"I can't take her."
A woman still quite young, dressed neatly as if she were going to work. However, unlike her tidy clothes, the aura on her face looked weary.
She loudly said an inappropriate sentence to her ex-husband, right in front of their only daughter. The woman acted as if she didn't acknowledge Arabela, who had been listening to her parents' conversation from the beginning.
"My lover wouldn't want to take her in."
Her mother's words from that time continued to echo in Arabela's mind as she grew up. The feeling of not being loved and abandoned by those around her.
Arabela reached for her mother's long skirt and gently tugged it. She looked up innocently, gazing at her mother, who was busy with the suitcase.
"Mom, can i come with you?" she asked cautiously.
The little girl had been holding back her tears, afraid that if she cried, her mother would get angry. Unfortunately, her efforts were in vain, as the woman brushed away Arabela's hand.
"Get rid of those strange thoughts. Stay here with your father and don't do anything," she said while pulling her suitcase toward the front door.
Seeing her mother with the suitcase, Arabela ran after her to the front door. She deliberately blocked her mother's path, preventing her from reaching the doorknob.
"Mom, where are you going..." she asked again.
By now, Arabela's tears could no longer be held back. She tried to speak amid her sobbing.
"Don't leave Arabela... please, Mom... sob..."
Her father just stood silently beside the living room sofa, watching what was happening in front of him. Meanwhile, her mother grew irritated by the sound of Arabela's sobbing. She knelt slightly and held her daughter's shoulders.
"Listen carefully. If you can live as if you aren't alive, I will cover all your living expenses and those of your useless father. So never come looking for me, and consider that I am not your mother. Understand?"
After delivering her message, the woman stood up and grabbed her suitcase once again.
"I hope this is the last time you can call me Mom. Take care of yourself, Arabela."
Her last words shook Arabela. But her mother didn't care. The woman left Arabela without any regret, even after hearing her daughter's loud sobs from behind the door of her former home. She kept walking as if she already knew where her next destination was.
Meanwhile, Arabela felt like she had lost her way, just as her mother's figure slowly faded from sight.
Even her father, who knew his daughter was crying her heart out, remained standing in the same spot. His legs felt weak, but his heart was even weaker, to the point that he didn't know what he truly felt at that moment. The man decided to leave, walking towards the balcony door with a pack of cigarettes in his hand.
Her mother left Arabela to live alone with her father in the house inherited from their grandparents. The house had been given to Arabela by her great-grandmother.
After a few years, the woman kept her promise. She sent money to Arabela every month, which they used to survive together with her father until he decided to leave the house.
That night, Arabela came home from her part-time job and found a note in the living room.
-Arabela, forgive me, but I have to leave you. Take care of yourself-
Her legs went weak, causing Arabela to collapse on the cold floor that night. But the cold of that night couldn't compare to the cold feeling in her heart.
The sudden sadness made her forget how to express herself. She didn't understand what to do. Should she be angry or cry for her father, like when her mother left?
She spent that night alone on the cold living room floor, without any blanket. All night long, she just stared out the window, which gradually grew blurry. But she didn't know whether it was because of the snow or because her tired eyes wanted to close.
All of her dark memories always began on snowy nights. The death of her grandparents, her mother and father's departure—all during the snowfall. Even she was born during the first snowfall.
YEARS LATER
That woman was Arabela Riana. Now, at 25 years old, she lived independently without her mother's help. After her father left, she saved the money her mother sent while funding her education through scholarships.
She spent her days going to school and working part-time. The money she earned from her job covered her daily needs. Eventually, when she became an adult, her savings allowed her to enjoy city life.
(Arabela's POV)
Every day, I spent doing things I enjoyed. Watching movies, exercising, going to the city library, visiting amusement parks, or other activities. But every day, I still went to work to make a living.
I leave early so I won't be late to the office because I hate people who don't value time and are often late. Besides, I have to take public transportation, which sometimes takes longer than driving a personal vehicle.
Living in a metropolitan city forces us workers to stay late. Usually, I get home around 6:00 PM. But sometimes it's later, depending on my workload. I prefer to finish my work at the office so there's no burden at home, even if it means working overtime and getting home late. Like tonight.
"Take care on your way home, Mrs. Arabela."
The night security guard greeted me with his loud voice. I admired his enthusiasm, even in this cold winter.
"Thank you, sir. Stay safe," I replied.
