Sitting on the boulder beside the river, hearing the water flowing freely. Deeply inhaling the fresh air, eyes closing as I continue listening to my surroundings.
Remote and close sounds of the chirping birds, buzzing insects, and croaking frogs. Slowly opening my eyes as a familiar light steps walked towards me.
"I know you'll be here." Mina said joining me. "I brought some clothes if you want to swim and also food." She added.
"Wanna join me?" I asked her as I began to undress. She laughed at me and removed her dress revealing a blue bikini underneath.
A wolf-whistle came out of my mouth as she playfully glared at me. Reaching her hand immediately, taking it, hands intertwining, we walked together towards the shoreline.
"Oh, God. It's so cold." I said teeth chattering water now on our chest level. Mina laughed at me, "It's not so cold." She said. "Easy for you to say." I mumbled as we swam around the river.
After how many laps, we decided to rest and eat the food Mina brought. A towel wrapping both of us, drying ourselves, sitting back on the boulder.
"Now, what did you bring? I'm famished." I said, earning a laugh from her.
"I brought you a sandwich, burgers, burrito, pies, cheesecakes, sausage rolls, chicken drumsticks, and some wine. Everything is your favorite." She replied.
"You're spoiling me so much Eliora Mina." I said as she pointed a fork at me.
"That Elisha Mikazuki is indeed true and I intend to do it." She answered. A tsk came out from me hearing the name.
"Oh shush and just eat. I know you missed my food. You always love food above anything else." She added.
"Indeed I do." I replied.
"I know." She said smiling brightly at me. Chuckling at her enthusiasm as we began to eat the food. Only the sound of water flowing and laughter filled the area.
⚜
Wearing a yellow dress, sitting on the stairs' porch, eyes above as stars scattered the dark sky. A wine glass beside me as cold air passes, running my hands both on my side.
Looking on my arm where my soulmarks are, thumb running above it, I sighed.
Am I wrong for running away from them? Hiding from them? I just don't want to hurt them. Besides, I'm dying. I already accepted my fate. I don't want to see anyone cry because of me. I can't stand to see them hurt because of me.
A yellow knitted jacket was placed on me, interrupting my inner turmoil.
"Dinner is ready." Mina said. I looked at her and smiled, standing up grabbing the glass as we went inside the warm house.
As we entered the dining room, the table was set – food was already on the table and the plates were already perfectly placed.
"Sausage Pasta Skillet, Beef and Rice Enchiladas, and Lasagna." I said, eyeing the foods.
"All your favorites." Mina said and chuckled seeing as my eyes sparkled.
"Now sit and eat, Mika." sitting in front of her, she then pops open a wine, and pour both our glasses.
"So who's managing the coffee shop right now?" Mina asked.
"Justin." I replied, placing the fork with pasta in my mouth.
"Oh, that Justin?" Mina asked again.
I chuckled, "Yeah. That Justin." I replied.
Only Justin knows Mina accidentally. As Mina was visiting me and that time Justin also visited me as he and his soulmate broke up, his soulmate cheated on him, and he caught her in the act – poor Justin.
Parking my motor, turning off the ignition, a take out food on my right hand. Reaching my apartment, I noticed a girl wearing a dusty blue dress and her straight jet black softly swinging side by side.
Seeing the familiar girl, I quietly ran towards her, and engulfed her with a hug earning a surprised squeak from her. She then looked at me, laughing, and smacked my arm.
Unlocking the door, ushering her inside, placing the food on the counter. I turn to her, "Mina, lovely of you to visit me. What made you come down from your house?" I teasingly asked.
"I just wanted to buy some things. Thought I'll visit my dear Mika. I'll be gone before you know it." She stated, a lovely smile on her face.
"You can stay here for the night." I said and shrugged off my black jacket.
She hummed, "Okay. Only for tonight." She mumbled to herself.
"Feel at home. I'll just take a shower." I said I heard an 'okay' from her. Entering my room, taking some clothes with me, I then take some shower.
Exiting the bathroom, I saw Justin inside my room, laying lazily on my bed.
"Oh, hi Justin. What brings you here?" I asked.
He looks at me confusingly, "Didn't you just ask me that just now. Wait, I saw you in the kitchen. Why are you here?" He asked.
Raising an eyebrow at him, realizing what he meant. My eyes widened.
She saw Mina. Shit.
Seconds later, Justin looks at me with horror, "Who are you? What did you do to my friend? Are you a doppelganger? You have some sort of witchy watchy magic? What are you?" He asked and accusingly pointed his finger at me.
"It's me dimwit." I said scoffing at him.
"If you're my friend then who is in the kitchen right now?" his eyes widened as he quickly went to the kitchen.
Following him, "Who are you?" He asked Mina. Mina then looked at me, nodding at her, "I'm Mina. Mikazuki's twin." Mina answered.
"Mikazuki?" Justin asked.
"It's my name." I answered, a tsk came out of my mouth.
"But your name is Elisha." Justin said confusingly looking at me.
"My name is Elisha Mikazuki." I answered him once again.
He nodded his head, giving him some time digesting the information he heard. A gasp came out from him, "So you're telling me that you have a twin? And you have a second name? Why didn't I know about this?" He asked, arms crossing on his chest.
I sighed, "Yes and yes. Long story, can we just eat? Please." I said to him, he sighed and nodded.
"I cooked something." Mina said, nodding at her, she went to the kitchen.
"Justin." I called him. He looked at me, "Don't tell anyone about Mina, about me having a twin. I know you have questions right now. I promise I'll answer them but please don't tell anyone. It's for your sake and ours." I said, eyes pleading at him.
Sighing at me, he hugs me and kisses my forehead. "Okay, I'll promise, doll. Just make sure to tell me everything okay?" leaning my head on his chest, nodding my head. "Now let's eat, I'm famished sprout." He said, lightly tapped my nose.
We both laughed and walked towards the kitchen. The three of us enjoyed the take out food I brought and the food Mina cooked.
Smiling at the memory, shaking my head, a smirk on my face.
"Mika, we can camp outside if you like." hearing the word camp, my eyes immediately perk up.
"Sure." I answered quickly. Mina laughed as we finished our dinner.
"And we're done." I said in a singsong manner, a tent now standing in the middle of Mina's backyard.
Sitting on a log with Mina beside me, each holding a stick with marshmallow against the fire.
"What will you do?" Mina asked, eyes still on her marshmallow.
I sighed, "I don't really know what to do Mina." I answered.
"You'll eventually have to meet them and tell them about your situation." Mina said.
"I can't tell them Mina. I can't hurt them." I answered immediately.
"You can't keep blaming yourself over a matter that isn't your fault Mika." Mina said, looking at me. Marshmallows now forgotten as her hands gently hold mine.
"Everyone says that love hurts, but that's not true. Loneliness, rejection, and losing someone hurts. Everyone confuses things with love, but in reality, love is the only thing in this world that covers up all the pain and makes us feel wonderful again." Mina said, gently brushing my hair.
"Where there is love, there is pain." Mina added, smiling at me.
A tear escaped my eyes, "How can I let someone love me, someone let in, when I can't even love and forgive myself?" I asked as Mina hugged me, gently patting my back.
"Relax. Don't be so hard on yourself. You are living and learning. What matters most right now is your willingness to grow from the experiences. And eventually you'll know someday that you already forgiven yourself. One step at a time Mika." Mina answered, still hugging me.
Leaning on her chest hearing her heartbeat that always calms me. Minutes later, she lets go just an arm away and wipes my cheeks.
"You'll be okay. You always do." Mina said gently, squeezing both my arms. I nodded at her.