"I'm so sorry!" the man stammers.
"I'll pay for them, I promise!" he adds before dashing away. Ruth stands there, gazing at the ruined pastries, unsure of what to do. Time is slipping away.
Samantha rushes outside. "That jerk! Are you okay?" she exclaims.
"Yes, I'm fine."
"Goodness! They're all ruined."
"I'm already late."
"Wait, let me pack something else."
"No, it's alright. We should clean this up."
"You go; I'll see what I can do with this mess."
"Okay. I'm really sorry for the chaos."
"It's alright; it's not your fault. Just go!"
Ruth heads to the school, already running behind schedule and without anything for the fair. She frantically waves at passing cabs, checking her watch repeatedly. Finally, one stops, and she hops in, eager to reach the school.
Upon arrival, she rushes inside, scanning the crowd for her daughter. It's a sea of parents and children, but finally, she spots Aurora sitting on a bench with someone in a panda costume.
"Aurora!" Ruth calls out.
Aurora looks up, beaming, and waves. "Mum!"
Ruth rushes over and wraps her arms around her daughter. "I'm so sorry, dear. Mummy got held up."
"Where's Dad?"
"He couldn't make it today, but he has a surprise for you when we get home."
"Really?!"
"Yes!"
"Aren't you going to introduce me to your friend?"
"This is Alain," Aurora says excitedly.
Ruth leans in, extending her hand for a shake. But Alain performs a playful two-tap high-five and points at Ruth. Initially smiling, her expression shifts as a wave of déjà vu washes over her. She feels an uncanny familiarity with this little boy's playful gesture.
"Noah," she whispers under her breath.
In a daze, Ruth instinctively reaches forward to remove Alain's panda mask, revealing his face beneath.
"Who's Noah?" Alain asks, puzzled.
Ruth, equally confused, shakes her head. "No one. Who wants ice cream?"
Both children shout in unison, "I... I want ice cream!"
Suddenly, someone calls out for Alain.
"Dad!" Alain exclaims, running toward a man who waves back.
Ruth turns to see the same man who collided with her earlier—the one responsible for ruining her pastries. He's Alain's father.
Ruth approaches Alain and his father, introducing herself. "Nice to meet you, Mr. Hall. I'm Ruth Miller, Aurora's mother."
"Hello, Mrs. Miller. I'm Ethan Hall."
"It's truly nice to finally meet you, Mr. Hall. Alain is such a delightful boy."
"Thank you."
"Mom, why didn't you bring the pastries? You promised!" Aurora asks, looking up at Ruth with big, innocent eyes.
"I'm so sorry, sweetheart. Mama got caught up with work. But I promise I'll make it up to you later. Now, how about some ice cream?"
Ruth turns to Alain. "Come on, Alain!"
Ethan chimes in, "That sounds great! Let's get ice cream!"
The group strolls to an ice cream stall, where Ruth buys cones for everyone. As she hands one to each child, she turns to Ethan to offer him a cone.
"Umm... thank you!" Ethan says, accepting it with a shy smile.
Ruth stands beside him, both watching Alain and Aurora enjoy their treats. The silence between them is palpable, charged with unspoken words as they share a moment. Finally, Ethan breaks the quiet.
"I'm really sorry about the pastries."
"It's okay!" Ruth replies softly.
"No, really. You bought them for your daughter, and I ruined them. I'll pay you back."
"You really don't have to. Trust me," Ruth assures him.
"Please, I'd like to do something to make up for it."
"Well, there is one thing you could do."
"What's that?"
"You could buy those pastries for Alain."
Ethan chuckles. "Sure, I can do that."
"Alain is a wonderful kid. I've heard so much about him from Aurora."
"Really?"
"Absolutely! He's been such a great friend to her. She's finally got someone to play with, and it warms my heart."
"That's wonderful! They both deserve good friends."
"Yes... Well! It was lovely meeting you, Mr. Hall," Ruth says, turning to Aurora. "Come on, dear! Time to head home!"
Aurora and Alain rush back to their parents, bidding farewell.
"Goodbye, Mr. Hall! Goodbye, Alain!" Ruth calls out.
