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Submitted into Contest #96 in response to: Write about someone welcoming a stranger into their home.... view prompt

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Creative Nonfiction Drama Fiction

Silence was common on Alice's home. It is very that Alice is literally used to it. How could you not be used to it when you are all alone on the house, right?

But one rainy night, that silence was broke by a loud knock on her wooden door.

Knock! Knock! Knock!

The first three knocks were ignored by Alice because she does not have anything or anyone at all to expect as a visitor to her home, but then the knocks continued and it is getting to her nerves. With a heavy feet, she walks towards the door and was surprised to be greeted by a young woman who eventually fainted right before Alice's body. At that moment, Alice was confused and do not know what to do. She was stuck between letting go of the young woman and in letting her inside her abode. Eventually, Alice remains humane and guided the young woman inside her house. She lay down the woman in the bed and prepares an amount of warm water to decrease the hot temperature of the young woman due to a fever. She lets the woman take a rest afterwards and went to the kitchen to cook for dinner.

On the other hand, the young woman in the bedroom slowly regain her consciousness. She faintly sat down in the bed and observe the situation she was in until she realized that she was on another house. She walked around the house and finally found Alice on the kitchen. She stared intently at Alice's back and definitely analyzing who the woman is.

While Alice is busy in cooking, she felt the intense gaze from her back and therefore, turns her sight and met the young woman's intense stare.

"Ahmm, hi!", the young woman shyly utter as she walks closer to her but Alice didn't even budge to answer and continue with her cooking.

"I'm sorry to barged in here and disturb you in any way", the young woman again speak that made Alice faced her again.

"And, by the way, I'm Sarah! And I promise I am not a bad person, I just had an unfortunate accident earlier", the woman extended her right hand to make a hand shake but Alice just glimpsed at it but did not take it.

But, on Alice mind. She was convinced that the woman is not a bad person. It's not like she looks like a bad person!

"Let's have dinner!", Alice announced and they sat face to face in the small square wooden table.

"Wow! It's yummy", Sarah spitted happily that made Alice looked at her questioningly.

"Is she normal?", that's a question raise in Alice mind

She ignored Sarah's statement and continue in eating.

"Do you live nearby?", Alice broke in the middle of silence and that shocked Sarah.

"Ahm...Ah! Yes. I mean no! Yeah, no. My house is far away from here!", Sarah answered as if she was not sure.

Alice find that odd but still she's definitely believe that the woman is not a bad person.

"So, what are you going to do now? Will you go to a hotel or what? Fortunately, the rain stops.", Alice asks again.

"Regarding that, can I stay for the night?", Sarah asks with all the pleading she can get.

Alice granted Sarah's request at that moment but she did not expect that "a night" would take a long time because Sarah eventually did not leave her house when the morning comes and insisted that she doesn't want to go home yet.

It's been exactly two months since Sarah came to Alice house and those months very special to Alice. For a very long time, she felt alone, completely alone but with Sarah's company. Alice slowly gets to socialize, to talk more, felt happy again and most especially, Alice felt alive again. You know, Alice has been an optimistic and joyful person since she was a kid but the world had been cruel to her. At a young age of 15 she was left all alone after her parents got into a grievous accident that cost their lives and no one of her relative wants to take her in. The young Alice needs to survive after all, that's why at a young age, she learn to work for herself but eventually learns to isolate herself in her own world.

"Waah! What are you thinking so deeply?", Alice had a small attack when Sarah's pop up from nowhere breaking her reminiscing moment.

"Ohh! Well, I am thinking when will you be going home. I'm getting sick of your craziness already", she replied as joke and Sarah knows that but still she smacked Alice's shoulder lightly.

"Oh, tell that to the frog. If I know, you will be so lonely when I am gone and you'll bowling your eyes out of crying because you miss me so much", Sarah replied in her most childish way and that made them laugh heartily.

****

Another month had passed and still the two young woman creates more memories together. She have grown fond to each other and eventually became inseparable best of friends.

But eventually, everything has its end.

The destiny had played again to Alice because another rainy night came, Alice was out doing some errands while Sarah stayed at home but when Alice came back, Sarah was nowhere to be found. She was nowhere to be found but a note was left.

"Don't be lonely like before. Don't look for me. I'll surely be back, Alice. I promise! - Sarah"

That is what written on the note. Upon reading that note, Alice world collides once again and Sarah's words really did came true. Alice cried a lot on the night that she was in her last position when she wakes up the next morning.

Alice was disheartened, she seems pale and an exhausted zombie. She wanted to look for Sarah but she didn't, instead she trust Sarah's words.

After a week, even without Sarah, Alice didn't go back to being isolated. She trusted and followed her bestfriend's words and continue living with joy and optimism.

Knock! Knock! Knock!

Knocks on the door surely awakens Alice in her sentiments. She walks towards the door and opened with a smile. Unlike before, there are some who would visit Alice in her home, she made friends with her neighbors and others. Although, there's a bit of disappointment of not seeing the person she expected to see, Alice smiles genuinely.

"A food for you, Alice", an elderly gives her food and she gratefully accepted it with a bright smile.

"Thank you so much, Auntie. I really appreciate it."

"You are welcome! Eat well, okay?"

"Yes, surely will! Thank you again!", Alice brought inside the food and prepares it to eat when another knock comes in. She left the food covered and heads to the door.

"Hi!", upon opening, Alice froze.

"S-ar-ah?", she stammered as if she was not sure if she's seeing it right.

"Yes, Alice. I came back just like what I have promised!", Sarah's voice was almost cracking.

Without farther sentiments, Alice cage Sarah in a tight and heart melting hug and they both broke down to tears. Tears of happiness as they pouring their hearts quenching their longing for each in that hug.

There are many questions that Alice had been meaning to ask to Sarah but she choose to trust her faith to Sarah and complied with the saying "There are things better left unknown"

At last, Alice found her voice,

"Welcome home, stranger! Welcome home, my bestfriend!"

The End!!!

May 29, 2021 10:30

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