Even Winter Was Warmer Than You
Ashes in the silence
This is my first chat story
heroine mother was died in her childhood due to disease. And recently her father who force her to make money was dead now due to lung cancer.
her bestfriend name Meira
Meira
I heard about your dad… Elira, I’m so sorry.
Elira
It’s okay.
Or maybe… it’s not.
I don’t even know how I’m supposed to feel anymore.
Meira
You don’t have to “supposed to” anything. Just feel whatever you’re feeling.
Even if it’s nothing.
Or relief. Or anger.
Elira
That’s the worst part, Mei.
I thought I’d cry.
But I didn’t. Not even once.
I just sat there, staring at his hospital bed like it was some old furniture I forgot to throw out.
Meira
He wasn’t kind to you.
You don’t have to pretend he was.
Elira
Yeah.
He wanted me to make money. Not memories.
Sometimes I think he only kept me around for what I could become.
And now he’s dead. Just like Mom.
But at least she died loving me.
Meira
You were just a kid when she passed, right?
Elira
Seven.
She smelled like cinnamon and old books.
She used to hum to me when I had nightmares.
With her gone, the nightmares stayed.
With him gone... there’s just silence.
Meira
I wish I could hold that silence with you.
Even if I can’t fix it.
Elira
You being here is fixing it.
I just...
I don’t know what I’m supposed to do now.
I don’t know who I am when I’m not surviving him.
Meira
Maybe it’s time you become something for yourself.
Not for him. Not for anyone.
Just Elira.
Elira
But what if I don’t know how?
Meira
Then I’ll help you learn.
We’ll start slow. One breath at a time.
Elira
...Thank you.
Really.
If I ever have a reason to keep going, you’re part of it.
Meira
did you want me to suggest job in my company
Elira
No . I already working in a library so I continue it
Meira
as you like if you want any help please ask me
uninvited silence
Elira behind the front desk. Aryan enters the library for the first time.
Aaryan
Is this where I ask for help or pretend I know what I’m looking for?
Elira
That depends.
Do you usually pretend?
Aaryan
Only when I’m in places I don’t belong.
Elira
You think you don’t belong in a library?
Aaryan
I deal with numbers, not words.
Power, not poetry.
Elira
Books don’t bite.
Unless you open the wrong one.
Aaryan
Which one’s the wrong one?
Elira
The one that knows too much about you.
Aaryan
Interesting answer...
What if I’m looking for something quiet? Something… honest.
Elira
Then you’ll have a hard time.
Honest things don’t survive long around people with power.
Aaryan
You assume I have power.
Elira
You walk like you own the floor.
And your coat probably costs more than the library’s budget.
Elira
It’s my job.
Shelve books. Scan eyes. Keep quiet.
Aaryan
And yet you’re speaking to me.
Elira
Only because you asked for help.
What are you looking for?
Aaryan
I’m not sure.
But I’ll know it when I see it.
Elira
Try aisle seven. Back corner.
That’s where the forgotten things are.
Aaryan
Because I didn’t come here for books.
After he walked away
Elira
He wasn’t just a random guy, Mei.
He walked in like he owned the silence.
Then talked like he wanted to ruin it.
Meira
Wait wait wait—THE black coat guy again?
What now?? What did he say?
Elira
He came to the desk.
Said he was looking for something honest.
I told him honest things don’t last long near power.
He didn’t even deny it. Just stared like he could read between my words.
Meira
Girl... what if he CAN??
Elira
Don’t start 😭
Anyway, I told him to go to aisle seven. That’s where all the books no one touches are.
He smirked. Said he didn’t come here for books.
Meira
Excuse me.
What did he come for then?? 👀
Elira
No clue. But after he left, I went back to check the shelf.
Elira
There was a book open.
The Stranger by Camus.
Page folded.
A line underlined in pen:
"I opened myself to the gentle indifference of the world."
Elira
I Don’t know if he left it on purpose.
But somehow it feels like he did.
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