The Cultural Club hall slowly became quieter as the performance ended.
Students chatted among themselves while some packed their bags and others practiced in small groups.
The group of seniors who had watched Lilith's performance finally walked toward her.
There were seven of them.
Three girls.
Osyth who was half Greek and half American.
Miori who was Southern Russian.
Tatiana who was half Portuguese and half Russian.
And four boys.
Toni who was half American and half Norwegian.
Owen from Scotland.
Eric who was half Spanish and half German.
And finally…
Their leader.
Aram.
Half Russian.
Half Indian.
All seven of them were third year students.
()
Lilith had just removed the anklets from her feet.
She carefully wrapped them together before placing them inside her dance bag.
"Great performance."
Aram smiled.
"Thank you."
Lilith smiled politely.
Aram folded both of his hands together.
"Namaste."
(Greetings.)
Lilith immediately folded her own hands together.
She respectfully nodded.
"Hi."
The group greeted together.
"Hello."
Lilith waved gently.
The seniors introduced themselves one after another.
"I'm Osyth."
"I'm Miori."
"I'm Tatiana."
"I'm Toni."
"I'm Owen."
"I'm Eric."
"And I'm Aram."
"It's nice to meet you."
Lilith smiled.
"It's nice meeting all of you too."
Aram looked at her curiously.
"What's your full name?"
"Lilith Mahira Baneva ND."
The group blinked.
"ND?"
They looked confused.
Lilith smiled apologetically.
"My last name is private."
"I hope you don't mind."
"It's fine."
Owen smiled.
"No problem."
Everyone nodded in agreement.
Before anyone could continue…
Lilith's phone suddenly rang.
She looked at the screen.
"Excuse me."
She politely walked a short distance away before answering.
"Hi Nikki."
She quietly listened.
"…"
"Okay."
"After work."
"…"
"Bye."
She ended the call before returning.
The seniors had already created a friend group chat.
One by one…
They exchanged contacts.
Lilith joined the group.
Everyone added one another.
She smiled.
"I have to go now."
"Bye everyone."
She waved before leaving the hall.
Eric watched her disappear.
"She's nice."
"Yeah."
Aram quietly agreed.
"But…"
"She looks familiar."
"I've definitely seen her somewhere before."
He frowned while trying to remember.
"Where…"
He quietly muttered.
()
Later…
At the café…
Lilith…
Gloria…
And Kseina…
Were busy working.
Although Lilith served customers normally…
Her heart remained inside the hospital beside Mila.
Every few minutes she unconsciously thought about her baby girl.
The café entrance opened.
Diana walked inside with several friends.
Gloria groaned.
"This bitch again."
She muttered beneath her breath.
Diana and her group sat down.
They placed their orders.
Lilith quietly prepared everything.
A smoked salmon sandwich.
A shaken espresso.
She carefully placed everything onto a tray.
Then walked toward Diana's table.
She gently placed the food down.
She turned around to leave.
Suddenly…
Someone grabbed her wrist.
Lilith stopped.
She looked down.
Then looked up.
It was Zeno.
"Hi."
He smiled.
Diana chuckled.
"Zeno."
"We don't touch dirty things."
"Remember?"
She mocked.
Lilith slowly turned toward Diana.
Her expression remained calm.
"Neither do I."
She replied.
The smile disappeared from Diana's face.
Lilith looked back at Zeno.
"Let go."
"Now."
Her voice was cold.
Zeno immediately released her arm.
Lilith quietly walked away.
Diana's jaw tightened.
Her eyes narrowed.
She leaned toward her friends.
She whispered something.
Every one of them nodded.
()
After work…
Lilith went straight to the hospital.
She quietly entered Mila's room.
The tiny girl still lay asleep beneath the blanket.
The oxygen mask remained over her face.
Machines continued softly beeping.
Lilith slowly walked closer.
She gently wiped away her tears.
Then leaned down.
She kissed Mila's forehead.
"Mama's here."
She whispered.
She sat beside her daughter.
She softly held Mila's tiny fingers.
An entire hour quietly passed.
Before leaving…
She kissed her forehead once more.
"I'll come back tomorrow."
She whispered.
Then quietly left.
()
Evening.
Lilith finally arrived at her apartment.
She unlocked the door.
As soon as she stepped inside…
She froze.
Her entire family was there.
Sohan.
Riyana.
Her brothers.
Everyone looked toward her.
"G…G…G…G…Good evening."
She softly greeted.
"Evening Lily."
"How are you?"
Riyana gently asked.
Lilith slowly nodded.
"I'm okay."
She quietly removed her shoes.
"Do you all need anything?"
"Tea?"
"Water?"
"Anything?"
Karim looked at his sister.
"We want to talk to you."
"Mihu."
Lilith looked exhausted.
"Give me some minutes."
"I'll be back."
She quietly walked away.
Everyone could clearly see…
She wasn't okay.
()
Lilith opened her bedroom door.
She found Nikolai sitting on the bed.
His face was filled with anger.
She slowly walked inside.
"Are you okay?"
She softly asked.
Nikolai looked directly at her.
"Take a shower."
"And come back."
She quietly nodded.
()
Four minutes later…
Lilith stepped out of the bathroom.
She now wore…
A fitted black ribbed long sleeve top with a buttoned split neckline.
Loose dark plaid lounge pants featuring a white drawstring waist.
Cozy white textured knit socks.
A minimal…
Casual…
Comfortable…
Loungewear outfit.
Her damp hair rested over her shoulders.
Nikolai looked at her.
Without saying a word…
He gently tapped his lap.
Lilith hesitated.
She felt slightly nervous.
But she slowly walked over.
Then carefully sat on his lap.
He quietly looked into her eyes.
Little by little…
The anger inside him slowly melted away.
He wrapped both arms around her waist.
Then rested his head against her shoulder.
"I'm tired."
He quietly admitted.
Lilith gently rubbed his back.
"Why?"
"What happened?"
She softly asked.
He leaned forward.
He kissed her neck.
"Office."
"It happened."
"I need to stay calm."
"Or I might kill somebody again."
Lilith blinked.
"You killed someone today?"
He slowly nodded.
"Why?"
"Some stupid man tried to kill me."
Nikolai calmly answered.
Lilith gently smiled.
She leaned forward.
She placed a soft kiss on the tip of his nose.
Nikolai immediately pulled her closer.
Their lips slowly met.
He kissed her gently.
Tenderly.
Carefully.
He softly hummed against her lips sucking her tongue roughly as she grinned on him.
Lilith's fingers slowly slipped into his hair.
She gently played with the soft strands.
Several peaceful moments passed.
Eventually…
They slowly pulled apart.
Lilith smiled at him.
"Better?"
She softly asked.
Nikolai quietly nodded.
Much calmer now.
She smiled once more.
Then slowly stood up.
Together…
They walked out of the bedroom.
Everyone in the living room looked toward them.
Sohan quietly watched his daughter.
Riyana tightly held her husband's hand.
Her brothers remained silent.
Every one of them carried the same hope inside their hearts.
The hope…
That one day…
Their little girl…
Would finally forgive them.