19 Chapter 19
The next day, we gathered at the ceremony hall to witness Winter's ascension. He'll be marked as Passed. I can't fully comprehend why it's his first today until I visited Autumn when I accompany Rain as she went home. He explained that before I came here, Winter always wished he could stay for a few more years. However, when I was invited, Winter then used all his wishes to make me stay a bit longer and forgot about his timeline shortening as time passes. It's not privilege after all. Winter has no other wish except extending his span here in paradise. That's how they misunderstood him.
Autumn told me honestly that he was in love with Ivy which made Rain reluctant of staying. Autumn knew about Rain's feelings, but he's a coward to face it. He was still confused if she loves Rain now or it's still Ivy. I sensed the feeling of shame as I forced the two together. Autumn's pat made me relieved that he forgave me and accepted what I gave him. Rain is sincere about her feelings for Autumn. But he said it will take him time before he could finally admit that he loves Rain too. I am so happy for them because he is trying.
Autumn asked me if I won't stop Winter anymore. He told me how restless Winter was as he finds me. I just gave him my warmest smile and said.
"Father said, if I love someone, I should learn to let them go. Love is not something that should be forced. It's a mutual understanding of your partner's soul"
I jumped in surprise when a hand grabbed my shoulder to the side.
"Fox" I hissed
"Did I scared you to death?" he mocked
"You're not funny" I replied
"Where did you go?" he asked
"Sleep" I responded
"Sleep?"
"Yes, I slept for the past months that I'm gone. I just woke up a few days ago"
"Ridiculous. Don't you know what happened in the Winter area when you're away?" he asked
"Why?"
"Winter almost froze us to death" he exclaimed
"What? Are you all right? How about Papa Bear?" I asked, concerned
"The Lady didn't change at all. Before you concern yourself to our safety, you should ask why did it happen" Papa Bear laughed
I hugged him. I missed him so much. I have no time to visit him because Rain and Sunlight pulled me everywhere and enjoyed ourselves with each other. We also invited Ivy and Dahlia, but Ivy is nowhere to find. I still wonder where did she go.
"There, there my child. How are you doing?" Papa Bear asked
"I'm perfectly fine. I am sorry if I can't visit you. I tried but the girls didn't allow me, they'll be hysterical if I went somewhere without them. I can't trouble them to accompany me to you so..."
"Ssh... You don't need to explain anymore. It's okay to have fun and besides, this man is big enough to throw a tantrum for you to come" he jested and we both laughed
I pulled Fox and hugged him. I will miss this little brother of mine. I ruined his hair and he sighed.
"That's the first time you gave up easily, Fox," I said
"Do I have any choice?" he replied and transformed himself to a fox
I petted him and so Papa Bear transformed into his bear form and carried us back to the crowd. I let fox rest in my head like he's a fur cap.
"If I fell from here, expect me to scratch your face" he murmured
"Wind!" Life greeted and came closer
"You're all smiles today," I noticed
"Because I promised you I will" he replied
"But, don't hide your feelings when you're not all right, okay?" I reminded
"Of course! Can I have a ride?" he asked
Papa Bear nodded and he helped himself. Fox jumped out of my head and rested in Papa Bear's head when Life suddenly hugged me.
"I will surely miss you, Wind," he said
"Same goes for me. You're the best brother I can have" I replied
"If we meet again, you'll spoil me, won't you?" he asked
"Life, we are of the same age and we almost look like a twin in terms of siblings. How can I spoiled you much when you should be the one pampering me" I joked
"Hmm... That's troublesome. Then if we are twins, I'll let you get the position of the elder one. Now, can you spoil me?" he responded and we both laughed
"You two sure get closed, huh?" Autumn greeted us
"But big brother Autumn is the best!" I stated
"I thought I am the best?" Life argued
"Yes you are, my little twin brother" I cleared his idea
"That's nasty play, Wind" he replied
"Life, you're a man. You should be the one protecting and spoiling Wind. How can you be so childish?" Autumn asked
"Because Wind love me more than you" he responded and I laughed
Autumn just shook his head.
"Yo!" Heat greeted us too
"Master!" I said and went down on Papa Bear's back to hug him
"See? I'm the greatest among everyone" Heat bragged
"Don't get ahead of yourself, Heat" both brothers exclaimed and we all laughed
"Wind! Why didn't you prepare today?" Rain asked
"It's fine. Being with you all is enough" I replied
"But it's also your ceremony" Rain uttered that shook everyone
Yes, I remembered that Winter's birthday is also the years I stayed. If I am not mistaken, all my memories came back like it was a dream flowing inside of my head. I also find it weird because I have some memories I didn't notice happened in my life.
"How did you know?" Life asked Rain
"I just know. I am the mirror of everyone. Maybe one of my passive abilities is to sense your timelines?" she said, confused too
"To correct you, my dear villager Rain, you can sense the flow of memory like running water in a river" the Master explained
"That's cool, Rain" Dahlia butted in when she saw us
"Wind, you have to be beautiful!" Dahlia emphasized among the crowd
"I'll give you some time to prepare" the Master smiled and the girls pulled me in the Spring area
Dahlia ran inside the other room while the other two groomed my hair and makeup. When Dahlia came back, she helped me wore a white maxi dress. The laces were an intricate design of some flowers highlighted with blue, snowflakes, and some spirals. I was awestruck who's the first owner of that dress and why was it in Spring when it looks like a design for the Lady of Snow.
They waited outside to see how I looked like and they were all startled.
"Congratulations Wind for your coming of the year," they all said
I wanted to cry, but they all yelled at me because it will destroy their efforts. They sent me in the woods and told me to walk in the aisle. Why do I even need to do that? I just agreed and followed their instructions. I was shocked when my hand was lifted and locked in a man's arm. My heartbeat starts to pumped like it will leave my body very soon. I am hyperventilating. Will I die? I looked at him and he gave me a weak smile.
"Just today... let me send you, please?" he requested
"Thank you, Winter" I whispered and made him twitched
"You've been too good for me. I'm sorry for all the heartbreaks and pain I made you feel. I'm sorry..."
Winter pulled me and hugged me tightly.
"I received your message sent by the master. I understand, Wind. Thank you for giving me the most amazing years in this paradise. Thank you very much" he whispered in my ear
He guided me as we walked closer to the Master. I am struck by how the snowflakes suddenly fell as we wandered there slowly. The snow encircled both of us that made me panicked and hold Winter's arms tighter. Winter held my hands and kissed my forehead. He smiled and uttered the words I never expected.
"See you soon, Nana"
