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After parking the car, Maia, Hector, and Helena unbuckled their seat belts. They couldn't wait to enter the magnificent building. They got up from their seats to exit Maia's black car. Maia grabbed her bag from the back seat, closed the windows, and locked the car door. The three of them walked, searching for the entrance to the mall. Just a few steps from the car, their eyes scanned the parking area, looking for signs pointing to the "entrance."

"I found it; it's over there, Mom!" Hector pointed, using his right hand to indicate the direction of the entrance towards the left from their car position. It turned out the entrance was just a short distance from the left of where Maia parked her car. Their steps became more enthusiastic, evident from the faster pace. They entered the mall; the building was so grand, and the space inside was vast, like it could be used to play soccer. The mall sold all kinds of necessities from primary, secondary, to tertiary needs.

Helena and Hector couldn't stop taking pictures; they were fascinated by various objects in the mall. As they ascended the escalator stairs, heading to the shopping center on the tenth floor, Hector occasionally laughed and smiled. The ten-year-old boy was very interested in things that seemed new to him. Previously, Hector had been to this mall, but it was about three months ago. They hadn't been out of the house for a long time; their daily activities were only school and playing around their residential area. They continued to roam around, searching for escalators to reach the tenth floor.

Suddenly, Maia's steps stopped on the seventh floor; she stopped at a bag store.

"Why did you stop, Mom? Aren't we going to the tenth floor?" asked Hector.

With a smile, his mother invited Hector and Helena to the bag store. Hector and Helena smiled and walked towards the bag store as if they understood the signal given by their mother. Indeed, Hector and Helena's bags were already damaged, with several parts torn here and there. Maia remembered that her children's bags were damaged, so she intended to buy new ones for them. Fortunately, Maia had just received a bonus from her boss at work. Maia got a bonus because she diligently worked and never skipped work. Maia was always a good employee and set an example for other employees at her workplace.

"Please choose whichever bag you like, my children," she said.

"Yay!" they answered simultaneously.

Hector ran into the store, looking for a bag with his favorite superhero character on it. Meanwhile, Helena undoubtedly chose a bag in her favorite purple color. Maia sat on a waiting chair inside the store while waiting for her children to choose their bags. She smiled, seeing the happiness of her two children. She felt relieved knowing that her children were not gloomy or traumatized by yesterday's events.

On the contrary, they could smile and be happy. This trip made them forget about yesterday's events. Maia was truly grateful that what happened yesterday didn't bother her children's minds.

The two children always give Maia the spirit to live; they can make Maia laugh and happy. Even without a husband accompanying her every day, Maia felt it was enough with the presence of her children, who were so mature, obedient, kind-hearted, and very loving towards her. Rico and Helena's affection made Maia feel that she lacked nothing. She felt satisfied with what God had given her. Maia thanked God for what she had been through with Sebastian because He had given her perfect children. Even though she and Sebastian were not harmonious, Maia still had children who greatly loved her.

Maia was lost in her thoughts, her eyes blank as she leaned back in the chair where she waited for her children. Suddenly, Maia was startled; someone called her.

"Mom, I want this bag, okay?" he said.

It turned out to be Hector calling his mother, who was lost in thought. He had made his choice: a blue bag with Captain America's picture on the front.

"Are you sure about this choice, dear?" his mother asked.

"Yes, Mom," he said happily.

A moment later, Helena came to her seat. She had also made her choice: a dark purple bag with a checkered stripe motif.

"I want this one, Mom, my favorite purple color," she said with a smile.

"Okay, yes, that's nice," Maia replied.

Then, Maia immediately took both bags to the cashier and paid for them. Helena and Hector each carried one shopping bag containing school bags. Exiting the bag store, they walked happily, then took the escalator to the eighth floor. Three more floors to go to their destination. After a while, they arrived on the tenth floor. Maia immediately took a pushcart to put their shopping items in. Hector reached out to grab the pushcart gently from his mother's hand; he didn't want his mother to get tired of pushing the shopping cart. So, Hector intended to push it.

"Let me push it, Mom, so you won't get tired," he said.

"Okay, my dear, be careful pushing it," Maia replied.

Maia released her hand from the cart and handed it to Hector. Taking hold of it, Hector slowly started pushing the cart, following his mother, who was choosing items to buy. Maia's eyes observed and looked around, seeing what items they needed to buy.

"Helena, I forgot what we need to buy. Can you take out the shopping list?" Maia instructed.

"Here, Mom, I've written down everything you instructed earlier," she replied.

"Smart girl, give me the list!" she ordered.

Helena took her note from her pocket and handed it to her mother. The list contained about fifty items that they needed to buy. All kitchen needs are refrigerator contents, bathing equipment, and other things. They started walking and shopping, and Maia and Helena picked up the items they wanted to buy based on the list. Hector and Helena's eyes were fixed on the small snacks and various flavored drinks; several times, they took and put them into the shopping cart. Seeing so many snacks and drinks of various types and brands in the shopping center was enjoyable. It made their eyes hungry, especially for little kids like them, who lived far from crowded places and rarely bought snacks. They bought their favorite foods and drinks.