(Chapter - 8)

  [Names that whisper]

  “Did you say… Newaz family?” Mehaki’s voice trembles, her wide eyes searching her mother’s face for confirmation — whether she heard it right or not. Mrs. Jonaki looks at her with concern.

  Mrs. Jonaki : Do you know anyone from that family?

  Mehaki : I do. It's Asroy.

  Mrs. Jonaki : Asroy?

  Mehaki : Y-Yes. I didn’t know earlier either. He had taken a new name after uncle Miraz adopted him. I just happened to learn it today from Karu.

  Mrs. Jonaki : Well, Anami. I'd suggest that you keep your distance from Asroy. Now that you know his true bloodline.

  Mehaki : But… He didn’t seem bad in the 5 years.

  “Anami.” Mrs. Jonaki’s voice drops low as she grabs Mehaki's shoulders, a warning threads into her tone with a worried face.

  Mrs. Jonaki : if any of the 3 families find out who you are, nothing will be the same. He might seem harmless now, because he doesn’t know who you truly are yet. But once he learns, everything could change. He could even turn against you… To take away your powers.

  Mehaki : My powers? What powers?

  Mehaki's heart races, her eyes become tense as she looks at her mom, silently screaming for answers.

  Mehaki : You only said that I'm related to the Ariya flower and can use its magic. You never said that I myself have any powers!

  Mrs. Jonaki : Anami, that's…

  All those words and thoughts make Mehaki anxious. She can't seem to get a hold together. Her mother looks more concerned.

  Mehaki : I can’t even use the magic of the Ariya flower, let alone my own power! I never saw it or felt it. Do I even have any?? I don’t think so mom!

  Mrs. Jonaki : You do. All of us firstborns do.

  Mehaki : Then what is it!?

  Mrs. Jonaki : It's called-...

  Right then, Mehaki's maternal grandmother Mrs. Onuki enters. She’s around 56, while Mrs. Jonaki is 36. Mrs. Onuki speaks with a warm smile.

  Mrs. Onuki : It's called the Rosy power, my dear.

  Mehaki : Granny!

  Mehaki hugs her grandmother and she pats on Mehaki's head. Mrs. Jonaki sighs and smiles at them. Mehaki lets go of her grandmother and looks at her with bright eyes.

  Mehaki : When did you come?

  Mrs. Onuki : Of course I arrived a while ago! I was missing my grandkids so much, so I came to see you all. Where do you think your mom got those fresh mangoes from?

  Mrs. Onuki feels proud of the mangoes she brought from the tree of her own garden. Mehaki looks at the mango slices her mom put on the table a while ago.

  Mehaki : Haha, I see…

  She looks at her grandmother again, with eager eyes full of questions.

  Mehaki : Granny… You said my power is the Rosy power?

  Mrs. Onuki : That's right… Well, there's a reason why it's named Rosy powers.

  Mehaki : What is it?

  Mrs. Onuki : Do you know that Rose is the symbol of love, my dear?

  Mehaki : Yes.

  Mrs. Onuki : Rose can also symbolize happiness, care and gratitude. Mostly, the rose is a symbol for all the good things. On the contrary, the sharp thorns of the rose which protect itself, symbolizes danger, harm and pain.

  Mehaki : What does it mean?

  Mrs. Onuki : Your Rosy powers are a blessed power which was bestowed upon Miraki for people's good. She used it to help or cure others. But also fought against the bad. You can both heal or harm the people. It only depends on how you choose to use it. You can either bring peace or disaster.

  Mehaki : … *Depends on how I choose to use it?*

  Mehaki falls in deep thought for a few seconds. Then her concern shows back up again on her face. Her curiosity takes over.

  Mehaki : But granny, I don’t even know how to use my powers.

  Mrs. Onuki : Listen, sweetheart…

  Grandmother softly holds Mehaki’s hands, her warmth soothing Mehaki’s anxious mind.

  Mrs. Onuki : You'll learn. You'll get used to it. The Ariya flower is the companion of your powers. Since you’re just starting out, you can use it to practice controlling your powers. Slowly, you’ll learn to wield them properly. Whenever you call for the Ariya flower to support you, it will respond to you with its magic or by enhancing your powers with its magic. To protect you, and react to your feelings.

