Love Amidst the Madness

The weight of silence

Sofia walked to her home, limping, her heart heavy with the weight of her thoughts. She entered the house, enveloped in silence, a silence that sometimes felt suffocating. Even though she was accustomed to it, sometimes she yearned for someone to share her burdens.

As she passed by the dining area, her eyes fell upon the family picture, her mother's smile a stark contrast to the emptiness Sofia felt. Tears pricked at the corners of her eyes, but she pushed on, her legs carrying her to her sanctuary.

Just as she was about to enter her room, Linda, her loyal maid, called out, concern etched on her face. "Oh my dear, what happened to your foot? Oh my, your pants are all bloody, are you alright?"

Sofia's eyes welled up with tears, her emotions raw. Linda's warm touch, as she pulled Sofia into the room, was a balm to her frazzled nerves.

"Younger Madam, you sit here and let me bring something for your wounds," Linda cooed, her voice soothing.
The maid name Linda asked her worriedly.
She was her caretaker when Sofia was still a newborn. Sofia's eyes glisten with tears. The maid held her wrist and pulled her in the room.

"Younger Madam you sit here and let me bring something for your wounds."
The maid rushed out again.

Sofia shed a few tears, that's how she cried. She didn't even know how to cry.
The maid returned back and opened the bandages.

"You don't need to, Linda mam, they are done by a professional." Sofia spoke slowly.

"I know still this balm is a healing balm. I have used it since I was your age and trust me it heals burns, cuts and any wound that's not bleeding." She spoke and took a towel.

"I will just warm it up." She took the towel to the bathroom and made it all wet under running water.

After it was all wet she squeezed the extra water out of the towel and came back with a container of hot water and towel. She started to clean the previously bandaged areas.

"Does it feel good?" She asked softly.
"It actually does, thanks." Sofia spoke slowly and closed her eyes. She was about to let herself lose when she heard a knock.

"It must be Annie." The maid replied and opened the door to see the expected person.

"Mam I brought you warm milk." Annie spoke.

"Why?" Sofia asked, opening her eyes.

"Warm milk with nuts and turmeric helps in wound healing." Annie replied.

"I heard Linda running around because you got injured so I wanted to give you this." Annie was a nice girl who always paid close attention to her own work only. She was in charge of Sofia as a personal maid.

"Thanks Annie." Sofia took the glass and sipped the warm milk.
It all felt so nice and delicious at the same time. She drank the milk and returned the glass to Annie who happily took it back. The slow strokes with which Linda applied the balm and the milk she just drank made Sofia all cozy.

As Linda tended to Sofia's ankle, Sofia's thoughts drifted to her mother's lecture earlier. The familiar sting of disappointment and frustration lingered.
While Sofia lay on her bed, her thoughts consumed by the darkness she drifted to a deep slumber.
The dying sun rays left orange strokes in the sky that were welcoming the moon of the next month on the lunar calendar.

*In Lily's room*

"Oscuro now will you please speak? I have changed my clothes I have washed my face and am eating my meal." Lily was whining sitting on her study table in her pajamas while Oscuro was sitting on the chair near the table.