Theresia arrived at Viona's house carrying a bag of groceries. She knew her friend must be in a bad place after what happened with Frans.
But after knocking on the door and receiving no answer, she started to feel anxious.
"Vi?" she called while knocking again.
No response.
Theresia sighed and took out the spare key that Viona had once given her. She opened the door and stepped into the quiet house. The living room light was still on, but there were no signs of Viona.
Where is she?
Theresia set her groceries down in the kitchen and then checked Viona's room. Empty.
A wave of worry began to creep into her heart. Viona never left without letting her know, especially in situations like this.
Yet, instead of panicking, Theresia decided to do something that might help warm her friend's heart a little.
She went back to the kitchen and started pulling food items out of the grocery bag.
"If she comes home sad, at least there's something for her to eat," she murmured as she began preparing the ingredients.
Her hands skillfully sliced onions, sautéed seasonings, and cooked something warm. The aroma of the food slowly filled the room, creating warmth in the house that felt so empty.
While cooking, Theresia glanced out the window. The rain was still pouring heavily outside.
Her heart grew more anxious.
"Vi… where are you?" she whispered softly.
Theresia placed the spoon on the table and took a deep breath.
It was already ten o'clock at night, and Viona still hadn't come home.
The food she had cooked earlier was now cold. She had even sat at the dining table for more than an hour, waiting and occasionally checking her phone, hoping for a message or a call from Viona. But there was nothing.
She tried calling Viona again. The ringing tone sounded, but it went unanswered.
"Vi..." Theresia bit her lip, feeling increasingly worried.
The rain outside continued to fall heavily. The sound of its patter echoed clearly amidst the silence of the house.
Where could she be?
Theresia got up from her chair and paced in the living room. Should she go out and look for her? But where? Viona could be anywhere right now— in the park, at a café, or perhaps still standing in the rain, crying without knowing where to go home.
That thought made her heart feel even tighter.
Then, just as she was about to reach for her phone to contact someone who might know Viona's whereabouts, the front door creaked open.
Theresia immediately turned.
Viona stood in the doorway, drenched. Her hair clung to her face and neck, her clothes were completely soaked, and her expression…
Theresia's heart sank at the sight of her friend.
Viona's eyes were puffy, her lips trembling, and her face looked vacant. Like someone who had lost their way.
Theresia didn't ask anything.
She just ran towards Viona and embraced her tightly.
Viona froze for a moment, then her body went limp in Theresia's arms.
Finally, the tears she had been holding back all night broke free.
Theresia slowly released her embrace and looked at Viona with deep concern.
"You're soaked, Vi. You'll catch a cold," she said gently.
Viona didn't respond, just standing in the doorway with a blank expression.
Theresia sighed, then grasped her friend's hand, guiding her inside. "Come on, take a warm shower. The hot water will make you feel better."
Viona complied, though her steps were weak and spiritless. As she walked toward the bathroom, Theresia could only watch her with a sad feeling. She didn't yet know exactly what had happened, but it was clear that something very painful had left Viona shattered like this.
After ensuring Viona was safely in the bathroom, Theresia hurried to the kitchen. She turned on the stove and began warming the food she had cooked earlier. The chicken soup, which had turned cold, started exuding warmth again. She also prepared a glass of warm tea, hoping it could provide some comfort to Viona.
Occasionally, she looked toward the bathroom to make sure her friend was okay.
Theresia knew that Viona must be at her lowest point right now.
And she would be here, accompanying her through all of this.
As she stirred the soup on the stove, Theresia's phone vibrated on the counter. She glanced at the screen and saw James's name there.
Without hesitation, she answered the call. "Hello?"
"Theresia, is Viona okay?" James's voice came through, filled with concern.
Theresia glanced toward the bathroom, hearing the sound of water flowing inside. "I don't know, James. She just got home, soaking wet, and looks… shattered."
James sighed on the other end of the line. "I heard from some friends that there are rumors about Frans and his engagement. Is that what's making Viona like this?"
Theresia bit her lip. "It seems so. I haven't had the chance to ask; she hasn't said anything either. But looking at her condition now, I'm sure it's worse than we imagined."
James fell silent for a moment before saying, "I want to come over right now. I can't just sit here and do nothing."
Theresia gave a faint smile, even though her heart felt heavy. "I understand, but give her a little time, okay? I want to try to calm her down first."
James sighed again. "Alright. But if she needs anything, anything at all, let me know."
"Yes, I promise," said Theresia.
