Daniel stood outside the magnificent venue, his heart heavy with grief and memories. The entrance was grand, a big door guided by white pillars. The setting sun put a golden tint over the bustling city as if daring him to enter. He'd been invited to a fundraiser event for a good cause,
His sister, Lily, came up with the idea for this event two years ago. She cared deeply for children and wished to improve their educational opportunities. Unfortunately, Lily died before she could see her vision come to fruition. David, her devoted husband, had carried out the plan, determined to respect Lily's memory.
Daniel couldn't help but think about his sister as he glanced at the beautiful entrance. They had been inseparable, with an unbreakable relationship. Lily was his sister as well as his best friend. Her death had left a vacuum in his life that appeared insurmountable.
He took a deep breath and pushed open the huge doors, entering the crowded hall. The air was thick with excitement and expectancy, but he couldn't shake the heaviness that had settled over him. In the midst of the joyous crowd, he felt like an outcast, each laughter a reminder of his sister's absence.
Walking through the crowd, he came across a beautifully decorated table covered with photos of Lily. As he caressed the margins of the images, his fingertips traced the contour of her smiling face, memories filled his thoughts. He pushed back tears, determined not to be consumed by his anguish.
"Daniel?" a sweet voice broke through his daydream. He looked up, startled, to see a woman standing near him. She had gentle, empathetic eyes that seemed to be filled with a profound awareness of grief. It was Erica, Lily's friend.
"I'm sorry, do I know you?", Daniel responded.
"Only a little bit", she replied, "It's Erica, we've only met a couple of times".
"I'm sorry I didn't recognize you, big day", he said trying to compose himself as she watched him pull away from the images of Lily.
"I miss her too", Erica said with empathy, "She was the best of us".
"Yes she was", he replied with a smile, "What are you doing here?".
"David invited me, I didn't want to come, I almost didn't but I heard a song Lily liked on the radio and I thought it to be a sign", she answered.
"Do you mind if we sit?", he asked.
She replied with a nod.
They both found a quiet corner away from the crowd, where they could talk and reminisce about Lily. They sat down, their hearts heavy yet comforted by each other's presence.
"David is about to give a speech, he asked me to do it but I could pull myself to...", Daniel said, interrupted by Erica.
"You don't have to explain, I know what you mean", she responded, placing her hand on his. They sat there in silence as David gave his speech. There was something about Erica that calmed him, other than the fact that she spoke gently to him, she was beautiful. She had short dark hair and brown eyes that pierced through his soul and a beauty spot on her left cheek. The black-inked tattoo on her right arm reminded him of a painting Lily loved. The way she smiled was remarkable, it made him feel safe.
"When do you go back to Nigeria?", he reluctantly asked.
"Next week".
"Do you think we can get a coffee before you go? for Lily", he asked.
"I'm sure Lily would want that", she replied with a smile.
David finished the speech and everyone clapped, he directed the crowd's attention to the screen above them, the team had prepared a slide show of Lily's memories. One picture stood out in particular, a selfie Lily took with Erica, with Daniel in the background eating a sandwich.
Daniel and Erica smiled, maybe them meeting was fate or maybe it was Lily's last gift to them