Isabella
My plan wasn’t to go to work today. That wasn’t the intention from the beginning, but the thought of home and my mom, made me want to go visit them.
I got into the Uber and went straight to the airport, I needed to take a flight back home to San Francisco. It was a two-hour flight and I just wanted to see them, even if it was just for a moment.
I boarded the plane and stared at my account balance in satisfaction, this was going to change their life, I felt proud, happy, and sad. Even if I die, things wouldn’t go South for them. I’ll put a smile that’s going to last forever on their faces.
The flight went smoothly and we landed in San Francisco in due time, I immediately hailed a cab and gave directions to our house in the city. Within a few minutes, I arrived home. I paid the taxi driver and stood at the front porch feeling nostalgic, I took in a deep breath and for a moment just lived every happy childhood memory I had created here.
I walked to the door and gave a light knock on it, and I could hear my mom screaming out my sister’s name asking her to open up, and it made me smile.
“Still chaotic as ever,” I thought…
“Coming,” I heard Ella’s voice and my heart raced in joy. She opened up and was stunned to see me.
Tears fell from her eyes and mine as we stared at each other briefly before Mom interrupted our moment.
“Who’s at the door El,” she asked I guess from the kitchen.
“It’s Bells,” my sister responded in a whispered tone, still looking at me.
“What!” My mom called out and rushed to the front door, and when her eyes landed on me, she engulfed me in a tight hug.
“Oh my God,” She cried out and pulled me inside the house, while I hugged her tightly crying on her shoulders as I shut my eyes.
“I miss you, Mom,” I said sincerely, taking in a deep breath.
“I can’t believe you are here,” She said and pulled away from the hug, and I didn’t think it would happen so soon. I wanted to engulf myself in her feel her warmth, and not think about anything.
“You didn’t say anything about coming home?” Ella said and closed the door behind us, as we walked into the living room.
“Well, I just happened to want to surprise you all cause I missed your face,” I said though that was partially true.
“Did anything happen, Bella,” Mom said staring at me with concern and worry.
I wanted to tell her all that had happened, how my life had completely been turned upside down, and how I was married and probably would die soon in the next few months.
“No Mom, everything is perfect,” I smiled and held her hands while she looked at me relieved.
“There’s no suitcase, aren’t you staying longer,” Ella asked and I grabbed her hands and pulled her to myself.
“No, I have to head back today. Just a small visit and wanted to talk to you all,” I said and sat on the sofa in the living room beside Ella who rested her head on my shoulders.
“What’s going on?” She asked stretching to look at me.
“You should at least eat first, I could prepare your favorite,” Mom suggested.
“It’s important mom, can you please call Dad and Gerald to get home from the garage,” I said calmly.
“You sound serious, Bells. What’s going on?” Mom asked while I nudged Ella to make the call informing them of my presence.
“You do that, I’m going to find something to eat,” I stood on my feet,
“Isabella,” I heard my mom call but I bit my lower lip trying to stop myself from bursting out in tears or saying something I shouldn’t.
“I’m hungry mom, at least feed me first before you scold me,” I told her and poured my lips, which weakened her as she walked to the kitchen while I immediately rushed to follow her.
“Go sit at the dining, I’ll be down after microwaving it,” She patted my head and I felt my whole body calm.
This was exactly what I needed, this closure was what I truly needed.
An hour went by and I was done eating, while Dad and my brother were back home. They both were thrilled to see me and hugged me so tightly that I felt safe. My favorite men, I missed them.
“You look as handsome as ever, Gerald,” I said to my brother. I was always the one to call him ugly, I chose to ignore his dashing features just to spite him, but the knowledge of death had made me admit to one truth I thought I wouldn’t agree with.
“Damn, is someone going to die. Cause I didn’t just hear you say that,” He teased me and gave me a light push on my arm while I rolled my eyes at him.
“I hope you’ve been good to Ella, else I’ll kill you,” I changed the topic as Dad got seated in the living room with the rest of us.
“You know she would blabber if I dare touch her. So don’t worry I’m the best big brother,” He added cheekily and I faked a gag.
“So what’s up sis? Why did you gather us here?” He asked and I wished we could just go back to playing and being fake mean to each other.
“Yes Isabel, why have you gathered us?” Dad said and I looked at him.
