LOST

Chapter 4

The next morning, I sat in my first lecture, staring blankly at the whiteboard.

The professor was explaining something important.

At least, I assumed it was important.

I hadn't heard a single word.

My mind was still stuck on one question.

Where are you, Mom?

Suddenly, my best friend interrupted my thoughts.

"Who am I to you?" she asked out of nowhere.

I blinked in confusion.

"What? Why? What's gotten into you?" I asked.

She crossed her arms and narrowed her eyes.

"I've been watching you since yesterday. You're acting weird. Do you mind telling me what's going on with you these days?"

I frowned.

Until now, I had never told anyone about my family situation—not even her.

Can I trust her with this?

I forced a smile.

"Nothing happened. I'm perfectly fine."

"No, you're lying," she said immediately. "I've seen you talking to yourself, checking your phone every second, and then looking disappointed. Something is clearly bothering you. What's going on? Can't you tell me? Or am I no longer your best friend?"

She pouted like a child.

Despite everything, I couldn't help but smile.

"Fine," I said with a sigh. "I'll tell you. But after class."

Her eyes lit up instantly.

"Promise?"

I chuckled.

"Promise."

She pointed a finger at me.

"You better not run away after class."

"For your information, I don't run away."

"Really?" she teased. "Because you've been running away from my questions since yesterday."

I rolled my eyes while she grinned triumphantly.

For the first time since yesterday, I felt a little lighter.

Maybe sharing my burden with someone wouldn't be so bad after all.

The rest of the lecture felt longer than ever.

My best friend kept glancing at me every few minutes, making sure I didn't change my mind.

The moment the professor dismissed the class, she grabbed my wrist.

"You're not escaping this time," she declared.

I laughed softly.

"I said I'd tell you, didn't I?"

She narrowed her eyes suspiciously.

"Just making sure."

A few minutes later, we were sitting beneath our favorite tree near the campus garden.

For a moment, neither of us spoke.

I stared at my hands, trying to find the right words.

"So..." she said gently. "What's going on?"

I took a deep breath.

"Do you remember how I always avoid talking about my family?"

She nodded.

"Yeah."

"There's a reason for that."

Slowly, I told her everything.

About Isabella.

About Mia.

About being treated like a servant in my own house.

About the lies people believed about my mother.

And finally, about John Uncle helping me search for the truth.

When I finished, tears were threatening to spill from my eyes.

I quickly looked away.

The silence that followed made me nervous.

Maybe I had said too much.

Maybe she would pity me.

Or worse...

Maybe she wouldn't believe me.

Then suddenly, she wrapped her arms around me.

I froze.

"You i***t," she whispered.

"What?"

"Why did you carry all of that alone?"

My eyes widened.

"I..."

"You should have told me sooner."

A tear escaped down my cheek.

For so long, I had convinced myself that nobody would understand.

Yet here she was.

Not judging me.

Not doubting me.

Just listening.

"I didn't want anyone to look at me differently," I admitted.

She pulled back and wiped my tears.

"Amelia, you're my best friend. Nothing will change that."

A small smile appeared on my lips.

Then her expression suddenly turned serious.

"Wait."

"What?"

"You said your mother disappeared years ago, right?"

I nodded.

She immediately pulled out her phone.

"I think my aunt might be able to help."

My heart skipped a beat.

"Help?"

"My aunt works at the city records office. If your mother lived anywhere nearby, there might be some information about her."

For the second time in two days, a tiny spark of hope returned to my heart.

Maybe this wasn't the end after all.

Maybe this was another clue.

It's been two months since that conversation, yet there was still no clue about my mom.

Not a single lead.

Not a single phone call.

Nothing.

Every day, I found myself checking my phone, hoping for some news. Every day, I was disappointed.

After making breakfast and cleaning my room, I headed to college as usual.

Halfway there, a familiar arm suddenly wrapped around my shoulders.

"Bestie!"

I didn't even need to turn around to know who it was.

"Hmm?" I replied casually.

"The birthday girl looks unusually happy today," Asha teased. "I wonder why. Could it be because a certain someone is finally coming back tonight?"

I rolled my eyes, but I couldn't stop the smile that appeared on my face.

Yeah.

Kiyaan was finally coming home.

Just a few months after we started dating, he had left the country to continue his studies abroad. We had spent most of our relationship talking through phone calls and messages.

And today, on my eighteenth birthday, he was finally coming back.

I had a feeling he was planning some kind of surprise.

Little did he know, I had one prepared for him too.

"Stop teasing me and help me choose a gift for him," I said, trying—and failing—to hide my excitement.

Asha groaned dramatically.

"Oh, for heaven's sake. Buy something for yourself for once. Do you realize how long it's been since you've bought new clothes?"

A warm feeling spread through my chest.

Sometimes I wondered what I had done to deserve a friend like her.

"I know, but I really want to get him something."

"Nope." She shook her head firmly. "After college, you're coming shopping with me. And before you argue, consider it my birthday gift to you."

I laughed.

"You've already decided, haven't you?"

"Absolutely."

Then her expression softened.

"By the way, I wanted to tell you something."

The seriousness in her voice immediately caught my attention.

"My aunt came back from her trip yesterday."

I straightened.

"And?"

"I told her everything about your mom. About Jane Aunty too. She said she'll help us look into it."

For a moment, I couldn't speak.

Just hearing those words felt like a weight lifting from my shoulders.

"Really?"

She nodded.

"Really."

A smile spread across my face.

Maybe there was still hope after all.

After college, Asha dragged me from one store to another.

Despite all my protests, she managed to buy me two new outfits and even convinced me to get a few accessories.

Meanwhile, I secretly bought a watch for Kiyaan.

It wasn't expensive.

Not compared to the gifts he could probably afford.

But I chose it carefully.

Every penny had come from my own savings.

And that made it special.

Unfortunately, Asha noticed immediately.

She always noticed everything.

She didn't say anything, but I caught the look she gave me.

Asha wasn't exactly Kiyan's biggest fan.

She never openly criticized him, but I could tell she wasn't fond of him either.

I never understood why.

Then again, I never really asked.

If there was something important I needed to know, she would tell me.

At least, I hoped she would.

For the first time in months, I took a day off from work.

The entire afternoon felt strangely relaxing.

Asha helped me with a light makeover and practically forced me into the beautiful dress she had bought for me.

When I finally looked in the mirror, I barely recognized myself.

For once, I didn't look exhausted.

For once, I looked like a normal eighteen-year-old girl.

Asha grinned proudly.

"There she is."

I laughed.

"You're acting like you performed a miracle."

"I did."

A few hours later, I stood outside Kiyan's apartment building.

My heart pounded with excitement.

On one hand, I held the gift box.

On the other hand, I clutched my purse.

I hadn't told him I was coming.

I wanted to surprise him.

I had told him I'd visit after work.

I never mentioned taking the day off.

The thought of seeing his reaction made me smile.

Taking a deep breath, I walked toward his apartment.

But as soon as I reached the door, my smile faded.

The door was slightly open.

That was strange.

Kiyaan was usually careful about things like that.

Maybe he forgot.

I stepped closer.

Then I froze.

A voice drifted from inside.

Kiyaan's voice.

He wasn't alone.

I slowly approached the door.

And then I heard a woman's voice.

My heartbeat faltered.

Without realizing it, I stopped breathing.

Something about the way they were talking made my stomach twist.

A feeling I couldn't explain settled deep inside my chest.

And for the first time that day...

I wasn't excited anymore.

I was scared.