After finishing my conversation with Marcus, I returned to my usual work. The day was filled with endless tasks that didn't slow down until the employer finally announced the end of the shift. I made my way home, where Aunt Melissa greeted me with a warm and quiet smile—one of those smiles that quietly says, "Welcome back."
We sat around the table and shared a simple meal, lovingly prepared by Aunt Melissa. When we were done, I headed up to my room and collapsed onto the bed. That's how the days passed: work, food, sleep… a routine that never changed.
Yet deep inside, something new had begun to stir—a sincere desire to grow closer to Liana, the little girl whose loneliness and boredom I had noticed in this strange new world. I thought maybe it was time to break that monotony and take her somewhere joyful.
On Friday evening, after finishing work and having dinner, I decided to share my plan with Aunt Melissa. I said:
"I want to take Liana somewhere fun tomorrow—Saturday—so she can enjoy herself a little and forget the loneliness and boredom."
Aunt Melissa smiled gently and said:
"That depends on Liana."
I was surprised by her calm response, raising an eyebrow and asking:
"Do you trust me that much? What if I kidnapped her and took her far away?"
She chuckled softly and replied:
"That's impossible... Just a mother's instinct, nothing more. But you'll have to ask Liana yourself."
So I made my way to Liana's room, where she was quietly playing with her little wooden horse, her eyes sparkling with the innocence of childhood. I stood at the door and knocked three gentle times. She looked up at me, surprised and delighted, then said brightly:
"Why did you come, Uncle? Do you want to play with me?"
I smiled and answered:
"Not today, Liana. But I wanted to ask you something… How would you like to go somewhere fun with me tomorrow?"
Liana gave me a wide, excited smile and replied enthusiastically:
"Yes! Of course I do!"
Then she paused, looking at me with hesitant eyes and whispered:
"But Mama might say no."
I reassured her:
"Don't worry. I already talked to your mom and told her about the plan. She said that if you agree to go, she won't stop you."
Liana's face lit up with pure joy, and she exclaimed:
"Really? Yaaaay!"
I went back to Aunt Melissa and told her about the conversation. She gave me a warm smile and nodded in approval.
I felt a great joy, as if I were carrying a precious treasure waiting for me the next day. After that, I returned to my room, where sleep quickly overcame me, and I sank into a deep rest.
---
The next morning, Saturday, I woke up with a sense of excitement and anticipation. This day was different—it was the day I'd spend time with Liana, away from the routine of work and dull repetition. I hadn't decided exactly where we'd go yet, but I wanted to let her choose, to give her a sense of freedom and delight.
I dressed in simple, comfortable clothes—it was a day off, after all—then headed downstairs to Liana's room. I stood at the door and knocked three soft knocks.
Liana opened the door, fully ready. Her hair was tied neatly into a small bun, and her eyes sparkled with joy. She wore a soft pink dress adorned with delicate embroidery of tiny flowers that shimmered gently in the sunlight.
I smiled and said:
"Are you ready to go, Liana?"
She responded cheerfully:
"Yes, I'm ready!"
We said goodbye to Aunt Melissa with a warm smile, then left the house. I held her small hand in mine, making sure she didn't get lost in the village crowd.
I looked at her with a playful grin and said:
"So, little princess, where would you like to go?"
She thought for a moment, then answered happily:
"I want to go to the garden!"
I smiled and replied:
"All right then, as you wish."
The weather was sunny, but mild, and a gentle breeze played in the air—making it the perfect day for a walk.
We strolled through the village paths. Liana looked around at the villagers with a mixture of wonder and excitement, as if she were discovering a new world—or seeing a delicious piece of cake for the first time.
After a few minutes, we reached the garden on the eastern side of the house. It wasn't far. Its name was Flower Garden.
The garden was simple, unlike the parks I had known in my previous world. There were no modern facilities or fancy playground equipment—no swings or slides designed with precision.
It was a wide, open space of green, scattered with wildflowers in bright colors: red, yellow, orange. Small trees surrounded the area, casting shade on old wooden benches placed here and there. Narrow gravel paths crossed through the heart of the garden.
Despite its simplicity, Liana didn't complain. She ran joyfully among the flowers, trying to touch them, exploring them with wonder—living moments of simple happiness and awe.
In her eyes, I saw the innocence of childhood and the pure joy it brings. And I knew then that I had achieved what I wanted—to pull her out of the circle of loneliness and boredom, and into a world of lighthearted joy, even if it was far from the grandeur of the gardens I once knew.