  This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.

  Mehaki : … Is that so?

  Mrs. Onuki : It is! The first and most important thing is… To trust yourself and believe that you can do what you’re wanting to do… Trust is everything.

  Mehaki stares at her grandmother with sparkly eyes, as if a new light was lit up within. She glances over her mom, and back at grandmother again when she speaks again.

  Mrs. Onuki : And one day, when the time comes, you’ll rise to face the enemy families and bring their legacy to an end for good. That's what was foretold by our 1st ancestor, Aria Inufa Zaman Miraki Inami.

  Mehaki's heart skips. The full name of her bloodline's 1st ancestor echoes in her mind, Aria Inufa Zaman Miraki Inami. A name almost identical to hers.

  Mehaki : *What…?*

  It's as if, just a few words were changed from her own name. She stutters from the subtle shock.

  Mehaki : W-Why is my name so similar to hers?

  Mrs. Onuki : Hmm…

  Mehaki : …?

  Mrs. Onuki : Well, it's a long story dear. Save it for another time.

  Mehaki : Huh..?

  Mrs. Onuki playfully shrugs, finally putting an end to the serious act. Mehaki's focused eyes turn surprised by her grandmother's sudden change of behaviour.

  Mrs. Onuki : For now, you must finish the mangoes. I've brought more fruits for you all to enjoy!

  Mehaki : Eh??

  Mehaki's mom chuckles at them.

  Mrs. Onuki : There! I don’t want a single piece left on the plate, you got it? Come downstairs when you're done. I gotta feed Minaki and Mehrab too!

  Mehaki : Ehh!? But-!

  Mrs. Onuki : Hurry up.

  Grandmother goes out of the room humming with joy. Mehaki is left wordless. Like, what just happened.

  Mrs. Jonaki : You heard your granny. Now finish the cashew milk and the mangoes quickly.

  Mehaki : Mom!

  Mrs. Jonaki : Cheer up, Anami. There's no need to rush.

  Mehaki : Ah…

  Her mom goes out of the room as well. She takes a last peek at Mehaki before closing the door, giving a friendly warm smile.

  Mrs. Jonaki : We're always with you, Anami… Have faith in time… And yourself.

  Mehaki keeps looking at the shut door, rethinking all the words her grandmother and mother just said.

  Mehaki : Trust… Faith… Believe…

  She walks to the tray left on the table and picks up the glass of cashew milk, staring intensely.

  Mehaki : *Our 1st ancestor…? I just can't seem to understand why my name is almost the same as hers… Aria Inufa Zaman Miraki Inami…?*

  She drinks up, thinking no more. For some moment, she just wants to take all the thoughts out of her mind. In the meantime at the Miraz Monjil, the colorful brothers are having a talk with Miraz after Tushar explaining the reason why the environment was gloomy with the 4. Each boy still looks down. Miraz takes a glance over them and speaks in a consoling fatherly tone, looking at Tushar.

  Miraz : I see… Tushar, I’m happy. It warms my heart up to see that all of you are concerned for each other the same way you used to be back when you were kids. I always loved that bond and still do.

  Tushar : !

  Though Tushar doesn’t smile instantly, his face brightens up on Miraz's words. Karu smiles at them.

  Miraz : And Karu, you always manage to look after everyone and handle everything while I'm not here. That really gives off the next head of the house vibe, huh?

  Karu : Haha… Not really.

  Karu lets out a gentle, flustered laugh. Miraz's proud smile remains intact.

  Miraz : Surely impressive as always.

  Karu : Thank you, dad… I just love to do so.

  Miraz : Very well.

  Miraz turns to Asroy who's still looking down from guilt.

  Miraz : Asroy.

  Asroy : Yes…

  Miraz : Even if Mehaki did hide her real name… The 5 years all of you spent together weren't all lies, right?

  Asroy : No, But...

  Miraz : She doesn’t know you all that well either. But she didn’t act the way you did. Besides, she has a valid reason for keeping it secret, and having fears about whether to trust you 4.

  Asroy : How do you-...

