SELENA
I smiled as I carefully adjusted the cap on Cyrus’s head, then turned to do the same for my brother. “You both look so handsome,” I said, my voice filled with pride. They both rolled their eyes playfully, but I could see the small smiles tugging at their lips.
“Say ‘happy graduation’ to the camera,” Dad instructed, his smile wide.
“Happy graduation,” they both said sluggishly.
“Stop being grumpy, you two,” Mom said, with baby Roma strapped to her front, adding a touch of lightheartedness.
“Very soon, I’ll be graduating,” Blue chimed in, making everyone laugh.
“You still have two years,” Mom reminded him, and he scoffed.
“You don’t have to kill my joy,” Blue replied playfully.
“Family picture time!” Mom announced, and everyone quickly moved to their spots.
“Come, Eva,” I called out, noticing she wasn’t standing with us.
“You’re family,” Mom added, smiling warmly at her. Eva’s face lit up as she joined us.
“Everyone screams ‘worst graduation ever’!” Blue suggested, grinning mischievously.
“Shut up,” Dad said, and everyone burst out laughing.
“Happy graduation!” we all yelled in unison, the moment captured perfectly as the camera clicked.
It’s been a while, and today was Ezra and Cyrus’ Graduation.. my relationship with Cyrus has been nice.. we went on dates. Well, I made sure the appointment was booked, and The day for his surgery was just two weeks from now.
I am so scared, but at the same time, I have to act strong for both of us. I pray every day that whenever Cyrus enters that place, he comes out safely. I hope God answers my prayers. The fear gnaws at me, but I can’t let it show. He needs my strength now more than ever.
“You look lost,” Eva said, her voice breaking into my thoughts as she took a chip from my bag.
“Chips thief,” I teased, my voice a mix of affection and distraction as I swatted her hand playfully.
“Oh, I don’t want your chips, your niece or nephew does,” she said, her hand resting protectively on her swelling stomach.
“And Goddaughter or son,” I reminded her with a smile, and we both laughed, the sound a brief respite from the tension that had settled over us.
“How is Ezra?” I asked, trying to shift my focus.
“He’s Ezra,” she replied, rolling her eyes with a playful smirk.
“Seriously?” I pressed, needing more than a casual dismissal.
“Fine… he’s been good. He’s a good father, gets me whatever I want, even when I don’t ask him,” she said, and her words held a mixture of gratitude and frustration. It made me chuckle, a small relief in my chest.
“So, are you gonna forgive him and take him back?” I asked gently, knowing how complicated her feelings must be.
“Uhm… for that, I don’t know. He has a habit of playing with my heart. I need my precious little heart to rest for now,” she said, her hands instinctively moving to cradle her stomach.
“I already feel a bond with my child. I just love him or her so much already,” she said, her eyes shining with a mix of wonder and love. I couldn’t help but smile, feeling a rush of warmth for my best friend.
“I can’t wait for six more months,” I said, my excitement for her evident in my voice.
“Then you’re gonna help me push the baby out,” she said, her tone half-joking, half-serious.
“No, thank you,” I replied, laughing hard enough that tears formed in the corners of my eyes.
Our laughter faded into a comfortable silence, the weight of our realities still present but momentarily lighter. Eva reached over and squeezed my hand in that simple gesture.
“I know you’re worried about Cyrus, but don’t worry. He’s going to make it out. I promise,” Eva said, her voice soft but filled with conviction.
I pouted, feeling the weight of her words but still struggling with my fear. Without thinking, I pulled her into a tight hug. The warmth and reassurance of her embrace brought a small measure of comfort.
“I hope so,” I whispered, my voice trembling as I sighed deeply. The uncertainty still gnawed at me, but Eva’s presence and support made it a little easier to bear.
~~
ONE WEEK LATER
Ezra stood before Eva, his heart heavy with the weight of his decision. He had finally landed his dream job, the one he had tirelessly worked towards, but it came with a daunting caveat – it was in another state. The thought of leaving Eva, especially now that she was carrying their child, felt like a betrayal. He couldn’t abandon her, not when she needed him most.
As he approached her house, he found her sitting on the porch, her hand cradling her growing belly. Her gaze met his, and she managed a small, tentative smile, though the tension between them was palpable. Ezra’s heart skipped a beat as he took in the sight of her, his love for her swelling in his chest.
“Hey,” he greeted, trying to keep his voice steady, but it cracked with emotion.
“Hey,” she replied, her tone neutral, but her eyes betraying a hint of concern.
Ezra took a deep breath and sat down beside her, his leg brushing against hers. “Eva, I got the job,” he said, his voice barely above a whisper.
