The bustling shopping district hummed with life as Mrs. Scott strolled through its lively streets. The colorful shop windows displayed everything from the latest electronics to trendy accessories. It was just after noon, and she still had plenty of time before her daughters, Tara and Kara, got home from school.
Though the twins had only recently resumed school, Mrs. Scott couldn't shake the feeling that they deserved something special. They had been adjusting well despite the new term's challenges. She wanted to surprise them, not because of any particular achievement, but simply because she loved seeing them happy.
Her first stop was a charming accessories shop with glittering displays of headbands, bracelets, and delicate matching chains. A pair of beautifully crafted silver chains with tiny butterfly pendants immediately caught her eye. The matching headbands, adorned with elegant pearl accents, seemed perfect for her girls.
"These would suit Tara and Kara so well," she thought with a warm smile.
"I'll take these," she told the trader kindly.
The trader, a middle-aged woman with a friendly face, began packing the items carefully. "That will be $35, ma'am. Would you like me to carry them for you?"
"Yes, please. Thank you," Mrs. Scott replied graciously.
With her first set of gifts secured, she continued her shopping. Her mind wandered back to her daughters' recent conversations. Tara, with her keen interest in technology and engineering, had been talking about how useful a personal laptop would be for her school projects. Kara, always eager to research and stay connected, often complained about her old phone acting up.
She entered a sleek electronics store, her eyes scanning the neatly arranged displays. After some thoughtful consideration and a few helpful tips from the sales assistant, she chose a high-performance laptop for Tara and a stylish, modern smartphone for Kara. The combined cost was significant, but she didn't hesitate. She could already picture the joy on their faces when they unwrapped the gifts.
"These are perfect," she whispered to herself, satisfied with her choices.
---
By the time Mrs. Scott returned home, it was late afternoon. She hurriedly arranged the wrapped gifts on the living room table, making sure everything looked neat and presentable. Just as she stepped back to admire her work, she heard the familiar sound of the front door creaking open.
"Good afternoon, Mum!" Tara and Kara's cheerful voices echoed through the house.
Mrs. Scott's face lit up instantly. "My beautiful girls! How was school today?"
The twins exchanged playful glances before replying in unison, "It was fine, Mum."
Mrs. Scott raised an eyebrow knowingly. "Alright, go freshen up. I have a little surprise for you."
The girls' eyes widened with curiosity. They didn't need to be told twice. In minutes, they returned from their rooms, their faces alight with anticipation.
"Alright, sit down, girls," Mrs. Scott said, motioning to the cozy couch.
She picked up the first box and handed it to Tara. "Tara, since you've just started your engineering program and you've been working so hard, I thought this would help."
Tara carefully untied the ribbon and peeled back the wrapping paper. Her breath hitched when she saw the brand-new laptop inside.
"Mum… is this really for me?" she gasped, wide-eyed.
Mrs. Scott smiled fondly. "Of course, it is, sweetheart. You've been so dedicated to your studies, and I know this will make your schoolwork easier."
Tara hugged the laptop as though it were a priceless treasure, her voice trembling with emotion. "Thank you so much, Mum! This means the world to me."
Turning to Kara, Mrs. Scott held out another wrapped box. "And Kara, I know your phone has been acting up lately. You've been so responsible, always helping out and staying on top of your work. You deserve this."
Kara's hands shook slightly as she tore open the package, revealing the latest smartphone model.
"Mum… I don't even know what to say… thank you!" she whispered, tears shining in her eyes.
Mrs. Scott chuckled softly. "You don't have to say anything, sweetheart."
"And there's more," she added, reaching for two smaller packages. "I saw these matching headbands and chains and thought you two might like them."
The twins gasped in delight, unwrapping the beautifully crafted accessories.
"Mum, you're the best!" Tara exclaimed, immediately fastening the delicate chain around her neck.
"We love you so much!" Kara added, throwing her arms around their mother.
Mrs. Scott embraced them tightly, feeling overwhelmed with love. "I love you too, my angels. Seeing you happy is all I ever want."
For the next hour, the living room buzzed with laughter as the twins admired their gifts, tried on the headbands, and explored their new devices.
Tara excitedly booted up her laptop, already thinking about how it would simplify her engineering assignments. Kara scrolled through her phone, amazed by its speed and sleek features.
Mrs. Scott watched from a nearby armchair, sipping a cup of tea with a contented smile. The money she'd spent seemed insignificant compared to the joy radiating from her daughters. They were her pride, her joy — her entire world
******
The Next Day: Friday Morning
The golden rays of the early morning sun seeped through the curtains, gently waking Tara and Kara from their peaceful sleep. The twins stirred, stretching lazily before realizing it was Friday—the last school day of the week.
"Ugh, it's so early," Kara groaned, burying her face in her pillow.
"Come on, K! It's Friday. Let's get through today, and the weekend is ours!" Tara encouraged, already pulling herself out of bed.
With a shared sigh, they got ready, styling their hair and fastening their new matching butterfly chains. Their mom's thoughtful gifts filled them with gratitude and a renewed sense of motivation.
At School: The Start of a New Day
The school grounds were alive with chatter and bustling students. Tara and Kara made their way to their lockers, exchanging polite greetings with familiar faces.
As they arranged their books, Kara noticed Lucas watching her from across the hall. His gaze softened when she met his eyes. Kara raised an eyebrow playfully, and Lucas, caught off guard, smiled awkwardly before quickly looking away.
Tara smirked. "Looks like someone's got an admirer."
"Don't start," Kara laughed, nudging her sister playfully. "Alright alright " she said as if surrendering .