Holidays are suppose to be a time to rest, but for Julia it's always complicated.
With Delise around, the house became noisier-crying babies, laughter, constant movement. Julia loved it but somehow, the noise only made her thoughts louder.
That night, as everyone slept, Julia lay awake on her bed staring at the ceiling.
St. Monica's college filled her mind
The dormitory.
The whispers.
The suffering.
The pain.
The betrayal.
She turned towards the wall and hugged her pillow tightly.
"Never again,"
she whispered.
**Next Morning **
Julia was already awake before everyone else and so she started doing the chores, cooked, carried the babies, fed them- anything to make her busy.
"Julia"
Her mom called softly watching her quietly,
"You've been so quiet lately."
Julia forced a smile.
"I'm fine, mom."
Her mom still didn't look convinced but she nodded anyway.
Later that day, while Julia was bathing the babies, Delise walked in and leaned against the door.
"You know," she said casually,
"You've changed."
Julia paused.
"Changed how?"
"You're not as free as before, something happened in that school right?"
Julia's hands trembled slightly.
For a moment, she felt like she should tell her something-her life there, the heartbreak, the trust, betrayal, the shame she carried alone.
But instead, she shook her head and said
"it's nothing."
Delise studied her for and long second, sighed and said,
"when you're ready to talk, I'm here."
Julia nodded but deep down, she knew she wasn't ready to disclose anything atleast not yet.
Because some stories only bring more hurt.
So she kept it within her with a smile on her face.
T.B.C