Homecoming

ALMARIO

The sun shone over the village, casting a warm glow over the busy streets. Lili strolled through the town, taking in the sights and sounds of her hometown after being away for so long. As she walked, she recognized the faces of strangers and old acquaintances, all of them engaged in their daily activities.

Nostalgia overwhelmed Lili as she journeyed through the neighborhoods and greeted the familiar faces. Some people seemed surprised by her unbridled excitement, but most of them smiled and returned her gesture with warm greetings upon recognizing her. This gratified Lili, and the nods and warm welcomes made her feel content.

On her route to her old neighborhood, her neighbors, astonished by her unexpected return, called out to her.

"Is that Lady Lili?" shouted one neighbor, her voice ringing out across the street.

"It is," replied another. "My my, how you have grown, child."

Lili couldn't help but beam with pride and elation as they complimented her. It felt great to be back among the folks who had watched her grow up.

When Lili finally arrived, she excitedly invited them all to a gathering that was taking place at her home later in the day. However, their expressions turned hesitant as they mulled the invitation over.

"I'm sure you have a lot of noble visitors. We don’t want to intrude," stated one of them uneasily.

Lili felt a pinch of disappointment, but she didn't let it dampen her spirits. "It's okay. The noble visitors are all strangers, but you all are the people I grew up with. I'd be happier to see familiar faces at the party, so please don't be embarrassed. I'm personally inviting you all," she stated confidently.

Their faces transformed, and they exchanged hesitant glances before breaking into beaming smiles.

"We'd love to come. Thank you for inviting us," said one, echoing the sentiments of the others.

Lili breathed a sigh of relief, but the reunion with her neighbors made her feel overjoyed and grateful.

Lili excitedly clasped her hands together and beamed at her beloved friends. She had returned to her village after years of being away, and it was clear that she had lost none of her kindness and warmth. As she extended her invitation, her friends exchanged glances before nodding in agreement.

“Thank you that you didn’t forget us even though you’re gone for years. You still remember us…” one of her friends murmured gratefully.

Lili smiled fondly, "Of course, why would I forget all of you? I even miss you when I was abroad."

Her friends responded with beaming smiles and enjoyed a laugh with Lili. Her lighthearted humor and kindheartedness was contagious, and they felt lucky to be in her presence.

“You’re still as funny as before, Lady Lili,” they said before bidding her farewell.

As Lili continued down the path, she made sure to invite every person she encountered. She couldn’t wait for the day to arrive and was filled with joy at the thought of sharing her home, her loved ones, and the comfort of her community with others.

Finally, she arrived home to the welcoming scent of delicious food. Her servants greeted her warmly, and she made sure to return the sentiments. As a daughter of the Minister of Peace, Lili was used to being treated with respect. Still, she knew it was important to approach shy villagers and make them feel welcomed and part of the community.

Overall, Lili understood that her role in the village was crucial. Her father’s position and her own kind and loving personality meant that she had the power to bring people together. She relished in this role, and under her watchful eye, the village thrived harmoniously.

Cris, a stunning woman with unrivaled culinary skills inherited from their mother, looked up at her sister, Lili as she entered the kitchen, her annoyance swirling just beneath the surface. “Did you go invited all the people in the village again?” Cris asked with a twinge of sarcasm. “Well, it’s no surprise.” Lili couldn't help but feel a pang of guilt at her sister's remark but dismissed it with a wave of her hand. She was always a bit of a black sheep, even amongst her own family.

Lili inhaled the aroma of the delicious curry that Cris was stirring and complimented her on her cooking skills. The two sisters shared an awkward silence, neither really knowing how to express their affection for each other.

“Where is Thone?” Lili asked, her gaze landing on the pots and pans sizzling on the stove.

Cris continued cooking, so Lili assumed she wouldn’t answer her. But to her surprise, Cris responded without looking up. “They’ll come later. Right now, they’re still preparing something to offer when you arrive.”

