Maria's eyes welled up with tears as she listened to her grandma's words. "Maria, oh my poor granddaughter, come see me," her grandma said, her voice filled with compassion. Maria couldn't help but break down, feeling the weight of her family's neglect.
"I know you've gone through a lot, my heart breaks as I watch my son ignore you like an outcast," her grandma continued, her words piercing Maria's heart. "He should take responsibility, his blood is in you, anyway."
Maria sobbed, grateful for her grandma's understanding. "Grandma, you're the only one who cares about me," she whispered, her voice trembling.
Her grandma's words were like a balm to her soul, and Maria felt a sense of determination wash over her. "Leave yourself stop being a naive girl and have a relationship this holiday," her grandma said with a chuckle. "Mothers will want the daughters to do _this_, do _that_. You are getting older. I know you're still in college, but at least you should be happy with yourself. For one thing, don't get pregnant and make mistakes. Just be yourself. Be free."
Maria laughed through tears. "Grandma, you're crazy ."
"I'm serious, _chérie_," her grandma said warmly. "Paris is yours. Live a little. Don't let anyone box you in."
Maria took the tickets for the following day and made her way to Paris, not knowing anyone there but ready to start anew.
As she arrived in Paris, Maria was struck by the city's beauty and charm. She took a deep breath, feeling the cool air fill her lungs, and set off to find her accommodation. Her grandma had arranged for her to stay in a small apartment near the Eiffel Tower.
The Eiffel Tower loomed ahead, twinkling with lights, and Maria felt a thrill. She unpacked her bags, settled in, and started exploring the neighborhood cafes. The smell of freshly baked croissants wafted through streets, and Maria smiled for the first time in weeks.
But Maria had made a decision - she wasn't going to live like a "rich lady" when her parents had never treated her like one. She started searching for a job, scouring the city for opportunities. Days passed, and she searched tirelessly, facing rejection after rejection. Cafes wanted experience, shops wanted fluency in French, and posh restaurants wanted "references."
She applied to a bookshop, a patisserie, even a small publishing house. Each "merci, mais non" stung a bit, but Maria refused to give up. On the fourth day, wearing her best smile, Maria landed a job as a waitress at a charming bistro near the Seine. She was thrilled, and her grandma was overjoyed when she heard the news.
"Merci, grandma, for believing in me!" Maria exclaimed over the phone.
As Maria started her new job, she felt a sense of purpose and belonging. She loved the bustling atmosphere of the bistro, and her colleagues were friendly and welcoming – Pierre, the chef, teased her about her French pronunciation; Lucie, the manager, showed her the ropes.
She quickly settled into the routine, learning the menu (croissants, café au lait, baguettes with jambon), mastering orders, and laughing with customers. Nights ended with her strolling along the Seine, watching artists paint, feeling like she'd found a new family.
Paris was healing her.
The bistro's regulars soon knew her name. "Bonjour, Maria!" they'd say, and she'd beam. Amidst the city's magic, books piled up in her apartment – she'd devour stories late into the night, dreaming of writing her own someday.
She wrote in her journal too, pouring out thoughts about her family, her dreams, the bistro. _I want to run this cafe one day_, she scribbled, _make it a place where stories live_.
Days blended into weeks. Maria saved tips, learned phrases ("_Je t'aime, Paris_"), and found pockets of joy. Her grandma called often, checking in. "How's Paris treating you, _chérie_?"
"Grandma, it's rewriting me," Maria said, smiling through tears.
And after the call with her grandma, she stared at window wondering how are parents and sister was leaving? how and why they couldn't call and ask about for once. was she that detestable to them or was she useless to them? and are they happy that she is gone, away from their sight?
Since only grandma and grandpa care then they are only family and she must and will make them proud, she prove to her family that without them, she will rise like phoenix. With that resolution in her, her mind found peace and her body lighten. she took a deep breath and leave the window. she switched off the light in her study table and headed to the bed with peace. That was the peaceful night that passed without her parents shouting and calling lazy and useless.
she smiled and stood up of her bed to prepare for the day.
Maria threw herself into her new job, eager to learn and prove herself. The bistro, called "Le Coeur de la Vie," was a cozy little spot tucked away in a quiet corner of the city. The owner, Madame Dupont, was a kind-hearted woman with a passion for food and a warm smile
"Bonjour Maria, how was your night? hope no stress, no worries?. she asked
"No, madame" Maria smiled brightly after all she was surrounded with this lovely people,they made happy with genuine affection and kindness.
As Maria donned her apron and began to learn the ropes, she was greeted by the friendly faces of her colleagues and she happily greeted them also. There was Pierre, the charming chef with a mischievous grin; Colette, the elegant waitress with a penchant for gossip; and Jacques, the quiet but lovable bartender with a heart of gold.
The days passed in a whirlwind of activity, with Maria learning new dishes and drinks, and navigating the intricacies of the bistro's regular customers. She was a natural, and Madame Dupont took her under her wing, teaching her the secrets of French cuisine and the art of making customers feel like family.