Memories from the past

I gazed out from the side window of the train while I sat comfortably on my seat.

Dark clouds started to cover the clear blue sky and a pitter patter of raindrop started to illuminate the window and as rain poured down continuously.

The ambiance was making me sleepy because of the quietness inside the train, and a few passengers was with me.

The trip was peaceful since the train departed an hour ago.

I didn't get a chance to ask his name..

What did he mean't by finding me there? Is he going to follow me to Arkala?

I smiled from that thought.

I pulled away my gaze from the window when my eyes started to feel tired. I felt drowsy at some point.

Until a few minutes had passed, my eyes didn't resisted anymore and it completely exhaust me.

~*~

"Raven!" Lucinda called her niece from her back door of their house.

Little Ghilette peeked outside through the wooden window of her tree house just by their backyard..

"Yes, Auntie?" She answered.

"Come down from there. Dinner is waiting, you dont want the garlic breads go cold." Lucinda approached the treehouse while gazing up at her and then putted her both hands on her waist.

"Okay-okay." Little Ghilette mumbled and she closes the window and made her way to the ladder.

"You sure are busy up there, Raven." Lucinda smiled when Ghillete finally got down from the treehouse.

"Uh-huh. My Friend showed me her beautiful butterflies!" She beamed.

Lucinda smiled delightfully.

"Really? That's wonderful. Can you tell it to me while we take Dinner? i would love to hear those butterflies."

Ghilette giggled joyously and then dragged her Aunt's hand, entering the house through the backdoor.

~*~

A sunlight meets my face that awakens me and realized i was still in the train, moving. I gazed outside the window and to see a blue ocean beside the trailway.

I was suddenluy overwhelmed by my mixed emotions when seeing the sunrise reflecting the ocean water, making the scenry stunning.

I looked at my phone and it's already six in the morning and then stole another glance from the beautiful scenery once again to remember it.

As the train finally entered the tunnel.

"Goodmornin' Madam, what would you like for breakfast?" A train attendant approached me with her British tone.

I paused for a moment and gave her my sweet smile.

"Hmm, Surprise me."

And then she gave me a nod as an answer but before she could walk away, I asked her if she could accompany me to the restroom and then escorted me there.

I locked the restroom door and placed my bag beside the sink as i faced infront of the mirror while opening the faucet.

I cupped my hands to gather water from it and washed my face. Somehow feeling relieved and refreshed from the warm water, I suddenly recalled that dream earlier.

A dream from my past or a childhood memory perhaps.

It makes me wonder how was i so interested to butterflies, although it was no ordinary interest.

Until this day, i still wanted to know who showed me those butterflies.

I took a deep breath and wiped my face with my handkerchief. After that, I looked back once again into the mirror and my eyes widen in astonishment on how my blue eyes shimmered.

Feeling agitated in all of a sudden, I quickly washed my face to wipe it all out and looked back and to see my eyes normal.

There we're no changes and signs about my eyes, so i just took a deep sigh and started fixing my things.

Waffles with whipped cream and a strawberry on top, two pieces of butter toasts with black coffee. I smelled the strong aroma that made my nerves alive.

Of course, the coffee was my first choice and then finally took my sip with full of contentment.

"They really surprised me." I said to myself and took another sip.

~*~

"Raven? Where are you? I'm already here infront of Arkala Trainstation."

Aunt Lucinda said from the other line. I switched my phone to the other side of my ear and carefully walked through the platform.

"Chill Auntie, I'm already here, making my way to the exit." I said while navigating my exit while dragging my rolling luggage.

"Great, I'll wait for you outside"

Then she ended the call. I took a deep breath, putting my phone back in my pockets.

Aunt Lucinda is eager to see me after all these years . I wonder if there's any changes on her features though.

"Raven!"

I saw Auntie by the other side of the road, waving at me with her smiling red plum lips. I felt at ease seeing her.

Although Aunt Lucinda was no longer youthful, she was still strikingly beautiful. she was as slender as a fashion model and in contrast to some woman, who bend in on themeselves as they grow older, Auntie was as straight as a candle.

Her skin was covered with fine wrinkles, but her complexion was as flawless as fine as porcelain.

She finally embraced me with her warmest hug and kisses all over my face. I giggled a little because it's a bit ticklish for me.

"Auntie stop. I'm not a kid anymore." I giggled. She gave me one last kiss on my cheeks and hugged me warmly.

