It was a 30 mins drive from the restaurant to Amber's home, and the taxi got there just in time since the road had no traffic. Amber pulled out her wallet to settle the bill, but Malia beat her to it. She looked at her friend and just shook her head.
"you have been such an angel today; let me pay for the taxi." Malia offered
"I didn't say anything, though," Amber replied with such a big smile. Someone as innocent and genuine as Malia was like a drop of oil in an ocean.
The taxi driver smiled too, when Malia handed him the fare. The eyes of the girl were so clear, like a clean sea of water.
Amber offered to carry the bag and took it by force when Malia refused her.
She told Malia to learn to accept help from people because some genuinely wanted to render assistance without ulterior motives. Malia's defense, however, was that she had been doing everything for herself since a young age, so it was hard to break the habit.
While in the elevator, Amber inquired about the guy who had left with her the previous night. Immediately after she asked the question, the purse in Malia's hands fell. Like a little child caught stealing candy in a jar, she turned red. She bent her head down and used her hair as a shield against Amber's question. Her friend, who wanted to tease her more, swept the hair behind her ears, only for Malia to face her wall.
Amber couldn't take it anymore; she burst out in laughter. "how innocent," She whispered. She picked up the purse from the floor and decided to hold it for her friend, who was so scared to show her face.
'Ding,' the elevator sounded, and the doors opened. Amber walked out first and turned back to see her friend still attached to the wall as though she wanted to become one with it. She shook her head."This is the last floor, you know."
Her foot was placed between the elevator doors to prevent them from closing. "hey, princess," Amber said a little louder, which startled Malia. She smiled and mumbled a sorry to her friend. Amber was now serious; she decided to stop teasing her friend might enter the walls any time.
She decided to lead the both of them to her apartment door and input the password. Malia was welcome by a beautiful sight. The house had a classy feel to it but still felt so homely. She entered the living room space after changing to some indoor sandals.
'Your place is so beautiful. I want to live in this space someday," Malia stated with longing.
Amber thanked her and offered for her to live with her, only for Malia to say no. Finally, she told her that she could only stay in her home until she got in place because she did not want to be a burden.
"You are not a burden, and you know that, right? well, at least not to me". To Amber, Malia could be the new family she had always wanted after her family was separated years ago. She wanted to have a sister too.
"come on, let me show you to your room," she offered as she held Malia's hands.
Malia could only smile. How grateful she felt towards Amber. After seeing her room, she got so emotional that tears formed around her eyes. Finally, someone saw her worthy of such a room. After everything that she had been through, this was the first time she could say that she had a room to herself. She turned and hugged Amber and whispered a thank you to her.
Amber was confused but could only acknowledge her gratefulness. She offered to help her unpack, but Malia could not let her, so she left to make dinner. While washing the vegetable in the kitchen, their phone vibrated in her pants. She picked it up after wiping her hands dry.
"Hello," she offered politely. Whatever was said by the other person shook her to the chore. She had to hold the holder for support. Her legs had gone weak from the message she had received from the call. Tears started brewing in her eyes.
"What is wrong, Amber?" Malia, who had finished unpacking, found her friend looking so white, like a sheet of paper. She ran to her and supported her to sit down. Then, pouring a glass of water, she gave it to her friend, who emptied the whole glass.
She wanted to ask her again, but Amber was like a statue; she looked in one direction. "Phone," she asked as she frantically checked her pant pockets. She repeated the word phone again and stood up to head to the kitchen. She found the phone on the floor; it might have fallen from the earlier shock. Picking it up, she was relieved that it only had a simple crack. She picked up and dialed a number, but the other party wasn't picking up.
Malia was really scared; she wondered what had happened to her friend. "Amber, please tell me what is happening," She begged, but Amber was so focused on her call to give her an ear. Malia looked in the kitchen to maybe find something that could give her an answer, but she only saw vegetables in the sink. She then decided to remove them and make a meal for both of them.