Rainbow Within the Darkness

Episode 2

Chapter 3 "Rainbow comes after a rain 2"

Since that day, the young Marica never again thought of anything. Neither the bullies nor her parents' unending fights in the past seemed to caught her attention anymore. And even after that scene, the young child doesn't seem to acknowledge any hope any longer. Just a night after the bridge scene, her father came back and started pursuing her mother. Of course, he was apparently sincere but who knows what will happen next if things go back as how it was used to be. Furthermore, Marica shouldn't meddle with it after all, his father's actions lessens the fights for a week now, it's rude to say but it indeed gave the young child a space to breath out.

"Mom...." Marica called her mother who's busy washing some dishes.

The child walked towards the kitchen and there, she leaned in the cabinets anterior. Inside the kitchen is a black dining table, a cooking place, a sink, and some cabinets. In the sink comes her mother facing her back at her, busy washing away the bubbles around the soaped plates before putting them inside a basket. Her mother paused for a brief moment but didn't look back at the young child, rather continued to wash the remaining utensils and hummed, "Hmm? What is it, my child?" As usual, her tone was sweet and her voice was gentle.

The young Marica eyed her mother for who knows how long but with her mother's prosaic tone, she couldn't figure out what's wrong. Again, she took another set of time to stare at her mother's back but still couldn't figure it out hence, she dropped her thought. When the young child changed her mind and instead thought of another thing to do, the mother took her time to secretly wipe her tears away. Right, the mother was crying. Maybe because she was her child that Marica seems to notice something wrong even though she couldn't figure it out.

Upon thinking after thinking and still unable to guess what to ask or to do next, the young Marica gave up and left the kitchen quietly. Thus, her mother was left alone. Upon feeling her child's presence disappeared, the woman no longer stops her tears nor her lament. Tears comes after tears, sobs after sobs. During that single moment, in the middle of the day, a cry of a woman were heard echoing along with the water's sound. Truthfully, she feels so sorrowful for the long fights with her husband but that wasn't really the case that makes her heart scream in agony but rather, it was her child's silent cries.

Who would thought that the family she build became a shattered home, leaving no chance to be repaired? Even after so many talks and arguments, neither the cries nor the words made the husband and wife, the dad and the mom fix the problem. Even after so long, the mess was still there and the dispute was still prolonging. And in the end, no matter what the circumstances are, they're still suffering.

"I'm sorry, I'm sorry." The mother bawled in despair.

Amidst the woman's echoing excruciating cries, a man outside was leaning against the hard and cold wall that separates the kitchen and the mini hall. His composure wasn't straight, his head down and his legs shaking. Hearing his wife's agony didn't make him any less tranquil. Besides, hearing someone you love cry and suffer because of you isn't something to be proud of. It is something to be more than ashamed.

At last, after many breathes, the man decided to enter the kitchen. There, a woman sitting on the floor while hugging her knees filled his vision. For him, there's no more painful than to see something excruciating like this and thus, without a word went towards his wife and hugged her tightly. The woman was taken aback but after realizing the air of familiarity, she took a breath, cried and leaned her head on her husband's soft shoulder. For a brief moment, the wife felt a tip of hope lingering somewhere in her heart but it didn't take long enough when her husband said, "Fine....I won't hurt you anymore. I won't hurt you anymore." His voice was staggering and shaking, almost whispering. At first it didn't matter to her but then, he continued, "I'll leave. I'll leave. So don't cry anymore. Suffer, not anymore." With that, her time stopped, her vision darkened and her sobbing grew even more bitter.

Veraciously, her husband's words were real. Because when the night came, he started packing his things. When Marica came home, what welcomed her was the aftermath of her parents' one-sided resolution; her husband, the father to leave. Of course, the innocent child was addled, wondering what had happened for her to witness something new. Why would her father pack his things? What had happened this time? It wasn't long enough when the young Marica saw her mother on the edge of her parents room. Thanks to her peripheral vision.