"I missed you so much~! Look at you, You've grown so much! My sweet cherry!" She refrained with a smile.

I blushed a little because of the nicknames she's giving me in every of her words.

"Me too, Auntie." I said casually, smiling back.

"I have so many stories to tell you once we got home~ and, surprise awaits." She winked and i chuckled as an answer.

"Oh that's our ride" She announced and a black Panther de ville parked infront of us and then appeared a man in his mid twenties, emerged out of the car wearing a Chauffer's uniform with his conspicuous white gloves.

I looked at Auntie confusingly.

Is she too serious about this? and i do not quite remember she had a chauffer this young.

The young Chauffer politely took my luggage and then opened the passenger's door for us. I went in first and next followed by Auntie.

Once the driver get on his seat, he drove away from the train station.

~*~

"We have arrived~!" With a cheerful tone, she announce their arrival as the car parked infront of a Victorian house.

I gazed out of the window, looking up her tall majestic mansion. We both stepped outside from the both side of the car door.

There we're some changes around the house. a perfectly green cutted lawn, some blue tulips planted near the entrance.

All i could say is the house was very lovely

than the one i remember when i was kid.

"Very relaxing right?" Auntie said when she got on my side.

"It's giving me the vibes.." While my eyes roamed around the house and i heard her chuckled.

"I made a lot changes in this house when i knew you we're coming home early."

She commented.

"Come i'll show you to your room."

And she walked on ahead of me, folllowing her steps.

"Wow, Is this really my room?

I said with amazement while entering the room and slowly examined the place.

"Of course, it's yours. I changed the wallpapers, lights, and your bed but some of your old stuffs are still here."

And then she grabbed something inside the cabinet.

"And i found your stuffed griffin here." And showed me the griffin while she grabbed both of it's paws like she's making it dance.

I awed in surprise and receives it from her hands. The yellow color on it's wings was still vibrant especially the beak too.

"Where did you find it? I thought i lost it at the park when i was a kid."

Auntie just smiled.

I set aside my stuffed griffin on my newly bed and opened some drawers and closets to see all of my childhood things neatly arranged.

"You really took care of these things." I commented and faced her with my smile.

"I have to keep those special memories for me to remember it all over again." She smiled back warmly.

"You can check them on later. I have something to show you." She said after a minute had passed. I gave her a nod as an answer.

We took our exit using the back door that led us to the backyard. Different kinds of flowers we're seen planted all around the place but my eyes suddenly locked on the very familiar tree.

"No way....It's still here? i thought it got torn down from the storm few years ago."

I smiled incredulously while looking towards the tree house.

"That's what i thought too, but i think it has strong roots under that kept it standing firm. Anyways that's my surprise, and i advice you look up a little bit higher." I followed what she said and to my surprise my treehouse was still up there.

I grinned and looked at her for a moment like a little child and she gave me a nod.

It was just like yesterday...The day i knew her.

An image flashed in my mind all of a sudden.

"Raven, Why don't you check up there while i make our Dinner?" Aunte said which made me came back to my senses.

"O-oh y-yeah of course.Um..is it sturdy enough to hold me?" I asked her assuredly and she gave me a soft chuckle.

"Of course it does! The ladder is still there for you to use."

"Okay." I answered shortly but not being convinced at all and she took her leave.

After she disappeared from my sight, I looked up towards the tree taking a glimpse to the treehouse.

I wen't around the tree and found the ladder i usually use to climb up when i was a kid. The only difference was the ladder was kinda new.

Hmm..I think Auntie forgot to tell me that she rebuilt this treehouse. Well let's give it a litlle tour to this old friend of mine.

I carefully hold onto the second step and gathered myself up to climb all the way to the top. There we're 14 steps ahead before i could reach to the end.

Finally arrived the very top of the tree. My treehouse awaits before me but is it just me? or the ambiance suddenly changed? like i felt this before.

Silly Ghilette! of course it's familiar because you've been here since you we're a kid!

I sat on the wooden floor and right infront of me was the kid sized door, which i assume i still fit there inside.

A wooden sign caught my eyes just right above the door and it's written in Child's font which it was my handwriting back then. However, it read "Raven's Place"

Wow, even when i was a kid i didn't know that i was used to it to be called Raven by Aunt Lucinda.

Anyways, it was cute and the familiarity of this place gave me some vibes to hang out here for a bit.

I reached for the door and opened it as i crawled through inside.