The evening had settled quietly over the house. A soft orange glow from the setting sun slipped through the curtains, painting the living room in warm shades. Outside, the wind moved gently through the trees, creating a calm but slightly mysterious atmosphere.
In the living room, Silane and Henry were sitting together on the couch, waiting patiently. A small lamp on the table beside them lit the room with a gentle light.
Silane looked toward the staircase and spoke softly.
"Do you think Maria is feeling better now?"
Henry leaned back slightly, folding his hands together. His face still carried a trace of worry, but his voice was calm.
"I think she is… Cathy has been with her the whole time. Maria just needed someone close to her."
Silane nodded slowly. She glanced at the clock on the wall. The ticking sound filled the quiet room.
"I just hope she doesn't feel alone anymore," Silane said gently.
Henry gave a small reassuring smile.
"She's stronger than we think. And now she's not facing anything by herself."
Upstairs, in Maria's room, the atmosphere felt much lighter than before.
Maria was sitting near the window, the cool evening breeze touching her face. For the first time in many days, her eyes looked calmer. The heavy sadness that once filled them had slowly faded.
Beside her sat Cathy, leaning casually on the chair.
Cathy looked at Maria carefully and smiled.
"You look much better now."
Maria gave a small but genuine smile.
"Yeah… I think I do. It feels like my mind is finally quiet."
For a moment, both of them simply listened to the evening sounds outside — distant cars, the wind brushing against the trees.
Cathy stood up and stretched slightly.
"Your parents are waiting downstairs. They've been worried about you."
Maria took a deep breath and stood up slowly.
"I know… I should go see them."
Cathy gently placed a hand on Maria's shoulder.
"They'll be happy to see you smiling again."
Maria nodded softly, and together they walked toward the door, ready to go downstairs where Silane and Henry were waiting. The house, which had once been filled with worry and silence, slowly began to feel alive again.
Maria slowly walked down the stairs. The warm light from the living room fell gently on her face as she stepped down, one step at a time. When Silane saw her, her eyes widened with relief.
"Maria…" she whispered softly.
Before Maria could say anything, Silane walked toward her quickly and pulled her into a tight embrace. She held her daughter close, as if she had been waiting for that moment for a very long time.
"My dear child," Silane said gently, stroking Maria's hair. "You don't have to carry everything alone. Whatever pain you have, share it with us. Life will slowly become lighter again."
Maria rested her head on her mother's shoulder for a moment. The warmth of the hug comforted her.
"I know, mom," she replied quietly.
Silane held her face with both hands and looked into her eyes.
"You're strong, Maria. But strength doesn't mean hiding your pain. Just promise me you'll take care of yourself."
Maria nodded softly.
"I promise."
As they spoke, Maria's eyes shifted toward the large glass door that led to the garden. Outside, she noticed her father Henry standing near the small garden path, speaking on his phone. His voice was low and serious.
Something about his expression caught Maria's attention.
"Mom… I'll be right back," Maria said gently.
She walked outside toward the garden. The evening air was cool, and the faint scent of flowers filled the space. As she got closer, she heard part of her father's conversation.
"Yes, David… I'm really worried about her," Henry said into the phone. "She's been mentally disturbed since everything happened. I think she needs proper treatment. Can you help her?"
The name David sounded familiar. Henry continued speaking with concern.
"If possible, I want you to start her therapy soon. I just want my daughter to be alright again."
Maria stopped for a moment behind him, quietly listening. Her heart softened hearing how worried her father was.
Slowly, she stepped forward and gently touched her father's shoulder.
Henry turned around immediately, surprised.
"Maria…"
But instead of sadness, he saw a calm smile on her face.
"Daddy," Maria said softly, "I'm alright. You don't have to worry so much."
Henry looked confused for a moment.
Maria continued gently, trying to reassure him.
"I'm already taking medication for my illness. When I was in San Jose, I went for counseling with a psychiatrist. He told me to continue taking my medicines properly."
Henry listened carefully, the worry in his face slowly fading.
Maria smiled a little wider.
"He's actually coming to Los Angeles tomorrow. I'm planning to meet him again and continue my counseling."
She held her father's hand gently.
"So please don't worry, daddy. I'm taking care of myself."
For a moment Henry simply looked at her, overwhelmed with relief. Then he pulled her into a warm hug.
"I just want you to be happy again," he said quietly.
Maria closed her eyes for a second, feeling the comfort of her father's embrace as the quiet evening breeze moved through the garden.
Night slowly covered the house, and the quiet evening turned warm and lively inside. The dining table was filled with delicious food, and the pleasant smell of freshly cooked meat spread through the room.
Silane had prepared Maria's favorite dish especially for her. The meat was perfectly cooked, tender and full of flavor. Everyone gathered around the table, enjoying the peaceful moment together.
Maria tasted the food and smiled warmly.
"Mom… this is amazing," she said happily.
Silane laughed softly. "Of course it is. I know how much you love meat."
Cathy, sitting beside Maria, took another bite and nodded with excitement.
"I agree with Maria. This is really delicious."
Henry watched them with a gentle smile. For the first time in a long while, the house felt filled with laughter instead of worry.
The dinner continued with small jokes and conversations. Plates clinked softly, and the warm atmosphere made Maria feel comfortable and relaxed.
Suddenly—
TAP! TAP! TAP!