While her father was packing his things, obviously sitting on the floor while taking his clothes one by one out of a wooden cabinet, her mom was just sitting on the edge. On the floor to be exact. She was just hugging her fragile knees and on her face was an unreadable expression, almost like some ghosts possessed her.

Marica took a glimpse on her father before going straight towards her mom. And when she's near enough, she asked, "Mom, what happened?" Of course, she sounded worried.

Hearing her daughter's small voice somehow woke the woman up in her darkening world. And after choreographing her words, she then replied, "Dad's gonna leave for awhile. But someday, she'll comeback."

"Okay....I believe you, mom." The kid replied.

Hence, when her father was done packing his own things and was just about to leave, the young Marica, for who knows how long it has been, smiled at her father. She was standing just a meter away from the door, her mother was on her back—holding both of her shoulders, while looking at her father standing near the door. He was acutely opening the door using his right hand while his left was holding his baggage. He, then smiled at his daughter and took a glance at his wife. In his mind, he said, "I'll come back. And when I do so, I want to be someone you deserve."

At last, the door opened widely and it didn't took long enough when it closed again. Therefore, her father was gone.

Honestly, with her parents fighting gone, Marica thought her sufferings will be gone too. But even after a month of their separation, the bullying was still ceaseless. Wherever she goes and whenever the kids pleases, they'd come and attack the young solitaire child. She never had a friend nor a companion. All she had was herself against those remorseless kids. So, who would win alone against a bunch of kids? If there is, can anyone tell it to the pitiful child?

"What now? Where did your father go?" Eion, with his felicitous tone queried.

Looking back, I remember kids bullied her by conceiving that she never had a mother when in fact, the woman in their house was really her biological mom. No one ever knew who in the world expanded that ridiculous hearsay but anyway, it's not true hence that insult never fazed the young child. But since what Eion said was accurately true, this time it was different. Just where did her father go? She really doesn't know either. Unable to answer, the young child bit her lower lip and crumpled her own little fists. For the first time, she felt a pain dawdling inside her heart.

Seeing her reaction, Eion couldn't care less but to be delighted. At last, the moment he was long waiting for was coming to befall. Within his young yet wicked little heart comes an inconceivable delectation. He was indeed, obviously happy. Instantly, his obscene smile grew even more wider making his face even more abhorrent, awful than ever.

"Ohh...our little Marica's gonna cry! Cry now! Cry now!" Eion cheered and the other kids followed.

Currently, they're absurdly at the same park nearby Ishikawa Shrine. It was indeed a bit far from the center of the Kapitolyo de Norte and nearer to the boundary. Apparently, the surrounding was more with trees than buildings nor crowd. Thus, it was natural for Eion and the kids to show bravery albeit doing a villainy deed. Once someone noticed, then they're dead. However, who would notice? Even though it was a park, it wasn't crowded. Henceforth, the advantage was on them or so they thought.

It was just a matter of seconds before Marica's cries to come out when someone shouted, "Hey! Little rascals!" Surely, it was a young boy's voice. Anyways, due to him meddling, everyone's attention was now focused on him and even Marica's tears backed out. Thanks to him, Eion's wish didn't come true.

"Scram you rascals!" He added and hearing him, made the kids tremble. This young boy was wearing a jumper and a pair of shoes. Although he was fat, that didn't skunk him to carry out his weight and stand on top of the seesaw. His eyebrows were attracting towards one another and his hands were on top of his waist, lazily yet bravely holding tightly. Beside his feet lies a water bottle.

Eion didn't seem to acknowledge the new comer and instead smiled teasingly, obviously pissing him. Without further ado, silently, the new comer took the water bottle lying beside his feet and confidently threw it towards the young wicked Eion. In Marica's vision comes a water bottle, freely flying along the invisible wind, slowly but clearly. BANG! It has hit his head. It was clearer than the water contained in itself just how marvelous the bottle hit the wicked child's small head and Marica could no longer take it anymore and laughed in amusement. That was indeed funny.