Lili scowled, not pleased with the importance given to Thone's offering when they hadn't seen their friend in four years. Was the offering more important than meeting their beloved friend?

“Hmm, it looks like what you’re cooking is delicious. What’s that?” Lili inquired.

“It’s curry,” Cris replied.

"Ahh your favorite!"

Cris sighed at her sister's lack of taste preference. “Until now, you still don't eat curry?”

Lili shook her head with a smile, knowing she'd never be able to satisfy her sister's discriminating taste buds.

“Mother, do you have something to cook too?” Lili asked, greeted by their mother, who appeared elated to see her daughter.

“Yes, I'll cook your favorite,” she replied, beaming. Lili felt her heart swell with love for her mother.

As Lili stood in their grand kitchen, the smell of freshly baked bread filled her nostrils and the sound of her mother's gentle voice washed over her. She couldn't help but smile at the sight of her mother's wrinkled hands kneading the dough in a slow, rhythmic motion. However, her moment of bliss was quickly shattered when her eyes locked onto Cris, who was glaring at her from across the room.

"Mother, let me help you," Lili offered, eager to prove her worth.

Her mother, however, refused her help with a dismissive wave of her hand. "Oh, no need. Cris is here and she will help me."

Cris couldn't contain the frustration building up inside of her. "Mother! Even though she just came back from abroad, you’re giving her special treatment. I also need to help, especially since she invited a sea of people to the party later."

To Lili's surprise, her mother's attention quickly turned to her, causing her smile to fade away as she bit her lower lip anxiously.

"Does it mean..." Her mother trailed off, her eyes questioning.

Lili avoided her gaze, fully aware of what her mother was thinking.

"You're tired from strolling around the village?" her mother asked with a knowing smile.

Feeling embarrassed and frustrated, Lili quickly looked up at her. "What?"

"Then, you should rest first in your room so you'll be energetic later at the party," her mother suggested with a hint of sympathy.

Cris, on the other hand, simply rolled her eyes in annoyance. It was clear she had no interest in Lili's presence, or her mother's coddling for that matter.

With a heavy sigh, Lili resigned herself to the fact that her parents would never trust her with household chores. They cared for her too much, but all it did was drive a wedge between her and Cris.

As Lili lay alone in her room later that night, she reached for the wooden box under her bed, filled with gifts for her friends. She lingered over the gift she had bought for Cris, hoping it would convey how much she cared for her sister.

Lili donned her white, floor-length dress with a floral design and black flower button at the neck, and as she twirled in front of the mirror, she felt a sense of pride in her appearance.

People were stunned as she walked into the festivities, catching the eyes of the Palace officials and even her own father, who praised her beauty.

Lili sat at a table surrounded by ministers and other high-ranking Palace officials, soaking in the lively atmosphere of the party. She watched as they laughed and joked with each other, seemingly carefree and relaxed.

Suddenly, one of her father's friends, who was also a Minister, turned to her with a warm smile. "What a beautiful daughter you have, Minister Roque."

Others nodded in agreement, complimenting Lili and her sister's beauty. "It's not just one, you have two beautiful daughters," another added.

Lili's face flushed with embarrassment, but she couldn't help but feel a little flattered. She had always struggled with her self-confidence, so hearing such compliments from these esteemed individuals was a much-needed ego boost.

"How I wish I also have a beautiful daughter," one of the ministers joked.

Lili's father interrupted their banter by standing up and hugging Lili tightly. "I hope you enjoy this night, my daughter," he said with a proud smile.

Lili smiled back at him, feeling a sense of warmth and comfort from his embrace. "I already am," she answered truthfully.

He returned to his seat at the table, beaming with pride as he announced to the others, "My daughters aren't just beautiful in face. They also have great skills."

The ministers and officials nodded in interest, eager to learn more about Lili and her sister. "I heard your first daughter is a good cook, right? Is she the one who cooked these delicious foods you prepared?" one asked.

