Time's Cruel Twist: A Second Chance Amidst the Ruins

"Fred!!" Amaya's furious scream echoed through the living room as she threw a pillow at Fred with astonishing force. "You think you can escape just because I'm injured!" she exclaimed, her bloodshot eyes blazing with anger.

Elli, seated beside her, reached out to restrain her, seeing her trying to stand up again. "Ama, my entire body is screaming in pain just sitting here," she threatened. "You better stop moving or I'll forget you're injured."

Amaya's forehead slightly wrinkled, she whined. "But look at him! He's not lowering the AC temperature! Neither gives me a remote!" She glares at Fred, her bloodshot eyes burning with fury like the fires of hell.

Fred, who had been engrossed in teasing Amaya, finally looked up. "Oh, Zeya!" he exclaimed, his eyes widening in surprise. He waved at me with a sheepish grin, but before I could respond to him, Amaya's furious voice echoed in the living room like a thunderclap.

"Zeya, my foot!" she snapped. "Fred, don't test my—"

"Ama.." Amaya's voice disappears when Somiya calls her name. She hurriedly turned around, her eyes slightly widened, lips parted in shock. Her gaze meets mine, and I quickly look away.

"What happened to your leg?" Somiya asks, kneeling on the floor. Amaya's face twitches in pain when Somiya touches it. "I'm sorry," she apologised immediately.

Amaya shook her head, a wry smile playing on her lips. "Kidding. It doesn't hurt much. I just fell from the stairs."

"You're calling that just?" Somiya asked, her surprise evident in her voice. Amaya smiled as if she found her concern amusing. "Seth caught me before I fell completely. It's just a little scratch. Nothing serious." She explained.

Somiya nodded her head and all of a sudden her eyes lit up, her voice bubbling with life, "Ama! My dad told me if we love our pain and wounds, it will stop hurting us and heal soon." Everyone raised their eyebrows in amusement, their expressions a mixture of curiosity and skepticism. Don't tell me she is going to do that to her too!??!?

"And how do we love our wounds?" Amaya asked, her eyes sparkling with playful excitement. Don't. I know what she is going to do. Every time we cut our hands, this idiot has been doing that to us. Somiya had a radiant smile on her face, her eyes twinkling like a thousand stars, she winked at Amaya and… kissed her bandaged leg, "I love you, pain." She gently patted Amaya's leg like she was patting a newborn kid.

"What the hell are you doing, Somiya?" Amaya exclaimed, a little laughter escaping from her.

"I'm loving your pain!" Somiya replied, her eyes wide and innocent.

"That's the stupidest thing I've ever heard," Amaya leaned back.

"But it's true! If you love your pain, it will go away faster," Somiya insisted, her voice earnest and sincere.

"Yeah, right. And if I jump off a cliff, I'll fly," Amaya said, rolling her eyes.

Everyone in the room burst into laughter, including Amaya herself. However, Somiya's expression fell, her eyes filled with hurt and disappointment. She had said those words with good intentions, and she never thought they would actually mock her. I knew Somiya's words were a bit silly, but they didn't deserve to be laughed at. I clenched my fist and jaw, ready to shout at them. However, before I could speak, Amaya widened her eyes, her voice surprised and happy.

"Wow, Cutie! You weren't lying! I really don't feel much pain now!"

Everyone soon realised that they had unknowingly hurt Somiya's feelings, so they stopped laughing and decided to play along with Amaya's drama.

"Really?" Somiya asked, her voice still a little hesitant. She was afraid they might be trying to make fun of her again.

"Of course! It doesn't hurt at all!" Amaya exclaimed, her voice bright and cheerful. Her words brought a bright smile to Somiya's face. Once again her eyes lit up happily.

"Somi! Ama slapped me this morning on my cheeks! It's hurting!" Seth suddenly exclaimed, kneeling beside Somiya and showing her his cheeks. Demi and I opened our mouths in shock, glancing at each other in surprise, trying to hold laughter. Somiya blinked her eyes and glanced at Amaya, who had a sour face.

Clenching her fist, Amaya grabbed Seth's hair and pulled him away from Somiya.

"Ow ow ow ow!" Seth cried in pain, trying to free himself from Amaya's iron grip.

"Let me help you with that," Amaya grinned, a mysterious glint in her eyes. She whispered, "I know a better treatment than Cutie's."

Seth widened his eyes and shook his head in horror. "Ama! It's not hurting anymore! Your touch was enough!"

"Are you sure about that?" Amaya asked, her voice dripping with sarcasm. "I know a way that can even disappear your future pains."

