Chapter 8: Chapter 8:Emo Hours and Kliffto Cameo

I was packing my things when someone made their grand arrival in my head.

After putting the socks in my bag, I turned around to search for the hairbrush when I heard someone calling, ‘Psst. Kid.’

I looked around to find the source of the voice, but was met with none. Looking around, I shrugged and started packing again.

‘Hey, kid! Do you hear me? Hello!!?’

I spun. No one. ‘Show yourself.’ I said, scanning the room.

‘Over here! In your big fat genius mind!’

The voice said again. Well, it kinda sounded like resonating in my mind, considering that it was void of any emotions then.

‘I am Kliffto!’ it said, and I recognized it immediately.

‘Oh, you.’ I frowned, picking up the brush. ‘What do you want?’

‘You’re one of the bravest. Usually the kids like you would throw a fit or sprint to their mommy if I try to talk with them like this,’ Kliffto praised.

I shrugged again. I wasn’t in the condition to show any intense reflex. All I felt was hollowness and agony. The pain in the chest getting almost unbearable. But I had to endure it, anyway.

‘So, why are you here? In my mind, I mean.’ I said, stuffing the hairbrush and pulling out some clothes then. Purple hoodie is really comfy.

‘About that. Are you really leaving doing no research or throwing a tantrum?’ Kliffto asked, clearly amused.

‘Hm, no. Do you want me to?’ I tossed whatever clothes I found near into the backpack and hurriedly jogged to get the toothbrush.

‘No, I mean, it’s definitely not I want-but, like, kids normally do this sort of things at first. That’s why I’m asking.’

‘Guess what? I am not normal.’ I forced the toothbrush to stay put on the already stuffed full bag-ugh, therefore I hate packing.

‘Cool, cool. So let’s go to the business then.’ I hummed.

‘Your departure for the training is approximately at 6pm. Go to the rooftop before that. And I’ll pick you up.’

Gre-wait, what?

‘Who will pick me up?’ I spluttered, not believing my ears.

‘Why, me, of course? Or are you expecting those gigantic-metal-chicken like things with sharp edges?’

‘You mean helicopters?’

‘Whatever,’ Kliffto faked a shiver in its voice, ‘Machines are scary. We don’t do that in here, kiddo.’

‘We are getting off topic. How will YOU, a little bird, going to pick me, a grown human up?’ Like it’s really concerning though? I couldn’t see how Kliffto can carry me or lift me up from the ground if I don’t change my size as a ring.

All Kliffto did was let out a chuckle. ‘Oh, kiddo. You do not want to underestimate me by giving the title of a mere bird. Perhaps you forgot who I am, a messenger of spring for thousands of years. Or should I say the almighty, immortal super bird of spring?’

‘That still doesn’t answer my question.’ I was back to packing again, but this time my mind was more attentive.

‘How will you lift me up from the ground?’

‘Kid, I am not an ordinary bird. In eerie world, ‘Kliffto’ means shape-shifter. I have no particular appearance to begin with. Just like seasons, I am also a soul. My appearance depends on people’s appearance.’

‘Like to eeries, I take the shape of a bird. That’s why they call me the “bird-messenger.” To human, I often materialize as a little girl or boy. With animals, I take shape of a fox, earning their respect as cunning.’

‘So, I can easily enlarge myself and take you in.’

I tried to imagine myself being swallowed by Kliffto, and, uh, roaming in its humble abode.

‘I really… don’t appreciate the idea of going to a gigantic bird’s tummy, and having fewer chances of coming out.’

Silence.

And then Kliffto heaved a sigh-‘Maybe you’re not that bright as I assumed you to be.’

‘Took you long to figure out.’

Silence again. I called the bird’s name a few times, but nobody responded. Guessed it was gone then.

I exhaled quickly and finished pocking. I checked to see if there was anything left, but was satisfied. Now what?

The wooden stairs creaked as I descended slowly, cracking the silence faintly. It took all the willpower of me not to burst into tears when my eyes found the deserted kitchen ornamented with broken glasses and crashed utensils.

Mom and dad were not there. I walked to look for them, moving slowly because of the tiny bits of chalice on the floor.

I found mom in the bedroom. She was sitting on the bed with a picture album in her hand; flipping it mindlessly. I advanced forward and realized what it was- our family album.

Mom was in the same state as I saw her earlier-eyes swallowed and hair very messy. Clothes tattered and caked with dust. Her eyes didn’t have the normal merry glint anymore. I sat beside her.

‘Mom.’ I patted her elbow. ‘What are you doing?’

Mom’s lips tugged a little upward, a sad smile barely appearing there. ‘I was looking through some forgotten memories, but,’ she blinked slowly, ‘Now I am savouring every moment with my daughter.’ She looked at me.

A lump formed in my throat. Just why was this so painful? I blinked away my tears.

‘Yeah,’ I sighed and looked around the bedroom. Little fairy lights hung on the ceiling, which dad had bought for mom like the romantic man he is. A few Polaroids were also dangling from the wire of fairy lights. The room never shone from colours. Instead, a pink lampshade always illuminated it with soft light, making the place look cozy and homy with a loving touch.

The scent of daisies lingered in air-stretching out the longing feeling in my stomach. I shut my eyes and stopped myself from whimpering in pain, which was almost getting physical.

It was getting so suffocated that I was suddenly urging 6pm to come fast.

Mom’s voice broke me from my trance. ‘Darling,’ she called in a soothing manner, and put her hand on my shoulder. ‘It’s going to be fine. We’ll be fine.’

Was it? ‘I hope so.’ I murmured, trying and failing to hide the sadness in my voice. The clock was intentionally ticking with a pace similar to tortoises’. I was so sure of that.

‘How about this?’ mom got up and flashed me a smile, a gentle, loving and relaxing smile. All the mother’s smiles are like this, which never cannot ease our pain, even if we are getting stabbed by a thousand of needle. ‘We spend the last day enjoying ourselves? We can eat and watch movies together and see the sunset on roof, what do you think?’ she looked at me.

‘I shook my head, ‘Please don’t bother yourself with work at a time like this, mom.’

‘Baby,’ mom tilted her head to me, resting a hand on my head, eyes sparkling with sincerity. ‘You will never become a bother to us. Ever.’

And with that, mom left the room, my broken pieces of heart trailing behind her.

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