"A—Ouch! Ouch! Ouch!" Along the peaceful park comes a pained howl. The other kids behind the howling Eion could no longer do anything but to back down a few steps. Thus, the new comer took off of the seesaw and started walking towards them.

"R-Ran......." Upon hearing Eion call him in that name, Marica was taken aback. She quickly rambled her gaze upon the kids, one by one, examining their reactions whilst figuring out if something's conspicuous. But she figure out nothing henceforth, meant she was the only one among them who doesn't know the young chubby child. So, who is this Ran?

"You! Aren't you all gonna leave? Scram you idiots!" This Ran shouted. His voice was furious and somehow dejected. Who would thought that those words really came out from a young child's mouth? Furthermore, who would dare to talk like that against a team whilst being alone? Either way, for Marica it didn't matter as long as his presence made the kids tremble in fear, then she wouldn't care.

When the kids left, Marica was left with this kid named Ran. Truthfully, she doesn't know what must to be done and not to be done for how long who knows had it been since the last time she had a friend. Additionally, she don't have anything to offer to show her thanks hence, she's only left with one choice; to say thanks. But then, how could she open her mouth if she's too introverted?

On the other hand, Ran didn't seem to be bothered by Marica's suffocating silence. For him, forcing one's self to do something she or he doesn't like makes him no different from Eion and the other kids. Assuredly, he's neither the type of a kid who loves to bully nor the type to do fake-buddy. All he need was someone's honesty and sincerity, for him, no other things could beat that. Hence, he smiled at the young child who was intently watching him.

In that brief, yet memory lasting sincere smile, Marica felt safe and comfortable. It was as if that smile was a rainbow after the long rain. And for the first time, the young child found what the word beautiful really means. At last, Marica couldn't force herself any longer and let her hiding smile go all the way out.

Chapter 4 "Mysterious punk"

"He is not Ran." Hearing that, Yumi can't help but to gasp in shock, almost horrified.

Within a brief time, the rain stopped and the sun conquered the whole skies. It was as if a god passed by whom made the darkness vanish into thin air. And it was indeed a bad timing.

"M-Marica....what are you talking about?" Yumi queried. Obviously a little enraged.

Marica replied, "He's not Ran, I could say that. I mean, look.... that's obviously his brother." She sounded so sure and confident that if Yumi wasn't aware of the real situation, she'd actually believe her.

Truth to behold, the young Marica had already met Ran's ambiguous brother. In her memories, if she isn't mistaken, Ran's brother have the same cimmerian eyes, he has this comfortless, depressive and disconsolate gaze that can make anyone, even the most jolly one to feel a crumb of gloom. And in her mind, surely, that that kind of stare isn't natural for Ran to have ergo, in her abstract idea, she told herself; this isn't the real Ran.

Ran on the other hand forced himself to ignore the inconceivable words that came out from the young gal's mouth. Instead of focusing his attention to some ridiculous accusations, he just closed his umbrella whilst seriously staring at them. He abode his pair of light brown eyes afore the young gal and then stretch his right arm to her, indicating that he was giving the umbrella. Marica stared at it, confused and riddled. Until he uttered, "It's really the real me. Perhaps it's been too long that you couldn't remember me, hence, take this and let's pretend as if we don't know each other." His voice was clear and yet it was cimmerian. Almost felt like every word he says were originally voiced by the death itself. Too gloomy and too chilly.

But Marica on the other hand smiled, nevermind taking the umbrella, "Then, perhaps I was the one who wronged you. I'm guilty for that, I admit. So, instead of pretending not to know each other, why not let us catch some time together?" She was clearly inviting.

Yumi again awed in incredulity. I mean, who would thought that a shy looking girl could say those words straight as if she's used to say it so often? She's indeed beautiful, no need to talk, no need to do anything and still, man will fall for her and yet, why did the young gal took the deepest bravery hidden deep in her heart just to invite a gloomy little guy? Perhaps she wants something? But what is it, then? Or perhaps, this exaggerated Yumi was just assuming a perfect bluff?