That night was the first snowfall in the city. Despite the freezing air, the residents were happy to play in the snow, which didn't happen often. They wore thick clothes and bought hot drinks and food to keep warm. I did the same. I stopped by a drink shop right next to my house. The shop was owned by someone I knew, though they might not recognize me.
Although it was a drink shop, the owner also served some food that paired well with the warm drinks.
"Ma'am, one hot chocolate and soup, please."
"Sure, wait a moment," replied the shop owner, busy serving other customers.
The drink shop was busier than usual that night. It felt crowded and warm because of the many people inside.
"If it's this crowded, I doubt there's an empty table," I muttered as I walked around, trying to find a seat.
Behind a family gathered in the corner of the shop, there was one empty table. I walked toward it, passing other tables occupied by families. They looked so happy, and it made me feel a little envious. But I tried to ignore it. I sat down and grabbed my phone, focusing on it in hopes of pushing away the negative thoughts.
Without realizing it, time flew by quickly. A few minutes later, the shop owner came with my order, which looked tempting with steam rising from it.
"Be careful, it's still hot," said the shop owner with a friendly smile.
Even though I hadn't yet tasted the food and drink, I already felt much warmer. I should thank the woman for that.
"Time to eat," I murmured.
Now, I was drawn back to the tempting dishes in front of me. The first thing I reached for was the hot chocolate, as its sweet aroma had been teasing me for a while.
"Ah! So warm..."
After drinking it, my whole body felt warm. Drinking it lifted my mood, even if only temporarily, because my eyes accidentally caught sight of the family in front of me, happily chatting away. For a moment, I just sat there, staring blankly and playing with my now-empty chocolate cup.
(Author POV)
The lively atmosphere of the café and the streets outside was filled with the laughter and cheer of people playing in the snow. It was truly bustling, just like Arabela's mind, which was crowded with troubling memories spinning relentlessly.
Slowly, she lifted her head and stared at the large window beside her table.
"I should just go home," she muttered, running her hands through her hair in frustration.
Once again, she weaved her way through the tables, heading toward the cash register near the entrance.
"Thank you for your visit," the cashier said as Arabela paid and prepared to leave.
The moment she stepped outside the café, she noticed an elderly woman standing alone across the street. The old woman stood among families holding hands, but she kept her head lowered, her fingers trembling and turning pale in the cold.
Whether out of sympathy or some other reason, Arabela decided to approach the woman.
"Excuse me, Grandma, are you all right?" Arabela asked, bending slightly to match her height.
The old woman offered a warm smile but said nothing.
'Maybe she can't speak,' Arabela thought, before trying again.
"Grandma, what are you doing here all by yourself?" she asked once more.
No answer. No movement. But Arabela noticed the woman's hands beginning to tremble. She wasn't dressed for the cold weather. The tips of her ears had turned red, and her lips were growing pale.
Without a second thought, Arabela removed her coat and draped it over the woman's frail shoulders, slipping her gloves over the woman's cold fingers.
"It's freezing tonight. What are you doing out here alone? You should be wearing something warmer if you're going to be outside like this."
She felt a bit guilty for scolding the old woman, but when she still didn't respond, Arabela considered leaving her there and reporting the situation to the nearby police station.
"All right. If you need anything, Grandma, you can come to that house right over there," Arabela pointed to a white house next to the café.
"I'll be going now. Please take care of yourself," she said gently.
But just as she was about to walk away, the old woman grasped Arabela's right arm, stopping her in her tracks.
Startled, Arabela turned back around. "Grandma, is something wrong?"
Once again, the woman remained silent. Arabela began to wonder if the woman was in some kind of trouble, unable to express it, or simply didn't want to be left alone.
"Oh dear... What am I supposed to do with you, Grandma?" she sighed.
Arabela was beginning to feel frustrated. She was growing cold herself and wanted to go home, but she was also worried about the old woman. Then, an idea sparked in her mind.
"Would you like to come with me?" she asked warmly.
To her surprise, the woman nodded in agreement.
"All right then, come with me," Arabela said, starting to walk ahead, the woman following closely behind.
They made their way to Arabela's house, which was just across the street.
Click!
The door creaked shut behind them as they entered the house. Though old, the door remained sturdy after all these years.
"Please, sit here," Arabela said, guiding the woman to the sofa in the front room.
Arabela then headed to the kitchen to prepare some hot tea and instant noodles for them both. She remembered that she hadn't even touched the soup she had ordered earlier. No wonder she was feeling so hungry. And after being out in the cold for so long, she was freezing.
