Aliyah was a girl from 2020 and in just a snap of the clock, she was transported to a year where the biggest twist of her life was about to happen, where she was destined to meet a young soldier who will change her fate. In the year 1950, where her boring life will change.
The uncertainty of the world always makes me think about how I can find real happiness. Is happiness still relevant in this cruel world? Or greediness makes the people feel the satisfaction they are wanting to feel.
When the pandemic started to blow, I readied myself for the possible event will happen in the future. I always think about what will happen tomorrow, but I forgot to look back on the past to reminisce some lessons.
After the 14-day quarantine period, I was able to go home after 5 months of being on duty. I am a nurse, and the pandemic tested my ability. I am not so sure if I fulfill my duty very well. Every time I see people suffer; I think what I am doing is not enough.
"I missed you so much, darling. No days I was not worried about you." My mom hugged me so tight. Her warm made me feel so safe after being alone for a long time.
"I missed you too, Mama. Where's Papa?" I asked then roamed my eyes around our old-fashioned house that was originally from her great-great-grandfather.
"He's outside buying some goods. He will cook something for you later. Why don't say 'hello' to your grandpa in the backyard first? I'm sure he will be thrilled to see you. He misses you a lot," my mother said then helped me to organize my things in my room.
I sighed as I remember the days when I was a child, this room was originally for my father. Then passes to me when I was 8, I was terrified back then. You know, sleeping alone in this old house was freaking my 8-year-old mind. But nothing happens, it's just my wild imagination.
After cleaning myself and getting enough rest, I decided to meet my grandpa who's still in the backyard. It is nearing dawn and the cold breeze of September started to touch my skin. My grandfather was a retired army, he slowly losing his eyesight because of his age. He is old but quite stronger for his age. He didn't notice me at first, I watched him looking at his old photos when he was a young man. I bet he missed those days.
"It was a long time I can still clearly remember how that young lady saved my wife's life."
I thought he was talking to himself until he looked up at me. I was surprised at first but later, I smiled at him. I sat beside him then also examined the photos. They were very old, and some are almost fading.
"Who's that lady, grandpa? Is she grandma?" I asked him.
He shakes his head. "I don't remember her name anymore, but she is pretty and she's amazing. She was different from other girls in our time. I remember that my best friend was so whipped at her. She got my friend's eyes and heart. But then, she was gone when we came back after surviving a bloody war."
I suddenly felt an unfamiliar pain in my chest when I heard his story. "Why is she suddenly disappeared? Is she dead or went to another place or something like that?"
"We don't know, but I know one thing, my friend was truly devastated at that time. He will cry every night and you know what was weird?" He paused then looked at me. "He would go to a certain dark place and gazed at the night sky."
He handed me an old picture. It was a man holding a guitar. I bit my lips and suddenly, I feel like crying. I caught my breath then gave back the photo to my grandpa.
"This is Henry, my childhood best friend. When we returned home after the war, he decided to quit the military. The last time I heard the news about them was he's getting married. I was so relieved that time, I thought he will be a wreck all of his life. I am glad that he has Sonia." My grandfather started to put the photos in the old box.
He stopped then look at me again. His forehead creased. I was confused about his reaction to me.
"Who are you, young miss?" he suddenly asks.
I smiled. "I am Aliyah, grandpa. I was gone for a very long time. But now, I am here."
"I wished you came back a little earlier," he said, and I was stunned.
What?
"I-I was doing my job, so I can't go home whenever I want. But I will stay for months, I promised to take care of you." I stand up then pushed his wheelchair inside our house because the sun is already set, and the cold wind started to blow harshly.
IN THE DINNER, my father was a bit loud. He was thrilled to see me, and I am too. I missed my family so much. But every time I remembered what grandpa told me earlier, my heart will start to ache as if I have heart disease, but I am physically healthy. I will find it hard to breathe and ended up crying. I was so confused about myself. I never met his best friend Henry and his wife. In fact, I never met grandma too. I have never had an interest in their lives. I never heard their stories.
"What's the matter, dear? Are you not comfortable?" my mother asked me when she notices that I am still awaked. It's already past midnight.
She sat down in my bed, waiting for my answer. I was completely bothered by how Henry man's story affects my whole system.
"Do you know anything about grandpa's best friend?" I asked my mother.
"Hmm, I met him only once. When I about to marry your father. He's a good man, a good-looking man. I was pregnant at that time to you. I just find him weird when he said, 'she's going to be the beautiful and outstanding girl who will capture the heart of a man, and in that time, I was just 2 months pregnant, and your gender was still unknown." My mother shrugged her shoulders.
Who is this man? Who is he?
