25 January 2025, 3:00 AM.
Silane suddenly woke from her deep sleep as a series of continuous coughs shook her chest. Her throat felt painfully dry. Rubbing her eyes, she slowly got out of bed and walked toward the kitchen to drink some water. The house was quiet and dark, with only the faint light of the night slipping through the windows. She filled a glass with water and raised it to her lips, but before she could drink, a sudden tapping sound came from the stairs behind her.
Tap… tap… tap…
Silane froze. Her heart began to race as the sound grew clearer. Slowly, she turned back toward the staircase. From the dim shadow above, a man wearing a black cap was walking down the stairs, moving slowly toward her. Fear rushed through her body. She stepped back, her hands trembling, and a scream escaped her lips.
"Who are you?!" she cried in terror.
The man suddenly stopped walking. For a moment, the house fell silent again. Then he spoke in a calm voice, trying to comfort her.
"Silane… it's me. I'm your husband. Don't be scared."
"Henry, you scared me," Silane said, placing her hand on her chest to calm her racing heart. "What is this? Why are you wearing a cap and dressed up at this hour?"
Henry looked at her with a small smile. "Our daughter Maria is coming today," he replied. "I'm going to pick her up from the airport."
Silane frowned slightly, confused. "Wait… has her summer vacation already started? I remember she told me it would begin after two weeks."
Henry shook his head gently. "She called me yesterday around eleven at night," he said. "She told me she's coming today with her friend Cathy."
Silane's expression slowly softened with surprise.
"So," Henry continued while adjusting his cap, "just make some breakfast for our daughter and her friend. I'll go to the airport, pick them up, and come back."
Henry stepped out of the house and got into his car, starting the engine as the quiet night slowly began to fade. The streets were mostly empty as he drove through the sleeping city, streetlights still glowing along the roads. As time passed, the darkness gradually gave way to the soft light of dawn. The sky turned pale orange, and the city slowly began to wake up.
After driving for a while, Henry finally reached the airport. It was now 7:00 AM, and the morning crowd had already begun to gather. Travelers walked in and out of the terminal, some carrying luggage while others waited outside the arrival gate. Henry parked his car, stepped out, and walked toward the entrance, hoping to see his daughter Maria among the arriving passengers.
Cathy, who had always been thoughtful and kind, loved creating small happy surprises for the people she cared about. Seeing Henry searching anxiously for his daughter, she decided to make the moment special.
Henry was standing near the airport entrance, carefully looking around for Maria among the arriving passengers.
Maria was right beside Cathy, but Henry hadn't noticed her yet. Cathy smiled softly and gently held Maria's hand, guiding her quietly through the small crowd until they stood just behind Henry.
Henry was still looking ahead, unaware that his daughter was only a step away.
Cathy leaned down and whispered, "Go on… surprise him." Maria nodded excitedly and stepped forward, lightly tapping Henry on the shoulder.
Henry turned around, and for a moment he froze in surprise.
"Dad!"
Maria quickly hugged him, and Henry's face immediately brightened with joy as he hugged her back tightly.
"Maria! When did you get here?" he asked happily.
Cathy stood a few steps away, watching the reunion with a warm smile. When Henry looked at her, he realized she had planned the surprise.
"So this was your idea," he said with a grateful smile.
Cathy simply gave a playful nod while father and daughter continued their happy reunion at the airport.
Henry drove through the quiet streets, the soft hum of the car blending with Silane's gentle chatter. Earlier, Silane had asked Henry to pick up some meat for Maria, knowing how much she loved it. They stopped at a lively market, and the three of them stepped inside, the scents of fresh produce and spices filling the air.
Henry wandered toward the meat section, scanning the selections. Suddenly, a piercing scream cut through the market. He spun around and saw Maria trembling, backed into a corner. Cathy rushed to her side, kneeling to soothe her.
"She just… she got scared," Cathy whispered to Henry, her hand on Maria's shoulder. "Something reminded her of a very painful memory."
Henry nodded, understanding. Together, he and Cathy coaxed Maria back to the car. She climbed in, eyes closed, shivering, and Cathy murmured soft words of comfort while Henry fastened her seatbelt.
The drive home was quiet, the city passing in the warm glow of sunset. When they arrived, Silane ran to the car, face bright with joy.
"Maria!" she called, arms wide.
But Maria didn't respond. She slipped past her mother and went straight to her room, locking the door. Silane's joy faltered, replaced by worry.
Henry and Cathy exchanged glances. Silane's voice trembled as she asked, "What happened to her?"
Cathy took a deep breath and began to explain, carefully but fully.
"Silane… it's about Maria's boyfriend, Nick," she said softly. "A few months ago, something horrible happened. Nick… he was attacked. The way it happened—it was brutal. The person who did it used a large knife, and… they didn't just hurt him, they… killed him, in a way so cruel that Maria can't forget it. She saw the aftermath in her mind, the memory of it is still vivid and terrifying for her. That's why she reacted so strongly today. It wasn't the market, it wasn't the knives there—it reminded her of Nick's murder, how suddenly and violently he was taken from her. She's been carrying that trauma ever since, even though we hoped coming here and relaxing would give her a small escape. But the memory is so deep that it still shakes her."
Silane's hands gripped the car door, her heart heavy with sorrow. Tears threatened as she realized the depth of her daughter's pain. She exhaled slowly, trying to steady herself, letting Cathy's words sink in. Henry stayed silently supportive, knowing that sometimes being present was more important than any words.
The chapter closed with Silane standing outside Maria's locked door, her heart aching, ready to comfort her daughter with all the love she had. Cathy and Henry remained close by, their presence steady, as the first step toward understanding—and healing—began.