She takes Aurora's hand, leading her away as they catch a cab. As the cab begins to move, Ruth's mind lingers on Ethan. Who was he? There's an undeniable sense of familiarity, a connection that is hard to shake.
Who are you, Ethan Hall? Why do I feel like we know each other so well?
Lost in thought, the cab halts at a traffic signal, and as she gazes out, she spots Ethan walking along the sidewalk, his son perched on his shoulders, both laughing and enjoying their ice cream.
Ruth watches them, a smile spreading across her face as she wipes the fog off the glass with her hand. She feels inexplicably happy just to see him, even without knowing why. As the cab begins to move again, she turns to catch one last glimpse of him, holding onto the moment.
Turning back, she finds Aurora snuggled up and fast asleep. Ruth gently caresses her daughter's cheek, wrapping her arms around her precious girl.
Ethan...
In the evening, Ruth sits in front of the mirror, gently combing her hair with a delicate grace. Draped in a flowing nightgown, she radiates beauty, her long brown hair cascading elegantly around her neck, which she tenderly caresses with the comb. Her narrow eyebrows arch slightly as she inspects her reflection, searching for any wrinkles or imperfections. Yet, her face exudes an aura of perfection, a true embodiment of beauty. She places the comb down and gazes at herself in the mirror, a smile blooming on her lips. Today, an unexplainable joy envelops her. It's a fleeting feeling she knows won't last, but for now, she chooses to embrace it. Ruth has come to understand that happiness is ephemeral; it slips away like sand through her fingers. This realization rings true for everyone, including herself, but she longs for her happiness to linger just a little longer.
As she continues to admire her reflection, a sudden noise disrupts her moment of tranquility. Turning around, she sees her husband, Alex, entering the room.
"Look who's back!" Ruth exclaims, her voice a blend of relief and frustration.
"Okay, okay! Say whatever you want... but I was incredibly busy," Alex replies, settling onto the bed with a weary sigh.
"Of course you were! I told you weeks ago that it was important to her. You needed to be there today. Clear your schedule for her, but you didn't listen. Aurora was asking for you."
"I'm really sorry. It was last-minute, and the investors were coming. You know how crucial these things can be."
"You always have an excuse."
"I truly apologize. I'll try not to let it happen again. How was it?"
"It was nice. I arrived after everything was over, thanks to you."
"Well, that's even better. You didn't have to endure the whole ordeal."
Ruth stands up and approaches Alex, her demeanor shifting to serious.
"This isn't a joke, Alex. You have responsibilities toward your daughter. You can't just run away every time."
"Ruth, do you really think I'm working so hard for no reason? I know I have responsibilities to our daughter, and that's why I wasn't there."
"Money isn't the only responsibility, Alex. When was the last time you sat down with her, played, or even talked? You leave early in the morning and come home after she's asleep. You're hardly around these days. It wasn't always like this."
Alex loosens his tie and stands up, frustration simmering beneath the surface.
"So, you think I'm doing this on purpose?"
"No, that's not what I mean, but..."
"Everything I do is for you and Aurora. I work tirelessly so you can live this life, and this is what I get in return? A face full of resentment? I don't want to work like this either, but I have a family that seems ungrateful for everything I do. Yet, I keep going because I'm... stupid."
"You think I don't work? I work day and night and still find time for our family."
"And still you couldn't save our son!"
The words hang heavily in the air, piercing through Ruth with pain and shock. She can't believe what she just heard.
"So... You think I'm the one responsible for our son?"
"Yes, you are! He is not with us because of you."
"Oh my god! I can't believe you right now."
"Really? Good. You don't even remember him. I have never seen you cry once for our child. You have no guilt. You are just doing everything because it is your responsibility. You don't feel anything. That is why our son died. Yes, I believe it's you; HE IS NOT WITH US BECAUSE OF YOU!!"
Ruth fights back the tears, struggling to maintain her composure.
In a fit of fury, Alex turns and storms out of the room, slamming the door behind him. Ruth stands there, engulfed in anguish and pain. As soon as Alex leaves, her heart explodes, and tears pour down her cheeks. She sinks onto the bed, unable to balance her body any longer. Her eyes are immersed in the profound sorrow that her heart and body are suffering from, leaving her feeling utterly lost and undefined in this moment of despair.