Stepping out of the car after Blissa—my younger sister—I look up at the apartment complex we'll be entering in a minute. After finding out the fact that my cousin Lily had posted indecent pictures of me on the media, my family and I headed this way immediately.
'I feel like crying, how could she do this to me? Weren't we good friends? No. In the first place, why would she waste her time editing my pictures? Does she hate me to that extent?'
I look at the buildings around us, then at Blissa.
'By the way. Where are my brothers? Weren't they coming with us?'
"Welcome, welcome. My dear." A happy, old voice got our attention.
Our heads turn to look at grandpa, standing in front of the main door, waiting for us with his hands behind his back. A big, warm smile takes its place on his old, wrinkled face.
"Grandpa!" Blissa and I gasp, excitement and happiness rushing in.
Daddy goes ahead and hugs Grandpa. Blissa hurries and stands behind Daddy, waiting for her turn.
I tilt my head slightly as I stand beside Blissa, my eyes on Grandpa.
'Didn't grandpa pass away four years ago? And he didn't look anything like this. I don't seem to remember what he looked like; the fact that I am currently in my dream must be the reason. But I do know for sure, this is not what it was.'
"Oh, my sweet child," Grandpa says lovingly as he begins to hug Blissa and kiss her forehead.
Blissa giggles and hugs him back tightly.
"Grandpa~ I missed you so much, I felt like I could die." Blissa exaggerates, sighing.
"My little princess missed this grandfather of hers?! What else could make me the happiest?" Grandpa laughs proudly, his hand on the back of Blissa's head, patting gently.
I fiddle with the hem of my tank top then the jacket awkwardly, watching his hand move to rest on Blissa's shoulder.
Grandpa's eyes move, landing on my face. Every nerve in my body freezes, with no hesitation.
'I can feel it. Hehehe. I'm grandpa's favorite!'
"Oh, my sweetest. What are you waiting for? Come forth to this old man." Grandpa extends his hand to me, a loving glint in his eyes, and a warm smile graces his lips.
I quickly make my way to him, grinning like a fool.
'Good thing we came to visit him for the vocation.'
"Tatta!" I hug him and Blissa—who is still sticking to him like a bug and is giving me an annoyed glance.
"Oh, you little sweetheart. Did this old man have the honor of being missed by your sweet, honorable heart?" Grandpa strokes the back of my head lovingly, then kisses the top.
"Tsk, it's you two in this world; we're just extras. Now, aren't we??" Blissa scoffs and rolls her eyes before moving out of my way and crossing her arms.
I take the reins and hug Tatta tightly, giggling.
"I missed you so much, Tatta." I kiss his cheek, and he does the same to mine.
'Oh, so I call him Tatta here. I think I called him Grandpa plainly, outside of the dream. What even is Tatta? Childish!"
"Ohohohoho. This old man is the happiest he has ever been." Tatta pats my back gently.
I pull back and look at him giddily.
"Shall we start heading inside?" Daddy chuckles, shaking his head.
I hug Tatta from the right, and Blissa takes the other side. Each of Tata's hands comes down and rest on Blissa and my back, stroking gently as he walks us to the main door.
'Now that I think about it,' I glance at Blissa and then at Daddy.
'Their faces are blurry. But somehow, I know what they look like. Hmmm, dreams are weird.'
"Whatever happens, little girls. Don't look at the building behind us." Tatta whispers.
I tilt my head, confused as I look up at him. A shiver crawls down my spine, hair standing and back heating a little, alert. The first ever sensation I had felt since the dream started.
"What? Not look behind?? Why??" Blissa inquires.
Tatta stays silent, no answerins.
I swallow, feeling Tatta's firm hand shivering a little on my lower back.
"What is there?" Blissa furrows as we walk to the door, my body suddenly hyperaware of every move, and wanting to peek back a little.
'Come on. Just a little bit, and we're inside. Hold yourself back until then. Tatta is serious, and that's a little scary... No, actually, a lot. Not just a little.'
I freeze, swallowing as I find Blissa turning her head with a playful smile. She tilts her head back and looks up, lifting her hand to her forehead.
Her hand creates a little patch of shade over her eyes, blocking the harsh sunlight.
'Is this bitch out of her mind?'
I hold back my breath, my eyes focusing on hers as she looks around.
"Ohh!" Her eyes settle at the top of the building right before the one we're entering.
"Handsome!!" She gasps, excited.
I narrow my eyes at her dumb, twinkling eyes.
'What?' The guarded, weird feeling pooling in my guts vanishes.
'I thought... if we look, our heads will be flying or something. Is it safe? What even is it??'
I peek at Tatta before glancing at Blissa. She stops, her eyes glued to whatever she's looking at on the other rooftop.
'Hmmm, I want to take a look as well!'
I look up at where Blissa is looking, turning my head reluctantly.
The windows of the building reflect the harsh sunshine and lead it to my eyes, blinding me.
'Ugh. It hurts.'
I squint my eyes to let the impact cool as they pick up four silhouettes on the rooftop. A big, clean white cloud settles in front of the sun, shading the whole place with a cozy, cold breeze.
Four men in white suits, all looking down on us. Three pairs of eyes on Tatta's back, and a pair of playful ones on Blissa.
One man stands with his hands in his pockets, face serious as he glares down at Tatta. Another one stands with his arms crossed, leaning forward with them on the railing, looking pissed as he glares at Tatta.
Third—with a big body unlike the others—stands with his hands behind his back, looking down at Tatta with an uninterested gaze.
'And.' I glance at the one sitting on the railing with a wide, gut-stirring smirk. He stares down at Blissa as she waves up at them.
'My guts are telling me, they're not humans.'
I look down immediately, turning my head back.
A shiver runs through my body, and my hands clutch the sides of my jacket.
"I am sorry, Tatta. I looked at it." I whisper, feeling my lips tremble.
"No worries, my sweetest. Just be careful not to do it again. Or they'll notice you." He pats my back, gentle.
"But what about Blissa?" I ask, my eyes glancing at her face as she giggles and walks to the other building.
"Don't think about it. There's nothing you can do to help her." Tatta sighs.
I look at him, confused, my fingers fiddling with the hem of my jacket. Then, my feet continue walking forward, as if Blissa's death doesn't matter at all.
"Umm, if you say so, Tatta." I nod and step inside the building beside him.
I turn a little and glance at Daddy. He enters the building after us, his attention on the call.
He doesn't look anything like my father.
'Wait. Why am I able to see his face now? Wasn't it blurry?' I look around, bewildered.
'I am having this weird feeling telling me to wake up, right now. But why? This is not that scary of a dream.'
I peek over my shoulder, where Blissa is not anymore.
'Yeah, those men were a little creepy, but I have had dreams worse than this. And why is my mind telling me that they are some sort of angel like things? Hehe, I do like the fact that information pours into my head without me having to look for it.'
"Daddy! Hurry. I want to meet Tetta as soon as possible." I hold his hand excitedly, forgetting whatever I was thinking about, and pull him to walk faster.
'Today, we are here to meet my grandparents after a long time. And I am really happy we did.'