Episode 19&20
1608 Words
Episode 19
The Man Who Came Back Too Late
The news refused to leave Didi's mind.
For two days, she barely slept.
For two days, she replayed her mother's words over and over again.
"Your father is dying."
Every time she thought about it, anger and confusion collided inside her chest.
Part of her wanted to feel sorry for him.
Another part refused.
How could she forget everything he had done?
How could she forget the nights she and her mother went to bed hungry?
How could she forget watching her mother cry when nobody was looking?
How could she forget dropping her dreams because there was no money?
No.
His sickness did not erase his mistakes.
Yet, despite all her anger, one question remained.
Why had he come back now?
That question followed her everywhere.
On the third day, she finally decided she needed answers.
"Mama."
Her mother looked up from where she sat.
"Yes?"
"I want to see him."
Silence filled the room.
Mama studied her daughter's face carefully.
"Are you sure?"
"No."
The honesty surprised them both.
"But I need answers."
Mama sighed.
For a moment, she seemed lost in old memories.
Then she nodded slowly.
"He is staying at a small guest house near the old market."
Didi swallowed hard.
"I'll go."
Her mother reached out and squeezed her hand.
"Whatever happens, don't carry his mistakes inside your heart."
Didi nodded, though she wasn't sure she understood.
---
The guest house was old and poorly maintained.
The paint on the walls was peeling.
The sign outside was faded.
Didi stood outside the building for several seconds before finally walking in.
Her heart was beating faster than usual.
The receptionist pointed her toward Room 12.
When she reached the door, she hesitated.
Then she knocked.
A weak voice answered.
"Come in."
Didi pushed the door open.
The man sitting near the window looked older than she remembered.
Much older.
His hair had turned gray.
His face carried deep lines.
His body looked thinner.
Weaker.
For a brief moment, Didi almost failed to recognize him.
Her father stood slowly.
"Didi."
She remained near the door.
"You wanted to see me?"
A sad smile appeared on his face.
"I never thought you would come."
"I didn't come to forgive you."
The smile disappeared.
"I know."
Silence followed.
Neither knew how to begin.
Years of pain stood between them.
Years of unanswered questions.
Years of disappointment.
Finally Didi spoke.
"Why did you leave?"
Her father closed his eyes briefly.
As if he had expected that question all along.
"I was ashamed."
Didi frowned.
"Ashamed?"
He nodded.
"When I lost my job, everything changed."
His voice sounded tired.
"I tried to find work."
"I failed."
"Again and again."
Didi listened quietly.
"I started borrowing money."
"Then I borrowed more."
"And more."
His hands trembled slightly.
"I thought I could fix everything."
"But I only made things worse."
Didi remained silent.
Her father looked away.
"Eventually, the debts became impossible."
"I was afraid."
"Afraid of the people I owed."
"Afraid of disappointing your mother."
"Afraid of disappointing you."
The room fell silent again.
Then Didi asked the question that mattered most.
"So you abandoned us?"
Pain flashed across his face.
"I thought I was protecting you."
Didi laughed bitterly.
"Protecting us?"
Her voice rose.
"Do you know what happened after you left?"
He lowered his head.
"No."
"We suffered."
The words came out sharper than she intended.
"Mama nearly worked herself to death."
Tears gathered in her eyes.
"I lost opportunities."
"I lost dreams."
"I lost years of my life."
Her father looked broken.
And for the first time, Didi realized something.
He wasn't the confident man she remembered from childhood.
He wasn't even the villain she had imagined.
He was simply a tired old man drowning in regret.
But somehow that realization didn't make the pain disappear.
---
Later that evening, Didi left the guest house emotionally exhausted.
The answers she received didn't bring peace.
If anything, they created more confusion.
She found herself walking aimlessly through the city streets.
Lost in thought.
Lost in memories.
Lost in emotions she didn't know how to handle.
Her phone suddenly rang.
Adrian.
She hesitated before answering.
"Hello."
Immediately, Adrian noticed something.
"What's wrong?"
Didi forced a smile.
"Nothing."
"Didi."
His voice softened.
"What happened?"
For some reason, hearing genuine concern made her emotional.
"My father came back."
Silence.
Then Adrian spoke carefully.
"The father who left?"
"Yes."
"Where are you?"
Didi looked around.
She wasn't entirely sure.
Near a small park.
"I'll send my location."
"Stay there."
---
Twenty minutes later, Adrian arrived.
The moment he stepped out of the car, he could tell she had been crying.
Without thinking, he walked toward her.
"You okay?"
The question broke the last of her composure.
Tears immediately returned.
And before she realized what she was doing, she buried her face against his chest.
For a moment, both of them froze.
Didi because she had never done something so impulsive.
Adrian because he suddenly forgot how to breathe.