  Miraz : I know she does. You have your own reason for why you must hide your real name, that is… Your family. Never forget that.

  Asroy : Yes, dad…

  Miraz : *Sigh* I hope you’ll return the notebook safely to her without any conflicts, Asroy. That's the best thing you can do to make up for what you’ve done.

  Asroy : I understand, and I will.

  Miraz pats on his shoulder with an appreciating voice, making Asroy feel at ease too.

  Miraz : Good.

  Asroy : Thanks for having hope in me.

  Miraz : I'll always do.

  Asroy's lips lightly curl up into a subtle smile. Tori who was looking at them until now, looks away and sighs of relief, with rested and briefly closed eyes. Miraz cuts the tension for everyone and finally lights up the mood.

  Miraz : Okay, court. My verdict is that we shall have dinner now. The case is closed.

  The room fills up with everyone chuckling at his playful words.

  Tushar : Whoa, haha! What’s for dinner today?

  Miraz : Well, we'll see once we go into the kitchen. Go and get prepared everyone.

  Asroy : Okay dad!

  Karu : We shall obey at once, sir!

  Miraz : Hahaha, just go already Mr. Knight.

  Karu : Hehe! Good one!

  Asroy, Tushar and Karu walk out of the living room, while chattering with one another. As Tori is about to leave too, he stops at Miraz's gentle calling voice.

  Miraz : Tori Probaho.

  Tori : ! Yes, dad?

  Miraz : Come here.

  Miraz hugs Tori. He is slightly taken aback by the sudden hug. As Miraz slowly backs off, his proud and steady fatherly voice speaks .

  Miraz : I'm proud of you, for strictly defending one's privacy, and valuing the morals. You never disappoint me, Tori… Still the same decent and gentle kid as ever.

  Tori feels warmth flooding his chest. He feels the reassurance, especially from his dad. His eyes brighten up as he chuckles softly.

  Tori : Haha… I'm not a kid anymore.

  Miraz : Then ‘Gentleman’ seems more fitting, hmm?

  Tori : Yeah, much better.

  Both of them laugh subtly.

  Tori : *This is exactly the appreciation I needed. I feel so relieved… And honored.* Thanks, dad…

  Miraz : Never be upset about anything, Tori. If you know that you're right, just have confidence and believe in yourself, like you did today. Just remember, you’ll always have us. You have me.

  Tori : *Smiles* Yes!

  Tori's warm smile reminds Miraz of the same little Tori he once took in many years ago. How fast the time has flown that the kid has now grown into a handsome 18-year-old boy. Just thinking about it brings a smile to Miraz's face.

  Miraz : Now let's get to our dinner table, yeah!

  Tori : Let's go!

  They cheerfully walk out of the room, with the whole atmosphere now being warm and playful. After the dinner, almost around midnight, Tori is standing at the balcony of his room. The soft breeze gently swaying his blue hair, he takes a deep breath as his eyes look around the night view. The light of the crescent moon beautifully reflects on his blue hair strands. “Mehaki… Anami…” the two names flutter in his mind as he looks up at the sky and gently closes his eyes. “Hey Tori…” a familiar voice coming from his back cuts his thoughts. He turns around to see Karu come into the balcony as well.

  Karu : It's almost 12 A.M., aren’t you going to sleep?

  Tori : I will. Was out for just a bit of fresh air.

  Karu : Hmm… Is something on your mind?

  Tori : … The name.

  Karu : ?

  Tori : When Asroy said Mehaki's full name is Aria Inufa Zaman Mehaki Anami… Didn’t it sound really… Um, familiar?

  Karu : Well… It does feel like I've heard it somewhere though. Can't seem to remember exactly where.

  Tori : Same.

  Karu : You know, you can think more during the day. Just get some sleep for now, will you?

  Tori : Yeah, yeah… Mother.

  Karu : Oh, shut up!

  Tori : Haha…! Let's go.

  As they walk back into their room from the balcony, Tori's face shows nothing, though his blue eyes flicker on his one lingering thought…

  “Anami… Just where have I heard the name? Why can't I shake off the feeling that it feels so… Known to me…? I wonder…”

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