Heated Hearts

It was past midnight... The round full-moon was shining at the night sky, lightning the surface of earth with its celestial sweet brightness. In the local cemetery, a girl sat in between two graves... She was dressed in all-black and was sitting there, making herself curve in a ball in between the graves. Due to her posture, it made it difficult for someone to acknowledge her presence there. She sat there looking at the tombstones, which were still flawless and fresh, as if the people were alive yesterday and now, they were gone. “Amber Beverly Svenson” “Jonathan Svenson” Aster could clearly read those two names written on the tombstones under the moon light. Even eyeing those names was enough to make her mind float with thousands of memories, as they made her heart squeeze with nothing but an enormous amount of emptiness. Tears twinkled in her eyes as she blinked a few times, before crawling towards the tombstones and giving each of them a hug. “I miss you mom, I miss you dad.” Aster's raspy voice came out as a whisper following tears leaving her eyes. She took a deep breath, while her mobile beeped, declaring it was past midnight. 12:01 AM. “Happy Birthday” Aster whispered under her breaths eying the gray tombstones in front of her. Only she knew how much she wanted those two people to wish her. It was her 17th birthday. If only they were here, she would've been giggling and cutting a chocolate cake, “Happy Birthday Princess”, written on it baked by her mom. While her dad would wish her squeaking like a child. But due to fate's cruelty, here she was, standing in a graveyard, with tears in her eyes, wishing herself and reminiscing old memories. Fate was indeed cruel to her, she sighed as she started walking back to her place... ||Aster's POV|| Have you ever felt life has been quite unfair to you? Have you ever cursed yourself because you are alive? Have you ever felt so lonely, that every second of your life makes your heart wrack with the pressure of an immeasurable emptiness? If yes, you can probably relate to what I'm going through now. It's been three months already since my life had taken that unholy turn where I lost my only family... My parents... Who were apparently my whole world... From a house full of people to an empty house all by myself, from all of us eating in a dining table together to eating one pizza for three meals a day, my life changed. Or you can say, my whole life turned upside down. People kept pitying me, in the beginning. All of them tried consoling me with their supporting words and all, but at the end of the day it was just me, alone... Wrapped up in my own miseries, screams caged in my throat, tears sealed in my eyes trying to survive my so-called life. I know I have been shutting everyone including friends and neighbors out of my life for the past three months... It's just that, I need time... I need time to heal... But I doubt even an eternity would be enough for me to heal! Two days after my parent's funeral, early in the morning, a knock was heard. I opened the door, looking all miserable in my PJs to be confronted by two officially dressed man and woman. I was still not recovered from the grief. They gave me a tight-lipped smile, while saying,”Hi there, you must be Aster. We are here from Childcare Service Center. Would you mind if we come inside and have a talk with you?” My mind scanned for a few seconds but still the answer to the question 'why are they here?' was invalid but from the onus feeling inside my heart, I knew whatever it was, it wasn’t good news. As expected, they began with asking how I was holding up, gave some consolation and then asked me if I had any relative that I know of. My throat dried instantly because at that exact moment I knew why they were here. “No. Not that I know of, my parents were both orphans who grew up in an orphanage,” it took me quite some time before I could manage to say those words. Knowing what was coming next in my direction my heart swelled and tears twinkled at the corner of my eyes. But still, I was crying inside, and praying to God, that whatever I'm thinking, please don't let it happen. But my fear came true when the woman started to speak. “Dear, as you are yet 3 months away from being an adult and have no relatives. I'm afraid we would have to put you into foster care.” the woman said, pity visible in her eyes. For the first time in my life, I wished I had some relatives in this world as reality hit me hard. But I knew for one thing, I wouldn’t be able to leave this place where my parents memories lied, where my whole life was formed. I don't know what came into me, but I ran out of my house to my neighbor Emilia's door, and kept knocking until she opened the door and the moment she did, I hugged her tightly, sobbing. Emilia was shocked, but her body relaxed slowly as she caressed my hair, while requesting the two officers who ran after me to excuse us for a few minutes. We walked to her couch, and I kept hugging her and cried until my heart felt peace. Emilia was a divorcee, she moved here two years ago. The fact that she could never have kids of her own made me become her favorite, she would often come, hangout with us. And as my parents were both archaeologist and businessman, they travelled a lot. Whenever they did, they would leave me with Emilia and those used to be my fun time. She was like a mother figure to me, with a friendly attitude. So, I ran to her, seeking comfort,when my world felt like it was ending. When I turned back to being a bit normal after all the sobbing, I told her everything, and we decided she will try to take my custody till I turn 17,which was in 3 months. According to our state's rule,at the age of 17 I'll be legally an adult and would be permitted to live on my own, as well as inherit whatever my parents left behind. Since then, for the past 3 months I've been living with her but every night when she is asleep, I visit my parents and my house... Today is finally the day when I can return to my house...But due to Emilia's utmost request I've decided to spend tonight at her house. Though I forbade her several times not to do anything special,but I doubt if that would be enough to stop her from it! I walk out of the graveyard, it feels normal now that I've been sneaking in here for all the nights in the past three months but today one thing was different. Emilia was standing outside the boundary of the graveyard, she came with me today but stood outside, so I can have some time with my parents. “Happy Birthday, kiddo.” Emilia hugged me as I walked out of the cemetery. I hugged back, with a long sigh I thanked her. She cupped my face and wiped my eyes as she smiled and said,”I'm proud of you, and I'm sure they are too.” “Thank you,” I half smiled, trying to fight back the tears that were fighting to come out of my eyes. “Huh... No crying, remember you are a big girl now. Let's walk fast and get back home, I have something for you.” With that Emilia started pulling me with her. Our house was in about 30 minutes walk from the graveyard, but because we drove here today, it took approximately 8 minutes to reach there. Emilia dropped me off at the front and went to park her car into the garage,while I walked and opened the front door. The moment I turned on the lights, I was bombarded with snow spray and lace crackers,whole a bunch of squeaks were blasted and sang, “Happy 17th Birthday,Aster!!!" ps; Guys, whoever reading this story.Do me favour? Give the story a follow. please! Thank you?