Slowly, he placed a comforting hand on her shoulder.
"It's okay."
The words were simple.
Yet somehow they made her cry harder.
For several minutes, Adrian said nothing.
He simply stayed there.
Letting her cry.
Letting her release years of pain.
Eventually, Didi pulled away, embarrassed.
"I'm sorry."
"Don't be."
"I didn't mean to—"
"You don't have to explain."
His gentle response somehow made her heart beat faster.
Neither noticed how close they were standing.
Neither noticed the growing tension between them.
Neither noticed the woman watching from a distance.
Vanessa.
Her expression darkened.
The sight of Didi in Adrian's arms felt unbearable.
And at that moment, she made a decision.
If Didi wouldn't leave willingly...
She would force her to.
---
Episode 20
The Secret Vanessa Found
The following week began peacefully.
Too peacefully.
And peace rarely lasted long in Didi's life.
She spent most of her time helping her mother and waiting for updates regarding the scholarship.
Meanwhile, Adrian became a regular part of her days.
Sometimes he called.
Sometimes they met briefly.
Sometimes they simply exchanged messages.
Nothing official.
Nothing romantic.
Yet their connection continued growing.
And everyone noticed.
Especially Mama.
One evening, Mama watched Didi smile at her phone.
Then she laughed.
"What?"
Didi quickly hid the screen.
"Nothing."
Mama raised an eyebrow.
"Nothing has a name now?"
"Mama!"
The older woman laughed.
For the first time in years, she enjoyed seeing her daughter genuinely happy.
Unfortunately, someone else was becoming increasingly unhappy.
Vanessa.
She sat inside her apartment staring at a thick file.
The investigation was finally complete.
And what she discovered shocked even her.
The report contained details about Didi's father.
His debts.
His disappearance.
His sickness.
But one particular document caught her attention.
Vanessa read it again.
Then again.
And again.
A slow smile appeared.
"This changes everything."
She immediately reached for her phone.
---
Three days later, Didi received unexpected news.
Her scholarship interview had been scheduled.
She was excited.
Nervous.
Terrified.
Everything at once.
This interview could change her future.
It could determine whether she returned to school or remained trapped by poverty.
The morning of the interview arrived quickly.
Didi wore her best clothes.
Though simple, they were clean and neat.
Before leaving, her mother hugged her tightly.
"You'll do well."
"I hope so."
"No."
Mama smiled.
"I know so."
---
The interview went surprisingly well.
The panel seemed impressed.
They asked questions about her academic history.
Her goals.
Her struggles.
Her future plans.
By the end, Didi felt cautiously optimistic.
Maybe.
Just maybe.
This would work.
As she exited the building, she felt lighter than she had in years.
Until someone called her name.
"Didi."
Her smile disappeared immediately.
Vanessa.
Standing beside a luxury car.
Waiting.
The sight alone made Didi uncomfortable.
"What do you want?"
Vanessa smiled.
"I thought we should talk."
"We have nothing to discuss."
"Oh, I disagree."
Something about her tone felt dangerous.
Didi remained silent.
Vanessa slowly removed a document from her handbag.
Then handed it over.
Curious, Didi looked down.
Her face immediately changed.
"What is this?"
"A debt agreement."
Didi frowned.
She recognized her father's name.
But nothing else made sense.
Vanessa's smile widened.
"Your father owes a lot of money."
"I know."
"Not just money."
Didi looked confused.
"What do you mean?"
Vanessa took a step closer.
"Years ago, your father borrowed money from a powerful family."
Didi's heart began racing.
"And?"
Vanessa's eyes gleamed.
"My family."
Silence.
Complete silence.
Didi stared at her.
Unable to speak.
Vanessa continued.
"The debt was never repaid."
The world suddenly felt smaller.
Heavier.
More dangerous.
"What does that have to do with me?"
Vanessa smiled coldly.
"Everything."
Didi's stomach dropped.
Because she suddenly understood.
Vanessa wasn't interested in the money.
Vanessa wanted leverage.
Control.
A weapon.
And she had found one.
"If Adrian learns about your father's history," Vanessa said quietly, "things may become very complicated."
Didi clenched her fists.
"Are you threatening me?"
"No."
Vanessa smiled.
"I'm giving you advice."
The smile vanished.
"Walk away from Adrian."
The air felt heavy.
For several seconds, neither woman spoke.
Then Didi lifted her head.
And for the first time since meeting Vanessa, there was no fear in her eyes.
Only determination.
"You don't get to decide my life."
Vanessa's expression hardened.
"We'll see."
As Vanessa walked away, Didi remained frozen.
Her heart pounded violently.
Because deep down, she knew this was no longer simple jealousy.
This had become a war.
And she had no idea how far Vanessa was willing to go.
End of Episodes 19 & 20.
- Writer
