Fireworks Of My Heart

Twist Of Fate

At the Harris Residence

Alicia, her heart heavy with concern, helped the elderly woman into her car. The woman was still visibly shaken, her mind a blank slate. She couldn't even recall her name, let alone her address.

As they drove, Alicia tried to keep the woman calm, engaging her in gentle conversation. She offered her a bottle of water and a comforting pat on the hand.

"Don't worry, ma'am," she reassured the woman. "We'll figure this out. You're safe now."

Arriving at her modest apartment, Alicia helped the woman inside. She made her comfortable on the couch, offering her a warm blanket. She then prepared a cup of tea, hoping the warmth would soothe the woman's nerves.

"Perhaps, after some rest, your memory will return," Alicia said, offering the tea. "In the meantime, why don't you try to relax?"

Alicia was settling the elderly woman on the couch, the sound of footsteps came from the bedroom. The door creaked open, and Maria, Alicia's aunt, emerged, fanning herself vigorously.

"Oh dear, you're home early?" she exclaimed, her voice filled with surprise. "I was just about to send you a message to get some ice blocks on your way back. This heat is unbearable! Even the AC has given up on us."

Maria continued to complain about the heat, oblivious to Alicia's weary expression. She launched into a long, rambling story about the power outages, the rising cost of living, and the general state of the world.

Alicia, despite her exhaustion, listened patiently, offering occasional nods and sympathetic murmurs. She knew her aunt could talk for hours, and she didn't want to interrupt her flow.

“Alicia, be rich soon so we can enjoy more. That Queen family is so bad, they should have promoted you already.” Maria's attention was suddenly diverted from her own complaints as her eyes landed on the elderly woman resting on the couch. A look of surprise crossed her face.

"Ah, we have a guest?" she asked, her voice laced with curiosity.

“And who did you get for us this time around girl?” Maria added, “she looks so old.”

Alicia nodded, her voice weary. "Yes, Aunt Maria. She's an elderly woman I helped at the mall. She's having trouble remembering things, including her name and address."

Maria's expression softened as she approached the woman. She gently patted her hand, offering words of comfort. "Don't worry, dear. We'll take care of you."

“So old and you were alone? That family you have is so incompetent. How can they leave an old lady to be on her own?”

With that, Maria turned to Alicia, a thoughtful look in her eyes. "Perhaps we should call the authorities. They might be able to help us identify her."

As Alicia explained the situation, Maria's attention was drawn to the elderly woman's elegant appearance. She couldn't resist the urge to touch the woman's silver hair, intricately braided into a beautiful style. Her fingers then trailed down to the woman's golden hairpins, admiring their delicate craftsmanship.

But it was the pearl necklace that truly captivated Maria's attention. Her eyes widened in astonishment as she reached out to touch the lustrous pearls. "Alicia!" she exclaimed, her voice filled with excitement. "Do you know how much this pearl set must be worth?"

“This is the latest collection, it’s worth a fortune,” she said, “I saw its commercial on the television just a week back.” MBut Before she could reach for the necklace, Alicia intervened, gently stopping her aunt's hand. "Aunt Maria, please," she said, her voice firm. "She's not just a piece of jewellery. She's a person, and she's going through a difficult time."

Maria, however, couldn't entirely shake off her curiosity. She continued to study the elderly woman, her eyes lingering on the woman's elegant attire and the subtle hints of wealth that exuded from her.

"She's not just an ordinary woman," Maria muttered to herself, her voice barely audible. "There's something more to her."

Alicia, sensing her aunt's persistent curiosity, decided to let the woman rest. Perhaps, with time, she would regain her memory and reveal her true identity. For now, the priority was to provide her with comfort and care.

Alicia, seeing the curious glint in her aunt's eyes, knew that further questioning would only agitate the elderly woman. She decided to take matters into her own hands.

"Aunt Maria, I think it's best if we let her rest," she said, gently guiding the woman towards the bedroom. "Perhaps, after some sleep, she'll feel better."

“So please don’t be loud so she can sleep for a while.”

Maria, although hesitant, nodded in agreement. She knew that prying further would only cause unnecessary stress.

"Alright, dear," she said. "But we need to keep an eye on her. Who knows what secrets she's hiding?"

As Alicia and the elderly woman entered the bedroom, Maria was left alone with her thoughts. She sighed heavily, her gaze drifting towards the ceiling.

"This life is so harsh," she muttered, fanning herself vigorously. "We work hard day and night, but we still struggle to make ends meet. I just wish we could escape this poverty and live a life of luxury."

She paused, her eyes lighting up with a dreamlike vision. "Imagine, Alicia, a life where we don't have to worry about electricity bills or food shortages. A life where we can afford to eat three square meals a day and even indulge in a few luxuries."

Alicia, who had just entered the kitchen, couldn't help but sigh. She was tired of her aunt's constant complaining. Despite their humble circumstances, they had a roof over their heads, food on the table, and each other's love.

"We're doing the best we can, Aunt Maria," she said, her voice gentle. "We should be grateful for what we have."

She turned away, her attention focused on preparing a simple meal. She knew that her aunt's dreams of a luxurious life were far-fetched, but she also understood the frustration that came with their limited resources.