Thirty-six

After bidding farewell to Lilith, Eloise decided it was time to head home and get some much-needed rest. As she arrived at her house, a sense of familiarity and comfort washed over her. The sweet aroma of blooming flowers filled the air, hinting at her mother's gardening activities.

"I'm back, Mum," Eloise called out, a warm smile spreading across her face as she approached her mother.

"Eloise, I almost forgot to tell you," her mother replied with a big smile. "Lilith's parents informed me that she was visiting today."

Eloise's heart skipped a beat upon hearing Lilith's name. "Yes, I saw her earlier," she responded, her voice tinged with a hint of sadness. "She's changed so much physically."

Her mother chuckled, reminiscing about Eloise's infatuation with Lilith. "You used to talk about her incessantly. I still remember the time you told me you were going to marry her," her mother said playfully, causing Eloise to blush.

"You were so deeply in love with her. When she left for that month, you refused to leave the house, and I had to buy you copious amounts of ice cream," her mother added, a touch of nostalgia in her voice.

"But I've grown up now," Eloise replied, her voice filled with a mix of maturity and longing. She then reached for her wrist and revealed the bracelet Lilith had given her, the delicate metal glimmering in the sunlight.

Her mother's eyes widened in admiration as she examined the beautiful piece of jewellery. "Wow, that's an exquisite bracelet. You should take good care of it. And if by chance it ever ends up on the floor in your room, I might just have to keep it for myself," her mother teased, a mischievous tone in her voice.

Eloise laughed, a brief moment of levity amidst her conflicting emotions. "Don't worry, Mum. I don't intend to ever take this bracelet off my hand again," she declared with determination before making her way into the kitchen. The exhaustion of the day clung to her, and she longed for a moment of solace.

Eloise opened the refrigerator door, expecting to find some respite in a container of her favorite ice cream. To her dismay, she discovered that the pot was completely empty. The surge of disappointment and frustration overwhelmed her, and in a fit of anger, she flung the container to the floor, its contents splattering messily.

Fuming with indignation, Eloise let out a piercing cry, her voice echoing through the house. "Who's the idiot who ate my ice cream?" she bellowed, her anger reverberating in every word.

Feeling drained and disheartened, Eloise left the ruined pot of ice cream behind and retreated to her room, seeking solace in the confines of her own space. The weight of the day's events hung heavy on her shoulders as she lay down, her mind filled with a whirlwind of emotions that ultimately lulled her into an uneasy sleep.

During the following two weeks, Eloise hardly left the house as the pain from her injuries was really present. Her body ached, reminding her of the fight, and she found it difficult to move around comfortably. She spent most of her time resting, trying to heal and regain her strength.

Meanwhile, Alice and Maria were getting to know each other better as they spent their afternoons together. They formed a strong bond, forging friendships and growing closer every day. Alice was thrilled to have found such a kind and understanding friend in Maria, who seemed to brighten her days with her positive energy.

From Maria's point of view, she emerged from her room one afternoon, her mind filled with thoughts of Alice. Being with Alice made her feel genuinely happy, and she found herself constantly seeking her company. However, as Maria walked towards the kitchen, her stomach grumbled, reminding her that she needed to tend to her empty kitchen. Today was Saturday it's a time to sleep she thought.

Opening the fridge in hopes of finding something to satisfy her hunger, Maria was disappointed to find it nearly bare. Determined, she turned to her cupboard, but once again, it held nothing of substance. Realizing she needed to go shopping, Maria quickly dressed and made her way to a nearby mini-mart, eager to stock up on essential groceries.

As Maria entered the mini-mart, she surveyed the shelves, contemplating what she needed. Knowing she didn't require much, she decided to take only the bare minimum. After picking out her items, she headed to the cashier.

"Hey, Maria! How are you?" the cashier greeted her warmly.

A smile appeared on Maria's face as she recognized the familiar voice. "I'm fine," she replied, genuinely grateful for the friendly face.

The cashier leaned in a little closer. "Tell me, is it complicated to live without your father and mother?"

Maria's smile faltered slightly, and a pang of longing tugged at her heart. "No, don't worry, it's not hard. It's just that from time to time, I miss them. But despite everything, we have to move on."

The cashier's eyes filled with empathy. "You know, if you ever need something, tell me, and I'll help you."

Maria's gratitude swelled within her. "Yes, thank you. How much do I owe you, by the way?"

The cashier shook their head. "No, you don't need to pay for it. Consider it a gift."

Maria's eyes widened with surprise. "No, let me pay."

The cashier remained firm. "No, I'm not going to tell you again. It's on the house, so you don't have to worry."

Maria nodded gratefully. "Thank you. See you next time."

With her groceries in hand, Maria headed home, lost in her thoughts. On her way, she noticed Alice struggling with a huge bag of groceries. Suddenly, one of Alice's bags tore open, scattering the contents onto the ground. Surprisingly, no one rushed to help her. A spark of compassion ignited within Maria, compelling her to step forward and offer her assistance.

"Honestly, it couldn't be worse than this. What am I going to do now?" Alice's voice trembled with frustration.

Maria approached her with a reassuring smile. "Wait, I'll help you pick up."

Together, Maria and Alice began gathering the scattered items, carefully placing them back into the intact bags. Sensing Alice's distress, Maria handed her another bag to ease the burden.

Alice looked up, gratitude shining in her eyes. "Thank you for helping me, Maria. If you hadn't, I think I would still be there."

Maria's lips curled into a soft smile. "Don't worry. Whenever you need me, I'll be there for you."

As they continued their walk, chatting and laughing along the way, they arrived at Alice's house. Alice's mother's voice interrupted their conversation as she noticed their arrival. "You're finally home, Alice," she called out.

Alice turned towards her mother, a hint of guilt in her eyes. "Yes, Mom, sorry for going out without asking your permission."

Alice's mother's gaze shifted to Maria, curiosity flickering in her eyes. "Oh, tell me, who is the girl you're with, Alice?"

Alice's mind raced, unsure of how to introduce Maria. She pressed her hand to her temple, and a comical puff of smoke escaped her head. Regaining her composure, Alice finally spoke, introducing Maria as her friend.

"I am her friend. Nice to meet you, ma'am," Maria replied politely, curtsying to Alice's mother.

Alice's mother smiled warmly. "Oh, well, the same goes for me. Tell me, what is your name?"

Maria stood tall, her voice confident. "My name is Maria, but I think I'll go home now. It's getting late."

Alice chimed in, eager to respect Maria's wishes. "Yes, Mom, it's getting late. She should go home."

Alice's mother, however, had other plans. "No, you will listen to me, young lady, and follow me," she said firmly, leading Maria into the house.