The Beginning

Four years ago.

A high school in the South Continent was having a graduation party for third-grade of high school students.

A beautiful young woman with unblemished skin and a slender body ran into the arms of her lover. The man gave a hug that was no less tight. Before the young woman congratulate him, he told her about the shocking news.

"I'm leaving to study abroad, Beb." He said with a wide smile. He had a scholarship to the best university in West Continent. (In this story, the world was divided into four major continents, North, South, West, and East.)

Liffi was stunned to hear the news from Ace, a senior whom she had just been dating for the past three months. Liffi was supposed to be happy because she knew that it was Ace's dream. But, why? Why was her heart feeling so tight when she heard the news?

"When are you leaving, Baby?" Liffi hid her worries with a sweet smile.

"Next weekend." Ace hugged Liffi. Liffi felt a sense of warmth and a light vibe running through her body, she didn't know how to react, happy or sad.

"Just wait for me for four years, okay." Ace whispered in Liffi's ear.

Liffi's face blushed, a reddish hue covered the line of her cheekbones, expressing her happy mood. It turned out that Ace did not decide to break with her and asked her to wait.

"Although it's not expensive, but let this ring be a reminder of our relationship, Liffi." Ace gave a silver ring to Liffi and put it on Liffi's ring finger.

Liffi was pleased. Even though they had to be LDR (long-distance relationship), Liffi still happy. Ace was Liffi's first love. For the cute girl who grew up in an orphanage, Ace's love made her life become much more colorful. She no longer had to keep everything alone, there was a tough figure that she could share stories with.

It was only four years.

Four years, that's not a long time.

Liffi only had to wait.

These thoughts made Liffi have faith in Ace's love for her. She let go of her lover to study outbound, twenty hours at different times.

Ace continued to contact Liffi every day, by chat or call. Liffi was pleased when she received and heard Ace's voice on the phone.

However, Liffi's happiness did not last long.

It began with infrequent communication.

Once a week.

Once every two weeks.

Then once a month.

Liffi didn't ask many questions ...

Not because she didn't want to ask, but Liffi was afraid of losing Ace. Fear of being labeled as a possessive, restrictive, and demanding girl. Liffi believed Ace's love for her was not that shallow.

One year later, Ace had disappeared. Lost contact, Liffi never received his calls anymore, and there was never a notification light that lights up in Ace's photo on Liffi's smartphone.

Liffi was sad, but still brushed off the negative thinking in her mind.

***** THE TWINS' PET *****

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Love Orphanage, One year later.

After the school hours, several children rushed into the orphanage and occupied their rooms. They changed clothes and prepared to go to the central hall for lunch. Usual schedule in the orphanage.

But there was one who didn't do it. She was a beautiful teenager named Liffi. The girl entered the office of the head of the orphanage.

"Mother." Liffi greeted the old nun who was stitching a torn shirt.

"Yes, Dear? Come in here!" She patted the empty sofa seat beside her.

"Sister Liffi got a scholarship, Mother!! Abroad!!" Suddenly Jaya, a younger brother of Liffi, who was also an orphanage child, entered and seized the chance to say this good news.

Jaya kissed the back of Mother Asri's hand and hugged her.

"Jaya!! I wanted to tell Mother by myself," said Liffi to her brother.

"Really, Liffi?" Mother Asri's face looked excited.

"Yes, Mother. Liffi got a full scholarship at West Technology and Science University." Liffi took out an announcement sheet legalized by the domestic and foreign education office stamps. Liffi got a scholarship at the university where Ace studied.

"Congratulations, Darling. You're great," Mother Asri's praise made Liffi's face become sad.

"But who will help you take care of the kids?" Liffi's face looked sluggish, her eyebrows knit together.

"It's okay, dear. Your future is much more important. Jaya is also getting older. You can help Mother, right, Jaya?" Mother Asri looked at Jaya.

"That's all right, Sister. Reach your dream to be a world-class architect." Jaya opened his arms wide, showing how big the world was.

"Thank you, Mother." Liffi hugged Mother Asri with great affection.

"You're welcome, Dear. Prepare yourself well. You are alone there. You have to work hard, Liffi."

"Yes, Mother."

"Take care of your health. Send news often, OK?" Mother Asri hugged Liffi tighter. Liffi nodded while crying with emotion.

***** THE TWINS' PET *****

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West Continent, Downtown.

Liffi shoved her suitcase into a small apartment building. Located close to her campus, Liffi could reach there in a fifteen minutes walk. Liffi looked at the flat, and then swallowed her saliva. This is the first time she lived alone, she used to be surrounded by her younger siblings at the orphanage before. Crowded and boisterous. It hadn't been a week and Liffi had been missing them already.

Silence accompanied Liffi. It's only the clacking sound of worn wooden floors and locked doors that would accompany her days from now on. Liffi didn't complain, she rushed to organize her things.

After done. Liffi laid down on the bed, hard but comfortable enough. At least she doesn't have to share the bed with her sibling anymore. Liffi closed her eyes for a moment, resting after a long air trip that had drained her time and energy.

[You can do it, Liffi.] She tried to cheer up herself.

***** THE TWINS' PET *****