Chapter 5 THE SOFT LIGHT OF HOPE

The soft glow of morning light slipped gently into the room, casting a golden hue across the pale cream walls and polished wooden floor. The curtains, thin and sheer, danced slightly in the faint breeze that drifted through the open window, carrying with it the fresh scent of dewy grass and distant flowers. The air was still and calm-filled only with the quiet hum of the ceiling fan turning slowly above, its rhythmic whir like a gentle lullaby left over from the night.

Bella lay beneath her soft blanket, cocooned in its warmth. Her dark lashes rested against her cheeks, and her breathing was steady and peaceful. The gentle heat of the rising sun touched her skin like a tender caress, and for a few blissful seconds, she stayed completely still-feeling the beat of her heart, listening to the quiet of the world outside, and savoring the gentle comfort that the early hour always seemed to bring. It was a sacred moment of peace, the kind that belonged only to dawn, before the demands of the day crept in.

Then, as if a spark had flickered to life within her chest, a thought came rushing in-bright, electric, impossible to ignore. Raymond.

Her eyes snapped open, the soft brown depths immediately alight with anticipation. A slow smile curved across her lips, unbidden and unstoppable. The memory of him-the way his words lingered in her mind like the sweetest melody, the kindness in his messages, the way he had made her feel seen, special, cherished-all of it flooded over her in an instant, filling her heart so full that it seemed to float in her chest.

She let out a breath she hadn't realized she'd been holding. The ceiling fan turned lazily above, but now it felt as though the world had shifted, tilted toward the promise of something beautiful. She rolled onto her side, her hand reaching instinctively for her phone on the small bedside table. The coolness of its smooth surface met her fingertips, and she clutched it tightly, as though the device held the key to every hope, every possibility of the day ahead.

Her thumb moved quickly, her motions practiced and eager. The screen lit up, casting a soft glow across her face. Without hesitation, she opened the app where she and Raymond had shared their late-night conversations, their little world built on texts and gentle words. Her heart thrummed with hope, light and eager.

Maybe he messaged while I slept... maybe he thought of me first thing this morning too...

But no. The chat was as she had left it-the last message hers, waiting in the empty space for his reply. No new message. No new notification. No sweet words to greet her at dawn.

For a moment, Bella's smile faltered. The edges of her joy dipped slightly, just enough to feel it-a tiny sting of disappointment, like a cool breeze on warm skin. But she pushed it aside almost at once. Maybe he hadn't seen it yet. Maybe he was still asleep. Maybe he had an early meeting or got caught up with something. The reasons lined up in her mind like reassuring friends. After all, she reminded herself, people had their mornings, their routines. That didn't mean anything was wrong. That didn't mean his feelings had changed.

She refused to let doubt steal the happiness she felt. The happiness of possibility, of what could be. Her fingers hovered over the keyboard, trembling slightly-not from fear, but from the rush of wanting to connect. To remind him-and herself-that she was here, that she cared, that she was thinking of him.

And so she began to type, her words soft and warm, chosen with care.

Bella: Good morning, how are you? I hope you slept well. I'm about to prepare for work, so I said I should message before I get prepared. Have a nice day and make sure you have your breakfast before going to work. Bye. Good luck.

She read the message over twice, wanting it to sound just right-gentle but thoughtful, kind but not too much. She wanted him to feel seen, to feel remembered. When she was satisfied, she pressed send. The small whoosh of the message leaving her phone felt like a victory, a small but beautiful act of connection.

And just like that, the joy returned in full force. A smile spread across her face again, soft and bright, full of hope. She clutched the phone to her chest, feeling its comforting weight against her heart. For a moment, she closed her eyes, letting the happiness soak in, as if by sending that message she had brought herself one step closer to something she deeply wanted.

The room seemed warmer now, the sunlight brighter, the morning more filled with promise. She felt too full of energy to stay in bed any longer. With a newfound determination, she sat up, pushed the blanket back, and swung her legs over the side of the bed. The coolness of the floor greeted her feet, grounding her, steadying her.

"Sonia! Sonia, baby!" she called out, her voice ringing with a cheerfulness that filled the small apartment.

From deeper inside, Sonia's voice floated back, slightly muffled but warm. "I'm in the bedroom! I'm almost done!"

Bella grinned. "Okay!" she called back, unable to keep the joy from her voice.

She made her way to the kitchen, her steps light, almost like a dance. The familiar space greeted her with its usual comfort-the pale countertops, the worn but beloved kettle, the small vase of artificial sunflowers Sonia had insisted on keeping by the window. But today, it all seemed different. Brighter. Warmer. As though her mood painted the world in colors more vivid than before.

She opened the fridge, pulling out eggs, bread, tomatoes, and a small block of cheese. She set them on the counter with purpose, rolling up the sleeves of her oversized T-shirt. She was going to cook not just for herself but for Sonia too. She felt generous, filled with a lightness she wanted to share.

As she cracked the eggs into a bowl, whisking them with practiced ease, she began to hum-a soft tune, familiar and comforting. The hum rose and fell in time with the gentle scrape of the whisk, blending with the sizzle of butter hitting the hot pan. The scent of cooking eggs and toasting bread soon filled the kitchen, wrapping Bella in a cocoon of warmth and home.

The hum grew into a soft song, her voice airy and sweet, carrying through the apartment. She moved with the rhythm of the music, swaying slightly as she flipped the bread or stirred the eggs. Her feet tapped lightly on the tiled floor, her hips moving in a gentle dance. It wasn't a performance-just a natural expression of the happiness that filled her to the brim.

Time seemed to slow, each small act a quiet celebration of the morning. The way the cheese melted into the eggs. The crispness of the bread as it browned perfectly. The golden light that spilled through the window and painted everything in its gentle glow.

It was then that Sonia appeared at the doorway. She paused, taking in the sight of Bella-barefoot, glowing, moving about the kitchen like someone who had just fallen in love. Her hair was slightly tousled, her cheeks pink with the warmth of the stove and her own happiness. Her eyes shone with a light that seemed to come from within.

"Bella," Sonia said softly, leaning against the doorway, her curiosity piqued. "You're in such a good mood this morning. What's going on?"

Bella turned, the smile on her lips deepening. But instead of answering, she set Sonia's plate on the table-a perfect arrangement of eggs, toast, and a few slices of fresh tomato on the side. Then she crossed to her friend and wrapped her in a tight, affectionate hug.

"Good luck today," Bella said, her voice warm, her sincerity shining through every word.

Sonia blinked, surprised and touched by the unexpected show of affection. "Thank you," she said quietly, her voice laced with wonder. She pulled back slightly, searching Bella's face. "But seriously... what's gotten into you?"

Bella only smiled again, a soft, secret smile, and turned back to the kitchen to finish her own plate. She didn't need to say it. Sonia could see it-feel it. The hope. The joy. The sense of possibility that hung around her like sunlight.

As Sonia sat down to eat, she watched Bella with a mixture of amusement and fondness. Her friend was radiant, and whatever had brought on that radiance, Sonia hoped it would last. She took a bite of the food and closed her eyes briefly. Delicious, she thought, savoring the care that had gone into every bite.

Bella joined her at the table a moment later, her phone resting beside her plate. Though she didn't check it immediately, her eyes flicked toward it now and then, full of quiet hope. Every small vibration, every notification made her heart skip just a little, even if it was only an email or a reminder. Maybe soon, she thought. Maybe soon there'll be a message from him.

But for now, the morning was enough-the sunlight, the shared meal, the sweetness of hope that filled the air like the scent of breakfast.