Entangle hearts

CHAPTER 3

NORA'S P.O.V.

I had tossed and turned all night, unable to find any semblance of sleep. The thought of disappointing my family and having them pity me again weighed heavily on my shoulders. Now, I had to find a way to back up the lie I had told about expecting positive feedback from the company when I knew I wasn’t going to get any.

Was it better to disappoint them now rather than raise their hopes only to dash them later? But how could I? The previous dinner was filled with Nana and Diego celebrating my new job on the horizon, while I sat on the other end of the table feeling guilty and troubled. Their smiles and laughter felt like a dagger to my heart, knowing that their joy was built on a false hope I had created.

I was tired of being that helpless girl, I thought, as I tossed and turned on my bed. The room was dark, with only the faint glow of the moonlight seeping through the curtains. I turned to look at Diego, who was sleeping soundly on his bed across our small room. His peaceful expression contrasted sharply with my inner turmoil, and I envied his ability to sleep without worries.

"I have to find a way to make life easier for my family," I thought, staring at him. Diego, my younger brother, had always looked up to me. His faith in me was unwavering, and that made the burden of my deception even heavier. I looked out the window and gazed at the full moon, its silvery light casting a serene glow over the room. It was a beautiful night, and yet I felt nothing but anxiety.

“All I ask is to get lucky just this once,” I whispered under my breath, adjusting on my bed and trying to quiet my restless mind. The cool breeze from the open window provided a small comfort, but it wasn't enough to soothe my racing thoughts.

The house was silent, save for the occasional creak of the wooden floors and the distant hum of the refrigerator. I closed my eyes, trying to imagine a scenario where everything worked out, where my family didn't have to worry about me, where I didn't feel like a constant burden. But the anxiety gnawed at me, making it hard to hold onto those hopeful images.

My thoughts drifted back to the chaotic day I had experienced at the company. The disappointing looks on the face of the interviewers,the confusion in the garage, the fear of being chased, and then the embarrassment of realizing it was all a misunderstanding. I replayed the scene over and over in my mind, each time feeling the sting of humiliation more acutely.

I sighed deeply, turning onto my side to face the window. The full moon hung high in the sky, a silent witness to my restless night. Its pale light illuminated the room, casting long shadows on the walls. I could hear the faint rustling of leaves outside, the world continuing on its way while I lay there, trapped in my worries.

Diego stirred in his sleep, mumbling something incoherent. I watched him for a moment, a protective feeling swelling in my chest. He deserved better than this. He deserved a sister who could provide for him, who could make life easier for Nana and him.

I pulled the blanket tighter around me, trying to find some warmth and comfort. "Tomorrow please be better," I told myself, though the words felt hollow. I knew I had to face the consequences of my actions, but tonight, I just wanted a brief escape from the harsh reality.

As I finally began to drift off, the moonlight continued to bathe the room in its gentle glow, a quiet reminder that even in the darkest nights, there is still light. And maybe, just maybe, there was still hope for me too…

It's been three days since the interview, and I had secretly spent most of my time applying to new companies that were accepting and paying interns. With Diego at school and Aunt Nana out at work, the house was quiet, giving me the solitude I needed to focus on my job hunt.

Diego, who had been following updates on Maldives STEM Company, was fully aware their feedback would come in no later than the third day. The pressure weighed heavily on me. I had to find a way out, but everything seemed to be going against me as usual.

I picked up my pen, writing down the name of a new company I had just found when my computer chimed, indicating a new email. After finishing writing, I checked my computer to see who it was from.

My eyes widened in disbelief. "Congratulations, Miss Nora Roberto, on your selection as an intern at Maldives STEM Company," it said boldly.

I couldn't believe my eyes. Was this a trick or something? My hands trembled as I opened the full email.

True enough, I had been hired. I checked the sender of the email, and it was indeed authentic. The official letterhead, the signature, everything was in place. A wave of relief and exhilaration washed over me.

I screamed at the top of my lungs, unable to contain my excitement. I was about to head out to go to my Aunt Nana’s workplace when, by some stroke of luck, she walked through the door at that very moment.

"I got the job, Auntie!" I yelled, running to hug her tightly.

"Congratulations, dear!" she said with a big gasp and a smile spreading across her face. She embraced me warmly, her eyes sparkling with pride and joy.

" I got it!" I laughed, tears of happiness streaming down my face. The weight of the past few days lifted, replaced by a sense of accomplishment and hope.

Aunt Nana held me at arm’s length, looking into my eyes. "I knew you could do it, Nora. I never doubted you for a second."

Her words made my heart swell. For once, I felt like I had not only met but exceeded their expectations. "Thank you, Aunt Nana. Thank you for believing in me," I said, my voice choked with emotion

"We should celebrate this properly," Aunt Nana declared, moving towards the kitchen. "I’ll make your favorite dish. We can wait to share the big news with Diego when he comes home from school."

The air soon filled with the aroma of Aunt Nana’s special celebratory dish, a rich stew simmering with herbs,spices and lots of proteins. The atmosphere was buzzing with excitement and relief as we set the table, anticipation building for Diego’s return.

As the clock ticked closer to Diego’s arrival, I found myself checking the time repeatedly, eager to see his reaction. The minutes seemed to stretch on forever, but finally, we heard the front door open, and Diego's cheerful voice filled the hallway.

"Everyone, I'm home!" he called out, dropping his backpack by the door.

"In the kitchen, Diego!" Aunt Nana replied, her eyes twinkling with excitement.

Diego bounded into the kitchen, stopping short when he saw the table set for a celebration. "What's going on?" he asked, curiosity and excitement mixing in his eyes.

"I got the job, Diego!" I exclaimed, unable to contain my joy any longer.

His face lit up with a wide grin. "Really? You got it? That's amazing, Nora!" He rushed over to hug me, his excitement infectious.

Aunt Nana beamed at us, her hands busy stirring the pot on the stove. "We knew she would, didn't we, Diego?"

"Absolutely," Diego said, pulling back to look at me. "I told all my friends you were going to get it."

We all sat down to eat, the celebratory meal tasting even better with the happiness that filled the room. We laughed, shared stories, and enjoyed each other's company, the weight of the past few days lifting with each passing moment.

Later that evening, after the celebrations had quieted down and Diego had gone to do his homework, I found a moment to myself. I looked at the email again, just to reassure myself it was real. It was. I was officially an intern at Maldives STEM Company.

As I lay in bed that night, a sense of peace settled over me. The full moon cast its gentle light into my room, a reminder of the wish I had made just a few nights ago. Maybe,just maybe luck had finally turned in my favor.