Wings & Dreams

Ch.19 - The Past

Dormat, 2008

The atmosphere of this office room feels gripping. It was because everyone who was speechless and did not know what to say when a girl finished explaining everything.

"Did you all hear me?" Ask Stef. "They have a strange physical shape, and also have wings. They can also cast magic and are certainly dangerous."

"Don..." Someone raised a hand. "Is that some kind of...a fake witch?"

"Where there's such a thing," I'm the other.

"Stef, are you sure you saw it right?" Asked the Chairman who was none other than Oswald. The girl nodded, though in fact she began to doubt that these people in uniform could understand her words.

"You weren't there at the time of the incident" Stef continued. "But I'm sure. At first I didn't believe it either, just like you."

"Miss," someone was about to say something again. "Based on your explanation..so what do you think is the solution?"

Thank goodness, he said in his heart. They started to believe me.

"We're trying to find out if this thing is real" Stef replied. "I mean, have they ever appeared in the midst of humans before."

Stef saw some people whispering. They seem to be weighing their words. Oswald rubbed his face. Things to do when someone is feeling frustrated.

"Stef. I've always believed in you" she told him. "So this one's not a lie, right? You really see them?"

"Yes, Oswald."

"alright. We will try our best. In the meantime, you can stay calm in your apartment."

"What's? At least I have to do something."

"You've done a lot for your two friends."

"But that's not enough!"

"You look tired. Have you ever reflected?"

"Of course" Stef murmured while frowning. "Maybe I've been getting less healthy lately."

"That's why, you need to keep quiet."

Stef silent.

"It's my job" Oswald continued. "And these people."

Stef left the office with a heavy heart. When he was outside the building, his mind was still filled with the shadows of his two friends. Jon, who is unfortunately trapped between two strange women. His screams still echoed in his ears. And Clara, her friend who came back for Jon.

His last meeting with Clara did not go well. The girl had misunderstood her relationship with Jon.

Stef walked towards his home compound, constantly pondering over past events. He tells Clara that he likes Jon.

That's absolutely true. Once, he was her lover. However, as a result of a problem, their relationship becomes broken.

A few years ago...

"Jiang, Stef!" Greet someone suddenly. Stef looked up and saw Oswald. The man had a rather dark complexion, and a burly body. He now wears a police uniform.

"Os-oswald?!" Unknowingly, Stef immediately ran towards his friend, and hugged him.

"I haven't seen you in a long time!"

"Haha." Oswald hugged him. "Last time I saw you in school uniform. You work here now, don't you, Stef?"

"Yes." Yeah." Stef took off his embrace. "But why did you suddenly come to my office?"

"Of course to see you." Oswald raised his hand. Look plastic filled with drinks and small foods. It must be from the nearest supermarket.

"Your rest, right?" He said while grinning.

"You are my best friend" Stef said with a smile. They were about to walk out of the building when suddenly his eyes caught something.

Clara. The girl was asleep on the table. His brown hair is free. Clara is the new girl here. He had only known her a few months ago, ever since he had become a newcomer to this city.

"Who is he?" Ask Oswald behind him.

"My friend too" said Stef proudly. "What if we take him?" Sontak Oswald nodded.

Stef was about to wake Clara when someone approached her first. Jon was there first.

"Hey!" Clara immediately stood up, and was wide-eyed when she saw Jon. "Basic!"

Jon laughed happily at Clara's angry face. Then he hugged her because of anxiety.

He didn't realize Jon was looking at him.

"Come, Oswald." Stef doesn't understand why, but he wants to get out of here. While they were walking, Stef accidentally fell due to the slippery floor. As a result, the umbrella belonging to Clara that was leaned against the wall so damaged and broken.

"Ouch!"

"Stef!" Oswald hurriedly helped him up. Stef immediately lowered his head, feeling ashamed that he was so careless. He was busy thinking about other things so he did not pay attention to the road.

"Be careful." Jon was behind her. Stef turned his head, and Jon's handsome appearance instantly made him misbehave.

Jon's eyes glanced at Oswald's hand holding Stef's arm. "Who are you?"

"Anu, Jon..."

"I didn't ask you, Stef," he said again in a flat tone. "Who is he and what is your relationship?"

Stef gulps. Jon has been his girlfriend since he worked in this office. It's only natural that he asks questions.

"Don't get me wrong, Jon. He's just-"

"Is that Clara's?" Jon did not care about it and just lifted the umbrella that had now been broken. "You ruined it?"

"It's not so!" Stef was panicked and overwhelmed, but it wasn't his fault. "I fell down!"

"Fall down? Or was it on purpose that envy saw me hugging her just now?"

Stef gaping. Oswald had pulled the collar of his lover. Within seconds, they started fighting.

"Jon! Oswald! Stop that!" He tried to run it, but they still did not stop their fight. Fortunately, security officers immediately showed up and dragged Oswald.

"Shameful" said one. "Sir Oswald, you're one of us. How could you make a fuss here?"

"This is unacceptable!" Oswald continued to protest, but the man had been taken by two security guards, while Jon sat on the floor battered.

Stef went straight to him, but Jon shook his hand. "You still owe me an explanation."

"What would you like to explain? I've been telling you the truth."

"Oh yeah?" Jon was already standing, and looking at him full of anger. "You need to change Clara's umbrella!"

"What?!" Stef began to feel his anger overflowing. "I was not intentionally! It's your fault anyway! You've made me think things through!"

They kept clashing their mouths, unaware that many eyes were watching. Luckily Clara came and broke them, otherwise Jon would have hit Stef.

***

Stef blinked, then shook his head. Actually it was a very embarrassing incident. Jon didn't have to scold him, because it wasn't his fault.

"Bad mood?" Oswald came to him, and offered him a cup of warm coffee.

"Trims."

"Is this about your two friends?"

"No. Eum, yes."

"You can tell me."

"..."

Oswald. "I want to help you, Stef. I want to find them too."

"I know," said Stef. "Without them, it feels like life is empty."

"But you still have me."

Stef. "Haa.of course. I've known you since you were wearing baby pants."

"Shhhh!! Don't be so loud!"

"Hahaha," Stef held onto his stomach which suddenly felt pain. "I'm still keeping your old photos, when your mustache isn't even there yet."

"Me too" he said with a laugh.

They spent the afternoon outside the building. Stef can't forget Jon. The man he had only known a few years ago, when he started working in this office.

Could it be that someone could be provoked by his anger that easily? Jon has a strange and unstable emotional nature. Sometimes he can be good, sometimes he really is like a stranger.

Could it be that he had trauma? Think Stef. Or maybe, he's a double personality?