A Journey to Healing

James twitched his nose, sniffing the enticing aroma filling the air. He blinked slowly, then looked down at Theresia, who was still leaning against him, sound asleep.

"Theresia..." he whispered, gently stroking his girlfriend's back.

Theresia mumbled something unintelligible, tightening her hold on him. But a few seconds later, her eyes fluttered open, and her nose caught the same delicious aroma.

"What is that...?" she murmured, half-conscious.

James smiled faintly. "It looks like someone is cooking something good."

Theresia immediately sat up, her eyes shining. "Steve!"

Without waiting any longer, she pulled James up and walked to the kitchen. Sure enough, there they saw Viona seated at the kitchen table, holding a cup of warm tea while Steve busied himself at the stove.

"Ah, finally you two are awake," Steve said casually, flipping toast in the pan. "I figured you wouldn't be able to resist the aroma of my cooking."

Theresia laughed softly and moved closer. "Of course! This is the best smell to wake up to in the morning!"

James stretched his body and walked closer. "What are you cooking?"

"Toast, scrambled eggs, and my special sauce," Steve said proudly as he placed a plate in front of Viona. "And this is for you first, Vi. You need the energy right now."

Viona looked at him with gratitude. Her eyes were still slightly puffy, but a small smile adorned her face. "Thank you, Steve."

James patted Steve's shoulder in admiration. "At this rate, I'm thinking about hiring you as my personal chef."

Theresia laughed, sampling a bit of the sauce on Viona's plate. "Wow, this is really good! Why don't you just open a restaurant, Steve?"

Steve chuckled lightly as he prepared portions for James and Theresia. "Maybe if I get bored with my job later, I'll consider it."

They enjoyed breakfast together with laughter and light conversation. For the first time in a few days, Viona felt a little better. There were still wounds that hadn't healed, still pain lingering in her chest, but at least this morning felt a bit warmer.

And that, for Viona, was enough for now.

After breakfast was over, Theresia began collecting the dirty plates and taking them to the sink. Viona was about to help, but Steve quickly stopped her.

"You still have a fever, Vi. Just sit down," Steve said gently.

Viona sighed but complied. James helped wash the dishes with Theresia, leaving Viona and Steve sitting alone at the kitchen table.

A moment of silence passed. Steve observed Viona, who was holding her cup of tea without really drinking it. The girl seemed better than last night, but her eyes still showed exhaustion.

"Did you sleep well?" Steve finally asked.

Viona shook her head slightly. "Not really…"

Steve sighed. "Are you still thinking about Frans?"

Viona looked down, fiddling with the edge of her cup. "I'm trying not to think about him, but it's hard, Steve."

Steve nodded slowly. He understood. It wasn't easy to forget someone who once meant so much in life.

"In that case, don't force yourself," Steve finally said. "Let time do its work. You don't have to rush to forget. The important thing is not to hurt yourself because of this."

Viona lifted her gaze, looking at Steve with tear-filled eyes. "You always know what to say, don't you?"

Steve smiled faintly. "Maybe because I see others get hurt more often than I do myself."

Viona looked at him deeply. There was something in the way Steve spoke that made her feel like he might also be carrying wounds he never showed.

Before Viona could ask, James and Theresia returned to the table.

"Okay, the dishes are all done! Now, how about we go out for a bit?" Theresia said eagerly.

Viona furrowed her brow. "Out? Where to?"

Theresia smiled widely. "Let's go for a walk! You need some fresh air. I don't want to see you cooped up in your room all the time."

Viona hesitated for a moment. Honestly, she still felt tired, but maybe Theresia was right. She needed something to distract her mind.

Steve nodded in agreement. "I also agree with Theresia's idea. I can drive if you're too tired to use public transport."

James leaned back in his chair. "I don't mind either. It would be refreshing."

Viona smiled faintly. "Alright… where are we going?"

Theresia clapped her hands excitedly. "Leave it to me! I have a great idea!"

And with that, their spontaneous plan began. Viona didn't yet know where Theresia would take them, but one thing was certain—for the first time in several days, she felt a small glimmer of hope to smile again.

