Orphans

6

Who is that poet or author- is it F. Scott Fitzgerald who says I'm not used to being loved, I wouldn't know what to do?

Darina received her first salary from Elica and Nadina a week before they even went to visit their grandparents in Maio, but she hasn't used it. Fifty thousand CVEs sitting in her account.

Her heart raced when she received the bank notification. Then a surge of anxiety ran through her. Sadness finally creeping in. It's so ironic isn't it.

She imagined she would share her big salary with her mother. Take her out for shopping, buy her everything she wants. But her mother is not here now.

It's a Tuesday and she finally decides to use her salary. She goes to pay off the rest of her college fees with ten thousand CVEs.

She goes to a restaurant and eats, but the food tastes bland.

For the first time in years, she walks into a salon and asks them to braid her hair into the fanciest braids. When she's done, the women in the salon won't stop smiling at her. A lady who has come with her husband frowns at her because her husband can't keep his eyes off her. She pays and walks off after tipping the hairdresser.

"You look so pretty, your man will be very happy..." one of the ladies in the salon winks at her and Darina gives her a polite smile as she walks away...

She has no man, no sister. No... no one... her aunt... her aunt... she opens her bank app and sends her five thousand, ref: Darina. They haven't talked in years, she hopes her aunt will be pleased to see she is doing well for herself.

She goes into a boutique and buys a few dresses. Some pants, and some shoes before going into a kids' shop and buying some things for Zoe and Lorenzo. She goes into the courier servives offices  and couriers the clothes to Ethan's new adress. She imagines Zoe trying on her princess dress and smiling, she smiles and feels slightly better.

A thought hits her and she buys a silk headscarf and a white t-shirt with the words "coolest". The recipients would receive these the next time she goes to Maio.

She thinks about buying Elica and Nadina something as well, they have been so kind to her. She debates with herself and finally decides to buy something simple. She buys Nadi a lunchbox and Elica and water bottle.

It's almost five pm and she calls for a taxi to take her back to the house.

Elica is studying the reports and documentation of the electricity company in the living room when Darina walks in.

"Hello Miss Elica," and Elica looks up to see her with some shopping bags. Her yes travel up to her face then her head and the wind is knocked out of her.

She hates it so much when people stare at her, but at this point she can't help herself. Her chef looks very beautiful.

"Are you okay Miss Elica?" She tilts herface at her boss who has been staring at her without saying anything.

"You look very different," she finally croaks out.

"Oh..." Darina says not knowing what else to say...

"I'm just gonna put these away and get started on dinner..." she trails off before walking into her room leaving a scent of her vanilla and cocoa butter scent that makes Elica somewhat dizzy.

She stands up with her laptop and laughs at herself. She must be losing her shit, she thinks to herself... not Darina too...

"Girl!!! Girl!!! What the???" Nadi walks around Darina looking at her.

"You look so gorgeous! Where did you do your hair and why didn't you call me to come with!?"

Darina laughs. "Thank you. I promise next time I will go with you."