"Aren't you too brave to ask me that after accusing me I was fake?" The young lad queried in response.

"Look, that was indeed absurd hence, I apologise." Besides, it has been too long since they last saw each other, indicating that it's more unnatural to see him, pertains to his ambiguous brother, this young than to see someone looking like his clone is just antic as it is. And thus, she added, "Come on, aren't we friends?"

"We are not." He replied in the sense of hurry and faced the silent Yumi. "Keep her company. Go and roam her around the Central Place of the Capital, be careful." At last, he faced his back against the two, leaving no space for Marica to say any word.

The two of them were dumbfounded. After a minute, Marica heard Yumi's sighs. She turned her head upon her. "What's wrong?" She then asked, sounding a little bit worried.

"He began to change three years ago. Just like you, I was shock too. Perhaps it really has been too long but, I think, you should start to know him again." That was the only words the young and elegant Yumi said before they started to roam around the Capital of the North.

When they got in the center, buildings and infrastructures come to behold. It was indeed the center place of the capital but because it has been ten whole years since the last time she saw the capital, many had changed. The capital became more and more modernized. Subways and trains were scattered around. Big buildings such as apartments, motels, hotels, companies, schools, etc, etc, had increased. The scenery became more beautiful and the territory grew even more expensive. Truth to be told, it almost felt like the Kapitolyo de Norte isn't different from the country's capital. The only difference is, it isn't polluted. Albeit the modernization, the trees and plants were not forgotten at all, nevertheless, Kapitolyo de Norte is capital city of the northern province.

When the sunset came, it was a gesticulation that they both need to separate and go on their own ways. Thus, each of them both bid each other good byes and eventually proceeded to leave.

Originally, Yumi and Marica doesn't need to separate from each other for according to Yumi, they're both neighbors. But because Marica can't stay at her old house yet, then she must stay in an apartment for the time being. Thus, she's currently in front of a two story apartment. It was made up of half wood and half cement and when she entered and paid a room, the room was enough only for a single individual. Truth to be told, it was indeed not so spacious but for an individual, the area was more than enough.

Upon entering, she immediately collapsed herself against the single bed and it didn't took long enough when her door bell rang. When she opened the door, it was a woman who showed up. The woman was at her teenage years and apparently, she was wearing a baggy jumper suit. On her hand was a baggage. Marica calmly took the baggage and pulled it towards the inside before opening the door wider.

The newcomer came in and the first thing she did was to roam her eyes around, examining something as if memorizing the details, details by details.

Inside the apartment, lies an area by which a bed, a mini table, a little sofa and a kitchen was placed and a bathroom. When opening the door from the apartment's outside, on the left side, the first thing to welcome you was the mini kitchen. The kitchen was just beside the door and in the middle area of the kitchen lies a small table. Next to the kitchen and the table was a sofa facing back at them and after the sofa, a television was to be seen. On the other side of the door is where the bed along with bathroom lies. It was indeed not so big but for a single person to stay in is already more than enough. Seeing how comfortable the place was, the newcomer sighed in relief and casually sat in the sofa. Marica followed.

"So, how's the guy?" The newcomer queried.

Without even mentioning the name, Marica already knew the person they were about to talk about. Thus, with her displeased tone, she answered, "He changed." But what disappointed her wasn't him changing, it was her not recognizing him.

"That's alright. Fix yourself and tomorrow, when you see him again, act normal." The newcomer comforted her.

"He said we're not friends." Marica answered, grunting, obviously frustrated.

"Then befriend him again. Something must've happened ya' know. All you need to do is to figure it out. You won't lose anything, well, probably patience, but anyways, doing something is always better."

Hearing how the newcomer comforted her, Marica subconsciously hugged her tightly. "Thanks, Celebes. You're a great help." She then thanked.