Amaya's eyes glowed red, and her left hand extended towards Seth's neck. Seth's eyes widened in terror, slapping Amaya's hands away, he screamed and hid behind Sophia.

"Ama, sit down! You just had your stitches removed. The doctor warned you not to move your leg that much," Sophia scolded, helping Amaya to sit on the couch again. Did she just say stitches? Wasn't it just a small scratch?

"Ohh," Amaya pouted, folding her hands like a grumpy kid.

"Let's watch a movie now," Fred said, closing the lights. Seth nodded his head and closed the windows, making the room dark. "Ama, my back is killing me. I'll be on the floor. If you need something, nudge me," Elli whispered, sitting with Fred and Sophia on the ground.

"Sit wherever you like," I smiled at Seth and nodded my head. He went and sat on the single couch. Demi and Somiya joined Elli on the ground. I glanced at Amaya, who sat alone on the big couch. Maybe they were afraid they might touch her wound in the dark. With that thought, I also sat alone on the single couch that was empty beside me, though I longed to sit beside her.

As the movie started, I couldn't help but steal glances at Amaya. Her eyes were fixed on the screen, but her expression was distant. I wondered what she was thinking. Was she in pain? Was she lonely? I wanted to reach out and comfort her, but I didn't want to make her uncomfortable.

I saw her gaze shift to Elli, who was engrossed in the movie, narrowing her eyes slightly, she looked at Elli suspiciously. With a sigh, Amaya stood up and stretched her hands, wincing slightly as she put weight on her injured leg. I quickly got up and offered her my arm.

"Let me help you," I said softly.

"Ermm… it's okay. Enjoy the movie. I'm going to my room to sleep." Eh? Her room? Isn't this Seth's house? I blinked my eyes, whose house is this in real?!?!

"Actually I don't like romantic movies much. Let me help you, please." She hesitated for a moment before taking my arm. As I helped her walk to her room, I could feel her warmth against my skin. I longed to hold her close, like before. For once, I wish I could tightly hug her.

"Am I that mesmerizing?" I quickly shifted my gaze, my heart pounding in my chest like a drum. My cheeks burned like fire, and I could smell the faint scent of my own sweat but thankfully the darkness concealed my flushed cheeks.

"Oh~ your heart is pounding," she murmured, her voice like velvet. She gently took my hand and checked my pulse, her touch sending shivers down my spine.

*Badum*

My eyes widened as she took a step towards me, her movements fluid and graceful. She… was walking normally? "A-Amaya..." I stammered, taking a step back. Was she not injured!?!?

She intertwined our fingers, her grip gentle but firm, and closed the distance between us. Her voice was soft and alluring as she whispered, "Sweetheart."

My eyes widened, and my back pressed against the wall. Sweet..heart? I gulped, my mind racing. So, I was right. You were also transported–

"How did you know I like pancakes?"

My heart pounded in my chest like a drum, and my breath came in ragged gasps as our eyes met. Her icy fingers slid beneath my t-shirt, and I flinched in fear. "A-Amaya, what are you talking about?" I whispered, my voice trembling like a leaf.

I squeezed my eyes shut and placed my shaking hands on her shoulders, but my body trembled uncontrollably beneath her touch. Her hands slowly crept up my back, and I couldn't help but let out a strangled cry. "S-stop–"

"I met your mother yesterday," she whispered in my ear, her voice sending shivers down my spine. She let go of our intertwined fingers and tugged my hair behind my ear then leaned closer, her body pressed against mine. "She told me that you told her I love the pancakes she makes. Tell me, sweetheart, how do you know I like pancakes the most?"

I stopped pushing Amaya away. She wouldn't let go of me until she got what she wanted, and there would be no better chance than this to find out whether she had been transported back or not.

I took a deep, shuddering breath that wracked my body like a storm. "You told me," I whispered, my voice trembling like a leaf in the wind. "You said your mom used to make pancakes for you and it was your favourite lunch."

She had told me about it in the previous life. And I had said it. My heart raced faster than a bullet train, pounding in my chest like a drum. Her hand stopped moving, and she took a step back, her eyes were like a stormy sea, reflecting the turmoil within her. Her hand slowly reached for my cheeks, but it stopped halfway, as if she were afraid to touch me. I saw her hand trembling like a bird's wing, and I could see the fear in her eyes... Maybe a sense of relief too. To be honest, I really wished now that she hadn't been transported back.

I know that eyes, Ama, just now you decide something and that was…

"So you do remember…"

I wished it with all my heart, but I knew that it was too late.

To push me away from your life... again.

"...me, wifey.."

The thought of her pushing me away filled me with a sense of dread, like a cold hand on my heart.