" What? are we going tomorrow?" asked Sophia to herself, widening her eyes and hardly believing her ears. Then all of a sudden, her mouth exhaled a breath of relaxation when her mind signalled her some upcoming relief. It was as if hell melted into the heavens for Sophia to live an angel's life.
Sophia could feel her hands and feet loosened from the manacles of a demon, who had trapped her whole being on the seventh floor of a large prehistoric tower in the distant peaks and made her mourn for freedom. Her voice could only reverberate in that isolated place and no one ever came to her rescue.
But the situation became different from what it was for 13 years. Sophia's Aunt realised her mistake and to repent for it, she arranged an excursion for her. Sophia could then flow like a water in the desired direction. Not only that but also there was another fortune set on her path. She could marry Joe without hesitation. And beside her, she could glimpse her cousins packing the luggage for the travel. " Maybe I should pack my bags too." thought Sophia.
"Mom, but we haven't decided on which circuit house will the three of us stay in during our outing? asked Diana with creased brows.
Then, Aunt Marge slowly treaded toward her daughter with her left hand placed on her back. Then raising her right-hand index finger she said," Don't worry about this dear. You concentrate on your trip. And for the stay, it would be at my old uncle's circuit house. Though it is small, its interior is beautifully executed. it would surely appeal to your senses, forcing you to visit this place again. You can also play games there, hide and seek or anything that pleases you. Though my uncle is a bit forgetful due to Alzheimer's disease, he still can recount what happened a week ago. I hope you will enjoy this trip, especially you Sophia ."
Sophia lifted the corners of her lips to exhibit a constructive expression and nodded in favour of this statement. Then, she went to her room and seated herself on the mattress of her bed, bringing out luggage from the dark wooden almirah.
The almirah was placed in the corner end, with slight dust all over it and some of its mirrors were arranged improperly inside the long narrow grid that ran from tip to toe. The entire wood of that almirah had become fragile. It appeared to be one belonging to a 19-century impoverished family. But Sophia admired it and wiped it up with a torn cloth, every Saturday.
She brought out her bag from that almirah and shook it well to allow the soot to escape. Then, pulling out her clothes from the almirah, she placed them gently inside that bag, adjusting the clothes carefully to make space for something Sophia placed near to her heart. She brought a pendant out of the almirah, handling it with the chain and opening it up.
Sophia's eyes got slightly wet as she unlocked her pendant. It was a pendant gifted by her parents when she was six years old, with a photo of her parents and her own engraved on it. It was the last thing her parents left with her just before they died in a car accident.
Sophia was the only survivor of that accident and was adopted by her Aunt who acted as a guardian for her. Then, Sophia's mind began to think well of her Aunt as she brought her into her house when no one took pity on her. Her Aunt was also miserable when she heard about her sister's loss in the car crash. So, she took custody of Sophia during that time.
Sophia went through all her clothes. She had only ten dresses with her. " No that's not, It is not suitable for the trip." She would match every cloth on her body, criticising it and putting it back. Then she threw herself on the messed-up bed, thinking," I wish I had some good clothes for me. If only God could drop clothes from the heavens" Her mind fluttered with fantasies, giving her a temporary pleasure.
Her ears picked up the voices of her cousin quarrelling with their mother. " Mom, this is not fit for travelling. You always try to save money. I just have 50 dresses, 50 t-shirts and pants, 50 one-pieces and 20 gowns. I need to shop more." Stella stressed the word so loudly, that Sophia put her hands to her ears.
" It seems like a quarrel has broken out. Even I need some clothes for myself. Just two, not more" Sophia's eyes opened wide.
Suddenly the handle of her door twiddled and Stella entered inside. She was handling car keys in her palm, juggling them in both her palms, her gaze switched to Sophia." Sophia, we are going shopping, will you join us. We will get you some good clothing too. Mom will drop us at a store."
Listening to Stella's words, Sophia stood up and said," I would love to join you." Then Stella twisted her fingers to her palm, signalling Sophia to join her." Close your room door and immediately come outside. We are wasting no time."
Sophia began setting her old clothes in the almirah, folding them and hurriedly stepping towards the almirah, holding them. " How much." Stella crossed her arms and showed Sophia the time, through her watch.
" Stella, you sit in the car. I will be there in no time." Sophia grinned and cleared her bed. Then after putting on her shoes, she combed her hair and went outside to sit in the car.
" Sophia, are you seated well." her aunt, sitting beside the dashboard, turned her eyes at Sophia.
" Yes, I am." Sophia began feeling the fruits of pleasure that day.
It was Sophia's first experience, sitting in their car. She kept gazing at every item inside the car. Then slowly, with the twist of gear, and kickstart of the clutch, they drove out of the lawns to the street road.