I was overthinking things, and I can't remember how I fell asleep. I woke up around noon then I decided to organize my things. I started to unpack the things I bought for my family and some close neighbors and friends. I keep distracting myself the whole time. I prevented myself from having even a small talk to my grandfather. Until now, I'm still worried about myself. I was so eager to know more about his best friend.
"Thank you for the visit and your gifts." The old lady smiled at me. I smiled back.
She's the same age as my mother. Their family was close to ours, so my mom and I decided to pay some visits. I drifted my eyes on some large photos hanging on the walls. The is pretty that on ours. The largest one was probably their family picture where an old man and lady sitting, and two people were standing behind them.
My mother was in the restroom when the old lady spoke. "Can you still remember the time you are with him?" she said.
Her words sent shivers down my spine. What is she talking about?
"Huh?" The only word I have managed to say.
"Although he was able to marry my mother and have children with her. I know he never loved her. He never loved my mother because of that one girl." She looked at me.
"Do you remember that time, the time you left him?"
I froze.
"Love is blind!" Lucinda abandoned her beautiful and comfortable life because of a man. She married him and slaved off for him for three long years. One day, the scales finally fell off her eyes. She realized that all her efforts were in vain. Her husband, Nathaniel still treated her like shit. All he cared about was his lover. "Enough is enough! I quit wasting my years with an ungrateful man!" Lucinda's heart was shattered into many pieces, but she summoned up the courage to ask for a divorce. The news caused a stir online! A filthy rich young woman recently got divorced? She was a good catch! Countless CEOs and handsome young men immediately swarmed to her like bees to honey! Nathaniel couldn't take it anymore. He held a press conference and begged with teary eyes, "I love you, Lucinda. I can't live without you. Please come back to me." Would Lucinda give him a second chance? Read to find out!
Kara Martin was known as Miss Perfect. She was a beauty with good personality and successful career. Unfortunately, her life changed at one night. She was accused of adultery, losing her job, and abandoned by her fiance. The arrogant man who slept with her did not want to take responsibility. He even threatened to kill her if they met again. What's worse, Kara was pregnant with twins and she chose to give birth to them. Four and a half years later, Kara returned to work at a large company. As the secretary, she would frequently face their notorious CEO. Kara thought it wouldn't be a problem, but as it turned out ... the CEO was the father of the twins!
Loraine was a dutiful wife to Marco since they got married three years ago. However, he treated her like trash. Nothing she did softened his heart. One day, Loraine got fed up with it all. She asked him for a divorce and left him to enjoy with his mistress. The elites looked at her like she was deranged. "Are you out of your mind? Why are you so willing to divorce him?" "It's because I need to return home to get a billion-dollar fortune. Besides, I don't love him anymore," Loraine replied with a smile. They all laughed at her. Some believed that the divorce affected her mentally. It wasn't until the next day that they realized she wasn't fibbing. A woman was suddenly declared the world's youngest female billionaire. It turned out to be Loraine! Marco was shocked to the bone. When he met his ex-wife again, she was a changed person. A group of handsome young men surrounded her. She was smiling at them all. The sight made Marco's heart ache severely. Putting his pride aside, he tried to win her back. "Hello, love. I see that you are a billionaire now. You shouldn't be with suckers who just want your money. How about you come back to me? I'm a billionaire too. Together, we can build a strong empire. What do you say?" Loraine squinted at her ex-husband with her lips curled in disgust.
Allison fell in love with Ethan Iversen, the soon-to-be Alpha of the Moonlight Crown pack. She always wanted him to notice her. Meanwhile, Ethan was an arrogant Alpha who thought a weak Omega could not be his companion. Ethan's cousin, Ryan Iversen, who came back from abroad and was the actual heir of the pack, never tried to get the position nor did he show any interest in it. He was a popular playboy Alpha but when he came back to the pack, one thing captured his eyes and that was Allison.
After being kicked out of her home, Harlee learned she wasn't the biological daughter of her family. Rumors had it that her impoverished biological family favored sons and planned to profit from her return. Unexpectedly, her real father was a zillionaire, catapulting her into immense wealth and making her the most cherished member of the family. While they anticipated her disgrace, Harlee secretly held design patents worth billions. Celebrated for her brilliance, she was invited to mentor in a national astronomy group, drew interest from wealthy suitors, and caught the eye of a mysterious figure, ascending to legendary status.
Rumors said that Lucas married an unattractive woman with no background. In the three years they were together, he remained cold and distant to Belinda, who endured in silence. Her love for him forced her to sacrifice her self-worth and her dreams. When Lucas' true love reappeared, Belinda realized that their marriage was a sham from the start, a ploy to save another woman's life. She signed the divorce papers and left. Three years later, Belinda returned as a surgical prodigy and a maestro of the piano. Lost in regret, Lucas chased her in the rain and held her tightly. "You are mine, Belinda."