Chapter 2

"Why are you hiding here alone, babe?" She could not bear it too. Her friend looked so broken. One could say that she was mourning for something she had lost.

"I... I do.. don't have a place.. to go to' Maria answered between hiccups

"what do you mean by you have no place to go?" Then, turning around, she saw Maria's bag beside her, and her eyes turned red in pain. 'did that selfish couple throw you out?' Maria could only nod her head, and this riled Amber the more.

She thought of how selfish her aunt and uncle were.

'do you want me to tell the boss that you are not feeling well? Maybe you can rest a little bit?' The diligent Maria could only say no because she needed to work for every penny now more than ever. She is now homeless, and she does not know the cost of the rent, but she believes that it costs much to have a roof over one's head.

Amber decided that Maria had cried enough and led her out of the toilet. While helping her clean her face, Maria inquired why Amber was there.

'I was looking for you to come and have a bite before the lunch break ends,' Amber explained.

Maria could only look at her gratefully. A friend loved her more than her own family; how ironic.

'thank you, Amber' That is the only thing she could say

'it's alright. So do you have a place where you could stay?' Amber inquired

Maria didn't even know where to start. When she proudly rejected the couple earlier, she hadn't thought beyond that moment, and now she was tongue-tied without an answer. She could own shake her head negatively, eyes cast downwards

Amber offered her place, but Malia rejected her claiming she didn't want to come between her and her boyfriend.

'maybe I could lodge into a cheap hotel for the night and try finding a simple place by tomorrow,' Malia suggested, to which Amber said no.

She told Malia how her boyfriend had traveled to another city, so she had the house to herself. Malia was still skeptical but looking at her friend and her current condition; she couldn't be a good friend if she left her alone. So she had to come up with an idea for that moment to convince the stubborn Malia.

'how about spending the night at mine, and tomorrow we could think of something or cross the bridge when we get there?' Amber suggested with hopeful eyes. Malia could only say yes, and it was decided.

Amber smiled at her friend, glad that she could convince her. In her heart, she believed that despite the conditions under which her friend had attained freedom, sad and complex, it was better than living with the selfish couple that treated her like a slave.

Holding each other's hands, they walked back to the central part of the restaurant. The way Amber had spoken with her was the most pleasant someone had been to her forever. She returned her mind to when even her family could stand her sight, and a bitter smile hung on her face. All her life, it was one curse to another. One insult to another and the more painful one was the mention of her parents. That topic was always a sore in both her heart and mind. She often felt rejected. Her aunt used it as a bargaining chip to trigger her and make her do what she wanted. She felt stupid for tolerating them for that long. Right from the age of five to the age of twenty-three. How patient she was to wait till now to stand up for herself.

After bawling out her eyes, she realized how calm and peaceful she heartfelt. Maybe this was what she needed; a little emotional release.

Getting back to work, the two friends put their hearts to it like every day, and just like that, the day neared its end and, for them, closing time. Maria had temporarily forgotten her sadness, and this time, she felt like she could be happier. Deep in her, she promised to pursue happiness and forget about all the negatives that haunted her life. It was more like happiness would get tired of her. She also knew how hard it would be for her to settle down and start a new life finally. She did not even know how to begin, but Malia knew she wanted to start with this moment. Amber had at least pulled her towards a starting point, and that is where she was ready to start.

After work, the two friends headed to Amber's place. It was all new for the two of them; for Amber, it was the closeness of a friend and was easy to read as a book. For Malia, however, it was a fresh start that felt like family and beautiful. She was willing to open up to the beginning of something new. She felt good about it and was ready to explore everything.

This newfound feeling was like a saving grace that came to lift her up; she felt remembered after all those years. Then, pressing her hand on her chest, she said sincerely, 'God, if this is you, please don't forget me again.'

To someone else, it would be said that she was exaggerating a little, but to someone who longed for so little joy and a place she could fit in, this was like winning a giant lottery. She would start from this tiny spark of light and build a torch to light this new path for herself. 'Yes, I am going to be happy.' she smiled.

Looking at her friend, who seemed like a child holding a candy stick, Amber could only be grateful. After working with Malia for some time, she behaved like the whole world was sitting on her shoulders. The night Malia accepted to follow her to the club without her begging was so surprising, and she was yet to ask her why she was so willing. But today wasn't the day, she thought.