After everyone got ready, they finally left the house. Steve took the wheel while Theresia sat beside him as the makeshift navigator. Viona and James sat in the back. The car drove smoothly beneath a sky that was still a bit overcast from last night's rain.

"So, where are we going?" James asked, growing curious since Theresia hadn't told them their destination yet.

Theresia grinned mysteriously. "It's a secret."

James sighed. "Why do I get the feeling this is going to be a long trip..."

Viona just smiled faintly, enjoying the warm atmosphere inside the car. She leaned against the window, watching the wet streets go by. There was a sense of relief being able to get outside, far from the memories of tears and fever from the night before.

After about thirty minutes of driving, they finally arrived at an unexpected place—a vast park on the outskirts of the city, with a small lake in the middle. The air here was fresher than in the city, and the green trees provided a calming ambiance.

"Why did we come here?" Viona asked in wonder, though she wasn't rejecting the beautiful scenery before her.

Theresia smiled as she stepped out of the car. "Because you need some peace. And also… we need something new, something to occupy our minds aside from our problems."

Viona looked at her friend and then smiled. "Thank you, Theres."

They walked through the park. James and Theresia had already gone ahead, joking and laughing together. Meanwhile, Viona walked behind with Steve.

Steve turned to her. "How are you feeling now?"

Viona took a deep breath. "Much better. I feel more at ease."

Steve smiled faintly. "Good. You don't have to forget everything in a day. The important thing is to keep moving forward."

Viona looked at him and then said softly, "What about you, Steve? Are you okay?"

Steve paused for a moment. He stared out at the lake, then smiled faintly. "I'm still looking for my own answers too."

Viona frowned. "Answers about what?"

Steve didn't answer immediately. He just walked slowly to the edge of the lake, letting the gentle breeze touch his face.

"Sometimes, there are things in life that make us wonder… have we chosen the right path?" he finally said.

Viona gazed at him for a long time. She didn't fully understand what Steve meant, but she could sense that there was something weighing on his heart.

Before she could ask further, Theresia called them from a distance.

"Hey! Come over here! There are rental boats; we can go out on the lake!"

Steve laughed softly, then turned to Viona. "Shall we join?"

Viona smiled, choosing to keep her questions for later. "Let's go."

And for the first time in a long while, she felt a little lighter.

The four of them boarded a small wooden boat that comfortably accommodated them. James eagerly took up the rowing position, while Theresia sat beside him, busy commenting on her boyfriend's rowing technique, which she considered inefficient.

"James, can you go a little slower? This isn't a race."

"I just want us to get to the middle of the lake quickly," James replied with a small laugh.

Viona sat behind with Steve. She adjusted her jacket, enjoying the gentle breeze blowing over the water's surface. Steve, who had been quiet, paused before finally saying, "This is the first time I've been on a boat in a place like this."

Viona turned to him. "Really? You've never tried before?"

Steve shook his head. "I never had the chance. Usually, I prefer busier places, not calm ones like this."

"Then, what do you think?"

Steve looked at the gently rippling lake beneath them and smiled. "It feels… more peaceful than I expected."

Viona nodded slightly. She understood that feeling. Since last night, her mind had been filled with questions and the pain still wide open. But here, in a quiet place far from the chaos, she could breathe a little easier.

Theresia, who had been watching, suddenly said, "Vi, it's been a long time since I've seen you smile like this."

Viona jolted slightly, then realized that she had indeed been smiling more often than on previous days.

"Maybe it's because I have you guys," she said honestly.

Theresia grinned widely. "Of course! That's why, whenever you need to escape reality, we'll always be here."

James chimed in, "And if you need someone to beat Frans in basketball or any challenge, I'm ready."

Viona chuckled. She knew James wasn't really at odds with Frans, but she appreciated his intention.

Steve, who had been silent until then, suddenly spoke up. "I'll always be here too, Vi."

Viona turned, and their gazes met. There was something in Steve's eyes—something she couldn't quite understand right away. But for some reason, her heart felt warmer.

The wind blew again, gently rocking their boat in the middle of the lake. That day, even though her heart wasn't fully healed, Viona felt she could start moving forward. Not alone.

But with people who truly cared for her.