After ending the call, Theresia refocused on her cooking, but her mind was still filled with thoughts of Viona.
Her friend must be deeply hurt. And all she could hope for was that tonight, in this house, Viona could find a little peace.
Viona emerged from the bathroom with her hair still half-damp. She took a hairdryer and began drying her hair in front of the mirror. The buzzing sound of the machine filled the room, but it wasn't enough to distract her thoughts.
Her eyes were still puffy, and her face looked so tired. As if all her energy had been drained away by the tears that had flowed since that afternoon.
Once she finished, she set the hairdryer down and sat on the edge of the bed. Unconsciously, her tears fell again. She bit her lip, trying to hold them back, but the pain was too overwhelming.
Her phone vibrated on the table. With trembling hands, Viona reached for it and saw Frans's name appear on the screen.
Frans: Vi, I'm sorry…
Frans: I never wanted to hurt you, I really didn't know what to do…
Frans: I know I'm wrong… I should have told you from the beginning…
Frans: Please don't hate me...
Viona's fingers trembled as she read those messages. Her chest felt heavy.
Sorry?
Now he was apologizing? After everything? After allowing her to sink into uncertainty, into such deep wounds?
Viona wanted to reply. She wanted to pour out all her pain in words. But all she could do was stare at the screen while her tears fell relentlessly.
Frans might regret it. But regret could not erase the pain she had endured.
Viona stared at her phone screen with glassy eyes. Her fingers hovered over the keyboard, hesitating for a moment before finally typing.
Viona: Let's break up.
Viona: Don't contact me again.
Her hands trembled as she pressed the send button.
The message was sent in seconds, but it felt like a ton of weight had fallen from her chest. Instantly, the suffocating pain transformed into something sharper— the realization that this was the end.
Viona set her phone down with tired hands. Her tears fell silently. She hugged herself, her body shaking amidst the silence of her room.
Her phone vibrated again. Frans was calling.
She looked at the screen but had no intention of answering.
The first call ended. Then the second. And the third.
Viona closed her eyes, holding her breath for a moment before finally turning off her phone.
That's enough.
Tonight, she wanted to cry for the last time. Tomorrow, she would learn to let go.
With still trembling hands, Viona took her phone again. She opened the messaging app, staring at Frans's name on the screen for the last time.
Her fingers hovered for a moment, her heart pounding. There was a small part of her that still hoped Frans would say something—something that could change everything. But it was useless. She had already been hurt enough.
With a long breath, she tapped the Block Contact option.
The phone screen displayed a brief notification.
You will no longer receive messages or calls from this contact.
Done.
Viona stared at the blank screen for a few seconds before finally placing her phone on the table. She pulled her blanket around herself, embracing her own body.
Her sobs broke free again, this time without sound. Only tears flowed freely, soaking the pillow that held all her sorrow.
Frans could no longer contact her. No more messages, no more calls.
This was truly the end.
Theresia had finished warming the food when she realized something—Viona hadn't come out of her room.
She frowned, glancing at the clock on the wall. It had been almost half an hour since Viona went into her room after showering. Usually, even when she was tired or in a bad mood, Viona would still come out to eat if someone cooked for her.
A sense of worry began to creep into Theresia's chest. Slowly, she walked toward Viona's room and knocked gently on the door.
"Vi?" she called softly.
No answer.
Theresia tried again. "Viona, you haven't eaten yet. I've warmed up the food. Come out for a bit."
Still silence.
Without waiting any longer, she turned the doorknob and pushed it open slowly.
Inside, Viona was sitting at the edge of her bed, her hair still slightly damp, although some had dried from the hair dryer. Her phone lay beside her, and her face was downcast. Her shoulders trembled slightly.
Theresia immediately knew.
"Oh, Vi..."
She stepped inside and closed the door behind her. Without hesitation, she sat beside her friend and took Viona's cold hand.
Viona slowly lifted her face, and Theresia's heart sank upon seeing her friend's eyes—swollen, red, filled with an indescribable sadness.
"I've blocked him," Viona's voice was hoarse.
Theresia was momentarily silent before nodding. "Are you sure?"
Tears flowed down Viona's cheeks again, but she nodded. "I have to, Theres… I can't keep going on like this..."
Theresia took a deep breath, then without saying much, hugged Viona tightly.
"Just cry it out," she whispered, gently stroking her friend's back.
Viona didn't say anything more. She just cried, letting all her feelings spill out in the embrace of the one who still stood by her side.