Luna rushed out of the store, joining Tessa outside.
Tessa: (concerned) Hey, is everything okay? You look worried.
Luna: (sighed) Yeah, I just have to take care of something. Let's go.
Tessa nodded, and they started walking quickly through the streets.
Luna: (determined) I won't let them pay again, Tessa. I have to make this payment.
Tessa: (supportively) We'll get through this together, Luna.
They both reached the hospital and entered to pay the bill before seeing her father.
Luna went straight to the cashier and gave the money, showing her father's bills.
The cashier accepted the money, and Luna smiled in happiness, thinking that no one had paid this time.
Tessa : "Happy?"
Luna nodded while smiling.
As they were about to leave, the cashier suddenly said
Cashier : "Ma'am, wait."
Luna ( turned ):"What happened?"
The cashier replied, giving her money back
Cashier : "This payment is already done."
Luna's eyes widened in shock.
Luna : "What? When?"
The cashier : "This morning, ma'am."
Luna was so tired of this. She sat at the chair with tears in her eyes
Tessa : Hey Luna.. Don't cry.. We will figure it out..
Luna : I'm scared.. What if i was their next victim
Tessa : Aishh nothing will happen.. Come on
Luna and Tessa stepped out of the hospital, and Tessa noticed Luna's distant gaze.
Tessa: Hey, what's on your mind?
Luna remained silent, lost in thought.
Tessa: Heyy... Heloo, madam!
Luna flinched, snapping back to reality.
Luna: Huh?
Tessa: What's wrong, bro?
Luna: I don't know what I'm going to do... What if they're targeting me for illegal activities? That's why they're helping me in advance.
Tessa: (sighed) Aish! Don't think too much... We'll ask him. We have his (Nick's) visiting card, right? Call him and ask. Share your thoughts.
Luna: But...
Tessa: Call if you want to know why.
Luna: (nodded) Okay.
Tessa: Okay, Luna... I gotta go here... Bye... Go safe... (smiles)
Luna smiled back, and they shared a hug.
Tessa: Don't worry too much, okay?
Luna nodded with a smile and headed home.
At Tessa's home
Tessa walked into her home, announcing her arrival.
Tessa: Mom, I'm home!
Tessa's mom: (angrily) Tessa, please stop going to that part-time job!
Tessa: (confused) Why, mom? What's wrong?
Tessa's mom: (glaring) Just focus on your studies and score good marks! What were those marks you got yesterday?
(She threw Tessa's test papers in her face)
Tessa closed her eyes, feeling hurt and tears welling up.
Tessa's mom: (yelling) Why? Why are you like this? You're such a waste! You never bring us any happiness!
Tessa: (shuddering, her voice trembling) Mom...
Tessa's mom: (coldly) Don't call me mom until you prove yourself with good marks!
Tessa's eyes welled up with tears as she felt her mother's harsh words cut deep.
Tessa: (sobbing) M-mom, please...
Tessa's mom: (turning away) Don't call me that until you make me proud!
Tessa felt a stinging sensation in her heart.
Tessa: (whispering) I-I'll try, mom... I'll do better...
Tessa's mom: (coldly) See that you do.
Tessa's mother walked away, leaving Tessa alone in tears.
Tessa felt like she was walking on thin ice, never knowing when her mother's temper would flare up again.
She wiped her tears, and made her way to her room.
As she lay on her bed, Tessa couldn't help but wonder if she would ever be good enough for her mother. The thought sent a fresh wave of tears streaming down her face.
Just then, her phone buzzed. It was unknown
She wiped her tears and attend the call.
Tessa: (cautiously) Who's this?
Male Voice: (softly) Just someone who... admires you, Tessa.
Tessa: (curious) What do you mean? Who is this?
Male Voice: (nervously) I'd rather not say. Can we just... talk?
Tessa: (declines) No, I don't think so. I don't know who you are.
Male Voice: (understandingly) Okay okay, I get it. But can I just say one thing before you go?
Tessa: (hesitates) What is it?
Male Voice: (sincerely) You deserve to be happy, Tessa. Whatever is going on, know that you're not alone.
Tessa: (touches her heart) Who is this?
Male Voice: (smiling over the phone) Someone who cares. Goodbye, Tessa.
(Tessa hangs up the phone, feeling a mix of emotions and wondering who the mysterious caller was...)
Tessa sat in silence for a moment, her mind racing with thoughts and questions. Who was that mysterious caller? How did he know her name? And what did he mean by "you deserve to be happy"?
She shook her head, trying to clear her thoughts.
Tessa : It was probably just a prank call, ( she told herself.)
But the caller's words lingered in her mind, echoing a sense of kindness and genuine concern.
She smiled and it made her somewhat feel good.. She took a deep breathe and went to bed..
At Luna's house
Luna sat on her sofa, staring at the visiting card Nick had given her.
Luna : "Omo!" How will I call him
( her eyes wide with fear. She hesitated for a moment, then finally worked up the courage to dial the number. Her hands shook as she held the phone, and she felt her heart racing with anticipation )
The phone rang and rang, but there was no response. Luna tried again and again, but Nick didn't pick up. She sighed in frustration, feeling a mix of disappointment and relief.
Luna : "Why isn't he answering?"
( she wondered )
