Chapter 2: Invitation

A month ago…

The pages of her book were flipped to the next page. She stand her chin with her left hand and continued reading. The situation of the library on the 3rd floor is very comfortable and quiet. The wind that enters every window fills every space of the floor, cool enough to not turn on the air conditioning.

Adah is reading a book without paying attention to the people passing by around him. Groups of students were whispering and laughing softly to her right but that still didn't disturb her concentration. That's how she is when she's in his world. Everything sounded vague to him.

“HAA!!” Someone patted her on the shoulder while shouting.

“HAAA!!” Unintentionally, Adah also screamed.

The girl laughed heartily at Adah's lively reaction. She quickly turned to look at the girl behind her with a confused face. Seeing her like that, made the girl laugh even harder. She tried hard to keep her voice from getting louder.

"Rosie!” Adah hit her sister's arm with a half-screaming voice.

“Ow, Ow. Okay, Okay! Forgive me!” Rosie quickly gave in since she couldn't bear Adah's persistent blows.

She stopped hitting when she heard her friend complaining of pain, “Serve yourself. You deserve that. Ergh.”

Adah looked around them, worried that the librarian would rush in and drive them out. Luckily, fate is right on their side. Not only was the librarian not around them, but the other students weren't around either.

“I’m sorry, okay?.” Rosie pulled a chair to Adah's left and leaned her back.

“But still, you should see your face just now.” She laughed recalling her sister's reaction five minutes ago.

Another punch landed on her arm. This time, Adah ignored the curly-haired woman's complaint and just continued her reading. Rosie looked at her. Her eyes returned to the book in her hand. She moved the girl's hand away from the face for the cover of the book and the picture of a white tiger was emblazoned on its cover.

“Seriously, Adah? This book again? You have read this book 5 times. Aren't you bored?”

“I'm fine with it. If you like something, you always can do it as many times as you like. Like you, no matter how naughty you are, I can still face you because I love you.” Adah flashed the sweetest smile, melting Rosie's heart already tender.

All the students at the college knew how fierce Rosie was but the title made no sense to Adah. Her sister always takes care of Adah no matter where she is. The nature of a sister to her younger sister does not change at all no matter how strange she is.

Their age gap of 11 months allows them both to be in the same year. Although they are not in the same class, Rosie always chooses to be with Adah whenever she has free time. Many think they are in love because they are too close and unlike other siblings, they show a deep love for each other. Leaving it like that, they don't even care about the gossip that spreads about them and they are also lazy to explain to them.

“What you’re so interested in them? I don’t understand.” Rosie put her head on the table but didn't take her eyes off Adah.

“Why not?” Adah lifted her head using her right hand so that she was facing Rosie.

"Adah, we have learned many things since we were in primary school. How did the war between us happen, the first war? Even in college, there are ready to make additional classes for the topic of the supernatural."

“And you believe all of that?” That sentence made Rosie’s eyes meet Adah’s who didn't show any surprise at her reaction

“You didn’t?” Adah shook her head.

"We used to be good like brothers and sisters, but we broke up just because the human leader didn't want to marry his son to the son of the leader of the Unseen Realm? Is that easy? I do not believe that." She cast her gaze out the window. The greenery of the forest gives her peace.

Rosie looked at her sister's face. What Adah said a moment ago made her think. Her feelings are covered in various flavors. She adjusted her position and turned her body towards the curly-haired girl.

"Can I ask you something?" Adah looked at her sister and nodded.

They looked at each other for a long time before Rosie was able to express a hidden question, "If one day, I’m not anymore a 'Rosie', will you choose to stay?"

Adah was silent listening to the girl's question. To be honest, the question was unexpected. To see Rosie so serious about the topic was also a strange thing. Rosie's face also showed how much she expected an answer to the question.

Adah opened her mouth to answer but no sound came out. Therefore, she closed her mouth again and turned her gaze toward the books arranged on her desk. Rosie looked down, understanding what was happening. She sighed heavily but still chose to smile.

"No, I understand. So, you don't have to-" A pair of hands held both of her cheeks and lifted them close to Adah's face.

Their eyes were opposite. Her sister's eyes seemed to pierce deep into her heart. There was not even a hint of a smile on her face.

Adah said slowly but loud enough for Rosie to be the only one who heard, "Whether you change your nature, mind, or heart, it still doesn't change the fact that you are my sister. Nothing can change that."

It felt like all the bones in Rosie's body fell to the ground as if hearing Adah's words. Unbeknownst to her, tears flowed down her cheeks and her sister's thumb stroked her cheek, wiping away her tears and it’s soothing her heart.

"But why did you answer so late..?" Rosie's voice was half a whisper. She couldn't help herself from thinking that her sister only answered like that to protect her heart.

“Oh, that. Just want to see your reaction. You should have seen your face." Her eyebrows rose and a sinus smile began to appear.

Rosie's eyes widened and this time, it was her turn to hit her sister.

