"You are a kind person!"
Sylvia stared at the middle-aged woman smiling down at her. She didn't know who this woman was, but her warm smile relaxed her tensed muscles considerably.
"Erm... she was hungry."
"So are you!" The woman said before asking her if she could sit with her.
Sylvia nodded her head before sliding away to make enough space for the woman to sit.
The woman got comfortable before she said, "I know you are hungry. I saw you lingering near the snacks shop for about half an hour. As soon as the owner was ready to take orders, you rushed there as his first customer. Yet you give your food to that little girl and her mother."
Sylvia felt her cheeks burning. She avoided looking at that woman and kept her gaze on her fingers resting in her lap.
"Here"
Sylvia's head snapped up at the woman when she held out a sandwich in front of Sylvia. Its smell hit her nostrils, and her stomach gurgled in hunger.
Yet she kept staring at that woman dumbfoundedly.
The woman smiled again and said, "Please have it. God knows for how long you are walking around with empty stomach. Please eat."
Sylvia came to her senses, shaking her head. "No. I mean... I can't take this from you. I don't have enough money to pay you."
"You don't have to dear. I am helping you just the way you helped that girl. It is your good karma coming back to you."
Sylvia looked at the sandwich, and her mouth watered. She was hungry. She was used to eating good and delicious food, even in Malvadogar. Gerald Livingstone- the man she used to love- had spoiled her by feeding her all the delicious food he could get on the Warthford Island.
But since Sylvia had left Malvadogar and Warthford Island, the only good food she had was given by Roma and Regnar. Otherwise, she had to survive on whatever she got.
"Have it my dear." The woman urged.
Sylvia felt her defences lowering down. She trusted Roma though she was a stranger. So why she couldn't trust this woman too?!
Sylvia slowly accepted the sandwich and murmured. "Thank you very much!"
"You're welcome! My name is Nadia. I run a small shop of footwear in this market. I was cleaning and dusting my shop before the customers arrived when I noticed you.
You don't belong to this village. I know almost every face that lives here. Who are you?" Nadia asked genuinely.
Sylvia answered in between her bites. "My name is Sylvia. I am... looking for a place to live." She didn't give more details about herself.
Nadia kept Sylvia engaged in a light-hearted conversation without trying to pry more into her personal life.
Sylvia devoured her sandwich, and when she was done eating, she felt her stomach full. Now she could go on without eating until the next morning.
"Sylvia, if you don't mind, you can stay with me for a while. I will help you find a place to live after that." Nadia offered,
Sylvia was awkward taking help from a stranger. She politely declined Nadia's suggestion, but the woman insisted.
"Look at you, Sylvia. You must haven't showered in a couple of days. You look tired too. You can live at my place for a couple of days then if you don't want to stay longer.
I live with my husband. But he is usually away to serve the Duke of the neighbouring city. So I am living alone these days. You can stay with me until my husband returns. Then he will help you find a decent house in this village or around it."
Sylvia couldn't deny that offer. Nadia was a polite and kind-hearted woman. She oozed warmth and genuinely wanted to help Sylvia.
After a little thought, Sylvia agreed to take her help. Sylvia felt heavy. She felt the fatigue rushing at her and she needed a place to rest.
"Come. I will take you to my house. It is only ten minutes away from here."
"But Nadia your shop-"
"Don't worry about it. I have told to look after it to one of my friends. I will take you home and arrange clean clothes for you.
Once you are settled, I will leave you to rest and come back to the shop. We will have lunch together."
Sylvia stood up, smiling gratefully at Nadia. She began following the woman to her house but not before sparing a last glance at the little girl and her mother.
Sylvia made a note to visit that girl again tomorrow and see if she could help with her mother's fever in any way.
"Sylvia?"
"Hmm?" Sylvia turned her attention back to the woman walking beside her.
"Do you mind if I ask you something?" Nadia asked carefully, eyeing the young woman cautiously.
Sylvia tensed for a moment before she answered. "Sure."
"Where is your family? Why are you wandering alone like this at this unknown place?"
Sylvia should have seen that coming. But by now, she had prepared a fake story to feed people's curiosity.
"I belong to a middle-class family living far away from here. My mother tried to force me into a marriage. But I don't want to marry just yet.
The man was twice my age and had already taken three wives. He was an abuser. So I fled a day before my wedding."
Nadia's eyes widened in shock. "Oh god! But then why your mother wanted to marry you off with such a despicable man?
Didn't she know about it?"
"She knew. But the shine of his money blinded her. I tried everything to convince her against this marriage, but she didn't listen.
I was left with no other choice than to leave. But when that man found out about it, he was furious and has sent his people to search for me.
That is why I am hiding in this faraway place secretly."
Nadia nodded in understanding, muttering curses for that man who she didn't even know. Sylvia watched her in amusement but remained silent.
"I am so sorry, Sylvia! But don't worry. Now you don't need to worry about anything. I am here! I will help you find a safe place to live where your family or that man would never find you." Nadia told her determinedly.
Sylvia smiled, feeling warm in her chest. "Thank you very much, Nadia! I don't know what I would have done if I hadn't crossed paths with you."
"It's all right, my dear. Here! Welcome to my humble abode." She stopped in front of a small house and unlocked the door.
Stepping inside, Sylvia smiled at how cosy that house felt. It felt homely and warm.
"Come. I will show you your room." Nadia took Sylvia further into the house and to a small room.
It was not much big, but Sylvia liked it. There was a bed with a duvet and a small closet. Nadia arranged a dress for Sylvia to wear after boiling some water for her bathing.
"You take the bath. I will prepare another cup of coffee for both of us. It is too cold outside."
Sylvia took her sweet time relishing in the hot water. Her aching body blessed her as the hot water sooth it.
She came out of the bathroom and wore the dress Nadia had given her. It was a little bigger for her short frame, but she didn't mind it.
Sylvia found Nadia in a kitchen. Nadia passed her a cup of coffee.
"You look more beautiful now!" She complimented.
Sylvia blushed, accepting the drink. Nadia remained with Sylvia until she finished her coffee. After making sure that Sylvia was comfortable in her house, Nadia left for her shop leaving her behind to rest.
Laying in the bed, covering herself in the warm blanket, Sylvia thought about where life would take her from there.
She didn't realise when her eyelids became heavy, and before she knew it, she passed into a deep slumber.