Lili's father confirmed this with a nod. "Yes, my daughter Cris is a talented cook. She inherited that from my wife," he explained.

As Lili's mother excused herself from the table to greet more visitors, Lili was left alone to listen to the ministers' conversations. She them talking about her time abroad and her accomplishments.

“While your second daughter is intelligent. She studied abroad, so I’m sure she’s a skillful doctor now.”

“Yes, she’s really a skilled doctor,” her father agreed, “She’s good at holding a knife.”

The other ministers laughed heartily, their amusement and joviality contorting their faces. “Definitely. They used that in surgeries, right?” the Minister commented, referring to Lady Lili's surgical skills.

As the night wore on, Lili couldn't shake off the feeling that she was merely a pretty ornament on display for all to admire. But deep down, she knew she was more than that. She was a daughter, a sister, a friend, and a skilled doctor - and no amount of superficial praise could diminish that.

“Yes, anyway, what’s your daughter’s plan now? Is she going to work as the Royal Physician? Or build a pharmacy here in our village?” another Minister inquired.

“She’s not yet decided. As of now, she wants to enjoy her vacation until she makes up her mind.”

“Well, that’s a good idea. Studying is also stressful, so she should rest for now.”

Lili's attention was drawn away from the Ministers' conversation when her friends arrived. She ran to meet them at the gate, feeling a sense of elation that was only heightened by their presence.

"Why did you just come now?" she asked them, enveloping them in a warm embrace.

"We're ashamed of coming here without a present," Thone replied, a tinge of guilt evident in his tone.

"Why would you be ashamed? It’s not like it’s first our time meeting. Aside from that, your presence is more important than gifts," Lili reassured them, her smile as bright as the sun.

Mahara gently touched Lili’s face, "You’re so pretty, Lili."

Lili beamed at the compliment. "You too. You haven’t changed. You’re still beautiful."

She couldn't help but admire Mahara's angelic face, and the fact that she had developed a talent for drawing impressed her greatly.

As Lili conversed with her friends, Cris called out to them. "You should come inside," she said with a touch of annoyance.

Lili invited her friends inside, and they sat in a circle on the clean living room floor.

“Every time we bond, we always remember you and miss you," Mahara said, a wistful look in her eyes.

“I’m glad you didn’t forget me," Lili replied, trying to hide the emotions that her friends' words had stirred within her.

“I draw and paint now," Mahara said, causing Lili's eyes to light up with interest.

"What do you draw?" she asked Mahara with an air of intrigue.

“I draw portraits and landscapes," Mahara replied, a hint of pride evident in her tone.

“That's amazing. Can you draw me?" Lili asked with a broad smile on her face.

Mahara pretended to think for a few seconds before bursting out laughing. "I'll draw you on one condition."

Lili leaned in, curious to hear Mahara's terms. "What is it?"

"Set me up on a blind date," Mahara replied, her eyes shining with mischief.

Lili shook her head dismissively. "Forget it."

Cris didn’t fail to notice their conversation and prodded Lili further. "Why? Don't you know someone? I thought you have a lot of friends now, including boys."

Lili became stiff, feeling a hint of discomfort. "That's because I don't socialize too much when I'm abroad. My attention is solely focused on my studies."

Lili quickly changed the subject, turning her attention to Thone instead. "What about you?" she asked him with genuine interest, hoping to steer the conversation away from her own personal life. "Do you work now?"

Thone shook his head crisply. "No, I don’t work."

"Why?" Lili inquired, a twinge of bewilderment in her voice.

“That’s because he’s lazy," Avoi interjected, a playful hint of humour in his voice. "I don’t see a future in him."

"Look who’s talking… You’re still preparing for the exam, you’re not yet an inspector," Thone replied, his tone hinting at mild irritation.

“Whatever.”

