The Eighteenth Knock on the Clock

I've always felt like I'm different. But not for extravagant reasons.

I was born in the new millennium. It was the peak of the new year when I was born. The world was in a severe crisis, so one of my parents lost their jobs. They decided to live in the countryside, where the cost of living is not too expensive.

I was fifteen when we learned about my mother’s illness. And only a year later, my father died. He killed himself because of severe depression.

"Your birthday is coming soon, Fajra. I'm sorry if I don't have a gift for you." Mom said this as I helped her eat.

She's now bedridden. One of the reasons why I stopped going to school, apart from the fact that we don't have the ability to provide for my studies. I preferred to take care of her as well, because who else would do that?

"Mom, I just want you to get better. That's all I ask from you. " I smiled genuinely.

"But Fajra, you are a gift from God." She insisted. "When you were born, you were lifeless. Your father and I begged the gods to just bring back your life. And so every day of your life deserves to be celebrated."

I always heard that story. Maybe my existence has a reason afterall. I could have died just then, but I came back to life.

"And now, my only wish is for you to get better." I smiled and she did as well.

Little did I know that wishes are just a human's selfish desires waiting to materialize. Wishes are not true. It will happen if only you'll make it happen.

"Pluto, I've been dreaming a lot of weird things lately." I said to Pluto as soon as I opened my eyes from a dream.

He chuckled while tying the rope that was holding the foundation of the tree house we made.

"What? Don’t tell me you’ve been dreaming about flying dragons now."

I pursed my lips and ignored his mockery. How can I tell him it's much worse than that? I dreamed about a woman who spits fire and has balls of fire in her hands.

We were on cloud nine. On the high point where the tree stands, I can see the city not far away and the beauty of the forest. I watched it silently while feeling the air.

Pluto and I always come here every time he comes home for vacation. They moved to another place because his parents hopped from one place to another because of their job.

I've always felt as if I don't belong here. I don't know if it's because my parents didn’t originally live here or for some certain reasons.

People my age always treat me as an outcast, yet it's no big deal for me. Because I always have someone beside me who never lets me feel I'm alone.

"It’s weird, Pluto. I feel like something bad will happen soon."

I whispered, yet he was able to hear it still.

"Stop thinking about negative things. As long as I'm beside you, I'll do anything to protect you. As long as I'm living, I'll fight for you. "

My lips quivered at hearing his words. I'm not the type you'll want to be friends with. Maybe it's because I'm not like people my age who like the same things. I'm quite strong and feisty, and Pluto was the only one who managed to handle my personality. We basically grew up together. He was my only friend, and I know, even if I ignore my own feelings, that I'm growing fond of him.

Trying to conceal my real feelings, I blurt out nonsense remarks.

"Tss. You? Protect me? With that physique and height, really? "

His brows met, and he seemed not to mind my insults. "I may not be capable with this type of body, yes. That's why you should take care of yourself as well." He shrugged.

I chuckled. I shook my head, the ghost of a smile on my lips.

"Let's say nothing bad will happen to me but to you. How will I live then?" I uttered it without thinking.

I felt him stare at me, kind of weighing my expression. I just raised my brow and shrugged my shoulders. My cheeks heated up, realizing that I had just confessed indirectly.

"Then you need to face the fight alone."

For a long time, we both stared at each other. I'm enraged. I shouldn't have asked that. I turned my back to him because his statement had completely ruined my day.

But, of course, the persistent Pluto stopped me. He grasped my arms and made me face him again.

"The world may come to pass, and so may I. But Fajra, I will make sure to knock on each door of each world just to fulfill that promise. Remember that."

I was struck. I let his words embed in my soul.

'I'll hold on to that Pluto, I only have you anyway.'

There was hope before. Even just a tiny flicker against the wind, I knew there was hope. The single light of the candle brings hope in my life, but not today. The single light soon left me. It chose to leave me in the dark, alone and freezing.

My mother departed this life just before my birthday. I was in deep pain and was heartbroken. It seemed like one of my foundations had fallen apart. I am an orphan now, and my purpose has been questioned by myself.

Yet someone had to remind me, just like what he always does. I know I'm in pieces, yet I know that someone is still there for me, helping me to pick up those pieces of me that have shattered.

The tiny flicker of light that's lighting my way is still here. Pluto stayed with me. He encouraged me in times when I seemed to be crippled by sadness. He pulled me up with his assurance and caressing hands.

"I'll come back for your birthday. We'll celebrate. " He assured me

Without a smile, I nodded at him. "See you."

He smiled. I've never noticed it in him, but he's so handsome now that he's smiling like this.

"See you," he said.

I could still remember how I held on to his last words to me. I was hoping to see him on my birthday again, but the accident had put an end to that hope. Pluto, along with his family, died in a car accident.

I put the black coat on the chair and didn't even bother to turn on the light. There was no emotion, and all I could hear was the silent ticking of the clock. I slowly leaned against the wall until I sat on the floor.

I looked at the clock and saw that my birthday was only a few minutes away. My lips shivered as I smiled, seeing the candle burning so brightly. It is funny how I spent my last day as a seventeen-year-old in his wake.

"You left me," I whispered.

I was trembling in so much pain that I shut my eyes as tears continued to flow out.

"You left me too." I cried and held my chest that feels like it's bursting at any moment.

"What now? Fucking knock on my door, Pluto! You dumbass!" I screamed and cried.

"You too couldn't fulfill your promise. I hate you! I hate you so damn much!"

My heart felt like it was wrapped in pain. I almost kissed the floor in so much despair and agony. If then I had a reason to continue, now I don't see myself fighting.

"I hate you," I whispered and cried with no strength.

When I had enough strength, I pulled myself up, waiting for the exact time to arrive while watching the candle slowly burn out due to the fire.

"Happy birthday to me." I said with no emotion before blowing the candle.

Darkness covered the entire living room. Silence reigned. The only thing that was left was the sound of the clock ticking. This is my end. My purpose is done here.

Just when I thought of those things. I heard a knock on my door. At twelve midnight, on my eighteenth birthday, I heard a knock that I've completely forgotten.

Didn't I mention that this has always happened ever since I was celebrating my birthday? There's a knock on my door every time the clock hits midnight.

I stood up very angry and eager to know who was going to trip me now. I have no fucking time for this bullshit. I'm so done with my life, so I might as well take this dumbass with me.

I opened the door with a bang and stopped when I saw a muscular man standing in front of my door. I was quite perplexed by actually seeing someone here when I'm so used to not seeing anyone every time I open my door for that someone who knocks every time.

A man wearing a cloak. The shadows emphasize his well-sculpted jaw. His hair that's almost covering his eyes is hiding the riddle that's reigning in his eyes. My jaw dropped.

"Who are you?" I asked with a trembling tone.

"You don't know me, but I know you." His lips quivered when he said that.

His deep voice made me step back. I removed my hands from the knob and shook my head. What is this? Am I dreaming? I just came back from Pluto's burial, and now a weird man is standing in front of my door.

"I don't know you," I repeated, slightly stepping back.

"You are destined to save the kingdom of Zunumbra. And you are the only hope of your nation Amare."

My brows met, my mouth opened, but I couldn't find the right words to say. I saw him step once and immediately step back. For a moment, I kind of saw pain flashing in his eyes, but was I just imagining things?

He sighed heavily before he offered his hand to me. I stared at it intently.

"Come with me, Fajra. There's a whole new world waiting for you."