THE SWEETNESS OF TOMORROW

Chapter 1: The Beginning

Niva's Perspective

Niva stood at the forest's edge, staring at the small, worn-out cottage she had called home for the past thirteen years. The sun was setting, casting a golden

Niva pushed open the creaky wooden door, the familiar scent of home mingling with the sharp, medicinal smell of the healer's concoctions. Her mother lay on the bed, her face pale and gaunt, but she managed a weak smile when she saw Niva.

Lillian: "Niva, my sweet girl, you're back. Did you find the herbs?"

Niva: "Yes, Mother. I found everything the healer asked for. How are you feeling?"

Lillian: "A little better, now that you're here. Come, sit with me."

Niva sat on the edge of the bed, taking her mother's frail hand in hers. Lillian's eyes, once so bright and full of life, were now dim and filled with pain. Niva felt a lump rise in her throat.

Lillian: "Niva, always remember, you are loved. Never let anyone make you feel less than you are."

Niva: "Mother, please don't talk like that. You're going to get better. The healer said so."

Lillian: "I hope you're right, my dear. But if anything happens to me, promise me you'll stay strong. Promise me you'll remember who you are."

Niva: "I promise, Mother. But nothing will happen to you. You're the strongest person I know."

Lillian smiled weakly, her eyes closing as exhaustion overtook her. Niva stayed by her side, silently praying for a miracle.

The healer, an elderly woman named Agnes, entered the room quietly. She observed the scene with a heavy heart, knowing that Lillian's condition was worsening. She had done all she could, but sometimes nature took its course, no matter how hard one fought against it.

Agnes: "Niva, dear, let your mother rest. Why don't you come with me for a moment?"

Niva reluctantly left her mother's side and followed Agnes into the kitchen.

Agnes: "Niva, your mother is very ill. I've done everything I can, but I'm afraid she may not have much time left."

Niva: "No, that can't be true! There must be something more we can do."

Agnes: "I wish there was, child. But sometimes, we must accept the things we cannot change. Be strong for her, and yourself."

Niva felt a tear slip down her cheek. She wiped it away angrily, refusing to give in to despair.

Niva: "I'll do whatever it takes. I'll find a way to save her."

Agnes sighed, placing a comforting hand on Niva's shoulder.

Agnes: "You're a brave girl, Niva. Your mother raised you well. Cherish the time you have left with her."

Days turned into weeks, and Lillian's condition continued to decline. Niva spent every moment she could by her mother's side, holding her hand, singing softly, and recounting happy memories from their past. One stormy night, as thunder rumbled in the distance, Lillian's breathing became labored.

Niva: "Mother, please don't leave me."

Lillian: "Niva… my love… always… remember…"

With a final, shuddering breath, Lillian's hand went limp in Niva's grasp. Niva felt as though her heart had been ripped from her chest. She cried out in anguish, clutching her mother's lifeless body, unable to comprehend the enormity of her loss.

Niva's Father

Thomas entered the room, his face etched with sorrow. He had been preparing himself for this moment, but seeing the reality of it shattered him.

Thomas: "Lillian… no…"

Niva looked up at her father, her eyes red and swollen from crying.

Niva: "Father, she's gone. What do we do now?"

Thomas knelt beside Niva, wrapping his arms around her.

Thomas: "We mourn, Niva. We remember her love and strength. And we move forward, as she would want us to."

Catherine, Thomas's new wife, watched from the doorway. She had never fully integrated into the family, and her relationship with Niva was strained at best. She saw an opportunity in this tragedy, a way to secure her place and reshape the family to her liking.

Catherine: "Thomas, we need to make arrangements. Lillian deserves a proper farewell."

Thomas nodded, his expression numbing.

Thomas: "Yes, of course. We need to lay her to rest."

As the days passed, preparations for Lillian's funeral were made. Niva felt like she was moving through a fog, everything around her surreal and distant. On the day of the funeral, friends and neighbors gathered to pay their respects. Niva stood beside her mother's grave, clutching a single white lily, Lillian's favorite flower.

Niva: "Goodbye, Mother. I promise I'll make you proud." No matter what it may cost I will keep my dreams alive.

As the final words were spoken and the crowd began to disperse, Niva felt a cold hand on her shoulder. She turned to see Catherine; her expression unreadable.

Catherine: "Niva, your mother was a wonderful woman. But now, it's time to think about the future. We must be practical."

Niva recoiled slightly, not trusting Catherine's sudden display of concern.

Niva: "What do you mean?"

Catherine: "We'll talk more later. For now, just know that I'll be here for you and your father."

Niva couldn't shake the feeling that something ominous was on the horizon. Her mother had always warned her to be wary of Catherine, but Niva had never understood why. Now, with her mother gone, she felt more vulnerable than ever.

As the sun set on the funeral day, Niva stood alone in her room, staring out the window at the darkening sky. She whispered a silent prayer, hoping for guidance and strength to face whatever lay ahead.

Niva: "Mother, wherever you are, please watch over me. I need you now more than ever. I feel so empty without you around now I don't know what life has for me but please keep me out of danger"

Little did Niva know, her life would take a drastic turn, that would test her in ways she could never have imagined.

Suspense builds as Niva's world begins to shift around her. What does Catherine have planned? How will Niva go through the challenges ahead? The answers lie in the coming chapters, as Niva's journey unfolds in unexpected and gripping ways.