Chapter 3 Flooding and Power Outages

This is what lies behind the beauty that everyone dreams of. At first only Elaria's shoes were wet but now her clothes were too. The flood wasn't high but it was enough to make things chaotic.

"Ela, are you back? Are you okay?" Sky checked on Elaria. The flower shop was closed. But the power outage, puddles of water plus some leaking roof tiles made the flower shop's situation much more terrifying than being outside during a rainstorm like this.

"What should we do? Why are the roof tiles leaking?" asked Elaria. She sat down at the table so she wouldn't be exposed to the water.

"Our part of the room is safe. We can still rest tonight."

"What about Chinar's room?"

"Everything is wet. There are leaking parts there."

Elaria raised the phone higher. The city was pitch black due to the power outage. Elaria closed her eyes. She wanted to rest easy after such a hard day but a relaxed life was not meant for her.

"Chinar, where is it?"

"She went to visit a friend at noon and hasn't returned."

Sky sat next to Elaria. They stared outside. There was no sign of the rain letting up.

"Sky, I'm not welcome at that place anymore."

"What do you mean?"

"They don't want me to model. I'm disgusting and can't take care of myself. They say that when I come. Why, no one can accept me?"

"Elaria, what are you saying?"

"Why can't anyone accept my situation? Sky shouldn't have come to that place, right?"

"What you said. That kind of place is perfect for you. That's where you belong."

"Sky, why do you trust me so much?"

"I'm sure you'll make it someday."

"You sacrificed your future for me. Sky, you have everything you want. You don't need to live in a shithole like this."

Sky took Elaria's hand. "I will accompany you until I myself believe you can live your own life. Live safely without any shortcomings."

"I feel guilty for you and Chinar every day. All the roads I've traveled have never been easy. There were so many thorns that I felt so much pain. I tried to stay through it but people always pushed me away. Sky, if this year I don't accomplish anything. If I can't take you and Chinar to a better place. Please leave me."

"I won't leave you."

"Sky, I'm just a child adopted by your family. You don't have to lose everything to take care of me."

"Ela, listen. I won't leave you."

Elaria looked up at Sky. Sky's hand was no less tightly grasped in return.

"Sky, I don't know what to do to repay you."

"You just have to endure. You will shine Elaria."

Elaria hugged Sky tightly. Elaria was cold but there was no point in complaining. The flood was getting higher but it wasn't a scary thing for them anymore since moving to this city.

They can only afford to rent a shop on the outskirts of the city. Near the slums. Elaria used to be shocked to see garbage washed into the flower shop by the floods but not anymore. Elaria would just stare at it and clean up when the flood receded.

The unchanging situation made Elaria stop complaining.

"Did you eat?"

"I didn't have time to think about food."

"Elaria!"

"Sky, it's raining horribly out there. I'm thinking of standing in the lobby of that dozens-story

building until I freeze from the cold."

"Then where did you get the umbrella?"

"Someone gave it to me. Don't ask me who it was. I don't know." Elaria immediately told Sky. Otherwise Sky's questions would be elongated.

"Get the bread from the drawer, you will starve to death."

Elaria got off the table. She wanted to open the bottom drawer but before she could do so. Elaria had already slipped. She fell into the flood.

"ELARIA!"

"SKY WHY AM I ALWAYS UNLUCKY?" Elaria shouted. Sky gasped in shock. It was silent for a while until he finally got off the table and helped Elaria up.

"Ela, why do you like falling so much?" Sky gave Elaria an amused look. Fortunately, Elaria's cell phone didn't fall with her.

"I'm cold." Elaria wanted to hug Sky but the girl had already pulled away.

"I don't want to get wet with you. I'll get you a towel. You don't move." Elaria nodded resignedly.

"Ela, you better take a shower. Your body will stink when you let the flood water dry on your body." Elaria picked up her cell phone. Following Sky

"Wait for me here. Don't go anywhere." Sky nodded. He stood in front of the bathroom. Waiting for Elaria.

"Sky, why is the water so cold?"

"Ela, don't complain. Hurry up and take a shower before you smell like shit."

"I promise I'll work hard. We should move into an apartment. We won't get flooded."

"We will definitely be moving soon."

***

"Where should we start cleaning all this up?" Elaria yawned at the flower shop that was already full of mud and garbage. The flood had receded.

"Open the window. We need fresh air."

"Help me lift the mattress to the front." Chinar had just gotten home. The man was caught in the flood overnight. He slept at the train station. Poor Chinar.

They lifted Chinar's mattress to the front of the shop. The scene after the flood. People living near this narrow alley are busy drying their mattresses and clothes submerged in the flood.

"We weren't the only ones who suffered last night," said Elaria.

"Everyone suffers from the floods except those who live in high-rise buildings and mansions," says Chinar. Sky came over with cups of coffee. They pulled out plastic chairs and sat near Chinar's mattress that was drying.

"You're right. We should have one floor in that high-rise building someday. We won't have to clean up after the flood. We won't have to dry the mattresses like this either. And most importantly. We won't be cold. I heard they have heaters."

"How did you get stuck at the train station?" Sky looked at Chinar. They both took a sip of the packaged coffee they got for cheap.

"When I arrived at the train station. The flood suddenly came. It was very shocking. I thought about taking the bus home but people said the buses had stopped running because of the flood."

"Are you cold?"

"Elaria, are you sure about your question?" Elaria grinned.

"You must be cold. I'll hug you." Elaria spread her arms. She wanted to hug Chinar.

"Ela, don't act up. It's still early."

"So you slept on the station waiting seat?"

"I almost froze."

"Uh, my poor Chinar." Elaria and Sky hugged Chinar. They laughed.

"I'm grateful that we're still together."

"Me too."

"I don't know how I'd live without you." Elaria took a sip of her coffee. Chinar stroke Elaria's hair.

"Elaria, we're lucky for each other."

Elaria inhaled the aroma of bottled coffee. She smiled.

"Sky, how is our social media insight?"

"The response is quite good. Many of them recognize you."

"Really?"

"Of course, I told you. Someday you will find your way. You will shine brightly. People will love you."

"My friend heard you sing. He liked everything. He likes your voice, your music and your song. He'll help you find a producer."

"Really?"

"Of course." Elaria hugged Chinar tightly.

"You are indeed my best manager."

"I won't let you down."

"You don't want to hug me?"

"Of course we'll hug you Sky."