Ocean Islands, Great Bridge City, in the year 950.
On her way home, Stella stopped by a supermarket to buy a few things. While shopping, she caught sight of herself in one of the mirrors and noticed that her hair was a little messy.
"Oh my God, have I been like this all day? I look terrible."
Stella hurried to the bathroom, washed her face, and fixed her hair.
She had fairly ordinary features. Wide hazel eyes, a small nose, thin lips, thick eyebrows, fair skin, and long dark brown hair tied in a ponytail. She wore a jean jacket over a white shirt and a long black skirt.
She quickly put her things back in her bag and was ready to leave when a woman suddenly burst through the door, startling Stella.
"What's wrong with her?"
The woman didn't even glance in Stella's direction. She stepped into one of the stalls and closed the door behind her.
"It's none of my business anyway. I have to go. I'm already late."
Stella was about to leave when she heard the woman crying inside.
"Why did this happen to me? Why?"
She remembered her parents' advice to always help others, especially her mother, who had always encouraged her to do so.
She sighed, "oh, well. It doesn't seem like it'll be any trouble. I'll just check on her."
She turned back and approached the stall. But before she could knock, the woman opened the door and stepped out to wash her face.
"Excuse me, I wanted to..." Stella stopped mid-sentence.
Her eyes widened as she stared at the girl standing before her in the mirror.
It was as if she were looking at herself, an exact copy, save for a few subtle differences. The girl's eyes were darker, and her voice different.
The girl turned to her, her face mirroring Stella's astonishment.
After a few moments of staring at each other, the girl said, "Wait, am I imagining things, or do we really look alike?"
Stella smiled. "No, this isn't an illusion. We really do look alike."
Stella had never expected something like this to happen to her. She thought to herself, This is the last thing I expected to happen today. I always thought I didn't look like anyone else, and I don't even resemble my parents that much.
She continued, "Well, I think you're feeling better now. I just wanted to make sure you were okay, so I'll leave you to it. Bye."
Stella wanted to get out of the situation as quickly as possible.
She had always wondered what it would be like to meet someone who looked like her, but now that it had actually happened, she found the experience rather uncomfortable.
She was about to leave when the girl stopped her.
"Wait a minute. Why are you in such a hurry? You just met someone who looks like you, and you're leaving like this? I mean, meetings like this don't happen very often."
Her voice was calm and gentle, and she wore a warm smile.
"I'm already late, so I have to go," Stella replied.
Stella wasn't very good at being polite. Besides, she wasn't actually late. She simply wanted to get away from this stranger who looked so much like her. She had always been wary of people. Having experienced working life, she had seen many things that had made her this way.
The girl kept the same smile on her face.
"Actually, I'd like to thank you for your concern. And I've never met anyone who looks so much like me, so I'd like to get to know you."
"Sorry, but..."
Before Stella could finish, the girl gently took her hand.
"I know a good place nearby, so please, let me invite you there as a way of thanking you. We can get to know each other, too. What do you think?"
The girl was quite insistent. Besides being friendly and polite, she seemed like a more elegant version of Stella.
She wore formal clothes, wide black trousers, a white shirt beneath a black jacket, and medium-heeled shoes. She also wore a pair of earrings and a necklace that matched her outfit, along with a small handbag.
Unlike Stella, she wore her long hair straight.
Stella glanced at her phone and saw that she had no missed calls from her mother. So, she wasn't really late after all.
"Okay, I accept your invitation," she said.
"Great! Then let's go," the girl replied enthusiastically.
She extended her hand to Stella.
"My name is Emma Smith, you?"
"I'm Stella Light."
"Nice to meet you, Stella."
After gathering her things from the supermarket, Stella went with Emma to a nearby café. They chatted and gradually got to know each other better.
Emma was twenty-three years old, yet she still looked like a teenager.
She worked at the city's scientific research center.
Stella was surprised to hear that.
