Chapter 9: The comfort in the desert

" I...Our journey ends here. I...I was the happiest with you...even though we only spent a few days with each other, I was the happiest. Now...please let me go ", The man looked at her with sadness-filled eyes, even though he was on a deathbed, he didn't regret meeting her.

The woman on the other side was crying and sobbing out loud, not wanting to lose him. Her body was shaking in fear. " E...Enzo! I beg you. Drink my blood...I don't wanna lose you. Please...".

Her voice came out shaking, she was horrified even with the thought that he was trying to leave her alone in this lonely world.

The man who looked exactly like Enzo, raised his hand which was shaking from pain, and wiped the warm tears, he smiled bitterly. His heart was scorching, the thought of not seeing his lover again, this thought was increasing the pain even more. But it was not a dream...but will soon be turning into reality.

The man once again took his last breath and gave up on himself on her lap. Sofia woke up with the high voltage shock and opened her eyes, once again...the same dream. Her heart was still racing and was unable to tell the difference between reality and dream.

She looked around and saw the same ceiling and roof, her heart calm down once she realized it was a dream. " The same dream again. But...what was that dream about? ".

For the first time, her dream was vague and she was unable to say what she saw in the dream. Now she started to stress her mind to think what the dream was about and once her fingers landed on her dream, she found tears...she was crying?

Once again, she tried recalling what the dream was about, but then gave up when she couldn't succeed even after trying so much.

It was already morning, and she got ready immediately. After all, she needed to attend the lecture which was early in the morning compared to all her classes.

She was a sophomore but never cared so much about her appearance but now that she was one year ahead of freshers, she wanted to look pretty.

Due to how her parents regarded her, she had stopped looking at herself, or caring about her body. But now she was understanding how important it was to look after herself. After all, her parents are not on her side or support her.

If she doesn't work on herself and let them torture her mentally, she might lose herself one day. And she doesn't want it...she doesn't want that ending.

Today, she wore blue shorts along with a green color turtleneck top, the top was not too high nor was it too down. It was showing her pretty waist that was exposed to the sunlight and making her very thin and sexy.

She wore cherry red color lipstick and went downstairs. Her black and long hair fluttered when she walked the stairs, complimenting her beautiful face.

It was early in the morning but everyone was awake. She heard loud chattering from the dining room, it was clear that everyone was having breakfast at this time.

Everyone looked happy even when she could only hear their voices. At a point, she thought of going inside and having breakfast with them. But...her feet couldn't move, ahe didn't dare to face them.

" Sweetheart! You should have some fruit juice, it's good for your health. It breaks my heart to see my Rose in this condition ", Seems like the voice of her mother.

" Our child is very strong. I am sure she will defeat this illness and will become normal soon. We all have faith in you ".

Sofia felt bitterness in her heart while listening to those encouraging words. How lucky are those siblings of her...they get the love of their parents. Only her...was left out.

She was about to leave when her eldest brother Carlos spotted her standing in the living room.

Everyone was in the dining room, except Carlos and Sofia. He came down..." Sofia! What are you doing standing here? Go inside and have breakfast ".

He was pretty cold to her. Even though one might feel that those words he spoke carry tenderness and care, it wasn't true. He was neutral to her...never showed her that he can smile too.

" I...Have an early morning lecture, I have to leave early. I should take my leave ".

" Was that Sofia's voice? ".

Her parents quickly got to know that she was leaving somewhere. They stopped having breakfast and walked into the living room.

Her relationship with her siblings was never good, it was always awkward between them. Even when they are left alone in the house, she can't speak a single word to them.

After all...to them, only Rose exists. It's only her in their eyes and no one else. Compared to her younger sister Rose, who is actually a pretty and delicate rose, Sofia was like a thorn...

A thorn that was hurting everyone and making them ignore the beauty of that prick and beautiful flower hidden beneath those thorns.

After saying that she was getting late for her classes, she started to walk away...but her parents intervened.

" Sofia! Don't you dare take a step forward. Do you not remember what I said yesterday? ".

It's her mother again. It was just yesterday that she told her to not go anywhere and look after her younger sister. But Sofia ignored her words and was now even ready to go against her. How dare she step a foot outside of this house.

She looked at her daughter one more time and realised how pretty she was looking today.

Seeing Sofia looking so pretty that she was feeling restless. " What are you wearing? Crop top? Why show your belly? Who do you wanna seduce with these slutty clothes huh? Go up this instance. You are not going anywhere. And...change your clothes quickly. You are an eyesore ".

Sofia's world crumbled when her mother showed her the reality. She just got ready for the classes. And the first word she was hearing from her mom was...Slut?

Can she not even look pretty in her own eyes? does every action of her look like some trap to her family?

Is she that bad of a person that even her mother can't trust her?

Sofia felt really bad and anger was rushing through her heart, she couldn't believe her mother saw her as a prostitute. It's okay if someone else says this kind of word, she can beat them to teach them some lessons.

But her mother...what to do with her? She is not even someone Sofia could raise her hand on. What a laughable situation.

But she was determined about one thing as well. No matter what happens, never yield to anyone. That's her belief and reality.

" Mother! You heard what I said yesterday, right? I had no idea I looked like a seductress to my mother. I have classes, I should get going ".

Sofia said no more than that and continued to walk toward the main door. Her studies are very important, and she can't afford to give up on her education. Only after getting a proper job can she get rid of this trash family.

No matter how much loves them, the fact that she is trash in this family can't be replaced or cancelled. Her only use in this family belongs to their Rose...the second eldest daughter.

She smiled butterfly, her hand automatically touched her chest...it was hurting there, in her heart.

Carlos was standing there but said nothing. He had no reaction or facial expression. He just kept looking at his little sister who was leaving them all stunned.

The mother didn't feel ashamed, but rather angry with her. " You see that? Your sister even knows how to disrespect elders now. Am I a bad person? She is not alone, she has a younger sister who is weak. She should give up on her studies and look after Rose. It's for her own good. Why does she not understand? ".

Sofia could hear everything her mother was saying. She felt even more upset and angry. Even tears formed in her eyes and only waited for that one last string to break.

" There's no going back. It's not worth crying. Promise me Sofia, you will not shed tears for this family ".

She did not have breakfast and her stomach was growling. Yet no one in the family said to have breakfast and only kept scolding her.

" Sis! Wait a minute ".

Her feet froze on the spot, she turned back and saw her little sister running toward her. She stopped in front of Sofia and held out her little hand...

She had packed some breakfast in a paper and indicated to her to take it.

" Sis! You did not have your breakfast. Eat it on the way...".

A little smile appeared on Sofia's face as he placed her hand on Rose's small head...Her only comfort in this family...her little Rose.