday, happy birthday to you
Cane, Dane and Zane: make a wish
δάκρυα: (as she slammed her hands together and made a wish)
Dane: what did you wish for?
Zane: she can't tell you, idiot
δάκρυα: thank you guys
Cane, Dane and Zane: you're welcome
Much later
All eating
δάκρυα: I am going to go out after my chores are completed
Sebastian: awhh ya that reminds me of something, δάκρυα will no longer be obligated to do chores in this household starting from today (as the triplet smiled with pleasantry
and veronica fuming with rage)
Veronica: but we need more hands on deck, the maids can't do it alone
Sebastian: you can hire more maid I have the money to pay, but δάκρυα is forbidden to do any house work, is that understood
Veronica: but…
Sebastian: is that understood
Veronica: yes
Sebastian: God help anyone that breaks my rules. she is my daughter, and the whole world knows it (veronica's face was filled with anger and rage)
Zane: that why, daddy is very knowledgeable
Veronica: Zane!!!! (with anger and disappoint meant that her own kids aren't at her side)
(As Zane smiled at δάκρυα)
δάκρυα narrating: my brothers have always been supportive and favored me since I can remember.
Flash back
10 year old δάκρυα, veronica and the triplet at a restaurant
Waiter: what would you like?
δάκρυα: awm, chocolate cake and milkshake, thank you (scheming through the menu)
Waiter: ok...(as he looked at veronica)
Veronica: δάκρυα you can't have that many calories, she will get what we order (as she looked at δάκρυα)
Waiter: OK mam (as he took out a pen and notepad to take their order)
δάκρυα : it not as if you'll care if I gain weight or loss a couple of pounds
Veronica: I do care, I am your mother after all, I know best
δάκρυα : (mumbles) my mother
δάκρυα : (scoffs) yeah right
Waiter: (in an awkward situation) so what would you like to order?
Veronica: boys (as she picked up the menu)
Veronica: what would you like?
Zane: chocolate cake and milkshake
Dane: same
Cane: ya me too
δάκρυα : (smiled)
Sebastian: that am interesting choice (as he spoke from
behind them then took his sit)
Cane, Dane, Zane: daddy
Flash back over
δάκρυα narrating: they are my guardian angels
Flash back
One year age
Veronica: are you out of your mind, what wrong with you I said clean the house before I get back…
The room was a chaotic scene, with signs of a lively gathering evident everywhere. Board games and puzzles had been abandoned mid-play, with pieces and cards scattered across the floor. Electronics and gadgets lay strewn about, with headphones tangled in a knot and a tablet or two left open on the couch. The air was thick with the scent of popcorn and candy, wrappers of snacks and cans of soft drinks lying on the floor and the faint hum of video games still lingered in the air. It was clear that the triplets had been having a blast, their playful energy and laughter leaving a trail of chaos in its wake.
Veronica: I told you I'll have guest, I told you..... (δάκρυα interrupted)
δάκρυα : I did, I cleaned everywhere then I went to library, I… I don't know....(As veronica interrupted)
Veronica: you don't know what, what don't you know (shouting)
Veronica: answer me
*****
(in there room)
Cane: It getting pretty heated out there (pacing)
Dane: what should we do (on the bed?)
Zane: come clean (also one the bed)
Cane: what
Zane: am going (stood up then opened the door)
Meanwile.
δάκρυα : I did the chores, I really did do it, I don't know how...
veronica slapped her, the sound echoing through the room like a gunshot.δάκρυα's eyes flashed with anger and hurt, but her face remained expressionless, a mask of calm. Her eyes seemed to bore into Veronica, as if daring her to strike again
Zane: mum (Zane's face darkened as he stepped into the room, his eyes fixed on Veronica.)
Veronica: Zane (as she turned to face her son)
Dane: what going on
Veronica: nothing, go back to your room, This doesn't concern you
Zane: we caused the mess, it not δάκρυα fault
Cane: why did you hit her?
Dane: I would like to know that as well
Veronica: I, I am disciplining her
Zane's jaw clenched as he took at the scene before him
Zane: you're always so quick to blame her, to belittle her. But you're not her mother, mom. You have no right to treat her like this.
