I didn’t know if I would approach mommy Helena and Aunt Julia because they were both just staring at me. Their faces were soft as if they were so happy to see me again. I don’t know if I should approach them because they want to shed my tears. After all, I can still see that despite what I did to Hugo. They are here in front of me, they still welcome me wholeheartedly.
When Hugo saw I had no intention of moving toward, he pulled me to the door where the two important women in my life were standing. He pulled me off as he held Tiarra in his hand. I would have liked to protest because I felt I had no right to step foot in that house again.
It surprised me when suddenly a woman ran up to me. A woman quite tall, she hugged me tightly, as I could smell the scent of her hair. When she let go of the hug, I saw it was Estella. Her eyes began to cry. She made a gesture, but I didn’t understand anything. I would have said that she would slow down so that I could get what she meant when she hugged me again. One after another, they walked towards me.
Aunt Julia and mommy Helena hugged next. I know they want to ask me a lot of questions, but they respect why I did. It’s just sad because I couldn’t say goodbye to Shiela and Raymond anymore. After all, they still weren’t coming back. I’ll just visit them just in case I have time. As they hugged me, they were already crying. I sniffed because I was happy. It surprised them when Tiarra suddenly cried.
We all laughed because of what she did. I touched her hair to calm her down. I noticed Esther was gone. Because I used to always see her whenever there was such a reunion. When mommy Helena saw my eyes were looking for something, she preceded me.
“Esther died last year. Even if it hurts to think, her body can’t take it anymore.” She stopped talking and looked at Estella, who was now playing Tiarra who I was still carrying. “She lastly hoped to find you because she wanted you to take care of Estella. She has grown as close as she is to you. I hope you don’t refuse Esther’s last request.”
Suddenly, tears welled up in my eyes. I hugged Estella with Tiarra. Esther was my first friend in this mansion, so it hurt me she was gone. Too much has happened in the last five years. Don’t worry Esther, I will take care of Estella like my real child. Estella picked up Tiarra and then asked her to walk. Hugo went inside, so there were only three of us left here outside. Because I didn’t want to prolong it, I said what I wanted to say before.
“I’m sorry for what I did to Hugo. I shouldn’t have done that to him and should first find out the truth. I regret that. I hope you will forgive me.” I sniffed as large beads of tears kept falling into my eyes.
She just hugged me, then said nothing else. Aunt Julia did not speak. It was as if we had communication using only the eyes. Soon we went inside. Nothing has changed inside. The design is still the same as before.
The night is over. Hugo and I’s room has been cleaned. The traces of blood I had left before were gone.
Days, hours, and seasons passed quickly. I never thought I would go back to my normal life. The crowded and dark world of mine then re-emerged again. The trees have learned to dance again; the birds are singing to me again. I didn’t know that despite the cold paddling in the rain when you come home, you still have a family ready to be a blanket whenever it gets cold.
Earlier Hugo and Tiarra were gone. I don’t know where they go. Soleil and Estella are with me now. Soleil and I got along well. She told me that the day I saw them on the beach hugging was Hugo’s confession to her that Hugo already loved me. I didn’t want to believe it because I had never heard those words from Hugo. Soleil knew that earlier than me.
The car stopped in a dark garden. What are we going to do here? Earlier, I had noticed the strange signals of those who were in the mansion. Even mommy Helena I didn’t see at home. Even the other maid didn’t either. As we got out of the car, I was surprised when I was suddenly blindfolded. I wanted to remove it, but someone grabbed both my arms to guide me. I felt the small stones I was stepping on. I walked slowly because those holding me were not speaking. What are they doing?
When we were a little farther away, the two hands that were holding me suddenly move out. I don’t know if I will ever remove my blindfold or stay that way. When it was only a minute and there was still nothing, I remove it myself. I turned to my right and back, but I could see no one. When I looked to the front, I saw lights that looked like guides. That light that goes where. Since I don’t have anyone with me anymore, I followed where that thing was going.
I stopped because everyone was there. Mommy, Helena, Soleil, Estella, Tiarra, and all became part of the house. At the very end is Hugo in a formal suit. He smiled at me like a groom waiting for his bride. So they made me wear a white dress for it? I smiled because of what they did.
As I approached there, I was surprised when Hugo suddenly knelt in front of me. Everyone fell silent while Tiarra heard a faint giggle.
“I know we haven’t been together enough to show how much we know each other. If I need over ten-twenty – or thirty years to get to know you. I will, as long as you just give me all your love and I will repay as much as I can. Adele Barrow, I haven’t told you how much I love you yet, but let me say that through the ring I’m holding now.” He stopped talking and pulled something out of his suit.
“Will you marry me?”