I stood frozen, unmoving, like a statue. I could not believe they had actually shown up. I did not reply; I simply stared.
She carried an aura I could not quite explain—it felt oddly familiar.
"You could at least say something, dear," she said sharply. "Not stand there and make us appear as fools, desperate for your attention."
I bowed quickly. "My apologies," I whispered.
She smiled faintly and patted my shoulder. "It seems your aunt spoiled you far too much," she said, then walked back to her seat.
I remained standing there, my head now raised, my heart still thumping. I had not wanted this to happen so quickly.
"You seem quite disturbed, my dear daughter," my supposed mother said, her voice echoing through the room. "Why is that so?"
"I believe she did not expect your arrival to be so sudden," Aunt Viv said gently.
"Did you not tell her?" the woman replied. "Or did you not read the letter stating that we would be coming for her? There was no specific date written—I assumed she would have understood or isn't she able to assimilate properly?."
I listened in silence, my heart pounding.
I do not want to believe she is my mother, I said quietly in my mind, for she seemed very scary and dangerous.
"Come, sit with us," my aunt's sister said.
I walked over slowly, pulled out a chair beside Aunt Viv, and sat down. They began to chatter, their voices overlapping, but I heard none of it. I was lost in my own thoughts, overwhelmed by everything that was unfolding.
When their discussion finally ended, my supposed father placed his hands on my shoulders, pulling me back into a world I did not wish to be part of.
"You may return to your quarters," he said. "We wish to speak privately."
I rose without a word and walked to my quarters, never once looking back.
I closed the door behind me and leaned against it, my breath uneven. A long sigh escaped my lips before a soft knock followed.
"It's I—Raya," she said.
I opened the door, and she stepped inside, her eyes filled with concern.
"Are you well, milady?"
I looked at her and nodded, though the weight in my chest said otherwise.
"You haven't spoken much lately," she continued gently. "But now… you seem truly disturbed." She paused, her voice softening. "Would you like to talk?"
"To be honest," I began, "everything is so sudden. Those people out there don't seem like the kind who would accommodate my decisions or my ways." I gave a pained smile. "It's difficult… thinking of a life beyond these walls.i would love to argue but aunt Viv seems sad enough and I don't worry her more"
Raya listened quietly before speaking. "Milady, life is not always pleasant," she said gently. "But all we can do is make the best of it. Try putting yourself out there—even if it's just once in a blue moon." She smiled softly. "And whatever happens, do not neglect yourself."
I wrapped my arms around Raya, hugging her tightly. "Thank you, Raya," I said softly. "I would have loved you to accompany me… because I don't know what I'd do without you."
She chuckled quietly and returned the embrace. "A lot, my princess," she said with certainty. "You would do even better than you think."
I smiled and slowly pulled out of the embrace, though my arms lingered around her for a moment longer than necessary.
"I would not wish to part ways with you," I said softly. "I would miss you… more than I can put into words."
I looked at her for a while, memorizing her face, as though my heart feared it might be forced to remember her from a distance someday.
That evening, they called me for dinner, but I didn't go out to eat. Instead, I opened my window and thought about the whole day's events all over again.
I know I am more of someone who overthinks—don't blame me, my life is just dramatic.