The afternoon sun stood high in the sky, casting warm light across the old hostel building. The iron gates creaked softly as students moved in and out, laughter and chatter filling the air. Yet amidst all that noise, Adrian stood quietly near the reception desk, his eyes fixed on the staircase that led to the girls' dormitory.
He checked his watch again.
1:07 PM.
His fingers curled nervously around the strap of his bag. He hadn't seen his sister in six years—six long years filled with separation.
His heart beat faster with every passing second.
Upstairs, Nyra sat on the edge of her narrow hostel bed, staring at her phone. She had been waiting since morning, unable to sit still. Her suitcase lay half-packed near the door, clothes folded neatly, memories scattered across the room.
A knock broke the silence.
"Nyra," the warden said gently, opening the door. "Your brother has come."
For a second, Nyra froze.
"…My brother?" she whispered.
Before the warden could say anything more, Nyra sprang to her feet. She rushed out of the room, her heartbeat thundering in her ears, her slippers barely keeping pace with her hurried steps.
She ran down the stairs.
And then she saw him.
A man stood near the reception—wearing a simple brown T-shirt and black pants, his posture straight yet tense, his eyes scanning the hallway anxiously.
Her breath caught.
It was him.
Her brother.
After six years… she was finally seeing him again.
Her eyes filled with tears.
"BRO!" she cried out.
Adrian turned.
The moment his eyes landed on her, time seemed to stop.
She had grown taller. Her face had matured, but those eyes—those familiar eyes—were still the same. The ones he had protected in his memories all these years.
"Nyra…" he breathed.
She ran toward him and threw her arms around his waist, burying her face into his chest.
"I missed you so much, bro," she sobbed.
Adrian hugged her tightly, one hand resting on her head, the other holding her close as if afraid she might disappear again.
"I missed you too," he said softly, his voice breaking. His eyes burned, tears threatening to fall, but he blinked them back.
For a few seconds, neither of them spoke.
Six years of pain.
Six years of loneliness.
Six years of longing.
All melted away in that embrace.
Finally, Adrian pulled back slightly and smiled at her.
"Where's your luggage, my dear?" he asked gently.
Nyra blinked.
"…Oops."
She scratched her head and smiled sheepishly. "I forgot to bring it."
Adrian stared at her for a moment before laughing softly.
"That's okay," he said. "If you don't want your things, no problem. We can buy everything new—clothes, books, everything."
Nyra's eyes widened.
"No!" she protested, pouting cutely. "I want my things!"
She pointed a finger at him. "Wait here. I'll be back in two minutes."
Before he could reply, she turned and ran upstairs.
Adrian shook his head with a smile.
She hasn't changed at all.
A few minutes later, Nyra returned dragging her suitcase behind her. Adrian took it from her hand effortlessly.
"Let's go," he said.
"Wait," Nyra suddenly stopped.
He turned to her. "What is it?"
She looked at him carefully, her brows knitting together in thought.
"Bro…" she asked hesitantly. "Did you become rich?"
Adrian raised an eyebrow. "Why would you ask that?"
"Because you said we can buy everything new," she replied seriously.
He burst into laughter.
"No, my dear," he said, shaking his head. "I haven't become rich. But at least now, I can afford the things we need."
Nyra nodded slowly.
She didn't say anything, but her heart tightened.
She still remembered the past.
When she had joined the hostel years ago, Adrian had struggled just to buy her basic necessities—her mattress, books, clothes. He had skipped meals, worked extra hours, and smiled through exhaustion so she wouldn't feel guilty.
She never forgot that.
Then they walked towards the gate.
A car was parked outside.
A man stood near it respectfully.
"Please keep the luggage inside," Adrian said.
"Yes, sir," the man replied, placing the suitcase in the trunk.
Nyra stared at the car.
"Bro…" she asked slowly. "Is this… your car?"
"Yes," Adrian replied casually.
Her mouth fell open.
"When did you buy a car?"
"One year ago."
"Oh…" she whispered.
Nyra had never travelled in a car before.
When she had joined the hostel, she had come in an auto-rickshaw, clutching her small bag tightly. Cars were something she had only seen from a distance.
Her eyes sparkled.
"Can I sit inside?" she asked excitedly.
Adrian smiled warmly. "Of course, my dear. What are you waiting for?"
He opened the back door.
Nyra climbed in immediately, her eyes widening as she touched the soft leather seats.
"It's so comfortable…" she murmured in awe.
Adrian got in beside her, watching her reactions with a gentle smile.
Soon, the car moved smoothly onto the road.
They reached a nearby hotel—a simple but clean place.
Inside, they sat at a dining table. The waiter handed them the menu.
Adrian passed it to Nyra. "Order whatever you want."
Nyra stared at the menu, her fingers tracing the unfamiliar words.
After a long pause, she lowered it.
"I… I don't know what to order," she admitted quietly.
It was her first time in a hotel.
Adrian understood immediately.
He took the menu and ordered two chicken noodles.
While waiting, he asked softly, "How was your hostel life? Do you miss your friends?"
Nyra shook her head instantly.
"No."
Adrian looked surprised. "What?"
"I never had good friends there," she said calmly, though pain flickered in her eyes. "Most of them were from wealthy families. No one liked talking to me."
Adrian felt something twist painfully inside his chest.
He had never asked her before.
Now he understood.
The loneliness.
The silence.
The strength she had developed alone.
The food arrived.
Adrian gently served noodles onto her plate.
"How is it?" he asked.
Nyra tasted it and smiled brightly. "It's so yummy!"
"Eat well," he said. "I can order more if you want."
She shook her head quickly. "No, no. I can't even finish this."
He smiled.
After finishing, Adrian paid the bill.
They walked back to the car together.
As Nyra sat inside again, she looked out the window, her heart full.
For the first time in years, she wasn't alone.
And somewhere ahead, Aurelion Crown Academy awaited her—along with a fate she had never imagined.