She placed the noodles and tea on the table in the front room, where they both sat.
"Grandma, I've made us some hot tea and instant noodles. Please, eat and drink while they're still warm," she said, taking a seat beside the woman.
They quietly ate their noodles. The only sounds in the room were the hum of the television and the slurping of broth. The silence lingered for quite some time, and soon the night grew late.
After they finished eating, Arabela suggested it was time for bed. They made their way to the only bedroom in the house. But as Arabela entered the room, the old woman stopped, standing motionless at the doorway. Arabela turned to find her staring straight at her.
"Grandma, why aren't you coming in?"
The air suddenly grew colder than before. An eerie chill filled the room, sending shivers down Arabela's spine for reasons she couldn't explain.
"Grandma?" she called again, though she wasn't expecting an answer.
To her surprise, the woman spoke for the first time, her voice breaking the silence of the cold night.
"Forgive us, my lady—"
Her voice was so faint that Arabela could barely make out the words, almost as if the woman were murmuring to herself.
"What did you say, Grandma? I'm sorry, I couldn't hear you," Arabela said, stepping closer.
Just as she was about to approach, the woman spoke again, her voice now clearer.
"Must take you."
Arabela's confusion deepened as she processed the words.
"Take me... what do you mean, Grandma?"
But the woman fell silent once more.
"Please, speak more clearly, what do you mean?" Arabela pleaded, a hint of irritation in her voice.
The night was growing later, and she was already exhausted after a long day. Now, she was also worried and frustrated. But the woman remained silent, her gaze turning darker.
Slowly, the woman bowed her head, just as she had when they first met. Once again, that icy cold aura began to fill the room, creeping into every corner.
"Grandma, why aren't you saying anything? Please, talk to me..."
Arabela took a step toward the door, but the woman suddenly slammed it shut with such force that Arabela stumbled backward and fell.
Bang!
She hit the floor hard, wincing in pain. Her eyes widened in shock as she tried to comprehend what had just happened. Her gaze fixed on the door—the only exit, now sealed shut.
For the first time in the house's long-standing silence, the air was filled with the sound of the someone else footsteps, fading as she walked away from the bedroom. Arabela snapped out of her daze when she heard the front door unlocking.
"The front door..."
A gasp escaped her lips as she rushed to the bedroom door, frantically grabbing the handle, only to find it locked from the outside.
"Grandma!!"
She shouted, her voice trembling as she pounded on the door.
Click!
Bang! Bang! Bang!
"Grandma!"
Arabela slammed her fists against the door with all her strength, hoping the woman would hear her. But there was no response, not even the sound of footsteps. The house had fallen eerily silent. The noise of the front door unlocking had vanished, leaving only an unsettling quiet.
Cold sweat dripped down her back. Fear, worry, and confusion churned inside her, her thoughts spinning wildly.
"Grandma, please, open the door! Why are you doing this to me—"
Bang!
Her words were cut off by the sound of the front door slamming shut. She knew it was the door to her own home.
She intended to call out again, but at that moment, the bedroom door swung open effortlessly.
"How... how is this possible?"
She was certain the door had been locked from the outside. Oddities began to pile up one after another, but Arabela pushed them aside for now. She needed to find the woman.
Arabela rushed toward the front door, now left ajar. There, across the street, she saw the old woman crossing the road, heading back to where they had first met.
Without a second thought, Arabela ran after her, determined to get answers for everything that had just happened.
"Grandma, wait!" she called out, quickening her pace as she chased after her.
Strangely, the street that had been bustling earlier was now eerily empty. Only Arabela, the woman, and the dim streetlights remained, casting weak glows into the cold night.
At the crosswalk, the pedestrian light was green, signaling it was safe to cross.
After confirming the light, Arabela dashed across the street, drawing closer to the woman. The distance between them had shrunk to just a few steps, yet Arabela couldn't help but shout once more.
Unlike before, her call seemed to reach the woman this time, causing her to stop and turn toward Arabela as she reached the sidewalk.
"Grandma..."
The woman's expression held a trace of regret, yet her gentle smile remained, directed toward Arabela. Not only that, but the woman extended both hands toward her, as if in a silent gesture of farewell. Slowly, her outstretched hands began to fade as a blinding light suddenly appeared, flooding Arabela's vision.
In that moment, Arabela finally realized the bright light was coming from the side, beaming intensely at her from only a short distance away.
Bang!
Arabela Riana was hit by a truck at the intersection, on the very night of the first snowfall.