An old woman

Ika bravely stepped into the portal, leaving behind the virtual world she had known for so long. As she emerged on the other side, she found herself in a place that was both familiar and strange - her old neighborhood in the real world.

As Ika emerged on the other side, she found herself in a bustling city unlike anything she had ever seen. The sights, sounds, and smells overwhelmed her senses, but she remained determined to find her dear friend Ayen.

Ika wandered through the city, asking strangers if they knew of a girl named Ayen. But no one seemed to have heard of her. Doubt began to creep into Ika's mind, but she refused to give up.

Finally, after hours of searching, Ika stumbled upon a small café tucked away on a quiet street. The sign above the door read "Ayen's Café." Could it be? Ika's heart raced with anticipation as she pushed open the door and entered.

Inside, the café was filled with the aroma of freshly brewed coffee and the chatter of customers. And there, behind the counter, stood an older woman with silver hair and a warm smile. It was Ayen, but she looked different, aged by the passage of time.

Ika's eyes widened in disbelief as she approached Ayen. "Ayen, it's me, Ika," she said, her voice trembling with emotion. "Don't you remember? We were best friends."

Ayen looked at Ika with a confused expression, her eyes clouded with the haze of forgetfulness. "I'm sorry, dear," she replied softly. "I don't remember you. It seems you have mistaken me for someone else."

Ika's heart sank, a mix of sadness and disbelief washing over her. She had hoped that Ayen would recognize her, but it seemed that the passage of time had erased their shared memories.

Tears welled up in Ika's eyes as she realized that the bond they once shared had been lost. Ayen continued to serve customers, oblivious to Ika's presence and the pain in her heart.

Feeling a deep sense of longing and sorrow, Ika quietly left the café, her footsteps heavy with the weight of unspoken words and unanswered questions. She couldn't help but wonder how life had taken such a different path for Ayen, while she remained unchanged.

As Ika walked through the bustling streets, she couldn't shake off the feeling of emptiness that enveloped her. The world around her seemed to blur as she grappled with the reality of her lost friendship.

But amidst the sadness, a glimmer of hope flickered within Ika's heart. She realized that even though Ayen didn't remember her, the memories they shared would forever be a part of her. And perhaps, in time, their paths would cross again, and the bond they once had would be rekindled.

Determined to jog Ayen's memory, Ika decided to spend more time with her, hoping that familiarity would spark something within her old friend. She visited Ayen's café every day, sitting at a corner table, observing the busy flow of customers and the graceful way Ayen moved behind the counter.

One day, as Ika sat sipping her coffee, Ayen approached her with a warm smile. "You seem familiar," Ayen said, her voice tinged with uncertainty. "Have we met before?"

Ika's heart skipped a beat, her hope soaring. "Yes, Ayen, it's me, Ika," she replied eagerly. "We were best friends, remember? We used to spend countless hours together, laughing and sharing our dreams."

Ayen furrowed her brow, trying to recall the memories buried deep within her mind. "I'm sorry, Ika," she said softly. "I wish I could remember, but everything feels like fragments of a forgotten past."

Undeterred, Ika decided to take Ayen on a journey down memory lane. She shared stories of their adventures, their secret hideouts, and the mischief they used to get into. She described their shared dreams and aspirations, hoping that the spark of familiarity would ignite in Ayen's eyes.

As Ika spoke, a flicker of recognition crossed Ayen's face. "I... I think I remember something," Ayen whispered, her voice filled with a mix of excitement and confusion. "There's a faint glimmer of our friendship buried deep within me."

Encouraged by this breakthrough, Ika continued to share more stories, recounting the moments that had shaped their friendship. She described their favorite games, the inside jokes they shared, and the way they used to comfort each other during difficult times.

Ayen listened intently, her eyes filled with a mix of wonder and sadness. "Ika, I wish I could remember everything," she said softly. "But even if my memories have faded, the bond we once had is still there, somewhere deep within me."

Tears welled up in Ika's eyes as she reached across the table and held Ayen's hand. "Ayen, it doesn't matter if you remember every detail," she said, her voice filled with love and understanding. "What matters is that our friendship has left an indelible mark on our hearts. We can create new memories, and who knows, one day, the past might come flooding back."

Ayen smiled, a mixture of gratitude and longing in her eyes. "Thank you, Ika," she whispered. "Thank you for reminding me of the beautiful connection we once shared. Even if I can't remember it all, I cherish the moments we spent together."

And so, Ika and Ayen continued to spend time together, cherishing each moment as if it were a precious gift. They laughed, they cried, and they created new memories, all the while holding onto the hope that one day, Ayen's memories would be fully restored.

As the days turned into weeks and the weeks into months, Ika's presence became a constant source of comfort for Ayen. Though her memories remained elusive, Ayen found solace in the unwavering friendship that Ika offered.

And in the depths of their hearts, both Ika and Ayen held onto the belief that love and friendship could transcend the boundaries of time and memory. Their journey was far from over, but they faced it together, hand in hand, ready to embrace whatever the future held.