"Esh! You are useless. You hurt me!” Adah didn't plead to stop but just laughed, letting her sister be satisfied.

After her sister stopped, Adah was still smiling at her sister. Rosie's face still looks cute despite her giggles. Adah was only serving her sister's indulgence.

"You are lucky that I love you." Rosie rested her head on Adah's shoulder.

Adah just smiled and continued reading.

"Hey, you're coming to my volleyball practice later, right?" asked Rosie. His sister shook his head.

“Why not?”

Adah turned her face towards Rosie, "That's your practice. Why do I have to come?"

"Pleaseeee... We want to go out after that, right?" Rosie smiled sheepishly.

"Ye, we want to go out then but-"

The sparkle in Rosie's eyes disappeared when Adah gave an excuse not to go to her training. Seeing her excitement disappear makes Adah feel bad.

"Okay, okay... I'll come later." Finally, she relented.

"YES!" Rosie screamed happily.

“Shhhhhh!!” A voice from beside them rang out. A group of friends just now returned to their table again. So did the librarian and the other students around her who were looking at them, distracted by Rosie's screams.

Wasn't this place empty earlier?

“Sorry,” Rosie answered half shouting, just loud enough for them to hear.

Adah also nodded while throwing a shy smile as a sign of apology.

"Okay then." Adah turned back to her sister.

"My class is about to start. We'll see you on the field later. Bye!” Rosie walked away.

Adah, who was initially smiling at her sister, now returned to emotionless mode. She looked around as if looking for an explanation for what had happened. But, everything seems normal.

"Maybe it's just my feelings." She continued his reading again.

~

PAKKKK!

As usual, Rosie finished the round with a solid kick that was impossible to meet by her opponent. The audience cheered to celebrate her victory. Although it was just a practice, the intense match caught the attention of passers-by. Or, maybe they just stopped because of Rosie's existence.

Her group members patted her on the shoulder and cheered for the victory. They were so grateful that they were in a group with Rosie. No one was willing to face Rosie's defense. But, Rosie, didn't care about all that. She only came to practice just to fulfill her extracurricular requirements. If you ask herself, she might be at the mall with her sister right now.

At that moment, she was finally reminded of her sister. She looked for a glimpse of her sister among the cheering audience but was nowhere to be seen.

"Are you angry with them?" Rosie turned to the voice behind her.

Her etched smile made Rosie smile too, forgetting the question.

"You shot that ball like crazy." Adah was amused to see the expression on the opponent's face just now.

"It’s easier to finish early." Rosie ran towards Adah.

"I thought you didn’t come."

"Of course, I come. I just sit over there." She pointed to the chair she was sitting on at the opposite end of the court from the rest of the audience.

"I don't want to sit there. The area suffocates me.” Rosie, who knew Adah didn't like noise, just laughed at her explanation.

Adah stared at the full audience. Some are busy taking pictures to be uploaded to the Instagram application. Some laugh as if there is no tomorrow. Some play handball with the players who played a while ago. Some also whispered while looking at the two of them, as if talking about them.

Whatever.

In the noise, Adah saw a girl with a braid and neatly dressed; wearing a white shirt and black slacks, sitting alone between them. Their eyes met. The girl's eyes were so sharp made her hair behind of neck stood. She looked at the people around her as if they didn't see the presence of the woman.

Am I the only one who saw her?

The girl nodded and gave a sweet smile as if answering her question. Adah was surprised to see the girl's reaction but her smile made Adah's heart calm for no reason. But it was still undeniable, the girl's eyes still looked at her like piercing needles.

"Adah?" Her arm was touched, causing her to wake up from her reverie.

She looked at her sister who clearly looked worried.

"Huh?" Her voice was broken.

"Are you okay? You were daydreaming just now."

Her eyes glared at the girl. But, the seat was empty. A glimpse of the girl was also not visible. Rosie also turned to look at the place. All that was seen was a group of students laughing while taking pictures.

"I'm fine. I'm just sleepy because I slept for a while before coming here." She answered Rosie's question with a tired smile to reinforce her explanation.

"Oh, if that's the case, we'll go out next time." Reply Rosie. Adah was surprised by Rosie's response.

"No, there's no need. I'm fine."

"Nope. We're going back, rest. Next time we go twice as often.” Rosie laughed at her own sentence.

"Coincidentally, I'm a little tired from practicing earlier. So, it's good to go back to rest." Adah just nodded.

"Let's go back-"

"Wow, Adah. You came too at last." Adah became silent after hearing the voice.

Don't…. Why is he coming now??

"Hi, Coach." Adah turned to face the person while throwing the most sincere smile she had ever given.

Rosie who saw the situation was also surprised to see it.

"You came to practice earlier?" Adah shook her head.

“No.”

"You persuade her?" The 45-year-old man's eyes turned to look at her sister.

Rosie just smiled sheepishly.

"Finally. By the way, when do you want to join our team? We still have a vacancy."