"You keep asking us how we're doing and what's new in our lives," Mahara observed, her gaze inquisitive. "What about you?"

Lili couldn't help but feel a prick of embarrassment. She knew she didn't have much to share, but she also felt hesitant to speak about her time studying medicine abroad. Her time there had been relatively dull, and she couldn't think of any noteworthy experiences to share.

After pondering for a few seconds, Lili finally spoke up. "I mainly just remember what I learned from my studies, my days there were uneventful.”

Mahara didn't seem entirely convinced. “Surely there must be something else you recall?”

Lili shook her head, feeling the weight of the memories slipping away from her. “I don’t really remember anything else. It's like everything's a blur."

Mahara's eyebrows furrowed in concern. "Was it because you didn't enjoy your time there?"

Lili's expression changed to one of mild discomfort. She didn't want to come across as ungrateful, but her time studying abroad had been marked by feelings of isolation. "I guess you could say that. The culture and traditions there were so unfamiliar to me, and I struggled to adapt to them."

Mahara nodded in understanding. "That sounds...boring, to be honest."

Lili couldn't help but laugh with agreement, happy to have someone understand her sentiments. "Yes, it really was."

Mahara gave her a kind smile. "Well, none of that matters now. You're here with us, and that's all that matters. Enjoy the present moment as much as you can."

Lili couldn't have agreed more. She smiled back, nodding in agreement. "I will."

As the conversation lulled, Cris suddenly appeared and plopped down between Thone and Mahara. His straightforward manner of speaking cut through the idle chatter that had begun to dominate the conversation.

"Stop with the long talks," she said. "Why don't you give her the gift you prepared?"

Mahara and Thone's faces twisted with a subtle mixture of embarrassment and hesitance. "Honestly, it's quite embarrassing because it's not expensive," Mahara said finally.

Lili dismissed their concerns with a wave of her hand. "I don’t care if it’s expensive or not. As long as it’s from you, I will gladly cherish it."

Mahara and Thone's smiles returned, and they handed Lili a small box. She carefully unwrapped it, unsure of what to expect. When she finally opened the lid, she was stunned to find a beautiful white dress inside.

"We heard that you love wearing dresses that are white, that's why we bought it for you," Thone explained. "I know it’s not that luxurious as your other dresses, but I wish you like it."

Lili couldn't help but feel touched by their gift. "I like it...so much," she said, marveling at the quality of the fabric and the precise tailoring. "I love the color white because it's neat and makes me look like a good person."

"You're indeed a good person," Mahara said, her pride for Lili obvious in her voice.

"I know, but I want to show it through my clothes," Lili replied, her eyes sparkling with gratitude.

"That is right. The kind of clothes you wear judge your personality," Thone said thoughtfully.

Their conversation was interrupted briefly by Lili's announcement that she, too, had a present for her friends. Their excitement was palpable as she ordered one of her servants to retrieve a wooden box from underneath her bed.

"I wonder what it is?" Mahara said eagerly.

Lili grinned widely as she opened the box. "Here's yours," she said, holding out a small trinket that glinted in the sunlight.

Mahara eagerly reached for the beautifully wrapped box that Lili held out to her. As she lifted the lid, her face was illuminated with sheer joy. "Wow! All of this are materials for drawing and painting. I really need these, thank you so much, Lili! You’re the best!”

Lili smiled brightly, thrilled that her friend was pleased with the gift. She then turned to Avoi, handing her a slender sword in a delicately crafted sheath.

“I can’t believe you would gift a sword but this is really amazing!” Avoi said, looking at Lili with admiration.

“You like it?” Lili asked with a hint of nerves in her voice.

“A lot! Even my name is carved in it. I will surely cherish and take good care of this, Lili. Thank you!!” Avoi exclaimed, her eyes shining with excitement.

Next, Lili turned her attention to Cris.

“What?” Cris asked, confused.

Lili just smiled and handed her the biggest box of gift. Everyone was now filled with anticipation, wondering what Lili had prepared for Cris.