Veronica's face reddened, but Zane pressed on
Zane: We made the mess, not δákryα. And yet you're punishing her for it? That's not fair, mom.
(Veronica mouth wide open with shock as she stutter)
*****
δάκρυα : (she brought the bucket and mop and broom to the parlor to clean the mess the triplet made)
Zane: I'll help
Dane: me too
Cane: we will all help, it our fault anyways
δάκρυα : (smiled) thanks guys
Flash back over
Night fall
δákryα lay on her bed, surrounded by the silence of her room. Suddenly, footsteps echoed, followed by the soft creak of her movable wardrobe back panel sliding open.
δάκρυα : what are you doing here it against the rules (as a figure emerged from the back of the wardrobe).
In the quiet of δákryα's room, the only sound being the soft creak of her bed as Zane sat beside her
Zane: I never follow rules anyways,(he said with a grin)
δάκρυα : awhh (as she looked at him with those eyes that said yeah right, her gaze sparkling with amusement)
A soft snort escaped Zane's nose, and δákryα's lips curled up in a smile
****
δákryα's thoughts drifted back to her special bond with Zane. δάκρυα narrating:I've always been close to Zane,(as she thought, a smile spreading across her face as she remembered their countless laughs and inside jokes.)
δάκρυα narrating:While the other boys were nice to me, Zane was different. He discovered my secret two years ago, and instead of judging me, he chose to support me. He's been my rock, helping me keep a calm mind and a steady heart."
As she thought this, the scene played out before her eyes - Zane and her talking and laughing together on her bed, their friendship a beacon of light in her life.
Flash back
Zane entering a room through a secret passage.Zane's eyes widened as he stepped into the room, the room that δάκρυα was on the early hours of her birthday.His gaze fixed on the tear bubble.
Zane: What is this place?
(he asked, his voice barely above a whisper)
(as lightening stroke to illuminate the room for a few second)
Zane: what is that (as he stood in the darkness, then lightening stroke again and δάκρυα tear bubble (with her inside) was seen as well as her face, as a birthday cake with a candle that read ''twelve'' on the floor squashed)
Zane: δάκρυα
Zane walked up to the bubble, a tiny space of peace in the midst of chaos. The blind spot in Sebastian's computer surveillance was like a breath of fresh air, a small rebellion against his all-seeing eye. It was as if the universe had carved out a tiny space of peace . As Zane touched the tear bubble, tears rolled down δάκρυα's face, still trapped inside. At that moment, the universe seemed to hold its breath. Sebastian's computers crashed , thunder stroke heavier than ever and an earthquake was met, destroying nothing but steered fear in the heart of many. Yet, amidst the destruction, the bubble remained stagnant, as a symbol of resilience.
Flash back over
δάκρυα narrating: Surprisingly he wasn't scared, but he was curious too curious in fact. Zane's touch, was odd it was incomprehensible, unfathomable but somewhat strange it felt comforting it reminded me of my mother, things began to change, I began to change, the warmth of his touch seeped into my skin, soothing the ache within me. In that moment, the world outside receded, leaving only the gentle comfort of Zane's love.
The touch of pure love, pure human love.
*****
A mysterious man's voice came through the phone, his back visible in the shadows. A tattoo of two swords in an "X" formation surrounded by a puddle of blood stood out on his muscular back. One sword bore a skull face, while the other had a red liquid drop inscribed on it.
Mysterious man: how is it going
(Sebastian, sitting in his study, held the phone to his ear.)
Sebastian: the machine has been received
Mystery man: excellent
Sebastian: will it hurt her (Sebastian's voice betrayed his concern)
The mysterious man paused, the silence stretching out before he spoke.
Mystery man: No…. I know that she is still your daughter,.. it just like her little birthday bubble
Sebastian let out a sigh of relief, but the man continued, his tone turning serious.
Mystery man: her birthday bubble is stronger, so I can't guaranty no risk, hook her up to it before the end of the week the rest of information and schedule will be emailed to you. Don't mess this up
Sebastian: okay, sir
As the mysterious man hung up, Sebastian slammed his phone on the desk, frustration etched on his face.