Chapter two: Maria’s Phobia

Maria's POV

Maria is terrified of thunderstorms and rainfall, a fear rooted in the tragic incident of March 11th, 2020—the day her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Richard, died. Orphaned and left in the care of her grandmother, Mrs. Adams, Maria has since been haunted by nightmares of that fateful day whenever it rains. Despite her fears, Maria is a soft-spoken, warm-hearted, and resilient girl. She excels academically, consistently earning straight A's and helping her school win numerous competitions. Her diligence has earned her a scholarship, distinguishing her from the neat-freak, Dave.

As the clock strikes 9:00 pm, the windows rattle violently, trees and branches sway, and curtains flutter wildly in the wind.

"Where could Grandma be?" Maria wonders, sitting up in bed and wrapping the duvet tightly around her.

"I need to close the windows. The banging is unbearable, and I can't let the rain soak the couch and other household items." She rises to shut the windows, the room enveloped in darkness.

Although she prefers a dark room, she keeps the lights on until her grandmother returns home.

As she walks to the bedside lamp, it slips from her grasp due to the sudden gust from the open windows.

"Ouch! My hand..." she exclaims, but catches the lamp just in time to prevent it from breaking.

She places it back gently and heads to the kitchen, reaching for the sink to wash the blood from a cut on her index finger. "I need a bandage," she murmurs. Fortunately, she finds one easily in their well-stocked home.

While tending to her wound, Maria recalls something her mother had once told her: "If you have problems, no matter how hard, just keep going. Eventually, you'll find happiness." This memory helps her calm down.

"I have to stay calm; Grandma will be home soon," she reassures herself.

Despite her efforts to stay awake, Maria dozes off, curled up on the cold floor.

At 11:00 pm, the door opens, and Mrs. Adams walks in, immediately noticing Maria on the floor.

"Maria, my poor child," she calls out softly. "I'm so sorry for coming home late. Get up, please."

Maria, shivering from the cold and a terrible dream, reaches out for a hug. "Grandma," she whispers.

"I'm here, don't be scared," Mrs. Adams replies, embracing her tightly.

"Where have you been? I waited for you and even fell asleep. You didn't make it home early. Was there a problem at work? There was still time to get home before the rain started," Maria asks, her voice tinged with worry.

"No, there wasn't a problem at work. Yes, the rain delayed me, but I've just been very tired lately," Mrs. Adams responds wearily.

"Okay, I haven't had dinner yet. I was waiting for you," Maria confesses.

"Didn't I tell you not to wait up for me during dinner? What if you had slept and I couldn't wake you until morning? Be careful and don't repeat this next time," Mrs. Adams says, her voice firm.

"No, I want to eat with you as a family," Maria insists.

"I understand, and I'm proud that you think of me. But you must follow my instructions. I know what I'm doing. Do you understand?" Mrs. Adams replies, her tone softening. "Let me freshen up, and I'll join you shortly."

Mrs. Adams knows her time is limited and feels a pressing need to prepare Maria for independence.

She wants Maria to learn to take care of herself, not wait for anyone before eating. "It's better to face challenges with a full stomach than to be depressed and hungry," she thinks as she heads to the bathroom, her knees aching. "These knees need to hold out for a bit longer," she mutters, turning on the heater for a refreshing bath.

Maria, who has learned to cook from both her mother and grandmother, calls out, "Can I make us dinner now?"

"Yes, just a little pancakes and milk," Mrs. Adams replies.

Fifteen minutes later, Maria serves dinner. "Grandma, I'm done. Aren't you coming down already?"

"I'm almost done. Ta-da! Ooh, this looks delicious. Let's eat," Mrs. Adams says, smiling.

"Okay," Maria responds, pleased.

"I'll be registering for a competition at school on Monday. The best students will be picked after some tests. I hope I'm chosen. If we win, we can get some money for your knee balm and painkillers, or you can see a doctor. I noticed you were in pain earlier. I'm so worried about you," Maria says, her eyes welling with tears.

"You are so young, yet you always think of others first. Such a selfless soul. Remember to take care of yourself too, my dear. It's my duty to care for both of us, and I'm not going anywhere. I'll be with you until I walk you down the aisle. That will be the happiest day of my life. Thank you for prioritizing me, but you're too young to be burdened with these worries. Let me handle them. I'll get better with time, alright?" Mrs. Adams reassures her, holding her hands.

"After you see a doctor, right?" Maria teases.

Mrs. Adams glances at her and smiles. "You stubborn child."

"How did the meal taste? Did you enjoy it?" Maria asks.

"Yes, of course. It's delicious. You've become an excellent cook. I'm always proud of you. I'll correct you when you're wrong and praise you when you're right. You know that, right?" Mrs. Adams says.

"Yes, I do, Grandma," Maria replies.

"Good. Now, clear the table and get some rest," Mrs. Adams instructs.

"Sure, I will," Maria responds, lost in thought as she clears the table.

"I need to live longer," Mrs. Adams sighs inwardly.

"I need to work and study hard so Grandma won't have to stress herself for me anymore. I want to take care of her," Maria resolves silently.

"Goodnight, Grandma," Maria says.

"Goodnight, my child. Sleep well. Make sure you wake up early for school. The holiday is over," Mrs. Adams reminds her.

"I'll set my alarm," Maria retorts.

As they retire for the night, both are deep in their own thoughts, preparing for the challenges ahead.