"So you work at the research center? That's impressive! Just getting selected for an interview there must have required excellent grades at university."
"Thank you for saying that, but unfortunately, it seems I won't be able to keep this job for much longer."
There was a hint of sadness on Emma's face.
"Why?"
"Something unexpected happened, and it looks like I'm going to lose my job, even though I worked really hard to get it." She sighed sadly.
"Excuse me for asking, but what happened? Why do you have to leave your job?"
"As you know, the center usually organizes trips to different regions across the country, and even abroad, for exploration and research. I was assigned to one of these expeditions, but unfortunately, I won't be able to go. My mother is very ill, and I can't leave her behind to go. So I have to choose between staying with her and keeping my job."
Emma lowered her gaze.
"I've decided to stay with my mother. In a few days, I'll submit my resignation."
She looked deeply saddened.
"I'm sorry to hear that."
"And what about you? What field would you like to study in the future?"
"I'd like to specialize in one of the scientific fields."
"So, you're interested in science too. I hope you'll get into a good university."
"I hope so."
"If you want, I can help you."
"How?"
"I have several contacts who might be able to help you."
"I don't need it, but thank you for offering." Stella thought carefully before answering. To her, accepting help from someone she had met only half an hour ago was out of the question.
After a moment, Emma said, "Then, I think I should go now. My parents will be worried if I don't get home before nine."
"You have very caring parents. Do you have any siblings?"
"Yes, I have a younger brother."
"I only have my mom. My dad died last year, and I don't have any siblings."
Emma's voice carried a hint of sadness as she said it.
"I'm sorry for your loss. I hope your mother gets better soon."
After a moment, Stella stood up.
"I really have to go now. Thank you for inviting me."
"Well, I hope we meet again soon."
"See you."
Before she left, Emma made sure they exchanged phone numbers and social media accounts.
As Stella stepped out of the café, her phone rang. It was her mother.
"She must be worried again", Stella thought as she answered.
"Yes, Mom, I'm..."
Before she could finish, her mother interrupted her, her voice trembling with tears.
"Stella, we're at the hospital. Your father's condition has worsened again, but it seems that this time..."
Stella's face went pale.
Her heart began to race as her mother's words sank in. Fear and worry overwhelmed her, leaving her struggling to process what she had just heard.
She rushed to the hospital.
When she arrived, she found her mother and younger brother, Jean, waiting there. She tried to steady herself before approaching them.
"Mom, how is Dad? What did the doctor say?"
Her mother sighed.
"His condition is stable for now, and he should wake up soon. But the doctor said his health has deteriorated, and he needs surgery as soon as possible."
Relief washed over Stella when she heard that her father's condition was stable, but it quickly faded as she placed a hand against her forehead in frustration.
"What kind of surgery does he need? How much will it cost, Mom?"
"It would be better if we discussed that at home. Right now, the important thing is for your father to wake up."
Stella looked at her mother's exhausted face.
Jean was asleep on one of the hospital chairs.
"Okay. I'll find the doctor and ask him when Dad is expected to wake up."
Stella went in search of the doctor. After finding him, she asked about her father's condition, the surgery he needed, and its cost.
As she had feared, the amount was enormous, far beyond what a middle class family like theirs could afford.
Medical treatment was extremely expensive throughout the Ocean Islands, especially in the capital.
Stella was still a high school student, her mother was a housewife, and her father's pension was barely enough to cover their daily expenses, and to make matters worse, she also lost her part-time job.
Even their health insurance only covers a quarter of the cost of this type of surgery.
An hour later, her father finally woke up.
He was breathing heavily. Although he couldn't speak, he was conscious and could see and hear them.
The doctor told them that he would have to remain in the hospital until the day of the surgery.
Stella felt relieved that her father was awake, but the anxiety quickly returned.
"Where are we going to get that kind of money? If we wait any longer, his condition could get worse again, and he might..."
