Stranger to Me

~Eighteen~

Sajana's P.O.V.

I wanted to comfort her, I really did. But it didn't help that I was enveloped in tears too. I wouldn't be able to bear the burden that she is bearing everyday.

"I'm sorry," I whispered. "I'm so sorry."

Gilda got up suddenly, wiping her face on her sleeve. I looked up at her as she walked to away wordlessly. She made her way into the washroom, and then into the kitchen. I could hear her moving things around in there, and I assumed she was making tea.

When she came out of the kitchen, my jaw dropped in astonishment. There she was, looking as happy as she was when I first met her. Her hair was re-tied back and was longer looked like it went through a tornado. She had her face freshly washed, and she looked like she was having the best day of her life. A huge smile was plastered on her face, and she had a cup of tea and a glass of juice in hand.

"This is how I live my life," Gilda told me. "Putting on a mask of fake happiness."

Her voice wavered a little, but her smile didn't. She handed me the juice which I graciously accepted.

"Am I really the only one you've told this story to?"

"It's no story," she said. "But yes, I've only told you. I told Doris some other version that was quite untrue."

"Why?" I inquired. I was under the impression that Doris and Gilda were best friends.

"Well," she replied, sighing. "I don't really trust her."

"So... that means you-you trust me?"

Gilda said nothing. She just nodded, and I felt warm inside. I had an actual friend who wasn't my sister. Granted, she was some old woman who had randomly invited me into her home, who had followed Luxshana and me around town, but she was a nice old woman nevertheless.