Finally buying the last gift, Rex noticed something from the corner of his eyes, a restaurant. To be specific, a noodle restaurant. A cozy noodle shop at the corner of the street, unlike it's peers which appeared larger than it made it seem like a small restaurant.
"Mom, what do you think about noodles for dinner?" he asked, glancing at Isabella.
Her eyes lit up, though she tried to play it cool.
"Noodles? Are you suggesting that for me, or are you craving them?"
"Well, maybe both"
Without waiting for her to reply, Rex led her toward the shop. They entered the small establishment, the warm, inviting atmosphere greeting them instantly. The faint glow of its signboard of it's name and the sound of sizzling broth was apparent as they got closer.
The boss, a cheerful older man with a towel draped over his shoulder, greeted them enthusiastically.
"Welcome! Table for two?"
Rex nodded, and they were quickly seated. After glancing at the menu for a moment, Rex looked up at the boss.
"Boss, two bowls of noodles, extra large, extra spicy"
"Oh, are you sure with extra spicy young man"
"We have spice levels that'll make even the strongest tear up"
"You sure you can handle it?"
Rex nodded to his question.
"What about the girl"
Rex turned to Isabella.
"What do you think, Mom? Extra spicy for you?"
She gave him a sharp look, her lips curving into a teasing smile.
"Are you challenging me? Fine"
"Extra spicy for me and let's see how brave you are."
Rex smirked and looked at the boss who was at the counter and yelled to him let him hear what Isabella chose. The boss nodded.
"Coming right up"
Rex's eyes wandered over the shop. Despite the shop's slightly weathered appearance, it was quite clean.
"Strange there's no one else here even though it looks clean, and the boss seems nice"
As they sat waiting, a young girl, likely no older than a middle school student, emerged from the kitchen carrying a tray. Her bright eyes and smile made her look very cute but she professionally carried over the tray towards their table. She placed a small bowl of soup and an assortment of appetizers in front of them.
"Here you go" she said with a polite smile.
"The soup is our house special, and these are some side dishes to enjoy while your noodles are being prepared"
The girl was cute and polite making Isabella fond of the girl as soon as she saw her.
"Thank you"
Isabella said with a light smile on her face which made the girl's face light up. The girl's enthusiasm was infectious, and Isabella found herself asking more questions.
"How long has this shop been around?"
"Almost thirty years" the girl replied, her tone brimming with pride
"My grandfather started it when he was a young man"
"He's the one cooking your noodles right now"
"You're very proud of him, aren't you?"
The girl nodded enthusiastically.
"Of course! Grandpa's noodles are the best in the world. He's worked so hard to keep this place running"
Isabella's curiosity deepened.
"If you don't mind me asking, where are your parents?"
The girl's expression faltered for a moment, but she quickly composed herself.
"Papa is at work, he should be back after an hour or two"
"As for mom… she passed away a few years ago"
"She got sick after giving birth to my younger sister"
"Dad did everything he could to help her, but… it wasn't enough."
Isabella's heart ached as she saw the girl sad but hidden by her smile.
"I'm so sorry to hear that"
The girl looked at Isabella with a smile as she said.
"It's fine miss"
"I shouldn't be telling about these"
"Grandpa told me not to tell them to everyone not to disturb them"
She laughed it off, trying to brush it off.
"I don't mind, can you tell me about it"
Isabella moved to the side and patted the empty side to motion her to sit and let her tell her story. The girl thought for a moment before looking at her grandfather who was focused on cooking the noodles not noticing her and sat down beside Isabella.
"Well, it's like this..."
__ __ __
In a hospital, there was a middle aged man named Dante who held a child in his hands. Her name was Anna. Even though he was maintaining a stoic expression on his face, worry and anxiousness was apparent on his face.
When the nurse opened the surgery room door, Dante's heart leapt with hope, but her solemn expression made him think of the worst.
"Mr. Dante"
"Congratulations, your wife gave birth to a healthy baby girl."
"What about my wife?"
With his voice trembling, he asked the question. To his question, the nurse hesitated with her eyes downcast.
"I'm so sorry... your wife
"She didn't make it."
The words hit him like a physical blow. His legs gave out, his body sinking to the cold floor. His cries echoing through the hallway. Anna, startled and frightened by her father's despair, clung to him tightly. She didn't fully grasp the weight of the news but knew something was terribly wrong.
The nurse crouched down beside them and asked Dante.
"Would you like to meet your baby girl?"
Dante couldn't speak, only nodding numbly. A moment later, the nurse brought out the swaddled infant, her small face serene and unknowing. As Dante held the baby in his arms, his anguish momentarily softened. Her tiny fingers curled around his, and he felt a spark of hope amidst the overwhelming grief. Anna, curious, leaned in to look at her little sister and whispered,
"She's so small."
"She's beautiful, just like your mother"
Dante said, his voice choked with emotion. He pulled Anna closer with one arm, holding the baby securely in the other.
__ __ __
The day of the funeral was gray and the atmosphere heavy, rain fell from the sky as if mirroring the solemn mood of the small gathering. A simple wooden casket was laying beside a dug up hole. A few friends and neighbours stood silently, their heads bowed in respect.
Dante, dressed in a black suit that hung loosely on his frame, held Anna's hand tightly. In his other arm, he carried the newborn, now named Sofia, wrapped in a blanket. Anna glanced up at her father frequently, her small face etched with worry as she tried to be strong for him.
The two hired burly man started to put down the casket into the hole. Dante's eyes were fixed on the casket, a swirl of memories and emotions rushing through his mind and heart. The finality of the moment struck him when the casket was lowered into the ground. Anna tugged on his hand, her voice soft and hesitant.
"Papa, will Mama come back?"
Dante knelt down to her level, his voice thick with sorrow.
"No, my little star. Mama's gone to a place where she can rest now. But she'll always be in our hearts."
Anna's eyes welled up with tears, but she nodded and hugged her father tightly.
In the weeks following the funeral, the days were a blur of sleepless nights. Dante had to take care of Sofia during the day, work during the evening. He did everything he could to provide for his daughters, but the burden was immense.
As much as he wanted to hire a nanny to take care of them, money was tight. His wife started to suffer from a disease while carrying Sofia. He even used their wedding money to try to find a way but his wife started to give a premature birth, fortunately Sofia was fine but his wife unfortunately passed away. He didn't know how he was supposed to take care of a baby while working. His family mostly wouldn't help him. As for his wife's family, he didn't know how to contact them.
He was a simple and honest man and didn't understand too much except for his work and family. Though it was tough, he could only turn to his daughter, Anna who was much older than the baby Sofia.
"I'll help you, Papa"
"I'll take care of Sofia."
Dante's chest tightened at her words. At such a young age, she was already trying to shoulder responsibilities far beyond her years. Anna stepped up in ways no child her age should have to. She learned how to change Sofia's diapers, and soothe her when she cried. Despite the work, she never complained. She even learned how to cook from the neighbouring aunty and started to prepare simple meals for her father. Maybe she already understood what happened to her mother.