FOR THE PERSON THEY LOVED THE MOST
Intoxicating merriment of the children running through the hallways of the mansion of Turkey filled the place with excitement from the week-long festivities in Constantinople. It was truly a golden age for the Ottoman Empire. The empire has massive competent military prowess, bountiful harvests and dynamic trading with its neighboring and overseas nations. Rumors flew like flock of birds in every places of the kingdom that a divinity might be gracing their beloved nation owing to the peace, stability and progress that everyone was enjoying. Some folks believed that the divinity was residing in their country – where the deity lives, no one could point out. The people paid generous homages to their gods as their thanksgiving for such an abundant period they were experiencing.
The former North Italy rolled groggily in her bed, a sliver of glorious sunshine warmly kissing her pale face. Brown tresses and fair limbs spread dreamily on the white bed, the peach night gown caressing the lithe form of the ex-nation. Familiar names from her past passed unconsciously from the lips of the slumbering representative whose memories were still kept away from her, warmth tears of sadness drenched her safe zone as her heart yearns what her mind had already forgotten. Heartbroken eyes stared blankly at the ceiling of her four-poster wooden bed, as she recalls the hazy figure of a blond child.
"Why?..." Another flash of the blond boy smiling at her crossed again her mind. "Why does my heart aches?" Another pang in her heart summoned warmth tears down her tear-stained face as she closed her eyes, remembering the sad dream of a blond boy in black clothes and a brunette in a green dress both were deliriously happy and engrossed in their own little world, surrounded by wildflowers and autumn-painted trees. "Who are you?" Yesenia closed her eyes again hoping with a fervor heart that she could descry the face of the mysterious boy. If only she could see his face, it would be easier for her to solve the shrouding cryptic dream and the connection to her. "Who am I?" Regardless her determination to delve more her mysterious reverie, waves of pain kept crashing on her, drowning her on the ocean of never-ending pursuit on her past life. Her mind so far away from the present, Yesenia did not notice that Mirra entered the room.
"You're wide awake, Lady Yesenia! It was unusual for you to stay late in the morning in your room so I decided to bring your breakfast" Mirra placed the tray of breakfast on a table and was about to part the curtains to let the glorious sunshine enter the vast yet homely bedroom of the ex-nation when she saw Yesenia at the edge of her white bed, her face a faint trace of red. "Are you all right, my lady?" Concern clearly written on the aging yet kind face of Mirra – her primal duty was to ensure the welfare of the person closest to Sadik's heart.
"Thank you, Mirra. I was –" Yesenia hesitantly stood up, she felt sick and a throbbing headache worsened her health. She was obviously drained in recalling her dream, as if her strength was the cost of her defiance against fate. As she took a step forward Yesenia lost her balance, falling headfirst, her world swirling swiftly. Her vision was becoming dimmer until Mirra was only an insignificant speck calling out to her, her motherly arms widespread before her. Before she succumbed to the impending darkness surrounding her, fate scored back on the pitying mortal. A dazzling golden light shone to where Mirra was and a child clad in black garments replaced her, his tiny arms both outstretched to Yesenia. Please, please wait for me! The child only beamed at her, innocently. Her heart cried to the fading memory as the smiling child beckoning her gradually extinguishing by the darkness. And the last remembrance that she had in that swift encounter was a gentle smile and a name that the boy uttered in silence – a name so dearly beloved, more than anything that the world could offer to him…
"Feli…." South Italy twirled a small white flower absentmindedly. The ache of losing her sister was still fresh on his mind, even if years had already passed by. The weight of the reunification and the peoples' choice of choosing Lovino as the only personification of Italy was a hefty price to pay, particularly to Feliciana. "I'm sorry… Feli… Sister" Warmth tears trickled down as the memories he tried to block all this time came crashing to him unexpectedly. The small flower that he once held was now crushed in his palm, dead – sharing the similar fate of North Italy. The thought of the decaying body of his sister and his fear that Spain and Ancient Rome might be taken away from him too, he might not survive this lifetime if another strike of tragedy happen again. "I am terribly sorry, Feli…" South Italy might be the sole representative of Italy but it was not something he was proud of; not with the unfortunate demise of his beloved sister. He was also to be blamed and also his grandfather. Why did Ancient Rome not ruled out the decision of their people? Why of all people did he not fight for the welfare of Feliciana? Yet the same question lied imposingly on him, like a dangling sword any minute could strike him down. He was the brother of North Italy and he was the least person not to protect his sister. How could he say that loved and adored Feli when he did not even took the chance to alter the decision? He was already there; the vital individuals of their country were also present. But he never grabbed the chance to fight the very person he vowed to protect. And now she was far, far away in a peaceful and beautiful place that only humans could dwell in their afterlife. Perhaps a second chance – a rebirth, could cross that infinite expanse that divides the humans and their representatives, another lifetime where he could reunite with Feliciana.
