It was early in the morning, the sun was shining brightly, and its rays were reflected in the glass window. The birds were chirping as if they were singing a lullaby outside, making Naja smile as she looked out the window.
She sighed as she remembered her Mom, who also enjoys this kind of morning vibe.
When the clock struck seven o'clock, her father returned home from their flower shop. He went there at dusk and returned home because she and her sister, Wendy, had morning classes.
Her parents' flower shop has been the family's main source of income for many years. However, when unexpected events occurred, they neglected it, starting to cause the shop's sales to decrease due to the days our shop was closed. However, they chose to reopen it in order to make up for the sales they should have made.
They have been through a lot in the last few weeks, and it has been difficult for their family. Naja was mentally and physically exhausted, but she managed to get up early and prepare for their breakfast. Because the school year isn't over yet, she needs to motivate herself to face this new day.
Their father sat on the wooden sofa, massaging his temple, looking stressed and unable to express himself. She is aware that something is bothering him, but she did not inquire.
She stirred the soup while she waited for Dad to speak. She doesn't want to start the conversation because she senses a problem that he can't just talk about.
As soon as she finished cooking the corn soup, she turned off the gas stove.
“Wendy, please prepare the table,” she directed to her sister.
Wendy assisted her in setting the table. She was placing the glass on the table when it slipped from her grasp, causing it to fall to the floor.
Naja's mouth widened in surprise.
“I’m sorry...” Wendy paused before bending her knees to pick up the shattered pieces of glass.
“I'll handle it. Just get the food ready so we don't get late,” she said as I pushed her hands away.
‘Why does it feel so difficult to complete all of these morning routines without the assistance of our parents? Dad is with us, after all. He's in this house with us, but we can't feel him. He appears to be a ghost or an invisible man. It's not that we couldn't see him; it's just that we couldn't feel his existence, Naja thought to herself.
Their father would simply stare at the ceiling, then go to the store for a few minutes before returning here, where he would spend the rest of the day sitting on the sofa, watching television. He didn't even bother checking in on them to see how their day was going or how their studies were going, as he had to do when their loving Mother was still with them.
This setup is exasperating, and it feels as if it is draining Naja's entire existence, but she must keep moving forward. She still has two siblings to feed, classes to attend, and life to live, but why does it seem like the more she tries, the more obstacles life throws her way?
“We have no choice but to close the shop,” their father said after several minutes of silence. He went on to say, "Permanently."
He didn't bother checking on them, assisting them with the broken glass, or even nagging them about how clumsy they are. He simply stated his news as if nothing had happened. As if he didn't appreciate the shop they'd been working on for five years.
Note: You may pause reading at Chapter 171 so you won't get stressed over the errors and repeated chapter content. I have been editing the chapters from Chapter 172 up to the last chapter posted. Again, please pause right there and don't purchase the chapters for a while because I've been editing them for a better reading. You have been warned.