Chapter 3

1st stage : Denial 

Eschia was astonished when she heard the unfortunate news. At first, she thought it was just a prank. On the other hand, she can't ignore the sadness painted on her mother's face. When she saw Trey's cold, lifeless body, she insisted that it was the wrong one. She knew it's his real body. Her boyfriend is not good at pulling out pranks. She shook her head in disbelief.

2nd stage: Anger 

"If only I didn't whine about Hana"

"If I told him how much I love him "

"I should've talked to him more if that was our last conversation"

" Why are there terrorists existing in this world? Do they feel gratification when people die because of them? Do they still have a conscience? "

The night before Trey's burial service, Eschia thought about these things. Did she do something wrong to deserve this? And all of the people why him? If someone deserves to die, it should be her. 

The next day, she held his hand. The life that once dwelt within him was gone. She also tousled his auburn hair and lightly kissed his pale pink lips. Though his body smelled reeks of formalin, nothing could stop her from making a promise. Yes, It is. A promise that he will always be in her heart no matter what happens. She knew that Trey is now in a happy place - a realm which she couldn't traverse, FOR NOW.

It's been a year since Trey died. She kept herself busy. She focused on her career. On weekends, she goes to the orphanage. She feels contentment when children hug her and smile innocently. Sometimes, she would go hiking to sketch beautiful landscapes. She rarely visits Trey's grave but when she does, she will just talk about her life and how she misses him.

This action made her family worried about her well being. Even though they appreciate that Eschia is doing her best not to be depressed about the loss of her loved one, they still feel that she is mentally unstable which affects her physical health too. Sometimes, they'll peek at her room only to see her crying which made them more anxious than ever.

"Dad, I wanna go to Easter Island. I wanna try this activity they called soul searching " Eschia announced while they were having dinner.

Everyone stopped moving. His father almost dropped the knife. They never expected that she will make that kind of suggestion.

She is aware that her family tried their best to help her but she realized that maybe it is already time to give time for herself and let go of those regrets. If there's someone who could help her move on, it should be none other than herself.

"Sure Honey. When do you want to go?" Usher is proud of his daughter right now. He knew that she will win over the sadness and depression. When Eschia was still a baby, her body is too weak that they would always stay at the hospital every month. There's even one time when Eschia almost died but as she grew older, she became stronger. 

"After Callista's book lunch" she replied

May 18th. It is the day of Callista's book launch.Eschia didn't see her BFF for so long. When she was still "mourning", she will always refuse her invitations to go out. She wondered if her one and only best friend will be delighted to meet her again.

Eschia was amazed at how the public reacted to her best friend's novel. Based on her calculation, the venue could only accommodate fifty people. Organizers underestimated it because there are more than a hundred people attended. Teens with raging hormones are complaining already. She shook her head and tried to look for her BFF but that's impossible because the sea of heads is preventing her from doing so. 

On the other hand, she's happy for her because her dreams came true. She remembered the days when they were still drafting the events that will take place in the novel. 

" Mam, I didn't expect that Mam Callista is so famous!" her bodyguard said 

She glanced at him. He also bought the book because his pregnant wife told him to do so. He holds his book so tight like a child who is afraid to lose his Halloween candy. She can't help but laugh at him.

20 minutes had passed since the event started. Callista was glad to see her that she even told the crowd a trivia about  Eschia being the artist behind the beautiful book cover and illustrations included in her novel. People also realized that she resembles Cassiopeia, the heroine in the novel. Fans tried to take a photo with her. Thankfully, her bodyguard and the organizers quickly responded so no one got hurt.

"Mam, Amir will be here in a few minutes"

Eschia nodded and watched the sunset on the horizon. Her eyes glistened when she saw the beautiful gradient of reds, oranges, and purples which reminded her of the artwork that she did when she was in high school. She stopped from reminiscing when a croaky voice from nowhere got her attention

"Hija, do you have some bread?" The old woman asked

The woman is the female version of Quasimodo from Hunchback of Notre Dame, sitting on layers of cardboard boxes, wearing shabby clothing. On her right is a small black box with holes in it, at the right side, are two umbrellas that already gave up giving its purpose, this scenario made Eschia pity the pauper.

"Gary, Could you please buy some jackets, blanket, food, and a tent for Lola?" Eschia told her bodyguard

The bodyguard shook his head.

"I'm sorry Mam. I can't leave you alone. That's the order"

Eschia didn't argue with him. She knows that he is just doing its job.  She decided that he will just wait for Amir to come which didn't take too long. She gave the necessities that the old woman might use. 

"Thank you, Hija. You're more beautiful when you smile. Don't worry, you'll be able to get the happiness that you deserve" the old woman uttered 

At first, she was confused why would the old woman say that as if she knows her sadness. She just shrugged her shoulders. Maybe the old woman is being grateful because of her kind demeanor. 

3rd Stage: Bargaining

"Ah! Finally! Packing is done!" Eschia exclaimed when she locked her pink carry on luggage. The flight is at 10 am.  She checked if everything is ready to grab everything tomorrow.

"Ha, I know, I should not cling in the past but I want to see him. Even once. Please let me say goodbye to Trey before I go to Easter Island" 

To combat the sadness that she suddenly felt, she picked up Callista's book and started to read the novel. Hours later, our heroine already surrendered to the urge of sleeping even though she planned not to sleep before the flight to adjust her circadian rhythm during the trip. She slept like a baby while the book is resting on her chest.

"Oh my! How many hours did I sleep? Why do I wear a sheer dress when I remembered that I wore my Satin Short PJ set from Victoria's Secret? Where is my cute bunny slippers?! Why am I in this bed? I think I slept on a sofa bed? I'm sure about it!  Speaking of the sofa bed,  where did it go? Wait, I'm not even in my room. Am I on Easter Island already? Is this my hotel room? " 

Wait. There's more: 

"No way! This can't be happening!" Eschia exclaimed when she saw the reflection of herself in the mirror

A loud thud can be heard when the poor young maiden lost her consciousness.