Her eyes widened with genuine excitement, and a radiant smile spread across her face. “You did? That’s amazing, Ezra!” But as he hesitated, her expression faltered, replaced by a look of confusion and hurt.
“But it’s not here,” he continued, his voice heavy with regret. “It’s in another state.”
The smile on her face crumbled, and she looked away, her frustration and disappointment evident. “Another state?” she repeated, her voice laced with incredulity.
Ezra nodded, feeling a pang of guilt. “Yeah,” he said quietly, unable to meet her eyes.
She took a deep breath, processing the news, her shoulders sagging under the weight of their reality. “So, what are you going to do? Are you going to take it?” she asked, her voice tinged with a mix of hope and trepidation.
Ezra shook his head firmly, his heart heavy with conviction. “No. I want to be here with you and our child. I can’t leave you alone, especially now.”
Eva’s expression softened for a moment, and she looked at him with a deep longing. But then her face hardened, and she turned away, her frustration still simmering. “Ezra, this is your dream job. You can’t just pass it up.”
He looked at her, feeling torn, his heart ripped between his love for her and his ambition. “I know,” he admitted, his voice breaking. “But I want to be here for you, for our baby. I can’t abandon you.”
She turned back to him, her eyes filled with a mixture of anger, determination, and a deep sadness. “Ezra, you can’t keep relying on your father’s wealth forever. This is your chance to build something for yourself, for our future.”
He felt a surge of gratitude and guilt, his eyes welling up with tears. “But what about you? I can’t just leave you.”
“We’ll figure it out,” she said firmly, her voice laced with a steely resolve. “You need to do this for yourself. Go, take the job. We can make it work.”
Ezra felt a wave of emotion wash over him, his heart swelling with love and appreciation for her. He reached out to touch her hand, but she pulled away, her eyes still filled with unshed tears.
“I’m still pissed at you, Ezra,” she said, her voice barely above a whisper. “But I don’t want you to miss out on this opportunity.”
He nodded, tears streaming down his face. “Thank you, Eva. I promise I’ll make this work for us.”
She gave him a small nod, her eyes still filled with a deep sadness. “You better.”
They sat in silence, the weight of their decision settling between them, knowing that this was a turning point in their lives.
~~
As I gently pressed my lips to Cyrus’s forehead, a whispered prayer escaped my trembling lips. Today was the day of his surgery, and my heart was heavy with fear. His parents, who we rarely saw, paced anxiously outside, their worry mirroring mine. I clutched his hand, trying to sound strong, but my voice cracked as I spoke.
“Fight it, okay? You have to come out of this okay.” Cyrus’s eyes, sunken from the weight of his illness, locked onto mine, and he nodded softly, a faint smile on his lips.
“I love you,” he whispered, his voice barely audible.
Tears burst forth from my eyes like a dam breaking, and I stuttered, “No… no, don’t say that now.” But Cyrus’s gaze held mine, his eyes pleading for reassurance.
“Babe,” he called, his voice laced with concern, but I couldn’t stem the tide of my emotions. I cried, my body shaking with sobs, as I struggled to contain my fear.
Cyrus’s hand squeezed mine, and he whispered, “Don’t cry, okay? I’ll be fine. Don’t worry.” But I couldn’t shake the feeling of dread that had settled in my chest. I knew the risks, the uncertainties, and the possibility of… no, I couldn’t think about that now. I had to be strong for him.
“It won’t take long, okay?” Cyrus reassured me, his voice laced with a calm I didn’t feel. I nodded, my lips brushing against his cheek and then his lips in a soft, desperate kiss.
“I’m always going to remember that I have a beautiful girlfriend waiting for me who hasn’t told me she loves me today,” he said, his eyes sparkling with a hint of mischief. “And you know I always love hearing that every day.”
We both chuckled, a fragile, tear-stained laughter, as I wiped my eyes with the back of my hand. “Better remember that,” I said, attempting a smile, but it faltered. Cyrus nodded, his gaze holding mine, and I knew he understood. I couldn’t say the words, not now, not when he needed to focus on his fight.
“Just take care of yourself and don’t cry, okay?” he said, his voice low and gentle. “You’re all I care about.” I shook my head, a sob escaping my lips.
“I won’t say that word because I won’t,” I said, the words tumbling out in a desperate bid to hold onto hope.
“Fine,” Cyrus replied, his eyes crinkling at the corners as he smiled, just as the doctor walked in, his presence a harsh reminder of the reality we faced. I knew it was time to let go, to entrust Cyrus to the skilled hands of the medical team.
I wanted to tell him how much I loved him, how much I needed him, but I had to wait, had to trust that he would come out of this okay. I loved him so much, and I prayed with all my heart that he would emerge from this trial stronger, healthier, and whole.
TBC.