“Wow! Is that for Cris?” Mahara asked, impressed.

“Whoa… It seems like you really prepared it for her, huh,” Thone commented.

“Is that for me?” Cris asked, although the answer was quite clear.

“Yes. Open it…” Lili prompted, a touch of nervousness in her voice.

She hesitated at first, but eventually accepted the gift. Everyone's eyes were on her as she slowly unwrapped the present. When she finally opened it, everyone was blown away by what they saw.

“Wow! Is that a Chef attire?” Mahara exclaimed in awe.

“No wonder it’s inside a big box, so the cap won’t crumple,” Thone said, clearly impressed with the level of detail Lili had put into the gift.

Mahara took the clothes and examined them closely. “Wow! The fabric is good. It’s not something that can easily be bought on the market.”

“Oh?” Thone pulled something else from the box, “There’s even a book of cooking recipes!”

Lili smiled at Cris, “I intentionally bought that as a gift because I thought you’d like it. I think that Chef attire will look good on you, and that book of recipes…you’ll learn more about it. I hope you like it.”

Cris didn't say anything for a moment, causing Lili to worry that she hadn't liked the gift.

“If you don’t like it… maybe next time, I’ll—" Lili started to say before Cris interrupted.

“I like it,” Cris said with a sigh, her voice filled with genuine happiness.

Lili couldn't help but grin in relief. "I'm glad you love it."

“Ayieeee! Sweet sisters!” Mahara exclaimed, clearly amused by the reaction.

Lili rolled her eyes playfully at her friends’ teasing, warning them to stop, but they didn't listen.

“Anyway, where is my gift?” Thone interrupted.

The conversation quickly shifted, and everyone turned their attention to the next gift exchange.

The room went quiet as everyone waited for Lili to answer Thone's question. Lili hesitated a bit before finally speaking up.

"Well, I know you mentioned earlier that you wanted to learn more about fashion and style. And I've noticed that you always appreciate any feedback or tips I give you regarding your attire. So, I thought this hairpin would be a nice addition to your collection. You can use it to make your hair look even more stylish," she explained with a shy smile.

Thone remained silent, seeming stunned by her thoughtful gift. Mahara and Avoi were the first to react, their laughter filling the room once again.

“HAHAHA Thone, so gay!” Avoi exclaimed, still chuckling.

Thone's glare intensified as he retorted, “I’m not gay.”

Lili scolded her friends jokingly, “Don’t laugh at him. Since I didn’t know what to give to Thone, I bought it so that he can give it to someone he likes."

Everyone in the room went quiet at Lili's words. Even Thone looked at her with surprise and confusion written all over his face.

“Why are you giving me this?” he asked again, his tone almost pleading.

Lili wore a grin on her face as she recalled an important conversation she had with Thone before leaving to study abroad. “Do you remember the thing you told me before I went to study abroad? That there’s someone you like, but you don’t have a confident to tell her your feelings, and you don’t plan to because she’s so opposite of you. You can’t give her a present, even just a hairpin. Thus, I bought that.”

Avoi was taken aback by this revelation, “Whoa… I didn’t know you have a feeling for someone?”

Thone, on the other hand, appeared embarrassed. “I thought you have already forgotten that.” he muttered.

Mahara was curious why Thone had not mentioned his feelings earlier. She urged Thone to trust in others and lamented his hesitance to confide in their group, saying, “Why didn't you tell us that there's a woman in your heart, Thone? Aren’t we trustworthy enough?”

Thone felt remorseful and nodded in agreement, admitting that he should have opened up about his feelings. The group shared a laugh, and Lili was grateful for their bond, realizing their friendship was worth holding onto.

Thone shifted his gaze to Lili, who sat before him with a serene expression. Her words, at first, had seemed meaningless to him, but now he understood their significance. As he processed this revelation, his eyes widened in disbelief, and his jaw slackened in amazement. It was as though he had just discovered a hidden gem.

