We Are

Chapter 3

After school, Diana usually went straight to work. But today was her day off, so she headed straight home.

Upon arriving, she unlocked the front gate and the house door using the spare key she always carried. The main key, however, was with David.

The locked door confirmed that David hadn’t come home yet.

Stepping inside, Diana took off her shoes and neatly placed them on the shoe rack.

Just then, her phone vibrated, signaling an incoming message. She reached into her bag and pulled out her phone.

It’s from David, she thought as she opened the message.

"Diana, have you made it home yet? I’ll be staying over at a friend’s place tonight, so don’t wait up for me. I won’t be coming home. Is that okay?"

Diana quickly typed a response.

"Yeah, that’s fine. I understand. I’m already home."

After sending the message, she remained still for a moment. Her focus shifted from her phone to a door—the master bedroom door.

She took a step closer to it, intending to open it. But before her fingers could touch the doorknob, her phone vibrated again with another message from David.

"Alright then. Just remember—don’t go near the master bedroom. You understand, right?"

Diana didn’t reply.

Her gaze returned to the door in front of her.

Not only did I approach it, but I was just about to open it, she realized.

Ignoring David’s warning, she reached for the doorknob again.

Her fingers brushed against the cold metal, and she turned it—only to find that it wouldn’t budge.

It’s locked, she thought with a sigh, pulling her hand away.

But then, something unexpected happened.

Another hand touched the doorknob.

Startled, Diana’s eyes darted to the side.

A little girl stood beside her.

Before Diana could process her shock, the child effortlessly turned the knob, unlocking the door—something Diana hadn’t been able to do.

She watched as the girl stepped inside.

"Daddy, I can’t sleep in my room. I want to sleep here with you and Mommy," the child’s soft voice broke the silence.

Diana stood frozen.

The girl was wearing pajamas, hugging a heart-shaped red pillow tightly against her chest.

A gentle voice responded from inside the room. "What’s wrong, hmm? Why can’t you sleep? Come here."

The little girl stepped forward, closing the distance between her and the man she called Daddy.

"I tried to sleep, but it was really hard," she mumbled, rubbing her eyes sleepily. "Daddy, where’s Mommy?"

"She’s in the bathroom," the man replied, scooping her up into his arms.

The child clung to his neck.

"Daddy, tell me a bedtime story," she requested.

Her father chuckled and gently stroked her hair. "Alright. But you have to promise to go to sleep right away. You have school tomorrow morning."

"I promise!"

At that moment, the bathroom door inside the room opened, revealing a woman stepping out.

"Oh? Why are you here, sweetheart? You’re not asleep yet?" she asked with a warm smile.

"Mommy, I want to sleep here with you and Daddy. And Daddy is going to tell me a bedtime story!"

The woman’s smile softened. "Of course, dear," she said, joining them on the bed.

Diana watched the heartwarming scene unfold before her.

A lump formed in her throat.

A deep sorrow crept into her heart.

Without realizing it, she reached out as if to touch the scene before her.

But her hand hit something solid.

The door…

She wasn’t inside that room. She was outside.

The realization struck her like a blow.

Slowly, Diana sank to the floor, her hand sliding down the smooth wooden surface of the door as she collapsed.

She pressed her other hand over her mouth, forcing herself to stay silent.

No sobs escaped her lips.

But the tears came anyway.

A silent, endless stream of them.

She sat there, crying in front of the tightly shut door—mourning the happiness she had once known.

Because what she had just witnessed…

Was nothing more than a memory.

A past that no longer belonged to her.

*****

A young man with jet-black hair and eyes as dark as the night sky let out a sigh.

He turned to the person walking beside him.

"I understand that you want to take me to school," he began.

The other young man glanced at him. "Hmm?"

"But do you really have to walk me all the way to my classroom?"

His companion smirked. "Who said I was taking you to your classroom? I’m taking you to the principal’s office."

The black-haired young man, Revan, let out an annoyed huff. "That’s exactly what I meant. Whether it’s my classroom or the principal’s office, you really don’t need to walk me there. Dropping me off at the school gate was enough."

His older companion ignored him and kept walking.

Revan sighed in frustration. "I don’t need your help with this. I’m not some clueless little kid."

"We’re here," his older brother, Valen, announced, stopping in front of a door and opening it.

Revan glanced up at the sign.

"Waiting Room."

The school security had directed them here since the principal wasn’t available yet.

Revan sighed again.

Whatever. Do what you want, annoying brother.

"Revan Gael, why are you still standing there?" Valen called out.

Revan rolled his eyes.

"Patience, Valen Gael," he muttered as he finally stepped inside.

"And you," Valen shot back, "show a little respect to your older brother."

***

Revan’s POV

"Please introduce yourself," the teacher instructed.

Revan gave a slight nod before speaking.

"My name is Revan Gael. I hope we can all get along."

That was all he said. No unnecessary details. No extra words.

At first, the classroom remained silent, as if the students were still processing his presence.

But then, chaos erupted.

"Do you have a girlfriend?"

"Can I have your phone number, Revan?"

"Give me your email!"

"What are your hobbies?"

"What’s your favorite food? I’ll cook it for you tomorrow!"

The teacher sighed, quickly stepping in before the class spiraled out of control.

"Revan, your seat is in the back, next to the window," the teacher instructed.

Revan complied.

As he walked to his desk, the barrage of questions continued—most of them from female students.

But he ignored them all.

The moment he sat down, the teacher immediately began the lesson, successfully redirecting the students’ attention.

Revan leaned back in his chair, grateful for the brief silence.

It was going to be a long day.

*****