“Where are you all staying? If you don’t mind, can I give you a ride?” Luna asked the trio when they were at the arrival gate.

  “Oh, it’s alright. We are heading to Isla’s house.” Ellie commented as Isla raised an eyebrow as though reprimanding Ellie for giving away too much information.

  “Oh, where is it? I can still drop you all.” Luna was trying her luck, as though she wanted to stay with the group. Jazzlyn, noticing Isla’s temper was flaring, quickly jumped in.

  “Ah, it’s alright. It’s very far. Our taxi has arrived. See you at the event tonight, Luna!” Jazzlyn quickly pushed Isla into the car as Ellie waved goodbye to Luna, who was left alone at the gate.

  Am I that annoying that no one wants to befriend me? Not even my own husband could understand me? Luna lamented to herself as she hailed her taxi to her luxurious hotel, where the school reunion event was. She booked with the intention to show off to the trio, but to no avail.

  Jazzlyn, who was seated in the middle of Isla and Ellie at the back of the taxi, nudged Isla.

  “There, I have saved you earlier. So, where’s my reward?” Jazzlyn asked with a half-joking, bossy manner as she folded her arms.

  “Hmm…” Isla reacted, which surprised the duo.

  “Hmm, only? Are you serious?!” Jazzlyn snapped as Isla sat up straight.

  “You do know my family's house is by the beach, right? You do know we are staying so far that this taxi fare is so expensive?” Isla pointed out cause it wasn’t the duo who was paying.

  “Right… Let me know how much. We share the cost!” Jazzlyn leaned back down on her seat, feeling defeated from trying to appease Isla’s anger since before they flew.

  “Me too…” Ellie added as Isla sternly glared at her. Ellie quickly looked outside the window, ignoring Isla, who was trying to calm down.

  Isla hasn’t been herself lately due to the trip, partly because she was returning alone again after the last round she came with Lex. To add to more conflicts, Isla was disappointed with herself. She was never calculative with Jazzlyn and Ellie, but Ellie would feel guilty for over-relying on them both financially since her family background was never as rich as Isla's or Jazzlyn's.

  If it weren't for her parents and Lex left Jazzlyn early, she wouldn't have so much inheritance either. Back then, her first family house was sold off because she had been living in the west of Malaysia most of the time during her marriage. With the money she had, she chose to maintain the vacation house by the beach instead, because it held all the sweet memories she had with her parents.

  They used to come every weekend, though her father would sometimes bring the last bit of work over as well. Being born to a businessman who used to supply frozen food to the various small eateries in town, Isla could be identified easily by these sellers the moment she walked past them. Her mother had always been so supportive of his business that she left her desk job as a secretary just to help him out. Since she was their only child, they ensured they spent time with her every weekend, no matter how busy they would be.

  Dad, Mum… I'm back. Have you been well?

  Isla questioned in her heart as she stood by the beach while the wind blew. When her parents left, she didn't have a memorial columbarium for them because it was her parents’ last wish. Instead, she had scattered their ashes by the sea near their vacation home.

  Coming back here often gives her a sentimental mood, the same one she had when she had to visit Lex’s columbarium. What's worse was the sight of the empty slot by Lex's columbarium, which was waiting for her time to rest there.

  She had never told a single soul all these, because she knew from young, share the good things, keep the bad ones to yourself. As time passes, things change. It won't stay bad forever, but…

  Her grief for these three dearest individuals who left her with a fortune seems to continue and endure even after so many years have passed.

  Mum, Jazzlyn is going to register her marriage… She has grown up so much, hasn't she? It's her turn to set free into her marriage. I wonder when it will be Ellie's turn… She giggled in her heart as a smile slowly appeared on her face, facing the sea.

  Dad, are you enjoying your time with your son-in-law? Have you been hearing a lot of my bad things? Don't get swayed by him, alright? I'm still your baby girl, no matter what he says… She blinked away a little of her welling tears as it was her way of telling her parents that her husband had passed on.

  The laughter coming from the living room of her beach house dragged her back to reality. She watched Jazzlyn and Ellie chasing each other in the living room as she smiled gratefully at their company.

  A case of theft: this story is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.

  Don’t worry, Mum and Dad. I’m in good hands. She said in her heart as she walked into the house to join in the fun.

  That evening, after having much fun by the sea, the trio arrived at the hotel where the school reunion was slightly earlier, as Isla’s family's house was quite a distance from the city.

  “Told you we didn’t have to come so early.” Jazzlyn nagged as she quickly found a spot to sit and fix her strapped heels. The trio was dressed in their simple formal attire, with Ellie in her formal slacks and blouse, while Isla and Jazzlyn were in their simple one-tone dinner dresses, as they wanted to stay low profile as always.

