Chapter 1: New Start

"Help them. Be there for them, until the end."

Iris let out a deep sigh. She could not forget those words from his late grandfather.

A week have passed since her grandfather left this world. Now Iris feels so alone and empty without her grandfather by her side she felt her world was on pause.

She's your typical college student leader who comes to school early for classes, spends her time on her organization, goes home late at night because after class she still has org works to do, not to mention her 5 PM to 7 PM class. Of course, it wasn't always that fulfillment and satisfaction that is she's feeling. The people around her spitting words that feels like swords stabbing her sensitive feelings. Those people who didn't know a joke could crack up her tears but she won't show them. She just let them tease her, she believes they would stop soon once they are tired.

But together with her grandfather, she feels at ease again. She does work hard at school to show him her diploma because ever since her parents died, it was his grandfather who was with her until he passed away.

Iris was preparing her luggage for tomorrow, she will move to her grandfather's house. She's been staying at her apartment for months before her grandfather passed away due to her hectic schedule at the university.

"Iris!! Iris!! Open the door!!" There they go again, she said to herself.

"Yes, Aunt Milda what do you need?" It's her aunt. That aunt who is feeling superior to anyone, she's that aunt who gives Iris a hard time. Always asking for money, always nagging at her telling her she took care of Iris when her parents died but she knew her aunt was just full of nags. She never took care of her, she just wants her money, her allowance. Ever since Milda discovered that her father gives Iris monthly allowance, she'd always breakthrough Iris' apartment to ask for money. You know she's the kind of woman who doesn't even work. Just laying down on the sofa while watching tv and nagging all day.

"So you're moving to father's house huh? Can't I join you there? No one will take care of you, you'll need me." Huh, what an attitude, so much pretentious.

"If you want to, ask grandpa's attorney. The house is secured and it is said on the last will and testament only I can live there." She doesn't waste even a sec to look at her aunt. She just keeps on folding her clothes to put on her luggage.

"Since when did you become so selfish huh? You can't even show your gratitude to your aunt, you selfish prick."

"I told you, ask Atty. Heng if you want to. It is not for me to decide. If you mind aunt, I am kinda in a hurry, I need to leave in a few hours. Would you excuse me?"

Before Iris could go out of her apartment's room, her aunt kicked her luggage and her folded clothes were a mess.

"Whatever you arrogant girl. You're just bragging, everything Papa owns was given to you! It should have not been you! You useless child!" Her aunt was burning in anger.

How did I brag? When did I ever become so arrogant? And where did useless came from?

Iris went back to fix her luggage thinking her aunt is going crazy. It doesn't affect her anymore, her aunt's words.

Her grandfather knew her aunt's attitude. He just let him live her away, of course, she's still her father's daughter but he doesn't tolerate the bad treatments she's giving Iris, so instead, he took care of her.

What's the sense of living there if grandpa's gone anyway?

She asked herself. But still, she have to. It's on his grandfather's last will and testament, she should take care of his properties, it's their home.

A few moments after she finished packing her things, she felt cold. It feels like there's a cold touch on her arms and her spine shivers in chills.

Weird.

She didn't even turn on her air conditioner yet it feels so cold.

Are you here? Are you still with me?

She thought.

She suddenly realized the curtains were open, but the sun streaming into her window didn't hurt her eyes as if someone is covering it for her.

She stood up and looked at the window. She was sure she left it closed and her curtains down but now it's wide open.

"Can you see me?"

She returned to her luggage and brought it to her living room. It's almost time, she needs to prepare and get changed before leaving.

She never knew she'd be leaving the apartment in a short time.

"I said, can you see me? Feel me? Hear me?"

She went straight to the comfort room to wash up. Water streaming down her body and her eyes looking at nowhere. All she could hear is her the sound of the shower, horns of the cars outside, and her heartbeat.

Is it safe without you, grandpa? Can I do this on my own? Can I survive this world without you? Who does need my help? How do I help them? Why do I need to stay with them?

After preparing, she got her stuff and is now ready to go, but she stopped before opening the door.

She looked back and scanned the whole apartment. It won't sink into her that she is really leaving and she is going to live her life with anyone, just herself. No grandpa, no aunt, no friends because she does not have anyone.

Living alone is not new for her, but living her life alone is something new. Who would she run to in times of sadness or if she needs someone? It is only her grandfather who she runs to.

Maybe her grandfather is telling her to find someone, someone who could be with her like those people she needs to help but she doesn't even have any clues about them.

"Why me? Why does it have to be me?"