What A Beautiful Face She Has

Trauma Again?

Author's POV:

Mathew had been relentless. No matter how many times Stella told him it was over, he refused to listen. He followed her everywhere, showing up at the café where she went, waiting outside her apartment, even appearing at her foundation events. Each time, he pleaded, begged, or tried to convince her to take him back. His persistence was wearing her down, and she found herself feeling trapped.

Finally, to win her heart, he came up with a drastic plan.

Stella's POV:

I sat at my desk, the morning sun filtering through the office window as I reviewed documents for the foundation. My mind should have been focused on our upcoming plans, but instead, I felt the familiar knot of anxiety in my stomach. Just then, I saw a familiar person standing near the door.

It was none other than Daisy aunty.

"Stella?" she called.

I stood up from my desk quickly.

"Epdi iruka ma? Nalla irukiya?"
(How are you, dear? Are you doing well?)

"Mmm..." I tried to avoid.

"Uzhzha varalama?"
(Can I come in for a moment?)

I nodded.

She came inside and sat on the couch in my office.

"Indha ma, indha ice creams and chocolates unnaku dhaan."
(Here dear, these ice creams and chocolates are for you.)
She handed over a box filled with Chocolate Feast ice cream.

"Edhuku idhellam?"
(Why all this?) I asked.

"Vechiko, ma."
(Keep it, dear.)

"Nalla work huh develop pannita, ennaku theriyum nee oru naal periya aala varuvanu."
(You're doing great work. I know you'll become a big person one day.)

"Mmm... Edhuku dhideernu inga vandheenga?"
(Mmm... why did you come here all of a sudden?)

"Yen ma chumma parka varakudadha?"
(Can't I just come to see you, dear?)

"Apdi sollala, enna dhideernu?"
(I didn't mean that. Just asking what brought you here suddenly?)

She was hesitant at first.

Suddenly, she held my legs and started speaking.

"Engala manichidu ma, unna theriyama hurt pannitom. Enga mela dha thappu, rombo sorry."
(Please forgive us, dear. We hurt you unknowingly. It was entirely our fault. We're very sorry.)

I literally stood up in shock and tried to free myself from her hold.

"Chithi, enna panringa? Endhireenga, paravala. Edhuku en kaala pudikiringa?"
(Aunty, what are you doing? Please get up. It’s okay. Why are you holding my feet?)

I held her hands and made her sit on the couch.

"Ennachu chithi?"
(What happened, aunty?)

"Illa, ma. Naanum Juno-vum unna evloyo kaya paduthi irukom chinna vayasula, adhukaga dha inga manippu. Dhayavu senju engala manichidu, ma."
(Nothing, dear. Juno and I tormented you so much when you were young. That’s why I'm here to ask for your forgiveness. Please, dear, forgive us.)

I didn’t respond and looked at the floor.

"Enna ma? Venumna Juno va kuda kuptutu varen, naan un kita sorry keka. Juno ku romba udambu mudiyala, avanuku kidney failure adhanala dha ma kutitu varala."
(Dear, if you want, I’ll even bring Juno here to apologize. He’s not well. He has kidney failure, that’s why I didn’t bring him along.)