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

"I want you, Zeya."

Her whisper was soft and clear, yet it carried the weight of so much pain. A flood of memories rushed through my mind, those bittersweet days we once shared. I longed for the echoes of your voice to be filled with "I love you" instead of "I want you." though.

As I turned around, your eyes, once cold and distant, now radiated a warmth that soothed the wounds you had given. The pain and sorrow that clouded my vision began to fade away under your gaze, like stars disappearing at dawn. My weary soul was released, and I whispered, "Whatever you wish for, love."

With my hands gently cradling her neck and her arms wrapped around my waist, we closed the distance between us, both of us surrendering to the moment as we shut our eyes.

Fate can be incredibly cruel, but Ama, you're even more so. And me? Just a foolish idiot who will always give in to your every wish, no matter the heartbreak it brings.

Tears rolled down my cheeks, our bodies pressed together heatedly against the mirror, breathing heavily as our lips pressed together. I could taste our shared breath, feel the thud of our combined heartbeat as I took off her bra. Her soft lips against mine, she parted her lips to let my tongue slide inside her warm mouth. Deepening the kiss, her cold fingers traced my thigh, she sucked my lower lips then my tongue. We parted away for a brief second, just as I glanced at her, panting heavily, she raised my chin, this time more intensely than before, she continued to kiss me. Her one hand behind my neck and another hand squeezing my breast. "A-Ama…" I called out, feeling a heat radiate from within me.

Suddenly, she halted and pulled me into a tight embrace. Her hands encircled my neck, her warm, unsteady breaths brushing against my ear. I averted my gaze and wrapped my arms around her waist. "What's wrong?" I murmured, my lips resting against her shoulder. She shook her head and sighed, "I just remembered we're still minors." Minor… It hadn't crossed my mind. Amaya was the youngest among us by mere months.

We lingered in silence, wrapped in each other's arms, listening to the long-lost melody of our heartbeats syncing in the stillness. Her body glimmered under the moonlight, radiating an ethereal beauty that made her look like a goddess. I couldn't help but smile, my heart swelling at the sight.

"You're beautiful," I whispered, my voice barely above a breath. "Like a vast ocean reflecting the light of both sun and moon, your beauty never fails to leave me breathless."

Yes, you never cease to amaze me. You're like a drug I can't resist. From the moment our eyes met, I was intoxicated by your allure, Ama.

But then, her shoulders sagged like a weary warrior, her face etched with pain. Her eyes, once bright, now appeared dull and sunken, resembling dying embers. Her lips parted slightly, as if each breath was a struggle. She swallowed hard and asked, her voice a haunting echo, wistful and broken like a cracked bell, "Why do you love me so much?" It was a sorrowful tune to my ears, as if a mournful violin played upon my heartstrings. "People's love tends to change over time, like the tides of the sea, but even after two decades, with all the pain and wounds I've caused, your love remains unchanged."

I smiled and embraced her tightly, my gaze drifting to the breathtaking expanse of the night sky. "I don't remember the moment I fell so deeply for you, Ama. By the time I realized it, it was already too late. It felt like I was caught between either Ama or death." The silence wrapped around us like a heavy blanket as I traced my fingers along her arm, feeling the warmth of her skin and the steady rhythm of her heartbeat beneath my touch. "I knew holding your shattered pieces would only deepen my own wounds, just like broken glass that can never return to its original form, I knew our lives were going to change too. When you walked through that door that night, I felt a part of my soul slip away, as if I had lost my Ama forever. Yet, even in that crushing despair, a flicker of hope burned within me, urging me to keep trying to hold together what was broken because you never said to let go.." She let go of me, and for a moment, time stood still as I gazed into her eyes, which were brimming with guilt and pain. Her voice trembled as she whispered, "You should have given up after a few tries. Why did you bother torturing yourself by trying to fix a glass that was in the way of your happiness?" The weight of her words hung in the air, heavy and suffocating. She cupped my cheeks gently, her thumb gliding softly across my skin, igniting a warmth that contrasted with the chill of her sorrow. I took her hand, pressing my lips against it, feeling the pulse of her vulnerability beneath my kiss. "I would rather bleed to death than let you feel cold when you're broken," I replied, my voice steady despite the storm raging within me. I placed her hand on my heart, a tender smile breaking through the despair, "Didn't I tell you? I don't mind forever living in darkness as long as Ama is beside me." In that moment, the world faded away, leaving just the two of us, bound by love and the unyielding promise of togetherness.

