Chapter 1

 Sitting in a darkened room, Ririna felt the weight of her grief pressing down like a heavy blanket. Tears slipped silently down her cheeks as she grappled with an unexplainable sorrow that left her breathless. She was done—done with the endless cycle of pain, each day feeling like a torment with no hope for tomorrow. Her life felt aimless, and she had become numb to the emotions swirling within her.

“Hey darling, wake up… it’s morning.” The gentle pressure on her shoulder pulled Ririna from her restless sleep. Disoriented, she met her mother’s concerned gaze. Instantly, a flicker of life returned to her drained spirit, though she quickly averted her eyes, not wanting to see the worry etched on her mother’s face. The shadows of her past still haunted her dreams, surfacing like ghosts she couldn’t shake off, making her feel trapped in a cycle of misery.

Her mother urged her to get ready for breakfast, emphasizing the importance of family meals. “A family that eats together stays together,” she always said. Ririna joined her at the dining table, the warm aroma of hot tortillas and potato fry filling the air. The meal was delicious, but as she ate, the weight in her chest remained.

After breakfast, she returned to her room and opened her laptop to tackle her pending work. She immersed herself in tasks, trying to distract her mind. Just as she found her rhythm, a notification pinged on her phone. Glancing at the screen, she felt a smile creep onto her face at the sight of the sender’s name. But uncertainty flooded her, and she hesitated to reply.

Serenity washed over her, a fleeting sense of calm that she hadn’t felt in a while. She leaned back in her chair, closed her eyes, and took deep breaths, hoping to drift into a moment of peace. But the sound of the doorbell broke her concentration, pulling her back to the present.

Curious, she opened the door to find a cute little girl standing there, her eyes wide with excitement. “Can I have a hug?” she asked, her voice bright and hopeful. Ririna’s heart melted at the sight. She scooped the little girl into her arms, the warmth of innocence bringing a flicker of joy to her otherwise heavy heart.

As they went inside to play, the girl asked for biscuits, her tiny hands reaching out eagerly. Ririna gladly obliged, handing her a small stash, but the girl extended her other hand, hoping for more. Laughter filled the room as they shared simple moments, the weight of Ririna's worries momentarily forgotten.

After the little one left, promising to return tomorrow, Ririna returned to her work. Yet, she felt a shift within her—an inkling that maybe, just maybe, there was light to be found amidst the darkness. Each small moment of connection reminded her that healing was possible, even if it felt far away. With renewed determination, she resumed her tasks, holding onto the fleeting warmth that the little girl had brought into her day.

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