Eliza's POV
He dropped me at home and waved at me before going to his home.I stepped inside my home and locked the door. I instantly felt the weight which i was hiding inside my head flew away after a deep breath. I knelt down because of the softness. I don't feel my body. I don't know if i exist or not. I sat on the floor, stretched my leg and leaned to the door. I kept staring at the floor. Nothing is coming to my mind but tears streamed on it's own... My body shook with convulsive sobs, my heart feeling shattered.Each breath was a ragged gasp, my emotions unraveling.
After a few minutes, i controlled myself from crying. I wrapped my arms around myself in a desperate, crushing hug, holding on tight as if I'd never let go. I squeezed myself so hard it felt like I was merging into a single, unified being, a cocoon of self-love and protection. In that moment, I was my own safe haven, my own shelter from the storm. Tears still streaming down my face, I held on, whispering silent promises of comfort and care to my own trembling heart.I gently rubbed my back while breathing.
I used to hug myself when i wanted comfort and love. When i cried, when i was traumatized when i was near death, when i was scared and when i wanted to die.
I can't sleep even with a little bit of which light trespass my eyes..
I am used to see nightmares but i am more scared of light. I love to sit in a dark place when i am alone. I don't know why.
My phone started ringing. It was..that new york number again. I don't know how, i accepted her call. I didn't speak anything, i just wanted to hear her voice
[Hello] A whisper so gentle it was almost a sigh, a soft voice that caressed my soul like a summer breeze on a still day. The words dripped with honey, sweet and soothing, each syllable a balm that calmed my racing heart. It was a voice that wrapped me in warmth, a comforting melody that seemed to lull the world into silence. In its gentle tone, I found solace, a sense of peace that enveloped me like a soft, warm blanket.
I didn't say anything
[Eliza... Ca.. Can you.. hear me?] She asked and i immediately hang up the call.I felt a lump in my throat. I stood up from where i was sitting and sat on my bed.Rain started again and school is cancelled for tomorrow too. It's been 3 days.
To forget the things that has been disturbing me lately. I started to work again. I didn't notice the time. I worked for 4 hours straight and i didn't even feel tired. I worked for 2 hours again.Total 6 hours. And the cash 15000 was instantly credited.I am not ready to sleep but it's already 1:00 am. I am neither hungry nor sleepy. I decided to work again.
I just got a message from courier service that my orders will be delivered tomorrow.
I just need a bit more money to buy this home. What if... I am not willing to wait anymore. I already have half of the money that need to buy this house.It's a bit impulsive. But i want to make even these little things easy.
I worked until 5 am but i am not sleepy yet. Maybe i already know that i will see nightmares today.Now in total i have 45000.6 more hours. So i can buy this house. I stoop up from where i was sitting and every bone cracked themselves. I just stretched and decided to go for a jogging. I had a cold bath in this chilly weather. I put on my sports shoes and sport wears. Then took my water bottle with me.
Claire's POV
When i reached my home, i lay on my bed with a sweet smile. I stared at the ceiling. Eliza's voice kept playing in my ears. And my smile turned into a shy one when i remembered her face.I fell asleep.
Flashback
Is she.. Sleeping? I looked at her again. Yes she is. I stopped my car and stared at her. I was lost in nothing. I just stared at her, i was.. smiling all the time. Her hair on her face is blocking my vision. I gently brushed the strands of hair away from her peaceful face, my fingertips barely grazing her skin. She stirred slightly but remained lost in sleep. The soft movement was calming, and I felt a sense of tenderness wash over me. As her hair fell aside, I gazed at her serene features, her gentle breathing a soothing rhythm. In that quiet moment, everything else seemed to fade away, leaving only the stillness of the present.
"Eliza " i called in a extremely soft voice.
"Hmm?" Her voice sweet, soft and soothing
"I.. Love you, Eliza. I don't have the courage to confess when you are awake. May be you will bite me, right?But i love you a lot" i said. I looked her.A single tear rolled down her cheek, a small, glistening drop that seemed to capture the depth of her emotions. I watched, frozen in concern, as it traced a path down her face, leaving a faint trail in its wake. Her eyes remained closed, but the tear spoke volumes about what she might be feeling, even in her sleep. I felt a pang of empathy, my heart reaching out to her in that moment of quiet vulnerability.I wiped her tear.
Then just smiled at her and started driving after tilting mirror to check on her.
Present
My mom knocked my door. "Mom?" I asked as i opened the door. She handed me my phone and said "Aunt Elza is looking for you". I took phone from her hand."Aunt, sorry i couldn't call you" i said before her. "Claire, Eliza is working overtime. She is not sleeping. It's been so long she is working. It's 5 am and she is still working. She is not even taking rest " she said without letting me utter a word."Aunt, i will call her " i said. " Please put it on conference, dear. I wanna hear her voice. I have been waiting to see her. When i found her, i couldn't even hear her voice. It's been 16 years i lost my kid. " she pleaded "sure aunt." I said. She is a very good mother. I called Eliza and put it on conference. It rang for a while then the call ended. "Aunt, can you check if she is still working?" I asked her. With worry. For sure, i am scared too. Why is she so hard on herself? "No, she is not" she said and sighed. "Aunt, she won't be sleeping. I will check on her." I said. "Sorry Claire. I bothered you " she said almost sobbing. "No need to feel sorry for me, aunt. Thankyou for letting me know. " i said then ended her call. It's so chilling cold outside and all the roads are blocked. What should i do? I punched my bed and get ready to rush to her home.