"I showed you heaven and threw you to hell," she said, her voice heavy with sorrow. I managed a smile, trying to lighten the weight of the moment. "You should have told me earlier; I'd have prepared myself." Her lips trembled as she spoke, her hands shaking slightly, and I could see the uncertainty etched on her face. She licked her lips, her breath coming in shaky bursts. "There was a promise I made to you. I hope someday you'll remember it and forgive me for everything."

My smile faltered, confusion knotting my brow as I searched her eyes, which were clouded with hopelessness. A pang of guilt shot through me. "What promise?" I asked, desperation creeping into my voice, but she remained silent, a veil of mystery hanging between us. "Someday, when you think back and don't feel pain, that day you'll remember it," she replied softly, a bittersweet smile gracing her lips as she pressed a gentle kiss to my forehead. In that moment, her warmth enveloped me, but the weight of her words lingered, leaving a chill in the air.

A promise…

When did she make it?

Tossing and turning for hours in her guest room, my mind was a blank canvas, the clock creeping towards midnight. She had insisted I stay, but the boundaries were clear—no sharing her bed. Frustration bubbled inside me as I finally made my way to her room, the soft glow of moonlight spilling through the crack in the door. I pushed it open, and there she was, nestled in her blankets, a pillow in her arms, her face untroubled.

With a mix of boldness and longing, I closed the door behind me and tossed the pillow aside, slipping into bed beside her. Her arm instinctively draped over me, and I found solace in the warmth of her presence. She looked so peaceful, lost in her dreams. What're her plans? How is she going to save Sophia's life and Elli's dream? What am I going to do? The weight of uncertainty pressed down on me.

As I brushed my thumbs over her soft, red lips, an overwhelming urge surged within me, a longing to taste the sweetness of those lips again. The room was filled with a tension that felt electric, and in that moment, I was torn between desire and the reality of our situation.

It's just a kiss. And I let my urge win.

I reached for her lips, gulping nervously, my heart racing at the speed of bullet train, my hands trembled while I held her cheeks. I pressed my lips on hers, slowly sucking her lower lips, I closed my eyes, traced her neck with my index finger, going down towards her breast, I slipped my hand inside her pajamas, she didn't wear a bra. Making her face the ceiling, I sat on the top of her, my one hand on her boobs and another one on her cheeks. She opened her mouth as I slid my tongue inside, I sucked her tongue, explored her mouth like searching for a treasure in the tomb. Her soft and small hands wrapped around my neck, deepening the kiss, I played with her nipple making her twitch her body. We parted to take a breath. I saw her eyes wide open with a playful smirk on her face. She wasn't asleep. I took off my clothes while she stared at me in amusement. She took off her pajamas too. Both of us, naked from top to bottom, I leaned towards her face, "Shall we?" She traced my cheeks then my neck, slowly going down towards my breast, she pinched it. I closed my eyes and rested my head on her shoulders.

"Our souls might be of mature ladies, but our bodies are still finding their way, so let's just share a hug and a kiss tonight," I chuckled at her rejection, wrapping my arms around her neck while lying on top of her. Just like in our last life, she wasn't ready to go further since we hadn't crossed eighteen back in high school. She pulled a blanket over us, holding me close at the waist, and soon drifted off to sleep.

A promise… which one was she talking about?

A promise…

"Zeya!"

"Zeya!"

Hmm?

"Zeya!"

"What!" Zeya snapped, her glare sharp enough to cut through the bathroom's steam. She brushed off the dust from her pants and walked toward the sink, the water running like a gentle stream, contrasting her irritation. Demi and Somiya exchanged knowing looks, their eyes narrowing before rolling in unison.

"What were you thinking so deeply about?" Demi asked, arms crossed, leaning casually against the bathroom door frame, a smirk playing on her lips.