"Excuse me mister, do you want to buy my flowers?" A ragged boy of 7 years old approached him with hopeful eyes. He raised his soiled hands holding a bouquet of almost dried red and yellow flowers to him. "I can give you a discount, mister. Just buy my flowers" The boy flashed his most brilliant smile masquerading his unfortunate youth. Lovino was moved by the eagerness of the boy to earn for a living. Even though Italy is in its golden age, many of his citizens are still in the lowest class, struggling to make it through a day.
"Your flowers are beautiful" The boy flushed and stammered his gratitude as he received the generosity of Lovino. "What is your name?" He grinned to the boy and he signaled him to follow.
"My name is Lorenzo, mister" Lorenzo shyly shadowing Lovino.
"Nice to meet you, Lorenzo! My name is Romano" South Italy decided to keep his real name for their safety purposes. The least of all things he dared to do on this poor boy is to endanger his life because of his status as the personification of their country. "Have you eaten something?" Lorenzo's face blushed crimson as his stomach growled loudly at the exact moment Lovino asked him. "I'll take than as an answer"
The nation laughed with all his heart from the innocence of the young boy. How long did he laugh or smile genuinely, he didn't know. Perhaps not another lifetime until he meets again Feliciana.
"So where do you live?" They walked out from the restaurant with loads of take-outs for the younger siblings of Lorenzo after a bit of struggle of weeding out some personal information from him.
"This is too much, Mr. Romano. Buying my flowers was enough for me. I don't know how to repay you for all of this" He never expected that by a simple selling of his flowers would eventually lead to a bigger blessing for him.
"You greatly reminded me of my younger sister. If she was only living you will also like her" South Italy gazed at him with a brotherly love. Wherever North Italy was, he knew that she will be proud of him. It was from her he learned to be more generous to the less fortunate especially for the children. The moment he met the young boy, it was a heavenly sent message to him.
"I hope I am not a burden to you, Mr. Romano" Lorenzo smiled timidly, tears started to form in his eyes but he quickly wiped it away. Romano was the first person that treated him kindly. In the eyes of the society they were a nuisance that must be kept away from a distance. They were also human beings and that they didn't wish to be born with hard-luck lives. Lovino's heart constricted hearing the statement from such an innocent child. He wanted to protect Lorenzo and his siblings from the world. He knew there were more Lorenzo's out there waiting to be saved. If only he could protect them all, it was like atoning his sin of not saving Feliciana. "You know, Mr. Romano. When I grow up, I will become a soldier like my father. I will protect my siblings. I will protect Italy. I will protect you" Lorenzo beamed at him.
"You'll protect me?" Lovino was astounded that Lorenzo had such wisdom hidden in his small body. Was this a child he was talking to?
"I'll protect you because you are kind! This world needs more people like you, Mr. Romano" Lovino was almost on the verge of breakdown. Lorenzo strongly reminded him of North Italy. It was like the spirit of his sister was strongly alive in his body.
I will protect you big brother. You are too kind for this world… A distant memory that held such destiny.
"Then let's protect one another, Lorenzo. The world also needs people like you. Your siblings need you" Lovino grinned widely to his new friend. He failed North Italy before but he will not fail her twice. An unspoken vow he made to safeguard the future of Lorenzo and his siblings as they made their way to the residence of Lorenzo.
"You are right, Mr. Romano!" Lorenzo's crestfallen spirit soared high as he led him to a winding path sandwiched by dilapidated, washed-out buildings. Lovino felt his enthusiasm sucked away by the gloominess of the surrounding; the adversity of his people reflected everywhere – dim and dingy houses, tattered and soiled clothes and lack of proper food, clean water and sanitation. He could feel eyes following them in every corner of the unwanted place. His mere presence in the area was a threat to the safety of the boy. "I'm very sorry, Mr. Romano. Going in our house is a big mistake" The boy whispered, he also knew that they were being watched enviously by their neighbors, and now he put the Italian in danger.
"Don't worry about me, Lorenzo" South Italy smiled confidently, albeit the tension was rising.
"Here we are, Mr. Romano" They entered a decrepit building where several children including Lorenzo's siblings were playing with makeshift toys from discarded things. "Luca! Greta!" Two fair-headed children looked to them and big smiles lightened their faces. In a matter of seconds they magically appeared before them, unending questions were thrown to Lovino. "I'm sorry, Mr. Romano. My brother and sister are truly inquisitive especially if they are not answered right away. But I guess they will become more curious if we answer all of their questions"
"Children are downright curious" Lovino replied happily. He adored children even if most of the time he looked stern from the outside. After a series of spiraling staircases, they finally reached the small apartment where the trio lived together. Lovino's heart shattered when he saw the sparsely decorated room where the children lived. There was a small wooden table with three stools across them; rolled-up mats which he supposed were their beds were stacked on a corner, a lone cabinet filled with their clothes and other personal belongings on one side and a single with yellow curtain provided ventilation for the family.
"This is where we lived, Mr. Romano" Lorenzo said as he placed the take-outs on the small wooden table. His small arms were throbbing but the joy was incomparable, seeing the happiness in his siblings' faces.
"You said before that your father is a soldier?" Lovino parted the dusty yellow curtain to let the sunshine fill the room.
