BURIED HEARTS

HIGH HOPES

CHAPTER ONE

HIGH HOPES

Naya stared at her laptop screen with a warm expression, her hands hovering on the keyboard. She had written this letter every year since Dani's …. Well since everything changed. Every year during Dani's death anniversary she would write to him, telling him everything that had happened in her life within the past year, she told Dani about her little and big victories, her struggles, and everything that makes her life worth living, she sends him photos of her every year showing him what had changed so far. She told him about how much things changed and what he had missed over the years. Despite the heaviness she carried in her heart, she still shared jokes and little secrets with him. To her, the fact that he was no longer visible doesn't mean that he is dead; she carried him in her heart every day she lived and everywhere she goes.

“Hey Dani,” she typed slowly, “ it's been forever but I still miss you like it's yesterday.”

Pressing the send button was the hardest part of writing to him because she knew she would never get any response in return. Deep down, she was hoping for a tiny miracle, believing that one day she would receive a response from him, even though she knew that would never happen; she kept on believing. With a quiet sigh, she finally hit the send button and watched the message disappear into the void of Dani's email, a ritual that was both comfort and torment yet she was dedicated to it with all her heart.

She picks up her bag, admiring herself in the mirror one last time before walking away. Naya tries to focus on the day ahead. She fought tooth and nail to get here; she wouldn't let this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity slip through her hands. She rushed as fast as she could.

She carried her leather bag, which was filled with her laptop, résumé, hope, determination, and unwritten memories of Dani. The street buzzed with life, indifferent to the battles Naya carries inside of her gently. Today wasn't just an interview; it was a life-changing offer to her. Today was her chance to prove her hard life hadn't broken her, that maybe, just maybe, fate had something beautiful, a different plan awaiting her. Somewhere at the back of her mind lies a little soft whisper that tells her;, Dani is watching, waiting, and guiding her path through every chaos life has thrown her way.

The elevator chimed open, and Naya's heart raced as she stepped out. The Valdosta company lobby was sleek, all glass and chrome, buzzing with the quiet hum of ambition. She checks her watch, it is 8:23 a.m.

Her stomach dropped.

She rushed to the front desk, trying to steady her breathing. “Hi….I'm Naya Sinclair I'm here for the interview.

The receptionist looks at her unapologetically, “I'm sorry, Miss Naya Sinclair, your interview number has already been called, the next slot won't be available till next month.

Naya’s chest tightened for three minutes.

Three minutes that's all it took.

She knew standing there wouldn't change anything, so she mustered courage and walked away, tears standing in the corners of her eyes. She walks to the garage where nobody is. Naya sank onto the cold concrete floor of the garage with her legs curled up, hugging her knees. Her hands trembled as hot tears slipped down her cheeks. She didn't even bother to stop them anymore; she allowed her emotions to pour. She kept on lamenting.

Three minutes, three minutes was all it took, three minutes has stolen my chance and all my efforts.

Her heart ached, a hollowing emptiness that echoes in her each time she thinks of Dani. If Dani were here, he would have known what to say, he would have known how to comfort me. The thought of Dani made her tears slip down uncontrollably. She buried her face in her knees letting her tears fall freely. Sitting in a garage that was filled with different luxurious cars made her lament more and more.

Why can't it be me? Why can't life just give me what I want at ease? Must I break down? Must I fall and crumble? Must I taste hell and high waters? I can't even have anything I want in peace or at ease, I can't even get anything right. I try…. I try so hard, yet each time I still find myself rotating in the same position.

How long….how long will I continue this way, is this the life I will live till eternity? I'm tired she whispered in a low shaky voice

She laments so bitterly.

Three minutes?

A huge shadow appears before her.

She looked up in shock, behold, a graceful figure stood before her, his face was calm and perfectly shaped, his broad shoulders and height made his elegant poise intimidating.

His eyes met hers.

Naya’s entire body shivered.

Because for a second, just for a second she thought she was hallucinating.

The face, the structure, the voice.

It all seemed familiar to her.

It wasn't possible, she knew it wasn't possible.

Her mouth opened but it seemed words were failing her.

“Hey, are you okay? He is asking, reaching out to her with a handkerchief in his hand. He blinked twice, then he realized he had just interrupted something private.

I have no idea what three minutes took from you, but whatever it is, I'm sure you will still figure it out again.

His words were so comforting; she needed to hear this. She really needed to hear this. A part of her wanted to believe that it was Dani; she really believed that Dani was speaking through the handsome gentleman standing before her.

She reached out and collected the handkerchief, picking herself up from the floor.

Naya swallowed, wiping her face quickly out of embarrassment. She felt humiliated.

“No, I'm fine,” she managed to say

But her voice betrayed her.

He takes one step close to her, not too close.

“You don't seem fine to me.”

Naya let out a bitter breathe lowering her gaze. “I missed my interview, by three minutes.” I ran here, I didn't even stop, I didn't wait for the traffic light to turn green before crossing,.. I didn't even eat. I needed this job; I was hoping for it. This opportunity was my last hope. I….I

She stuttered, her voice broke down again, tears rolling down her face like they had their own mind.

The man stared at her long and quietly, like he was listening to the words she couldn't say, he was trying to process and understand her pain.

Then he glanced at her bag on the floor, her papers slightly crumbled, résumé sticking out like it had been held tightly.

Your name? He asked