As I plummeted toward my demise, my life flashed before my eyes. I recalled every moment, every joy, and every sorrow. Yet, amidst the torrent of memories, one stood out vividly – the day I met her. I was just seven, walking home alone, as I often did before she entered my life. I saw her sitting on a bench, radiating an otherworldly glow, even in the daylight. Tears streamed down her face, and I felt an inexplicable urge to comfort her. It was the first time I'd ever hugged anyone besides my parents. As she cried in my arms, I couldn't ask why; I could only offer what little solace I could.
Suddenly, a panting woman with tears streaming down her face rushed toward us. Her face was etched with worry, but as she hurriedly scooped up the little girl and held her as if she would never let go, her expression transformed into one of profound relief and joy. "Don't worry, Mama's here," she whispered. I understood, without needing to be told, that the little girl had been lost. The woman thanked me for staying with her daughter, and as they turned to leave, the little girl waved at me and whispered, "Thank you." Joy swelled in my heart, and as they disappeared into the sunset, hand in hand, I made a silent vow to myself: I would find her again and care for her.
Upon reaching home, because I was late, I used the back door. "Mom, I... I got sidetracked by a friend," I said, unsure if I should call her a friend since I didn't even know her name. I was completely sure she would scold me, but then she smiled and looked at me as if she was proud of me, patted my head. I looked up with a confused yet relieved face, wondering what was happening. Cutting off my thoughts, she said, "Go wash up; we have visitors." "Okay, Mom," I replied, ran playfully up to my room, washed up, but I still couldn't get her out of my head. For the first time, I went downstairs while visitors were around. I get really nervous and anxious around other people, which, of course, doesn't apply when it's with Mom.
As I walked down the stairs, I heard a voice – the voice sounded familiar. As I approached, there they were: the little girl and her mother. My mom, knowing how anxious I get around people, was shocked to see me walking toward an unknown girl. As if she understood what was happening, she immediately introduced us. "Oh, this is my son, Kaid," she said, turning toward me. "And this is Mrs. Sapphir and her daughter Aria. Come, come, sit with us." As I sat down, all I could think was how beautiful she was. Unknown to me, my thoughts weren't just thoughts. "She's beautiful," I said out loud.
My mom's confused gaze shifted to me. Mrs. Sapphir smiled, and that was when I realized what had happened. My face turned bright red, my hands became sweaty, and I realized what true embarrassment felt like. I stood up, hoping to run to my room, when suddenly Aria's mom said, "How about you two get to know each other, little man?" At that time, I didn't know what lecherous was, but I could say for a fact that Mrs. Sapphir's eyes were damn lecherous. To my surprise, Aria was overjoyed and stunned, just like I was, as she dragged me upstairs.
Meanwhile, downstairs, Aria's mom said to mine, "I should thank you." "Why?" Mom asked. "Your son; he is a good kid." Mom replied, "He tries. Sorry for what happened earlier; I promise he is not like that. I don't know what came over him." Mrs. Sapphir said, "Oh, no, I don't mind. I was talking about what he did for my daughter. I'm guessing you were wondering why we moved to this neighborhood. Well, you see..." And so Mrs. Sapphir told my mom about how she and her husband broke up, how Aria was kidnapped by her husband after he lost custody, how Aria managed to escape, and how a friend of hers called her when she saw Aria running. She also told her about how I comforted Aria for hours, which bought her enough time to find her. "Yes, hours," she said. "I held her for hours. It seems the quote 'when with something you cherish, time passes slowly' wasn't without its truths."