2nd Chance

Chapter 5- Friend's Call

Aachi, though only her cousin brother, had always loved Victoria deeply, more than anyone else in her life. He was her confidant, her sanctuary. With him, she could share the secrets she wouldn't dare tell her mother, the fears lingering in her mind's darkest corners. Their bond was a heavenly one, a connection filled with unconditional trust and unwavering hope. He was the light in her life, the anchor that kept her steady.But after his untimely death, everything changed. Victoria became a lonely soul, adrift in a sea of sorrow. 

The world that once felt safe now became a battlefield, with each day presenting new challenges she felt ill-prepared to face. 

Every battle was a loss, and the weight of those defeats crushed her spirit. To escape the pain, she threw herself into her work and studies. Over time, work became her refuge, a place where she could hide from the turmoil at home. She buried herself in overtime shifts, always available, always busy. It was the one space where she felt some semblance of control. At work, she found a new kind of family coworkers who genuinely cared for her, who appreciated her efforts and didn't see her as a burden.

In the quiet hum of the office, among the bustling projects and deadlines, Victoria discovered a small slice of happiness. The support of her colleagues filled the void Aachi's loss had left, giving her strength to keep moving forward, even as the battles at home continued to wage on.That afternoon, as Victoria sat at her desk, her phone buzzed with a familiar name. 

It was Martha, her old classmate, calling out of the blue."Hey Vic! The college is hosting an event this weekend, and you *have* to come. We hardly see each other anymore!" Martha's voice was bright and full of enthusiasm.

"I don't know, Martha... I'm working that day," Victoria replied, already anticipating the long shift ahead.

Martha wasn't having it. "You better show up, Vic. If you don't come, I'll seriously stop being your friend!" she teased, but Victoria could hear the earnestness in her voice.

Victoria hesitated. "But, Martha"

"No buts! You're coming, even if it's just for a minute. Please?" Martha's insistence warmed her heart.

After a brief pause, Victoria sighed, the hint of a smile creeping onto her face. "Alright, alright. If I finish early, I'll stop by, okay?"

"Yay! That's the spirit. See you there!" Martha chimed before hanging up.

That weekend, to her surprise, Victoria finished her shift earlier than expected. As she left work, she was hit with the familiar dread of returning to her apartment to face Lisa's coldness. She stood outside for a moment, weighing her options. The thought of seeing their faces after a long day felt unbearable.

With a quick decision, she grabbed her phone and texted Martha. "I'm on my way." Instead of heading home, she decided to escape, even if just for a little while, and attend the event.

 A brief moment of freedom, away from the chaos that awaited her at home. Victoria met up with her friends at the event, and for the first time in a long while, she allowed herself to relax. 

The music, laughter, and the presence of people who genuinely cared about her felt like a balm for her soul. They danced, and reminisced about old times, and for those few hours, she forgot all about her troubles at home.It was almost 11 PM when one of her friends decided to leave. 

"I'm heading out, Vic. You coming?" she asked.

Victoria shook her head, still caught up in the energy of the night. "No, I'll stay a bit longer. You go ahead."As the night wore on, Victoria continued to let go of her worries, immersing herself in the moment. 

That's when she saw him, Jake. He was standing by the bar, his chiselled features illuminated by the soft glow of the lights. There was something magnetic about him, something that drew her in instantly. It felt like love at first sight.Without overthinking, Victoria approached him. They started talking, and to her surprise, the conversation flowed easily. Jake was charming, and for the first time in ages, Victoria felt like she had found someone she could share her heart with someone who might understand her sorrows and, just maybe, bring some happiness into her life.