They were laying on the bed lost in their thoughts probably reminiscing their childhood days. The silence was oddly comforting. They smiled at each other, and Hera decided to break the silence. “I wish we could spend more time here like we use to do. I miss our childhood, Abby,” Hera said in a softer tone and turned to her side, looking into Abby’s smiling eyes. Hera admired Abby’s Sunkissed skin as it looked gorgeous. The freckles on her nose and cheeks gave her a fairytale princess look.

Hera silently envied her cousin. She had grandparents who loved her to the moon and back, and every year Abby spent her summer holidays with them. Hera never had a chance at such happiness.

Abby grabbed Hera’s hand, and they intertwined fingers. They scooted closer and silently stared at the ceiling. Hera remembered her childhood days, the time when she believed that Liezel and Benson loved her and that she’s a part of their family.. But as they say, nothing lasts forever. Things change, people change, and so did Hera’s life. Everything changed after her fifth birthday. 

None of her family members came to their boarding school to visit them. All the students would go home on weekends to spend time with their families while Hera, Danny, and Abby would spend their weekends either with their friends or by themselves.

Hera was thankful that at least during Winter and Summer breaks they’re allowed to come home. They could visit their family for Christmas.

Danny hated her because he believed Hera ruined his happy family. It was only him and his parents before her. But now they wouldn’t even care about him. It used to kill Hera whenever Danny accused her of ruining his perfect family. But now she could understand how it feels to be abandoned by your family, and she knew how much it hurt Danny. She could now relate to his pain.

Benson never showed that he cared in any way, and his attitude towards Hera became colder as the time passed. But it hurt Hera so much when Liezel stopped caring. As soon as Hera started for school, her most favourite person, her aunt Lizzy distanced herself from Hera day by day.

Like Danny, Liezel too accused Hera of ruining her family. She blamed Hera for Danny’s hatred towards her. Hera once overheard Benson and Liezel fighting, and they were arguing about how life had turned into a disaster since the day Hera came into their lives. Liezel even said that she regrets the day she decided to bring Hera home.

That’s the day when Hera realized that she didn’t belong in their family.

Her aunt Jenny changed too. Her world only revolved around her daughter Abigail and she never even glanced at Hera. But Jenny loved Danny though because he played the role of a perfect brother to her daughter. The only person that remained the same was her uncle Antony. Not that he showered her with love, but at least he cared. He would still smile at her with affection and would ruffle her hair in greeting.

Why was her life so hard? Why no one gave her the affection she deserved? Why was she so unlucky when it came to love? Hera often wondered but never really found an answer to her queries. Maybe it’s her fault for always hoping against her ill fate.

‘Maybe it’s time I should stop hoping for the best.’

A nudge to her shoulder jolted Hera back to the present. Abby’s smiling face came into view. Hera returned the smile and stayed silent for a few more minutes.

Hera let her eyes wander and survey the room for a few seconds. It was special because it’s where they slept every time they visited Benson’s parents. The room was pretty small yet big enough for both of them to share. They played home, built their own castle with bedspreads and pillows in that tiny room. They shared their secrets hiding under the comforter, and this was the place where Abby cuddled every time Hera cried.

She’d promised Hera that one day her Prince charming would come and take her to his castle, and then she would live happily ever after with him.

True to Abby’s words, Hera did find her Prince charming. He made everything better. He was there to wipe her tears when she cried. He was there to lend his shoulder to lean on when Hera needed comfort. He was always there to kiss her sorrows goodbye. With him by her side, Hera couldn’t have asked for any more happiness. He was her Paradise, her eternal bliss. But nothing good stayed for long in Hera’s life.

“Are you feeling better now?” Abby asked, and Hera wordlessly inclined her head in an answer. “Good then. Darling, cousin, it’s time to join our family before they could send another search party for us. Let’s go,” Abby said, getting off the bed. She draped her Denim Jacket over her white sundress and gestured Hera to get ready.

Hera asked Abby to give her a few more minutes. She agreed and reached for the door. “And, Hera, don’t mind whatever bullshit Danny uttered earlier making you upset. Just ignore him, and I’m always here if you need me,” Abby said with a warm smile, and Hera smiled in gratitude. “Thanks, Abby. I’ll join you in another five minutes,” she said, her tone was assuring enough for Abby to give her the needed space.

Hera locked her door and walked up to the window. The crowd gathered in their backyard all seemed to be lost in the aftereffects of alcohol already. She scrunched her nose up in disgust. She could see their flushed faces and how shamelessly they were flirting with the opposite sex.

Hera wished she could stay locked in her room, but she knew it’s a futile wish. She had no choice but join them because it would be rude to stay away from your own family get together party.

She pulled the curtains blocking the view and bent down, looking under the cot to pull out her luggage bag. She took out her Diary and hugged it to her heart. The white gold anklet she’s wearing in her left ankle shimmered in the evening dim light. She touched it rotating around her ankle and held the little heart charm attached to it. And just like that, memories started to haunt her mind. She read the words engraved on it, “Hunter’s Archer” and her traitorous heart clenched in ache whispering the phrase without her permission.

“I miss you too, Hunter.”