The morning after the heated discussion with her parents, Maria sat at her desk, journal open in front of her. The weight of the previous night still lingered, despite their eventual agreement. She had expected their reluctance, but the raw emotions that had surfaced left her feeling unsettled. Writing usually helped her make sense of things, but today, the blank page stared back at her, refusing to offer solace.
Maria: (thinking, tapping her pen against her journal) "Why does it feel so heavy? I thought their approval would make this easier, but I can’t stop feeling... guilty."
She sighed and closed the journal, unable to write anything meaningful. The faint aroma of coffee wafted in from the kitchen, and she knew her mother was there, likely nursing her own thoughts. Deciding to face the day, Maria left her room and walked toward the kitchen. As expected, Elena was at the table, her hands wrapped around a mug of coffee, her eyes red-rimmed from the tears she thought she had hidden.
Maria: (softly) "Good morning, Mom."
Elena looked up, her expression a mix of sadness and forced resolve.
Elena: "Good morning, Maria. Did you sleep well?"
Maria hesitated, unsure of how honest to be. The truth was that she hadn’t slept much, her mind racing with a mixture of excitement and doubt.
Maria: "Not really... too much on my mind, I guess."
Elena: (nodding, her voice quiet) "I know the feeling."
Maria sat across from her, the silence between them stretching out. She wanted to say something reassuring, but the words felt inadequate. Before she could find her voice, Elena spoke again.
Elena: "I still don’t like this, Maria. I know we said we’d support you, but the thought of you being so far away... it breaks my heart."
Maria: (reaching for her mother’s hand) "I know, Mom. And I hate that it’s so hard for you. But I promise, this isn’t just about leaving. It’s about moving forward, about chasing something I’ve always wanted."
Elena pulled her hand back, wiping away a stray tear.
Elena: "I just don’t understand why you have to go so far to find yourself. Can’t you grow here, with us?"
Maria: (gently) "I love you and Dad more than anything, but this is something I need to do for me. Staying here... it feels like I’m standing still."
YOU ARE READING
Ink and Heartstrings
Short Story"Ink & Heartstrings" crafts a compelling narrative of romance and self-discovery within the vibrant world of publishing. The images used are not my own, they have been sourced from various other places.