'He didn't give up, did he?'

Adah still kept her smile. She was also surprised that she could smile for so long and so wide. Instead of answering the question, she looked at her watch.

"Damn Coach, we have to go. We have something to prepare. See you later, Coach.” She pulled her sister's hand and quickly left the Coach's sight.

"And about that thing, I didn't think about it. So, byeee!” She shouted as she ran.

They disappeared from sight.

~

The clock shows 2.37 am. Sir Roman's residence was already dark and quiet, indicating that all the residents had already rested and slept on their respective beds. But, Adah, who was accompanied by the light of her desk lamp, was still at her desk, reviewing the lesson for tomorrow's class.

To be honest, studying at night is not a craft for him. She'd rather sleep than stay up all night like this. I don't know why, but as she gets older, sleeping becomes a challenge for her. Not because of being disturbed but because the feeling to sleep is gone. To a certain extent, she felt she was more alive when the night came. That's why she's here - filling her free time.

Sitting for long periods makes the neck tired. She leaned back against the chair and massaged her right neck up to her shoulder. She closed her eyes as she let out a sigh of relief. At that moment, she felt relieved by her massage and began to feel as if she had fallen asleep for a moment.

'Just a bit longer and then I can sleep~'

She smiled happily at her sleepy presence. Her shoulders were still being massaged to further encourage the feeling to come.

Tak!

Her head quickly turned towards the window of her room. The sound woke me up from my dream world. She kept her gaze upward. The curtains that covered her window prevented her from seeing what was outside and she didn't even have the desire to close them.

Tak!

It sounded again. The sound was as if the window was being tapped or something delicate was playing with the surface of the glass window. Guided by the moonlight shining in his window, she tried to watch for any reflected shadows but nothing.

Open the window.

This time, the hair on the back of her neck bristled. She began to regret choosing to stay up that night. She should have been asleep in a dream. She should take the sleeping pills that she bought for the day.

Do not worry. Like the evening of the day, I do not carry any threat.

There was silence for a while. She tried to recall the events of that day. The smiling face of the braided girl staring intently at her after the volleyball practice appeared in her mind.

I'm down here, waiting.

Adah is still in her chair. But, her heart had an open feeling to obey the woman's words. As if hypnotized, she moved slowly towards the window. The curtains were slightly drawn - just enough for one eye to peek out. It was true, the girl was standing in the middle of her yard and right in front of the window of her room. Her room on the second floor was probably too high for her to climb. The girl threw her smile towards the window as if she knew Adah was looking at her.

Adah closed the curtains and leaned against the wall. Her breathing was uneven. She was honestly dumbfounded by what was happening. She rushed to her study table to turn off the light and ran straight to her bed and covered herself. She closed her eyes and hoped the girl would go away. She tried to calm herself.

After a few minutes passed, the situation calmed down. No more knocks were heard. The girl's voice that often burst into her mind has also been silenced. Hesitantly, she uncovered the blankets little by little. Her eyes looked around to make sure nothing happened. She breathed a sigh of relief.

"It's getting harder to sleep it seems." She wiped the sweat from her forehead.

"Why it’s getting harder?" A voice that suddenly appeared on the left side of the bed made her turn quickly.

AHHHHHH!!!

Both screamed at the top of their lungs in shock and fear. But, the girl jumped on the bed and covered Adah's mouth to keep her quiet. She held the back of her head so the scream wouldn't come loose. Adah struggled to escape from the embrace. She didn't know what to do. She only hoped that someone in the house would burst into her room after the sound of her screams earlier. But, no one showed up.

“Oh my god. Don't scream. Luckily, I created the wall. Otherwise, everyone will hear." Adah's eyes widened.

What fcking wall?*

In the struggle, she pushed the girl's body and jumped from the bed in the opposite direction. The baseball bat in her closet was reached and she swung it over her right shoulder like a player ready to receive a pitch from an opponent.

"Do not come close. I'll hit you." She tried to brace herself.

The girl rubbed her sore back after receiving the falling impact. Ignoring Adah's behavior, she didn't say anything and just tried to stand up.

"What are you afraid of? I appeared in human form you know!” She pointed to her body as if to show the clothes she was wearing.

"Humans cannot suddenly disappear and appear!" Adah said while shouting.

"Oh, that's right." Scratching her head that doesn't itch.

"What are you doing here? You were at the bottom, now you are at the top. What do you want from me? Most importantly, who are you?!” A half-shouted voice.

“Err…”

The girl felt guilty. She didn't mean to scare Adah. She can't do anything but introduce herself in a good way.

"Allow me to introduce myself. Name given Herna Zakry. I was assigned by my leader to convey her invitation to you."

They looked at each other. When Herna threw a sweet smile at her, Adah just remained silent with a wrinkled face and a gaping mouth.

“HUH?!!!” Adah looked at him in amazement.

To be honest, she didn't understand a single word.

~

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