Moments Before The Sunset

HERRERA SERIES 1 Pearl Herrera It made me think about how sometimes, the pressures of meeting our parents' expectations can feel overwhelming. It's like carrying heavy weights on our shoulders, always trying to live up to certain standards. Every achievement, big or small, can feel like it defines our entire worth. I took a deep breath and gazed at the clear blue sky above. But looking up at that sky, I realized there's more to life than just meeting expectations. Each new day brings a chance to start afresh, to find hope in unexpected places. Maybe the sunrise isn't just another day beginning, but a reminder that we have the strength to face whatever comes our way. My thoughts vanished when our family maid called me. "Miss Pearl, you shouldn't be laying down on the grass. Mrs. Seraphina will scold you again." I heard her said. she warned with a kind smile. "She's been looking for you." I nodded, brushing off the grass from my clothes. Mrs. Seraphina, my mother, had high expectations for me, especially since I was the only child. Sometimes, it felt like everything I did was under her watchful eye. I sighed and followed our family maid back to the house. "You know, Maria," I said to our maid, "sometimes I feel like I'm constantly trying to live up to everyone's expectations." Maria nodded knowingly. "It can be hard, Miss Pearl, but you're doing your best. Your mother just wants what's best for you." "I know," I replied softly. "But sometimes it feels like I'm carrying the weight of the world on my shoulders." She smiled sympathetically. "Just remember, each day is a new chance. Like that sunrise you were talking about earlier. It's a fresh start." Her words sank in me as we entered the house. Opening the door, I found my mother sitting at her desk, surrounded by books and papers. She looked up, her expression a mix of concern and disappointment. "Pearl," she began sternly, "where have you been? You know we have guests arriving this afternoon." I took a moment before responding, gathering my thoughts. "I was outside, Mother," I said calmly. "Just taking a moment to clear my head." She studied me for a moment, then sighed. "Just make sure you're presentable when our guests arrive, don't disappoint me." "Yes, Mother," I replied, feeling a sense of relief that her reaction wasn't as severe as I had feared. As I nodded and turned to leave, I could still feel my mother's eyes on me. She always seemed to have a way of making me feel small, no matter how hard I tried. I walked slowly to my room, each step feeling heavier than the last. Inside my room, I sat on my bed and sighed deeply. Sunlight came through the windows, lighting up my desk and bookshelves. I loved this room; it was my safe place where I could escape and be myself. I heard a soft knock on the door. "Come in," I said. Maria entered, holding a neatly folded dress. "Miss Pearl, your mother asked me to bring this for you. She wants you to wear it for the guests." I looked at the dress, a delicate light blue with lace trim. It was beautiful, but I couldn't help but feel a pang of resentment. It was just another reminder of the image I had to act perfect. "Thank you, Maria," I said, taking the dress from her. "Anytime, Miss Pearl," she replied warmly. "I'll let you get ready." As she left the room, I stood up and looked at myself in the mirror. I took a deep breath and held the dress up to my body. I quickly changed into the dress, fixing my hair and adding a touch of makeup. I wanted to look presentable for my mother and her guests, but more importantly, I wanted to feel confident in myself. Stepping out of my room, I walked down the hallway towards the living room where the guests would be arriving soon. As I entered the living room, my mother looked up and gave a small nod of approval. "You look lovely, Pearl," "Thank you, Mother," I replied, smiling slightly. The guests began to arrive, I went beside my mother and greeted them with a polite and fake smile, trying to look prefect beside them. I'm getting tired of this routine. Faking smile. Looking perfect in public. While Mother was talking with some guests, I remained beside her, my breathing became heavier. I'm getting suffocated in this place. I couldn’t breathe. The room felt smaller and smaller. "Mom, can I excuse myself? I have to go to the bathroom," I said, trying to keep my voice steady. She gave me a quick glance, her eyes showing a mix of impatience. "Alright, Pearl, but don’t be too long. The guests will want to meet you." "Thank you," I replied, forcing a smile before slipping away. As soon as I was out of sight, I hurried down the hallway to the bathroom. I closed the door behind me and leaned against it, closing my eyes and taking deep breaths. I could still hear the murmur of voices from the living room. This life, this constant performance, was exhausting. I wanted to escape, to find a place where I could just be myself without feeling like I was always under pressure. As I splashed some water on my face, trying to calm my nerves, I heard a soft knock on the bathroom door. "Pearl, are you alright?" It was Hyacinth, one of my cousins who had just arrived with her sister Gwyneth. I opened the door, relieved to see them. "Yes, I just needed a moment. Come in." Hyacinth and Gwyneth stepped into the bathroom, closing the door behind them. Hyacinth, with her warm, reassuring smile, was always a source of comfort. Gwyneth, quieter but equally kind, looked at me with concern in her eyes. "I saw you slip away,” Hyacinth said softly. "These gatherings can be overwhelming, can’t they?" I nodded, feeling a lump in my throat. "It’s like I’m always pretending to be someone I’m not. Every smile feels fake, every word feels rehearsed." Gwyneth placed a gentle hand on my shoulder. "You’re not alone, Pearl. We understand how you feel. It’s hard to live up to everyone’s expectations, especially when you just want to be yourself." "Thank you. It’s just… sometimes I feel like I’m suffocating under all this pressure. Mother expects so much from me." Hyacinth sighed, her eyes filled with empathy. "Aunt Seraphina can be strict, but remember, you’re not defined by her expectations. You’re more than just what others expect you to be." Gwyneth nodded in agreement. "And you don’t have to go through this alone. We’re here for you, always." I smiled at them, grateful for their understanding. "I wish I could be as strong as you both." "You are strong, Pearl," Hyacinth said firmly. "It takes strength to acknowledge how you feel and to seek support. Don’t underestimate yourself." “Thank you. It means a lot to have you both here.” As we stepped out of the bathroom and walked down the hallway, Hyacinth suddenly paused and turned to me, her eyes filled with a different kind of concern. "Pearl, there’s something we’ve been meaning to ask you," she said gently. "How are you really doing… with everything?" I knew what she meant immediately. My heart disease, which has been a big worry for me for years, is not something we talk about much. I looked around to make sure no one else was close by, then motioned for us to go into the quiet study room. Once inside, I took a deep breath. "It's been tough," I admitted, my voice shaky. "The doctors don't think I have much time left." Gwyneth squeezed my hand gently. "How much time do they think you have?" I hesitated, feeling the weight of the question. "They say maybe a year, if I'm lucky." Hyacinth looked away, tears swelling her eyes. "I'm so sorry, Pearl." I managed a small smile. "It's okay. I've had time to accept it. But it's hard. Every day reminds me that time is running out." Gwyneth's grip tightened on my hand. "Have you talked to your mom about this?" I shook my head. "She doesn't know. I haven't told her. We don't talk about it. I think she just wants me to be perfect, like it will solve everything." There was a moment of silence for a few seconds before Hyacinth spoke gently. "What about your father?" I sighed softly. "My father is always busy with work. When he's home, he's usually caught up in meetings or projects. We haven't had a chance to talk about it either." (A/N: Your votes and comments are highly appreciated! Thank you so much for reading my story. Stay healthy dear! Love ya! ♡⁠˖⁠꒰⁠ᵕ⁠༚⁠ᵕ⁠⑅⁠꒱)