  “Where… Where are you heading to?” Ellie asked sceptically when Isla went to the reception, ignoring her question. The girls waited for Isla to return shortly after with a room key card.

  “What do you mean by this?” Jazzlyn creased her forehead, questioning Isla’s action of getting a room.

  “The house is far. We can always return tomorrow after some fun in the city, can't we?” Isla winked as the girls cheered.

  “Oh, wait, no one is paying for this. I am!” Isla raised her arm as Ellie pouted.

  “I didn’t say you didn’t have to pay for anything. You could treat us to some meals…” Isla could see Ellie’s smile, and they both knew Isla was feeling a little better now.

  “And you too. Some meals.” Isla winked, indicating the expensive ones are all for Jazzlyn to foot the bill, and she nodded, understanding Isla.

  “Sure! Anything for a fun girl night out!” Jazzlyn cheered when Luna appeared.

  “Hey girls! Didn’t know you all arrived! Wanna check out my room here?” Luna offered with anticipating eyes as Isla tried to look away discreetly with disdain, but Jazzlyn held her arm.

  “Sure. Lead the way since we still have some time…” Jazzlyn smiled as Luna delightedly quickly turned around to the lift. That was when Ellie caught up with an old classmate, Julian.

  “Ellie!” Julian greeted Ellie as she slowly began to recognise him as the classmate who wore glasses and often studied with the trio back then in primary school.

  “Julian?” Ellie smiled as Isla and Jazzlyn stepped forward to take a good look at Julian.

  “Oh my gosh, you changed so much! Are you really Julian?” Jazzlyn questioned sceptically as Isla stopped to the side to check his right ear.

  “It is… The mole on his ear… Julian!” Isla chuckled.

  “What are you doing now? How’s life?” Jazzlyn asked when Luna walked closer to the gang.

  “I’m in KL*. Financial consultant…” Julian quickly handed out his name cards to the girls.

  “Oh, impressive…” Luna said when she got the name card.

  “Luna, right?” Julian asked, remembering she was still the same old Luna from their younger days, trying to keep being in the limelight of everything. Luna met his gaze and nodded.

  “Yes, that’s right. We all live in KL* too. Someday, I will call you. I need some financial advice.” Luna said proudly as Julian smiled and nodded professionally.

  “Sure. My pleasure…” Julian said politely.

  “Are you all attending the reunion tonight?” His question was asking everyone, but his gaze landed on Ellie.

  “Oh.. Oh yes, we are. Are you too?” Ellie asked as he nodded.

  “Cool, let’s go in first and have a look?” Isla invited him as everyone seemed agreeable except for Luna, who was disappointed again at failing to impress the trio with her deluxe suite room reservation.

  “Who is she trying so hard to impress?” Isla whispered to Jazzlyn as Jazzlyn hushed her while they noticed Julian and Ellie were fully engrossed in their catching-up conversation.

  Isla shared a smile with Jazzlyn, knowing something could be brewing between them both but they kept quiet and went with the flow. Ellie and Julian had been close before she shifted to KL* partly because they shared the same interest in accounts and finance. So, it was no surprise they ended up in their current roles.

  As Isla and Jazzlyn strolled through the room, Luna was beginning to socialise with anyone who looked classy. It was eye soaring for Isla as she stepped aside in the hall to take a breather with Jazzlyn.

  “It’s not like you to be this quiet… Something bothering you?” Jazzlyn questioned, noticing Isla unusual self.

  “Not really…” Isla casually replied.

  “Come on… Tell me. I know I have been busy with my issues, but that doesn’t mean any of us should be neglected.” Jazzlyn coaxed.

  “I… It felt different this time to return…” Isla met with Jazzlyn’s gaze.

  “Without Lex.” Isla looked away instantly. Jazzlyn finally fixed the puzzle of her moody self lately.

  “Don’t worry… It’s just me trying to grieve and adjust. I haven’t been back for a long time here. The last time was when I brought him to the beach house. Life had been busy, and I thought I wouldn’t feel anything but probably a little sentimental, that’s all.” Isla admitted.

  “I’m with you… Ellie too. Don’t worry. We always stick together and get through it all…” Jazzlyn comforted her as they noticed Luna was being obnoxious with a group of girls flaunting her achievement as a music store owner, which she co-owned with her soon-to-be-divorced husband.

  “I wished I could expose her potential divorce… How’s it going on her divorce?” Isla fumed as Jazzlyn shrugged.

  “Drama queen indeed.” Isla rolled her eyes as Jazzlyn gently rubbed her back.

  “Sabar* sis… Sabar*...” The duo laughed as they observed and chatted a little more over the night.

  Glossary:

  * KL- A short form for Kuala Lumpur, the capital city of Malaysia

  *Sabar - Means patience in Malay