Slowly, Thone turned his gaze back to the small object clasped tightly in his hand. He suddenly noticed how its weight felt unfamiliar, heavier than he had initially imagined. He delicately opened his palm and peered down at the object, noticing intricate carvings etched into its smooth surface. It was a hairpin, but not any ordinary hairpin he had seen before.

Lili’s voice drew him out of his thoughts, “It’s made of jade.”

He turned to her, surprised. It dawned on him that he had never seen Jade of such excellent quality and exceptional beauty. Its green hue sparkled against the light, casting a spellbinding aura about it. Thone was filled with a newfound appreciation for the precious item, understanding that it may hold some greater significance that had yet to be revealed.

As the night wore on, the festivities died down, and people began to leave, one by one. Lili watched as her friends said their goodbyes and left the house, bidding her farewell for the night. As they stepped outside, they were greeted by the sight of the ministers still gathered together, chatting and laughing while some of their guests were half-drunk and barely able to stand.

As Lili and her friends walked past them, she couldn't help but eavesdrop on their conversation. They were discussing the conspicuous absence of one of the ministers, Año, from the event. Curiosity piqued her interest, and she listened intently as the other ministers answered their questions.

One of them said, "It's not that he didn't want to attend. He just can't."

Another asked, "What happened? Did something come up?"

Then someone else answered with an ominous tone, "There is. They found a dead body of an animal right inside the Minister's house."

Lili's heart skipped a beat upon hearing this. Her mind swirled with thoughts of what kind of animal it could be and how it ended up inside the house. She listened closely as they continued to talk about it, wondering how this was possible since the minister’s house had tight security which nobody could penetrate.

They discussed the events further, asking one another questions such as how it could happen and who could have done it. They spoke of the guards who were tasked to maintain security and who reiterated that they saw no intruder or suspicious activities around the area.

As they continued to speculate, Lili's friend, Mahara, snapped her back to reality. "Hey, Lili!"

Lili turned to Mahara, still lost in thought, and asked, "What? Did you say something?"

Mahara laughed and patted Lili's arm. "I know you're not listening."

Feeling embarrassed, Lili said, "Sorry," as they continued walking home.

Mahara turned her head back towards the ministers, her eyes fixated on their group. "I bet you're scared from what you heard, right?"

Lili felt her body tense up. "Huh? Uh… Yeah…"

Mahara let out a heavy sigh. "We're scared too..."

Lili looked at her, puzzled. "Why would you be scared?"

"I don't know... I just have this gut feeling that whoever that intruder is, he's a dangerous guy. So always take care of yourself, okay?"

Lili offered a slight smile and nodded her head in agreement.

The next day, Lili woke up early and decided to meet up with her friends. As she sat down to eat breakfast, her brother Cris asked, "Are you going somewhere?"

"How did you know?" Lili responded.

"Because you don't wake up early unless you have plans," Cris teased.

Lili laughed. "You really know me, don't you? I'm going to hang out with our friends. Are you going to join us?"

"No, I can't. Mom and I need to go to the market."

Once Lili heard the word "mother," she quickly moved towards Cris. "Can I come with you guys?"

"What for?" he asked.

"I want to help bring the ingredients," Lili replied.

Cris rolled his eyes. "As if mother would let you."

Lili felt her shoulders sag in disappointment.

"Well, you should go now if you want to meet your friends," Cris added.

Lili made her way to the forest where she and her friends used to hang out. They agreed to meet there the previous night, although her friends hadn't arrived yet. As she waited, she basked in the beauty of the forest around her, marveling at the colorful trees and vibrant flora.

Suddenly, she heard footsteps approaching from behind her. Lili's body stiffened as she turned around to see who it was, and she was greeted with the sight of a dashing man in a noble suit standing before her. He was a towering six feet tall with a strikingly handsome face.