Her thoughts were interrupted by someone tugging at her skirt.
"Stella, Stella!"
She looked down.
"Jean, what is it?"
"Sister... Is Dad going to die?"
Stella fell silent for a moment.
"Who told you that? Of course not. The doctor said his condition will improve soon, so don't worry, little one."
Their mother listened quietly, her eyes brimming with tears.
Jean continued staring at Stella with frightened, desperate eyes.
Stella gently poked his cheek, "Look at me. Have I ever told you something wrong or lied to you?"
"No, you haven't."
"Then don't worry about Dad. Like I said, he'll be out of here in a few days, okay? Now, go open my bag. You'll find something I brought for you. Go on."
Her bag was still lying on one of the chairs. As soon as she mentioned it, Jean eagerly ran over to see what she had brought him.
Stella then turned to her mother and lowered her voice, "Mom, please try to stay calm. Don't cry in front of him like that. He's still a child. It'll scare him."
Her mother, Kate, was a brown haired woman with beautiful features, though fatigue and the stress of recent events had taken a toll on her appearance.
Although she was in her late thirties, she looked older than her age.
Jean strongly resembled her, looking like a miniature version of his mother. He was a small, adorable little boy.
Stella's father was only in his forties, but his health had deteriorated badly because of the work he had done since his youth. He worked as a house painter, and years of exposure had eventually caused him to develop a lung disease.
Kate simply nodded, her eyes filled with despair.
The next morning, the doctor allowed only one person to visit Stella's father at a time.
Stella decided to let her mother go in while she stayed outside with Jean.
Once their mother left the room, Stella planned to take Jean home. He was only six years old, and staying in the hospital for too long would be difficult for him.
Stella took out her phone, which she hadn't checked since the previous day, and noticed a missed call from Emma.
She remembered meeting her the day before and wondered why Emma had called so early.
At first, Stella considered deleting her number. Then she remembered that Emma had mentioned having several contacts who might be able to help with her situation.
Stella hesitated.
But after thinking about it, she realized that she didn't have many options.
Since her father's illness had worsened, their financial situation had steadily deteriorated. Even their relatives had gradually disappeared, and no one had checked on them in a long time.
Feeling desperate, Stella decided to ask for help from a girl she had only met the day before.
She borrowed a nurse's phone and called Emma.
When Emma answered and recognized Stella's voice, she sounded genuinely happy to hear from her.
Stella asked if they could meet at the same café as the day before, and Emma gladly agreed.
An hour later, they met at the café.
Emma was already there, looking elegant and formal, while Stella was still wearing the same clothes from the day before.
The moment Emma saw her, she could tell that something was wrong.
"Hello. How are you?" Emma asked.
Stella didn't answer immediately. She remained silent for a moment.
"Stella, tell me what's wrong. You didn't sound well on the phone," Emma said with concern.
"Honestly, I asked you to meet me because I need your help."
Emma's expression grew serious. "With what?"
Stella explained everything. Her father's condition, her family's financial struggles, the surgery he needed, and everything that had happened since their meeting the day before.
After listening to the whole story, Emma finally spoke.
"Well, I'll help you. I'll cover all the costs."
Stella was taken aback. She hadn't expected Emma to offer to help at all, or at most, to offer a small contribution. After all, they had only met the day before.
"You're going to pay for everything?" Stella asked in disbelief.
Emma smiled warmly. "Yes. You heard me. I'll pay for everything."
Overwhelmed with relief and joy, Stella struggled to find the right words.
"I... I don't know how to thank you, but I promise I'll pay you back."
"I don't want you to pay me back," Emma replied.
"What? I can't accept that. I will..."
Emma interrupted her. "But I would like you to help me with something instead."
"What is it?" Stella asked curiously.
Emma slowly swirled her coffee with her fingers.
"You remember the trip I told you about yesterday, don't you?"
"Yeah..."
Emma looked directly at Stella.
"Can you go in my place?"