Julieta woke up slowly.

She checked her phone and found at least forty messages. When she had announced her her engagement, she had never received so many notifications. Now, people she hardly knew wanted to catch up over coffee. 

Julieta only answered the messages in the family group chat. Fortunately, that chat had never included Adrian. Her father would protest anytime someone suggested adding him, insisting that once they were married he could join.

At first, she had been upset. But now, in a way, she was grateful. Her father had protected something she had not known needed protecting.

Her sister, Marisol, texted that she would bring strawberry matchas and make waffles since she did not have any classes that day. Although sadness washed over her, Julieta could not push her sister away.

If she did, she knew she would only be isolating herself further.

Around 10 a.m., Marisol finally showed up.

She moved past Julieta, carrying grocery bags and the two matcha lattes as promised.

“I have everything we need for the waffles,” she said, setting the bags on the counter. Then she added, “Well, maybe more than just waffles.”

And it was true. Julieta spotted ingredients for sandwiches and salads. She even saw her favorite snacks tucked between the bags.

Julieta smiled faintly and helped her put everything away.

“You know,” Marisol began carefully, “I really looked up to Adrian when I was younger. But I think this is for the best.”

She hesitated before continuing.

“You deserve someone who genuinely wants to be a partner. Not someone who just sits in the background judging everyone.”

“Adrian wasn’t  trying to do that. He’s  just quiet,” Julieta replied, then winced. She was not sure why she was still defending him.

“I am not trying to argue,” Marisol said gently. “I know Adrian has good qualities. You always made sure to remind us of that. But when you were not around, he had this way of not really responding to what anyone said. Like he was somewhere else.”

She paused.

“For example, he forgot what time to pick you up from the airport. And he barely knew what I was studying either. But somehow we all knew his mother’s name.”

She paused again, searching for the right words.

“You are the opposite. You love connecting with people. You need someone who wants that too.”

“When did you get so wise? I am supposed to be the one giving you advice,” Julieta said, her voice soft with resignation while holding the warm matcha latte in her hands. 

“I don’t know. Maybe I observed and learned a few things from my amazing big sister,” Marisol replied, wrapping her arms around her from behind.

After they pulled apart, Julieta sank onto the sofa while Marisol moved around the kitchen. She dropped several frozen waffles while opening the plastic bag and immediately tossed the broken pieces into the trash.

“Wow. This is the third one,” Marisol muttered.

Then she struggled to find the toaster, opening and closing cabinets with growing frustration until Julieta stood and quietly retrieved it for her.

Finally, breakfast was served.

“Come with me on Saturday,” Marisol said as they ate. “I could use an extra hand at the flower stall.”

Julieta agreed immediately. After all, what was the point of spending a Saturday being miserable inside an apartment she was beginning to hate?