A loud, continuous tapping sound echoed from the front door.
Everyone immediately stopped eating.
The room fell silent.
Silane looked at Henry nervously. Cathy froze for a moment, and Maria's smile slowly faded as the tapping continued.
TAP! TAP! TAP! TAP!
Henry stood up from his chair slowly.
"Stay here," he said calmly, though his voice carried a hint of caution.
He walked carefully toward the front door. The tapping stopped the moment he reached it.
For a brief second, the house was completely silent.
Henry slowly turned the door handle and opened the door.
Suddenly—
"SURPRISE!!!"
Three people jumped inside the house holding a birthday cake with glowing candles.
Maria gasped in shock.
Standing there were her cousins — Jenifer, Roshan, and Johan.
"Happy Birthday, Maria!" they shouted excitedly.
Maria covered her mouth in disbelief.
"Wait… what? My birthday?!"
Jenifer laughed. "Of course! Did you forget your own birthday?"
Roshan carefully placed the cake on the table while Johan clapped happily.
Cathy started laughing too.
"Oh my god, Maria, your reaction is priceless!"
Maria looked completely surprised, but slowly her face lit up with joy. The candles flickered softly as everyone gathered around her.
Silane gently placed a hand on Maria's shoulder.
"Make a wish, my dear."
Maria closed her eyes for a moment and blew out the candles. Everyone clapped and cheered.
After cutting the cake, Maria hugged her cousins happily.
"I can't believe you all came here tonight!"
Jenifer smiled mischievously. "You should thank your father."
Maria turned and looked at Henry.
"Dad… you did all this?"
Henry shrugged playfully.
"Well… birthdays should never be forgotten."
Maria walked toward him and hugged him tightly.
"Thank you, daddy," she said softly.
The house filled with laughter again as everyone enjoyed the cake together. For that night, the darkness and worries surrounding Maria seemed to disappear, replaced by warmth, family, and celebration.
After the laughter faded and the cake was finished, the house slowly returned to silence. Maria's cousins — Jenifer, Roshan, and Johan — had decided to stay the night. The extra rooms were prepared, blankets were arranged, and one by one everyone wished each other goodnight.
Soon the lights went off.
The house that had been filled with celebration only a few hours ago now rested in deep midnight silence.
But Maria could not sleep.
She lay on her bed staring at the ceiling. The faint light from the moon slipped through the curtains, casting long shadows across the room. No matter how hard she tried, sleep would not come.
Memories kept returning.
Her boyfriend's death.
The fear.
The unanswered questions.
She turned from one side of the bed to the other, trying to calm her mind.
Then suddenly—
Step… step… step…
A slow walking sound echoed from the hall outside.
Maria's eyes opened wide.
She sat up slowly, listening carefully.
Step… step… step…
Someone was walking in the hallway.
At first she thought it might be one of her cousins going to the kitchen or bathroom. But something about the footsteps felt strange… slow… dragging… almost unnatural.
Maria quietly got out of bed and opened her door a little.
The hallway was dark.
Only a dim line of moonlight stretched across the floor.
Then she saw it.
A woman was standing in the hall.
Her long hair hung down completely over her face, hiding it in darkness. The strands moved slightly as she walked. Maria couldn't see her eyes… her nose… nothing.
Only hair.
Maria's heart began to pound violently.
"Who… who is that…?" she whispered to herself.
The woman moved slowly across the hall, her steps quiet but eerie. Without turning around, she walked toward one of the guest rooms.
Roshan's room.
Maria felt a sudden wave of fear.
Something was terribly wrong.
The mysterious woman pushed the door open and slipped inside Roshan's room.
Maria immediately rushed forward, her heart racing. She reached the doorway and looked inside.
What she saw froze her in terror.
The woman stood beside Roshan's bed.
In her hand… a knife gleamed faintly in the moonlight.
She slowly raised it.
Maria's voice burst out before she could stop herself.
"ROSHAN!!"
Roshan suddenly woke up, confused and startled. Just as the woman brought the knife down toward him, he reacted instantly. He grabbed her arm and stopped the blade only inches from his chest.
"What the—?!"
With all his strength, Roshan pushed the woman away and jumped out of bed.
He ran out of the room quickly.
But the woman followed him immediately.
She rushed out of the room with frightening speed, still holding the knife.
Roshan tried to run down the hall, but suddenly—
The woman grabbed his leg from behind.
He fell forward onto the floor.
She raised the knife again, trying to stab him.
"Get away from me!" Roshan shouted.
With a desperate movement, he pulled his leg free and kicked the woman hard.
The force of the kick sent her crashing onto the floor.
The knife slid across the hallway.
For a moment… everything went still.
The woman didn't move.
She had lost consciousness.
By now the noise had awakened everyone.
Doors opened one by one.
Everyone in that home rushed into the hallway.
Henry quickly turned on the lights.
The bright light filled the hall.
Everyone stared at the woman lying on the floor.
Roshan was breathing heavily as Maria stood beside him, still shaking with fear.
Henry slowly walked toward the unconscious woman.
"Who is she…?" Silane whispered nervously.
Henry knelt down and carefully moved the long hair away from the woman's face.
The moment her face became visible---Everyone froze in shock. No one could believe what they were seeing. The entire house fell into stunned silence as they stared at the woman's face.
And the chapter ends there.