"Yes. His name is Rodrigo. He was called for duty because of an impending war" Lorenzo smiled sadly. They lost their mother from sickness; they do not want to lose their father. But war is inevitable and any abled men must fight for their country. "Do you think there will be a war, Mr. Romano?" A pair of heartbroken eyes stared at him. The gaze penetrated to the very core of the representative, Lovino did not anticipate such questions.
"I… I don't know. Our government is doing their best to prevent such onslaught" He smiled ruefully. "If ever they succeeded in averting such circumstance, then your father is free to go home" He opened a take-out box to Luca and Greta and they were happily eating the contents to divert away from the issue.
"Thank you so much, Mr. Romano. I don't know how to repay your kindness"
"Don't think of it, Lorenzo" Lovino believed that there is a reason of their meeting. As it seemed Feliciana talked to him directly, he found the purpose in his heart. Day was waning when the nation decided to say his good-bye to the children.
"I'll go with you, Mr. Romano"
"We want to go with you!" The children piped up.
"The three of you just stay here. I can manage myself" Lovino beamed at them. He bade farewell to Luca and Greta who does not want to let him go that easily. After successfully extracting himself from the monstrous clutches of the children he was stopped by Lorenzo when he was about to step-out from the room.
"Your flowers, Mr. Romano" Lorenzo quickly handed the flowers to the nation, three lives whose futures has been altered because of that fateful meeting in the fountain.
"Thank you, Lorenzo. We'll meet again" Lovino nodded to their directions, their fates are now in his hands. He looked at the red and yellow flowers that he bought from Lorenzo, he will never forget them.
Turkey was sitting beside the lying form of North Italy; distress was clearly evident on his face. He and his boss along with their generals were in the middle of a meeting when he received the news that Yesenia was terribly ill. It was past noon that he finally got the chance to see her. The physicians were doing their best to lessen her fever, however Yesenia was still convulsing. They still haven't discovered the medicine to cure the illness away. The lives of human was fleeting and might be gone in a blink of an eye, but for the nations they can last more than a lifetime as long as their country remain strong. He gently pulled to him her shivering hand; the burning sensation was a torture to him.
"Feliciana…" Turkey's mind was a total mess. He was heavily burdened with the possible onset of Germania's aggression. Of all the empire that could withstand the power hungry Germania, the tenacious Ottoman proved to be the most difficult opponent that they need to conquer before they could lay out their grand plan. "I do not want to lose you. Not right now" North Italy was his source of strength from the very beginning their eyes met. Their first acquaintanceship was uneventful – South Italy nearly bites his head off when he was introducing himself to North Italy. His heart fluttered when their hands clasped. He knew from that moment on that his heart belongs to the brunette.
"Sadik? Is that you?" Feliciana smiled at him weakly. "Are you crying?" She unclasped her frail hands from Turkey, and she gently wiped away the never-ending tears of the man.
"I was terribly been busy all these days. Forgive me, Yesenia. I never take care of you when you needed me the most"
"I should be the one to ask for forgiveness, Sadik. Our nation needed you right now. It was not my intention to hinder you from your duties" The Italian gently pressed Sadik's firm hands, worry was evident on her feverish face.
"You've never been a hindrance to me, Yesenia. Always remember that" Turkey reassured the fragile ex-nation, a huge grin masquerade the overwhelming sadness that crushes his heart. Feliciana grinned yet the next moment almost turned the world of Turkey upside down.
"I am terribly sad, Sadik. I don't know why…" A profound silent dawned; Turkey could hear his own heartbeat in the deafening silence. "The dream was quite hazy, but I could picture out a blue sea with numerous sea gulls flying on a cloudless blue sky. It was calming, but I don't know why am I crying" Turkey was listening intently on each words Yesenia was saying, and she went on. "And then there was this man standing near me. He was tall and fair, and the color of his hair was just like mine. He was staring at the sea so I could not see his face" Feliciana stopped; a familiar sadness crept on her fair face. "And I realize how strange to me my past is" She looked pleadingly to Sadik. "Please help me remember my past, Sadik"
"Yesenia…"
"Please help me remember my past, Sadik. It hurts me to have recurring dreams of people and places I'd forgotten"
"Will you stay with us even if you remember everything you've left behind?" Turkey gently squeezed her hands, the pain of hearing her reply will haunt him for eternity.
"I… Don't know, Sadik" North Italy was unsure of what will she say. She longed to remember her past but doing so will cost her a great prize. "I'll decide when we've reached that point"
"I understand, Yesenia. Whatever your choice is, I only wish for your happiness" Even if I need to let you go.
"Thank you, Sadik! Thank you!"
"Get well sooner Yesenia if you really want to find out who you were before" Turkey tried to enlighten the mood except his. It seemed that North Italy will never be his forever. "Rest for now, Yesenia. I'll call the physicians to examine you again. Sleep tight" Turkey helped the sick nation be comfortable on her bed. He kissed Yesenia on her forehead before departing from the room. North Italy changed his life forever. Turkey will never be the same anymore.