Goodbye, My Angel
Sophie sat on her bed and watched Talia’s back as she turned to leave . Tears rolled down her cheeks but she didn’t wipe it away. As the door was about to close, she stretched out a hand to pull Talia back, to beg again maybe she hadn’t pleaded enough, she thought but something pulled her hand back.
“Nothing will make me return to the outside world.” The words Talia had said earlier echoed in her head. And with that she let her go
Slowly she sat up. The room felt suffocating, like a coffin waiting to seal. Her heart hammered as she whispered into the stillness, forcing a small smile.
“Don’t be selfish, Sophie. She has her reasons for not wanting to help. She has done more than enough for you …. Don’t be greedy by asking for more ”
The words, though trembling, felt final.
She moved quietly, gathering what little she could a change of clothes, the scarf she’d grown attached to, a few things she thought might help her survive on the way home , She pulled a face mask over her face.
When she was done she stood in the middle of the room and took one last look. Memories of her days here filled her head how she had camped in this little room, how Talia had cared for her when she was wounded. Her face filled with tears, but she didn’t let them fall. She murmured to herself, “Though it’s small compared to where I’ve lived all my life, it’s the safest, sweetest place I’ve ever been.” A small smile touched her lips as she closed the door behind her and slipped into the sitting room.
The sitting room was silent, the kind of silence that pressed on the ears. She let her eyes travel over the small space
Her head was filled with memories of her happy days in the sitting room with Talia - the way Talia had bandaged her wounds right there, their sweet moments, how Talia wouldn't enter her own room every night, pretending to do one thing or another until she came in, how Talia had stylishly and sweetly always covered her body when she sat too openly, and the days she slept on the sofa that Talia carried her to the room. the way Talia did the chores while she sat and watched like a princess.
Tears streamed down her face and she quickly wiped it away and padded to Talia’s door. Her hand hovered. Her chest heaved as though her heart might burst. She raised a fist and knocked softly.
She heard Talia rustle out of bed. Sophie spoke quickly, voice fragile. “Don’t open the door. Just… listen.”
She paused for a couple of seconds. Her lips trembled, but she forced herself on. “I don’t know how to start… but from the depth of my heart, with all my sincerity ….thank you, for everything , for saving me that night even without knowing me ,for fighting and getting wounded to keep me alive. For caring and staying with me through my healing ,for coming back to save me, even after I doubted you and said terrible things about you. I say a big Thank you to you .”
She let the silence settle Talia stood half by the door, listening, eyes wet.
Sophie’s voice cracked. She pressed her forehead to the wood and continued. “I don’t blame you for not following me. I know you have your reasons and I understand…. I’m sorry for being selfish, for thinking only of myself, for pushing you when I should have known how hard it is for you. I’m deeply sorry.”
A soft sob escaped. She covered her mouth.
“Just so you know…” She swallowed. “Talia, you’re the best person I’ve ever known. No matter what anyone or the world calls you, no matter what they think
you’re kindhearted. I pray one day you’ll heal from all that pain. And I hope you forgive yourself soon, because you shouldn’t suffer this much for something that isn’t your fault.”
Tears fell freely, dripping onto the wooden floor.
Inside, Talia stood rigid, covering her mouth with her hand silent tears streamed down her cheeks.
“These weeks with you… they were the best of my life,” Sophie whispered. “I’ve lived in riches all my life, but out of my twenty-seven years, these three weeks with you in this little house have been the richest ….rich in love, in care and all the sweet things of life , Every night here, I’m able to sleep peacefully because I know you are in the next room and will keep me safe .”
The silence after that was unbearable. Both of them were crying, but only Sophie’s voice broke the dark.
Finally she drew a shaky breath. “I’m leaving now. If I survive, I’ll come back. I promise I’ll come back to see you. And if you don’t see me after a year…” She forced a sad smile. “Then know they succeeded in sending me to reunite with my parents. And If that happens, I won’t forget that I met an angel in this world…..Bye, Talia.”
She pressed her hand to the door one last time, as if to touch Talia through it. Then, with all the strength she had left, she pulled away.
Her footsteps echoed down the hall slow and resolute. Tears fell, and memories of the cliff, the night she was saved, the fights, the hospital visits, the nights together, Talia smile ,and jokes that sounds like fights , all filled her as she left.
Behind the closed door, Talia curled into herself and sobbed until she had no sound left. Sophie’s footsteps faded into the night.