When I was young, my world revolved around a simple, middle-class, two-story old Spanish colonial house that my parents had purchased from a relative. Situated in front of the house was the vast expanse of the sea, with a bustling highway street separating us from its tranquil beauty. The house itself possessed a charming balcony that faced the sea, becoming my sanctuary where I spent most of my time studying, reading books, or simply indulging in moments of blissful idleness.
The neighboring houses formed a neat row beside ours and across the street, their presence offering a sense of community and familiarity. It was a peaceful afternoon around 1 pm when I found myself perched on the balcony, diligently working on my homework. The gentle breeze rustled through my hair as I immersed myself in the tasks at hand.
Amidst the rhythmic scratching of my pen on paper, I could hear the distant murmur of my neighbors engaging in cheerful chitchat from a house across the way. Their laughter and conversations formed a comforting backdrop to my studies. A fleeting moment of distraction washed over me as I heard someone pass by behind me, making their way downstairs. Assuming it was my mother, I continued with my work, briefly glancing over my shoulder without turning fully.
Yet, a familiar laugh broke through the ambient noise, catching my attention. Confusion coursed through my veins, causing me to spin around abruptly. As my eyes scanned the landscape beyond the balcony, there she was—my mother—standing among the women engaged in lively conversation. Panic surged within me as the realization dawned upon me—I had been alone in the house all along.
Time seemed to grind to a halt as I stood frozen in disbelief. My mind raced with a torrent of thoughts, desperately trying to comprehend what had just transpired. Fear gripped my heart, and I silently whispered a prayer, hoping and yearning for my mother to return home at that very moment. The minutes stretched into hours, and the relentless ticking of the clock echoed in my ears, each passing second feeling like an eternity.
Finally, as the sun began its descent towards the horizon, casting a warm golden hue over the neighborhood, the front door creaked open, and the sound of my mother's footsteps filled the silence. Relief washed over me like a tidal wave. Based on the luminosity in the sky, I inferred that it must have been approximately 5pm.
