Chapter 45 45

Chapter 45 45
Back at the cemetery, Lydia remained seated beside her mother's grave for what felt like an hour or so. Time had completely stopped meaning anything to her here, beyond the gates the world continued moving as if nothing had happened.
People driving fast, lives continuing, conversation happening somewhere far away. But inside the cemetery, everything felt very slow. Lydia barely moved through any of it, her eyes still fixed on the grave in front of her, literally not wanting to get away from her. Not understanding if there was a world outside of this.
But somehow, she was very much alive here. Somehow sitting alone here with her mother meant so much more then having a life outside of it. There was too many words inside of her. She wanted to go and say something to her mother. But too much grief, anger and exhaustion made her be silent. And she thought, maybe it was okay. 
Letting out a very heavy breath, she was now forcing herself to stand up. 
The moment felt very reluctant, but she was not happy to leave. Like some part of her wanted to stay seated right beside her mother and even if it was forever. She was okay with that, because leaving meant returning back to a reality, that was too real.
And she did not want to be a part of that. Lydia did not want to return back to the pain waiting for her outside of this place, and even the feeling, or even the thought made her heartbeat faster and her stomach hurt. But, nevertheless, she stood up, standing there for another moment, before realizing this moment was over.
She wasstaring down at the grave, one last time. Sunlight touching the stone softly and so she moved a little closer, placing her hand on her mother's grave, feeling the stone one, reading her name one more time.
Everything looked peaceful, too peaceful. A very sharp pain moved through her chest, so suddenly that she almost sat back down again.
She then turned around, swallowed hard and started to walk. 
The guards immediately straightened, the moment they noticed her walking towards the entrance. The moment remained very subtle and practiced enough to not overwhelm her, but she noticed everything.
They were making sure to always stayed there. One shifted closer along the pathway, while the other quickly moved towards the gate ahead of her. All the time maintaining a careful balance. Arthur had reminded of them, and she knew that very well. Always near, never too near.
Lydia's eyes were extremely low towards the ground, as she walked slowly through the cemetery path. Exhaustion settling heavy over her shoulder again. Now that she was leaving the quiet comfort of her mother's grave behind. She ached did not disappeared. It had only constant for a little while, and all this time the only one thought coming to her mind, was what if only she could have a mother here with her. Who could hold her, just for a few moments.
The cemetery gates slowly came into the view through the trees ahead and just ask Lydia lifted her eyes to walk out. She noticed a car parked quietly near the entrance. Dark color, familiar, luxurious and very sleek.
Her steps slowed instantly, as curiosity came on to her. Exhaustion still heavy on her body as confusion flickered faintly as well.
One of the guards noticed subtle change in her expression immediately, and his attention sharpening out of complete instinct. But before anyone could move further, the passenger door opened.
Sofia stepped out of it, almost immediately she looked like she had left in a hurry, without giving herself time to think twice about it.
Her hair was tied back carefully. Loose strands moving softly in the breeze and her sunglasses resting on top of her head, instead of covering her eyes in this afternoon heat. The moment she looked up and saw Lydia standing there.
Something in Sofia entire expression softened almost immediately. The tension slowly left her shoulders first, followed quickly by relief. She did not even try to hide. Concern settled right beside her. Sofia smiled trying to calm Lydia down, and it was not too bright, and not too overly careful either. Like most people smiled when they tried to pity people. It was just a warm soft smile from a friend to another friend.
It was real enough that it even reached Lydia immediately. Lydia felt like her shoulders indefinitely gave up on defending something she couldn't even see. Her stomach did not feel heavy on her anymore and so Lydia stopped walking completely, for a moment and neither of them moved.
The breeze quickly drifted quietly through the cemetery around them. While birds call softly somewhere overhead instantly. The guards remain respectfully silent, giving the two women space, without being told.
She was standing there looking at Sophia.
And after everything that had happened over the last few days. Lydia felt something inside of her loosening. 
Not the grief. That remained exactly where it was, extremely sharpening her senses. But Sophie hasn't come here out of obligation. She hadn't showed up to ask Lydia questions that she wouldn't be able to answer or offer empty control, comfort or tell her to "stay strong".
She has simply come here because, Lydia, right now shouldn't be alone today. And somehow that simple act really did feel great for Lydia.
She felt her eyes stinging. As emotion rose unexpectedly from her chest, with no tears came out, only relief and quiet deep relief. Sophia smiled softly, even further when she noticed slight change in her expression. She was happy enough to crash the loneliness, just so she could erase it.
Slowly Sophia moved her hands open, and grabbed onto Lydia's hand.
"Are you hungry?" She asked and Sophia had this kind of a big sister look on her face. That she could not even fake.
It was way too real and for Lydia, it was getting very difficult to speak.
So the only thing she could do at the moment was nod her head and that was enough for Sophia. She grabbed on the Lydia's arm, fixing it around her arms and started to make her way to the other side of the town.
Sophia had a very big smile on her face, happy Lydia did not resist.
"There is this very beautiful grandma's place over here. And she's not my grandma, but somebody's grandma. The place is "called" grandma's place. And there she makes the greatest pie, amazing bread. You can just go there to get fat and we can do it together." She said continuing to walk and Lydia, on the other hand, was just looking at her.
Holding on to Sophia for her dear life. For the first time in a very long time. She genuinely had a smile on her face and it was not even a fake one. She continued to walk on.
"I am hungry." She whispered. And needless to say, Sophia was happy that she was talking.
Sophia's only intention here was to make sure that Lydia was feeling safe. And she was doing this as her friend.
However the guards, on the other hand, had a new plan. They simply followed both the ladies again, with the safe distance. And they both simply walked together, like sisters.