After some chit chats, Celebes needed to go. Besides, it's getting too late and she still need to go back to the country's capital. It's too far thus it's preferable to go earlier. Hence, Celebes went on her journey.

When Marica was left alone, the seventeen year old girl eventually became flustered. True to herself, she find the Ran now undeniably handsome. Who would thought that a chubby and small in height little guy would change that fast? Perhaps, not Marica. Thus, when a picture of him whilst holding an umbrella passed through her mind, she felt hot all over and eventually turned embarrassed. Too embarrassed that she couldn't even spare herself to sleep.

When the morning came, she absolutely felt an extreme headache, probably because of lack of sleep, but unfortunately it was a cue for the young gal to go and visit her new school. Gladly, the school wasn't that far hence, it didn't took too long for her to reached her destination.

In every part of the Capital, the North, east, west and the south each lies a school. They're called the four elite school of the Northern Province. The four elite schools were popular,not only in the province but to the country itself. One evidence was Marica herself. Truthfully, not only her comes back and forth of the northern province, although she have a different and personal reason,still many other teenagers comes too. For most of them, the reason was the education has a better system and has a higher standard.

But, not because you want it, means you can get it. Neither the four elite school allows anyone to enroll freely as they wanted, of course, they have the entrance examination. Every entrance examination in each school only allows three thousand students to partake or else it will cause havoc. Besides, every year, two or lesser thousand examiners passes. So, clearly, they don't allow transferees. Hence, how can Marica study in one of the four elite schools if she's just a transferee? It's easy. Marica took all the four schools' entrance examination, if she got even a single mistake, then she'll back out but if she pass with no mistakes, in exchange, they'd let her choose the exact school and class she'll stay in. Henceforth, she chose the west school.

When she arrived, wearing a simple casual attire, of course she attracted people's attention. Just who in the world would dare to wear a civilian's clothes inside an elite school? Only her. Only Marica.

"Hmmm..." Marica hummed and stared at the tall building lying in front of her.

The building was indeed the West school. And it truly doesn't bring down one's expectations. Unquestionably, the school was more than majestic and refined. Almost as if it was made by the grace itself.

Marica ignored people's stare and entered the long and tall opened gate of the facility. Upon entering, the surrounding inconceivably surprised her. Seeing the trees and different colored plants scattered around the area, she couldn't help but to gasp in incredulity. Although it's natural to see trees because the west school was near the boundary, just a street away from the Ishikawa Shrine, witnessing a scenery like this will still amaze you.

Marica, in between her astonishment said, "It does really look like a Japanese school." It felt like she's in Japan herself. From the gate to the building screams of orderliness and elegance. Fun yet calm.

After taking a concise walk, a teacher welcomed Marica and helped her find the principal's office. Upon getting in of the principal's office, the bell rang and the students scattered anywhere around the school immediately vanished. Leaving no sign of presence. Indeed, everyone's inside now.

"Miss Liandro." The principal begun.

"Yes, madam?" Marica asked in response.

The esteemed old lady took a deep breath and removed her eyeglasses away from her eyes. "Do you really want to settle here?" She queried. Seems a little disappointed.

The young gal smiled. "What's wrong with that class?" Perhaps, the old lady wasn't pertaining to the school itself, but to the class she chose to stay in.

"Choosing that class was wrong to be begin with, Miss Liandro." The old lady replied. Slightly impatient.

"Why is that?" She queried back. Still smiling.

"Look, do you perhaps know someone named Ran Zamora?" The moment she heard his name, she rapidly felt interested. Her ears twitched and her lips trembled a little. Indeed, she knew him and when she was about to answer, she remembered something. Isn't the Ran she knew wasn't the Ran now? Then, doesn't that mean she no longer knew the Ran today? Hence, she remained silent.

And in that four sided room, only a single voice can be heard. "That mysterious punk—sorry about my words, always cause trouble for us. You see, he stays in that class. He belong to that certain class." The old lady elucidated, she was indeed frankly creating a disconsolate image. And yet, Marica smiled.