2 hours ago.
Whenever I look back on my life I never thought this for myself. Yet here I am, joyfully baking a cake for my daughter in my very own bakery. The thought of having a family, a daughter, was something I once deemed out of reach. She is truly the love of my life. I often think of the what-ifs—what if I had taken a wrong turn somewhere along the way? The mere idea of not having her sends a wave of fear through me. But no matter where I could have ended up, I would always choose this path. I would always choose to create cakes for my daughter.
Ruth, a radiant and vibrant woman, picks up a piping bag to add the final touches to the cake, pouring all her love into every swirl and decoration. The cake is a sight to behold, crafted for her daughter and her friends at school for an upcoming event. With care, she places the cake in the walk-in freezer.
As Ruth steps out of the walk-in cooler, she carefully removes her apron and walks toward the front counter. There, she finds Samantha engaged with a customer. Ruth stands beside her, sharing a warm smile as the customer completes his purchase and heads out the door.
Samantha turns her attention to Ruth and asks, "So, how are your pastries coming along?"
"They're almost finished. I've just put them in the freezer," Ruth replies, her excitement is clearly visible.
"Cool! When are you leaving for school?"
"Soon. Alex is coming to pick me up."
"Great! You're so lucky to have a family. Here I am, still wandering around. I don't think so I could ever love and marry someone. It is not for me." Samantha says with a hint of longing in her voice.
"Don't worry; you'll find someone too."
"What if I don't?" Samantha's tone shifts to uncertainty.
"Of course you will! What about that guy you've been seeing?"
"What can I say about him? He's handsome and caring, but I just don't feel that spark. I can't shake the feeling that he's not the one."
"What if he is the one?" Ruth challenges gently.
"I don't know. I really don't know. I like him a lot, but I'm afraid I'll hurt him." Samantha admits, her confusion is clear.
"What do you mean?"
"It's just that I really like him, but it's difficult for me, I don't believe in love and I think he feels alot much more for me than I could ever be able to feel for him. Love is something I read in fairy tales and it's not real for me."
"Give him a chance. If he is that genuine. Give him a chance."
"But how? I don't know how! It scares me. He is trying to come closer to me and that is what scares me."
"If you're not going to let anyone get close to you, then how are you going to have someone around? You should give him a chance."
"I can't help it. I just push everyone away who tries to get near me. I feel so messed up."
"You let me come close to you!"
"It took you like a decade for that! And guys aren't like you. He's nice, a really nice guy. I don't think I can be as good to him as he is to me."
"He sounds like a genuinely nice guy."
"Yes, he really is! In every single way. You know what I mean," Samantha says, her admiration clear.
"I think I understand," Ruth replies.
"But I feel like we're just not on the same page in this relationship," Samantha concludes, her expression a mix of frustration and confusion.
"Don't fret; you'll get there."
"I really hope so, because if this doesn't work out, I'm destined to be a spinster."
"Stop being so dramatic! Let me call my husband and check when he'll be here."
Ruth pulls out her phone and dials Alex.
"Alex! Hi, where are you?"
"In the office!"
"What are you doing there?"
"What do you mean? You're still in office?"
"Oh my God! You forgot! You were supposed to pick me up from the bakery. We were going to Aurora's school event!"
"Oh! Right! I'm so sorry, Ruth. I completely forgot, and I have a meeting. I can't come."
"Alex! How could you forget this?"
"I'm really sorry. Can you manage today? I promise I'll make it up to you."
"You should have at least let me know. Now I'll be late!"
"I'm really sorry. I have to go now." And with that, Alex hangs up.
"What happened?" Samantha asks from behind.
"Alex isn't coming. Apparently, he's busy."
"How are you going to get there now? You'll be late."
"I know! I'll have to take the bus. I need to leave now or I won't make it in time. Please take care of the shop."
Ruth hurriedly packs the pastries into a box and rushes toward the exit. As she steps out, a man unexpectedly bumps into her, causing the pastries to fly into the air. In that fleeting moment, she feels an inexplicable spark, as if a high voltage of energy coursed through her. She locks eyes with him—eyes that seem hauntingly familiar. Her heart skips a beat as the pastries tumble to the ground. She should be angry but why she feels sad, is it because of pastries but no, there must be more to it. He is someone she knows. Why these eyes are haunting her. As if she is afraid of it. She is definately not afraid of these eyes because she just don't want to stop looking into these eyes. Who is he? Why he feel so close to her? In that instant, she doesn't feel anger; instead, she is momentarily lost in the connection. She feels as if someone smashed open her heart. She feels pain. A pain she cannot define but she is feeling it. It is not her body. It is her soul that is screaming.