A New Life by Lucy Appadoo Page A

by nature and landscapes. Valeria felt lost and overwhelmed by the crowds, the hustle and bustle of the airport, and the high-pitched noise. She had never travelled outside her village and wondered how she would manage without her family. The unfamiliar surroundings were almost unnerving, but somewhat exciting too.
                  Valeria spotted her future husband, Roberto, having recognised him from his photos. As she got closer, she trembled slightly. He was accompanied by a slightly older woman and man. Roberto approached Valeria. His body resisted at first.
    “Hi there, Valeria. It's good to finally meet you. How was your flight?” He kissed her on the cheek.
                  Valeria's heart skipped a beat. “Fine, and—aah, nice to finally meet you, Roberto.”
    Valeria couldn't help but notice his vivid green eyes, and his jet black and wavy hair. He had smiling eyes and a muscular build as if he was sporty and fit. He turned towards the woman and man beside him. “This is my sister, Angela and her husband, Marco.”
                  Valeria noticed Angela wearing a short miniskirt and a loose-fitting blouse. Angela wore her hair in a tight bun that enhanced her sparkling green eyes and expressive face. Valeria thought she looked somewhat serious but attractive. She also knew her mother wouldn't approve of the miniskirt, but Valeria thought it must be the current trend in Melbourne that year, and she liked the look. She kissed Angela on both cheeks, feeling somewhat awkward amongst strangers. Angela had a reserved smile with a detached air about her.
                  Marco wore pleated pants and a check shirt. He had a crew cut and blue eyes with a robust face, giving him a warm, handsome appearance. Valeria kissed him on both cheeks too, and felt flushed. Marco's smile lit up the area, and he appeared more relaxed and easy-going than Angela.
                  After picking up her luggage from the baggage claim, they headed towards the car. Roberto and Marco loaded the white Valiant with the luggage and then drove to the exit where Roberto paid the man who sat in a tiny booth. She found it strange to pay a man in a tiny booth as she'd never seen this before, not having travelled outside her village until now. Roberto drove, and Valeria discovered that her new residence was in a suburb called Moonee Ponds. She'd be living with Roberto, Angela and Marco in a house they had bought together. She didn't mind living with another couple as that meant Roberto would be distracted by others in the house. She wasn't sure she wanted to be alone with Roberto as she didn't know yet what she could offer in the marriage.
                  Valeria said little on the way to her new home, and fidgeted. She was content listening to Angela speak about her upcoming wedding in the week ahead and the plans she had made. Valeria peered through the window of the car, passing by a colossal garden with overhanging trees, a lake, and a couple of large playgrounds. She noticed the women with  children who were laughing, interacting, and chasing them around the seagulls that obviously smelled food. She wondered if she'd ever be as carefree as those mothers, as interested in their children as if she didn't have a care in the world. A yearning for family hit her deeply in the stomach as she thought about her mother, sisters and brothers. She didn't miss her father that much, and that led to strong feelings of guilt.
                  Roberto drove into a worn, cracked driveway and stopped. Valeria had read up about Australian homes and noticed it was an old classic brick home with delicate metal lace work, a pitched roof, and bay windows. It looked like a Victoriana style home, featuring a wide front yard covered mostly by a trimmed lawn which had hedges and a rose garden surrounding the inviting home. A lemon tree stood at the side of the house, and the property was