Ozora cried in her bedroom. The images of her father's torture, how her mother left her in the orphanage, and the impudent security guard who had stripped and raped her came back to her mind. Ozora took the big doll near the pillow and hugged the soft object tightly. Ozora wished that all the heartache would be released when she cried.
"Mommy Aster, I miss you." Ozora suddenly wanted to be hugged by her late adoptive mother who had died. Usually Aster would comfort and hug Ozora whenever she was sad like now.
***
The clock was approaching lunch time but Ozora was still busy with her work. Since she worked at daycare, Geona was more often on day off. Ozora's sister came only for a therapy session.
This morning Ozora has asked permission from her adoptive parents if after finishing work she would go to the cemetery to visit Aster's grave. It seemed impossible but Ozora had to do it. When her work was done, Ozora took her backpack and immediately hung it on her back. She wanted to have lunch before she left.
"Hi!" Eldrick greeted when Ozora came out from her room. He had been sitting on the sofa in the waiting room.
"What are you doing here?" Ozora asked. Her face showed displeasure because of the presence of the uninvited man.
"I'm here to pick you up. I want to invite you to lunch at our restaurant." Ozora did hear Geona's story about Othniel and his two friends opening a restaurant called Delicious Restaurant.
"I didn't ask you to pick me up."
"But I promised to be nice so that you forgive me and want to be my friend. Don't argue. Now come with me to the car." El grabbed Ozora's wrist and led her into the car.
"But I want to go to mommy's grave," Ozora said before opening the car door.
"No problem. Let's go there first. Surely you need flowers. I'll take you to my favorite flower shop. Come in!" El's hand opened the car door and let Ozora in.
"What's your mommy's favorite flower?" Before starting the car the man asked.
"Mommy really likes daisies."
Without answering Eldrick's hand reached for his cellphone on the dashboard. He called someone. "Please prepare a bouquet of Daisies. We'll be there in 15 minutes." After getting an answer from someone, El disconnected the call he just made.
"I've ordered flowers for you." El's hand returned his cell phone to its original place.
"Why are you doing this?" A probing question left Ozora's mouth. She was confused by Eldrick's sudden change in attitude.
"So that you can forgive me."
"Are you going to stop after I forgive you?"
"No! In fact I will get better because we have become friends."
***
"Sir, here are the flowers." A flower shop assistant gave a bouquet of colorful daisies. Ozora and El didn't have to wait long even though the flower order was too much because Eldrick's private secretary had done a good job.
"Thank you." Eldrick's hand held the flower then he looked at Ozora who was still sitting in her place.
"Let's go! It's getting late." Eldrick's invitation made Ozora stand up. Ozora opened her bag and wanted to take the money out of her purse. "What are you doing?" Eldrick asked when Ozora's hand had already pulled out some bills.
"I want to pay the flowers."
"No need! My secretary will take care of everything."
"Secretary?" Ozora was confused. She didn't expect that just for small matters like this Eldrick would have to rely on other people.
"That's right, Miss. Mr Eldrick is our loyal customer. All payments will be dealt with by his secretary." The shopkeeper chimed in because Ozora had not moved from where she was standing.
"Should his secretary intervene just to pay flowers?" Ozora asked the shopkeeper.
"Yes, Miss. His family and company led by Mr. Eldrick is our loyal customer. They order flowers too often so Miss Shayna takes care of everything."
Impatient, Eldrick pulled Ozora's hand. "I am starving. Let's go!"
"Thank you," Ozora said to the shop assistant before her feet actually left the place.
***
They've arrived at the cemetery. El followed in the footsteps of Ozora who walked ahead of him. Ozora's way of walking very quickly made Eldrick dizzy because of it.
"O, don't hurry!"
"You walk like a snail. If you are in the interior, the beasts have eaten you." Ozora replied annoyed without stopping her footsteps.
"Have you ever been to the interior?"
Ozora didn't answer because her eyes read a name engraved on the tombstone. Aster Angelica. It was her adoptive mother's name. The name was very fitting for the woman who had cared for and raised her.
"Mom," Ozora called in a low voice. Suddenly her chin and lips trembled and she couldn't hold back her tears. "Look at me, Mom!" Ozora held the pendant hanging in her neck. "This necklace is very pretty. Sorry for my late visit. I left you and I didn't know about you." Ozora was crying uncontrollably so she couldn't speak anymore. Eldrick only heard her sobs.
Eldrick sat beside Ozora then pulled the woman's head to rest on his chest. Again he could not stand to see women cry. "Your Mommy must be proud of you. Look how she loves you. Even though your Mom has three biological children, you still have a special place in her heart. Let her go."
"I don't say anything to Mommy. If I knew Mommy would be leaving so soon, I certainly wouldn't have gone to Africa. I'm a bad daughter."
"You are not bad, Ozora. This is the best way. You can visit your mommy anytime."
Ozora looked back at the tombstone and placed the daisies flower there. "I will be a good eldest sister to Geona and twins. I will remember all your messages. Thank you for loving me." Ozora conveyed her heart in front of Aster's grave.
Relieved to have visited her Mom, Ozora looked to the side. Eldrick squatted there even though his legs were sore.
"Let's go home." Ozora took Eldrick, who had been silent for a long time because he had let Ozora express her longing for Aster.
"Have you relieved?" That was the only question Eldrick asked.
"Hmmm. Thank you for accompanying me. You want to take me to your restaurant for lunch, right?" Ozora's attitude suddenly became sweeter after coming to that place.
"Yes. We'll have lunch there."
They both get into the car. Ozora didn't say much because she was too tired because of crying. El didn't demand much. He took a bottle of water which was always in the back seat.
"Drink first!" After opening the lid, the man gave it to Ozora.
"Drink a lot! You can become dehydrated if you drink just a sip of water." Eldrick repeated his order because the woman had only had a few drinks.