Zeya splashed water on her face, droplets glistening like tiny jewels before they dripped down her chin. "My lover," she replied, her tone dripping with nonchalance.

"Imaginary lover, you mean," Somiya chimed in, her laughter bubbling up as she high-fived Demi, the sound echoing in the small space.

Zeya pressed her lips into a thin line, her eyes narrowing at Somiya. "You two need that kind of creativity, not me with this face," she shot back, gesturing dramatically to her own features as if they were a work of art.

Walking on the ground, Zeya and Somiya were a whirlwind of energy, their laughter ringing out like music as they playfully shoved each other. "Just wait till we get out of detention!" Somiya warned, her eyes sparkling with mischief as she kicked Zeya lightly. "We'll see who will win!" Zeya shot back, a cheeky grin spreading across her face as she pinched Somiya's arm and bolted away.

"AHH!" Somiya screamed, her laughter echoing as she took off after Zeya, her ponytail swishing wildly behind her. Zeya sprinted as fast as her legs could carry her, adrenaline pumping through her veins. But as she glanced back, she didn't see the girl in front of her and collided with her, falling to the ground with a loud thud that echoed in the open air.

"Sofy! Are you alright!?" A girl exclaimed. Blinking in surprise as Zeya opened her eyes to find another girl sprawled on the ground beside her. "I'm so sorry! Are you okay?" Despite the sharp pain shooting through her, she quickly stood up, her heart racing as she rushed toward Sophia.

"Zeya! Are you alright!?" Demi's voice cut through the chaos, her expression a mix of concern and urgency as she grabbed Zeya's arms, shaking her slightly. Zeya nodded, her gaze shifting to the other two girls. "Is it your ankle?" she heard a worried voice ask, and guilt washed over her for not watching where she was going.

Kneeling beside the girl, Zeya's voice turned soft and remorseful. "I'm really sorry. It was my fault. I should've looked straight."

"It's okay. It's nothing serious," Sophia whispered, her voice like a gentle breeze, soothing Zeya's anxiety. Zeya nodded, her gaze drifting to the other girl, whose hair fell like a curtain, partially hiding her face. Lowering her eyes, Zeya noticed Sophia's shoelaces were untied. As she reached to tie them, her fingers brushed against the girl's, sending an electric jolt through her. Her heart raced at the unexpected touch, and she looked up to find the girl staring back at her. The girl's baby face exuded innocence, like a cute puppy, but her cold eyes pierced through Zeya, sending shivers down her spine. Her natural red lips, perfectly shaped, contrasted with the icy demeanour that lingered in her gaze.

Zeya parted her lips to speak, but the words escaped her, leaving her mouth dry. She gulped, entranced by the girl's ocean-like eyes that seemed to hold secrets. Her heart pounded loudly, drowning out the world around her, blurring everything except for the girl before her. Zeya felt a blush creeping onto her cheeks, her fingers trembling slightly as she recalled the warmth of their brief contact.

"Sophia! Amaya! We're really sorry. If you need any help we can–" Somiya's concerned voice cut through the moment, by Sophia's gentle smile, sweet like honey. "I'm really fine. Don't worry, Ama is here. All of you can go." Yet, despite Sophia's soft words, Amaya's expression remained icy and unforgiving. With a last, apologetic glance, Somiya and Demi bowed their heads and walked away, pulling Zeya along, who was caught in the tension of the moment, her heart still racing.

"Should I carry you, princess?" Zeya heard the sarcastic lilt of Amaya's voice, and she turned around to see Sophia rolling her eyes at Amaya. "Or can you manage to walk on your own, Ms. I'm really fine?" Amaya's tone dripped with playful mockery, her lips curling into a smirk that danced across her face. Zeya couldn't help but smile at Amaya's teasing, her heart fluttering at the scene of Sophia being carried like royalty by Amaya.

As she watched Amaya, a warmth spread through Zeya, igniting unfamiliar feelings. She slowly touched her heart, her eyes shimmering with admiration as they lingered on Amaya. It was the first time Zeya had encountered someone so breathtaking and mesmerizing, someone who made her heart race and her breath hitch, leaving her utterly captivated.

Is this what they called love at first sight? Zeya thought walking towards her classroom.