"Sis Aya, are we close?" Aliya asked, laughing as she held onto her sister's arm.
"Yes, we're almost there," Aya replied, her voice bubbling with excitement. Hearing it made Aliya feel even more curious about what surprise awaited her.
"We're here!" Aya suddenly announced, practically overflowing with joy.
Aliya laughed and shook her head.
"Wait—let me park first."
Aliya nodded. The car stopped, and since her eyes were still covered by the blindfold, she tried to focus on the sounds around her. A moment later, someone gently held her hand.
"Careful getting out," Aya said.
Aliya stepped out slowly, feeling her way forward. They began walking together.
"Keep your eyes closed for now," Aya added.
Aliya obeyed. She felt the cloth being untied from her eyes but kept them shut.
"You can open them now," Aya said with a bright smile.
Aliya slowly opened her eyes.
For a moment, she couldn't process what she was seeing.
They stood near a roadside lot with a wide open space that looked like it could easily serve as a parking area. Aya watched her carefully, clearly waiting for her reaction.
"Look around," Aya encouraged.
Aliya turned her head—and her gaze landed on a building standing proudly in front of them.
She frowned slightly.
Aya chuckled softly.
Aliya looked up again, this time focusing on the signboard.
A.G. Veterinary Clinic.
The words echoed in her mind.
A.G…
Aya Grace?
Her thoughts suddenly flashed back to a memory—her sister talking about her dream of opening a veterinary clinic someday.
Aliya slowly turned to face her.
"Sis… this is yours?" she asked, her voice filled with disbelief.
Aya nodded proudly and held up a plastic envelope. Inside were official documents with her name printed clearly across them.
Aliya blinked.
Registered Veterinarian.
"When did all of this happen?" she asked, stunned. She never noticed any of it unfolding.
Aya laughed.
"While you were in school, I was studying too," she explained. "I enrolled in Vet School in college, but I kept it a secret. Remember? A surprise."
"When I first picked you up years ago, I was already apprenticing. I continued studying until I graduated, and last year I took the board exam."
"I passed."
She gestured toward the building with pride.
"And this place? I worked for it during my apprenticeship. Every bit of my effort went into building this clinic… and now I finally have one of my own."
Aliya laughed softly.
"You really hid everything from me, huh?"
She hugged her sister tightly.
"I'm so happy for you, Sis. You finally have something that's truly yours."
Aya hugged her back warmly.
"You really surprised me," Aliya added. "When's the opening? I want to help."
Aya chuckled.
"Before the official opening, let's go inside first."
She pulled Aliya toward the entrance, and Aliya laughed as she followed.
XXX
"What do you think, Aliya?" Aya asked once they stepped inside. Their pets padded in behind them curiously.
"It's big, Sis," Aliya said in amazement. "But… why aren't these displayed yet?"
She pointed at the unopened boxes scattered around the room.
"I'll arrange everything tomorrow," Aya replied. "And you're helping me, right?"
"Of course I'll help," Aliya laughed.
The medicine shelves were already prepared, and the equipment needed for treatment had been neatly arranged.
Aya felt warmth spread through her chest as she looked around.
She knew how much this meant to her sister.
They walked toward the confinement area where sick animals would stay during treatment. The room was spacious and bright—Aya had designed it carefully so animals and caretakers alike would feel comfortable.
There was also a storage room and a small bedroom where the sisters could rest whenever they couldn't return home.
"So that's why you were so good at treating our pets' wounds before," Aliya said thoughtfully. "You were already studying back then."
Aya grinned mischievously.
"If I'm busy, you can always come here anytime," she said.
She looked at Aliya expectantly.
"So? Do you like it?"
"Yes, Sis," Aliya said sincerely. "I'm excited to see you treating animals here."
Aya laughed.
"Well, you'll be helping me too."
"Sis, I don't know how to treat animals," Aliya admitted. "But I can help organize your schedule if you get too busy."
Aya smiled warmly.
"Aliya… thank you for being here."
Aliya shook her head.
"I should be the one thanking you. Because of you, I escaped the hell I grew up in."
Aya's smile softened.
"By the way," she added, "on Monday we'll have a soft opening. My mentors are coming too. Let's see how people respond."
Aliya nodded enthusiastically.
"No problem!"
It was already Friday, and the sisters decided to spend the night at the clinic.
"Help me move these boxes to their proper places," Aya said, nudging her playfully.
"Oh—and Cloud is still in the car, right? I'll go get them."
Aya stepped outside.
Sure enough, their pets were waiting patiently inside the car.
"Come on," she said gently.
The dog barked happily, making Aya laugh. She carried Cloud—the very first pet Aliya rescued after they moved to the city.
But suddenly—
Aya felt something again.
That strange sensation.
As if someone was watching them.
Blue suddenly barked loudly, his fur standing on end.
Aya turned quickly.
No one.
Still, the feeling refused to disappear.
"Come on," she said firmly to the dog.
"What happened, Sis?" Aliya asked when Aya came back inside carrying Cloud.
Aya shook her head.
"Nothing. Blue's been acting strange since earlier."
"Blue, come here," Aliya called.
The dog continued staring toward the door for a moment before finally walking toward her.
They fed the animals first.
"Aliya, are you hungry?" Aya asked. "Let's eat. I bought food earlier."
"Okay, Sis. I'll finish this first," Aliya replied with a smile.
Aya nodded.
Then she looked around the clinic once more.
Her dream stood right in front of her.
She no longer needed anything from their parents.
She had built this life with her own hands.