Bittersweet Obsession

Leaving the cafeteria, Tamara asked Erica to take a seat on the bench under the big oak tree. Its branches made a large dome of shade, which was a cool place to get away from the heat of the day. As they sat down to talk, the leaves on the oak tree rustled softly in the breeze, making a relaxing melody of nature.

Erica sighed and remarked, "It seems like Bella and her friends never run out of ways to be annoying. I don't know why they target you so much."

Tamara shrugged and replied, "I guess some people just enjoy causing trouble for others."

"I know where it all comes from. Bella comes from a rich family right here in the city, which is probably why she thinks she has the right to cause trouble for others."

"I guess so. Let's not dwell on them. I wanted to talk to you about something else."

"Yeah, it's best not to let them get to you. So, what did you want to talk about?"

"I'm really worried about my mom," Tamara confessed, her expression turning somber.

Erica looked at Tamara with sympathy and asked, "How is she doing? Is her health not improving?"

"Worse by the day. She's been talking about death a lot lately. It scares me, Erica."

"I know it's tough, Tamara, but death is a part of life. You have to embrace the fact that she'll die. What's important is making the most of the time you have with your mom, no matter how long or short that time may be."

Tears welled up in Tamara's eyes as she spoke softly, her voice cracking with emotion. "I can't, Erica. It's not easy. It hurts me to see her this way. She's vulnerable and weak. After all this time, she's my rock, my anchor, and the thought of losing her... I just can't bear it."

Erica placed a comforting hand on Tamara's shoulder. "I understand, Tamara. It's incredibly tough to face such thoughts, especially when it's someone you love so dearly. Just be there for her, and support her through these difficult times. Sometimes, all we can do is be a source of strength for the ones we care about."

"I think the thought of leaving us alone in this world scares her more than her illness. It's like she's holding on for our sake, and it breaks my heart to see her like this. You know what she said?"

"What did she say?"

"She said she'll die peacefully when she sees me settled down and happily married, but with Henry gone, it feels like that dream has shattered."

"Tamara, I'm so sorry about Henry. Losing someone you love is never easy. But remember, your mother's wish for you to be settled and happy in the future is still valid. Life can bring unexpected changes, and who knows what the future holds. For now, focus on your studies and taking care of your family."

"After losing my job, I'm in need of finding another one. Do you have any suggestions for what type of job might be a good fit for me?"

Erica leaned back against the tree, contemplating her question. After a moment, she looked at her and said, "Well, it depends on your skills and interests. You're a good writer, Tamara. Have you considered pursuing a career in writing or journalism?"

Tamara hesitated for a moment before responding, "I've thought about it, but it's such a competitive field. I'm not sure if I have what it takes to make it as a writer or journalist."

Erica nodded and offered some advice. "Well, maybe you should do some research online, and read up on what it takes to become a successful writer or journalist. There might be opportunities you haven't considered yet. And remember, it's important to follow your passion."

"All right. I should explore all my options and find something that aligns with my interests."

Tamara glanced at her watch and sighed. "I should get going to my next class, Erica."

"Yeah, I've got mine too. We'll talk later, Tamara. Don't worry too much about your mom, okay?"

Tamara managed a weak smile. "Thanks, Erica. I'll try."

With a final wave, they went their separate ways, each lost in their own thoughts as they headed to their classes, leaving behind the bench under the towering oak tree.

As Tamara was preparing to leave after her last class of the day, she heard a voice calling her from behind.

It was Aaron. He caught up to her and said, "Hey, Tamara, wait up!"

She turned around, surprised to see Aaron. She offered a friendly smile and said, "Hey! What's up?"

He grinned and asked, "Do you have some free time right now? I was wondering if you'd like to hang out for a bit."

She hesitated for a moment, then smiled and replied, "Sure, why not? Where do you want to go?"

"How about we go to 'Mocha Moments' café? They have great coffee there."

"Sure, it sounds good. Let's go there!"

They found a cozy corner at "Mocha Moments," settling into chairs across from each other. The cafe had a warm and inviting atmosphere, with the soft hum of conversation and the comforting aroma of freshly brewed coffee filling the air. The sunlight in the late afternoon streamed in through the large windows, casting a gentle glow on their table. It was a perfect spot for a quiet conversation.

Tamara looked around the cafe, taking in the charming ambiance. "I've never been here before. It's quite a lovely place, Aaron. You have a good choice."

"Yes, it's one of my favorite places. They make great coffee here, and it's always a nice place to hang out."

"Well, I'm up for trying something new. Let's see what this place has to offer."

Aaron nodded, his eyes scanning the menu. "That's the spirit. They have a pretty good selection here. You know, I've been coming here for a while, and I haven't been disappointed yet. So, what do you feel like having today?" She flashed a small smile and checked the menu. "I'll trust your recommendation, Aaron. Surprise me with your favorite drink here."

He chuckled and said, "Alright, I'll order something special for you. You won't be disappointed, I promise."

As they waited for their orders to arrive, Aaron leaned forward slightly, a thoughtful expression on his face. "You know, Tamara, I've been reading some of your assignments online. Your writing is really impressive, especially the articles on cultural diversity. It's a topic I'm quite passionate about too."

Her eyes lit up with interest. "You've read my articles? I'm glad to hear that you found them impressive. Cultural diversity is indeed a fascinating subject. It's so rich and multifaceted, offering endless possibilities for exploration."

"Absolutely. I'm particularly interested in how cultural diversity impacts our daily lives, from our interactions with others to our perspectives on the world. It's incredible how different backgrounds can shape our beliefs and behaviors. I'd love to hear more about your experiences and insights on this topic."

With a playful glint in her eyes, she nodded. "Yes, I agree. Cultural diversity can be a real rabbit hole. But I'm curious, what's the real reason you asked me out today? It's not just about my writing, right?"

"You're right, Tamara. While your articles did catch my attention, there's something else I'd like to discuss with you."

She raised an eyebrow curiously. "I'm all ears. What's on your mind?"This content provided by N(o)velDrama].[Org.

Aaron leaned in a bit closer, his tone becoming more serious. "Tamara, there's something I've been wanting to discuss with you. It's about Henry."

"Henry? What about him?"

Aaron hesitated for a moment, choosing his words carefully. "I know this might be a sensitive topic, but I wanted to talk to you about Henry because... well, because we're close friends."

His gaze was distant as he recalled the memories. "We met in college during our freshman year. We had some classes together and just clicked. Henry was an amazing guy, always fun to be around. We shared a lot of interests, including a love for literature and writing."

Tamara listened attentively. "It's nice to hear that Henry had such a great friend. He was passionate about literature, and it's one of the things we bonded over."

"I can tell he really cared about you. He talked about you a lot, especially when he was working on his own writing projects. He admired your talents."

A hint of sadness flickered in her eyes as she remembered Henry. "I miss him every day. Losing him was... so hard."

Aaron nodded in understanding. "I can't imagine how tough it must have been for you. But I wanted to talk to you about something related to Henry, something he never got the chance to share with you."

"What is it?" She leaned in, her expression growing more serious. "Please, go on. What is it about Henry that he didn't get the chance to tell me?"

Tamara could sense that Aaron was on the brink of revealing something unexpected. It was as if the words he was about to speak held a weight she hadn't anticipated, and her curiosity heightened as she leaned in, her gaze fixed on him, ready to hear whatever surprising revelation he had in store.