The Cup

"What's wrong?"

"It's nothing serious... My jaw had been hurting lately," Eucali said, gently rubbing the area below her ear. "It used to hurt when I chewed, but recently it hurt when I talked too much too, so I went to the community clinic the day before yesterday. But the doctor only prescribed painkillers... Ms. Yu helped me book an appointment with a specialist at a major hospital. She said they were very experienced in this area—"

Before Eucali could finish, the phone on the table rang. She answered it and spoke for a few moments, then quickly stood and went to the storage shelf nearby, picking up a packaged document envelope.

"You eat first," Eucali said as she hurried toward the entryway. "I'm going downstairs to deliver something. I'll be right back."

Hesta put down her chopsticks. "What are you going to do?"

"I recently took on some small translation jobs. A woman behind the building asked me yesterday to translate some labels on old items for her. I'm taking the materials down to her now... It's not far. She's downstairs."

Hesta glanced out the window. Sure enough, a woman holding her phone was pacing slowly near the stairway entrance.

Eucali took a hat from the coat rack by the door. With some effort, she tucked all of her long red hair beneath it, carefully arranging the loose strands at her temples to keep that distinctive color from showing.

Hesta was somewhat puzzled. "Why do you..."

Eucali offered no explanation, only lowered her head and quickly put on her shoes. "I'll be right back up..."

The door closed softly. Hesta looked in surprise toward the direction Eucali had disappeared in. A moment later, she went back to the window and watched the woman waiting downstairs.

Soon, Eucali entered her