Timeless | rorasa

Chapter 32: The Questions and The Answers

The next morning, Rora awoke to the soft sound of rain pattering against the window. The cozy and tranquil atmosphere felt like the perfect backdrop for the day ahead. Beside her, Asa was still fast asleep, her features peaceful and serene. Rora took a moment to appreciate the sight, feeling grateful for every second they had together.

Carefully slipping out of bed without waking Asa, Rora padded to the kitchen. She wanted to surprise Asa with breakfast, a simple yet heartfelt gesture to show her love and support. She set to work, making pancakes and brewing a fresh pot of coffee. The comforting aroma filled the house, reminding her of the warmth that had surrounded them since Asa’s recovery began.

Just as Rora was plating the pancakes, her phone buzzed on the counter. She glanced at it and saw a message from Minju: "Good morning! Just checking in. Do you need anything today?"

Rora smiled at Minju’s thoughtfulness and quickly typed back, "Just making breakfast for Asa. Thanks for asking! I really appreciate everything you’ve done."

Before she could put her phone down, another message popped up from Julie: "Hey Rora! I’m excited to come back today! What time should I be there?"

Rora’s heart raced at the thought of Julie returning. She had been dreading this day, knowing how complicated things could become. She typed back, "How about 10 AM? I’ll be here!"

The rest of the morning passed in a blur as Rora finished preparing breakfast, mentally rehearsing what she would say to Julie. The thought of seeing her again filled her with a mixture of anxiety and relief; Rora wanted to support her, but she feared how the reunion might affect them all.

As the clock inched closer to ten, Rora carried a tray of warm pancakes and freshly brewed coffee back to the bedroom. The soft golden light of morning filtered through the curtains, illuminating Asa’s face just as she stirred awake.

"Morning, beautiful," Rora greeted, setting the tray on the bedside table.

Asa blinked her eyes open, a smile stretching across her face. "What’s all this?"

"Just a little breakfast to start your day right," Rora replied, beaming. "You deserve some pampering."

Asa sat up slowly, her eyes sparkling with appreciation as she looked at the spread. "You are indulging me far too much."

"That’s the plan!" Rora laughed, leaning in to kiss Asa’s cheek. "Now eat up. You need your strength."

They shared a relaxed breakfast together, enjoying the simple pleasure of each other's company. Laughter filled the room as they exchanged stories and teasing remarks—a welcome distraction from the worries that loomed over them.

But as the morning went on, Rora couldn't shake the deep sense of anxiety that weighed heavily on her. She busied herself around the house, adjusting a few things here and there, trying to distract herself from the upcoming meeting with Julie. The thought of Julie seeing Asa, who looked so much like her late stepsister Eisa, filled Rora with nervous tension. She wasn’t sure how Julie would react. Would she be shocked? Angry? Heartbroken all over again?

Finally, the doorbell rang, jolting Rora out of her thoughts. She took a deep breath, steeling herself for what was to come, and opened the door to find Julie standing there, her expression calm but with a hint of apprehension. The two women exchanged a brief, knowing look before Julie stepped inside.

"Hey," Rora greeted, her voice soft but filled with tension. "I'm glad you're here."

Julie smiled faintly, her eyes flicking around the familiar space. "Thanks. It’s good to be back, though it still feels... strange."