“Well I didn’t plan for this to happen soon, but I think it’s for the best,” I started smoothly and bit my lips.
“Well you know why I had to move far from home and why I’ve been working my ass off even with such an inconsiderate job, is so that- one day we would all live comfortably and not have to worry about the bills,” I smile and they looked at each other.
“All I’m saying is that the comfortable life might come sooner to us than you think,” I brought my phone and tapped on it briefly.
“Mom I sent two million dollars into your account,” I paused and studied their expression.
“What? What’s happening now?” Dad said while mom scouted for her phone with her body shaking.
“She did, it’s here,” She pointed at her phone, staring at it in shock, while everyone scurried off to see it for themselves.
“Oh my God, is this real?” She rushed and pulled me into her arms
“Bells?” She stared at me with tears mixed with happiness.
“Yes Mom it’s real,” I smiled at her and shook my head at her reaction.
“Oh my God, thank you so much, my daughter,” she hugged me again.
“Bells,” Dad looked at me proudly and I stood up to hug him while trying hard not to cry.
“I love you all, but I want you all to use this wisely, just in case I’m not here. Ella, you could go back to college or start the online business you’ve always wanted to, and Gerald you can start your dreamy tech company,” I smiled at them when they rushed to hug me too.
“Dad you could expand the garage and mom you could always go shopping cause you deserve it,” I smiled at them.
“God bless you, my child,” Mom said and hugged me even more.
“I love you, Mom,” I smiled, their expression was priceless and I felt truly happy seeing them this way. I was going to cherish this moment and keep its memories forever.
“I love you so much,” She kissed my forehead, and I smiled.
“I’ve got to go but I’ll come see you all soon again,” I tell them and grab my back while they stare at me in surprise.
“What? We’re not even going to celebrate before you go?” Gerald said, and I glared at him.
“Nope, I’ve got work to get back to, so I better be on my way like right now,” I explained emphasizing its urgency.
“But let me at least ride you to the airport,” Dad offered but I declined immediately and told him to stay here and celebrate while I hear back on my own.
But the truth was I didn’t want him to see me cry, I didn’t want him to know exactly what was happening, I just wanted them to be happy.
*
I boarded the plane and landed back in this dreaded place. I made the first stop at the hospital and waited for my turn to see the doctor.
I knew our session wasn’t going to get any better, but I wasn’t hopeful either. I didn’t think anything was going to change, I only thought of the worst.
*
“So are things looking worse now?” I chuckled dryly cause I could already read that expression on his face and made me bitter.
“We could try the surgery, Miss Colin,” He said
“And the chances rate are? ” I asked him…
“A 50_50 chance,” He sighed, and hearing that scattered me.
“And if I don’t, I have a few months left, right?” I asked even though knowing what the answer would be already. But when he nodded his head to my words, I felt a tear dropped from my eyes.
“You could try surgery, it could be a miracle,” He tried to convince me, but I didn’t need that.
“No, I just want time to be alone right now,” I cried out, my eyes watered even more. The tears kept rolling out, and my heart hurt. I felt pain, I felt my body tremble, my head hurt, my chest hurt and I felt my lips quiver.
“I’m going to die,” I said between my tears as I continued to whimper.
I sat there in tears for almost an hour when I noticed it was getting dark. I walked out of the hospital, looking and behaving like a ghost. I didn’t care about the gaze I received from the people around me.
I sat on the stairs outside the hospital and took in a deep breath. I didn’t know what to do, I felt alone again.
But I knew no matter the amount of time I sat here, life kept moving without me whether I liked it or not. I took in a deep breath after a few minutes, of sitting here realizing I had to get home.
I have to get back to Mr. Devil, the fake marriage, and my sad life. I couldn’t get a cab so instead I called on the one person I could think of-Micah.
He picked up after a few rings and said he was on his way here. I was grateful to him, I was grateful he answered.
A few minutes later, a cab stopped in front of me and someone came rushing to me.
” Hey,” He said and offered his hand to me, I smiled sadly at him and placed my hands on his while he helped pull me up.
“Thank you for coming,” I said and walked with him until we got to the car.
“Are you okay?” He asked and pushed my hair backward, before opening the door for me.
“At least I’m not alone,” I said dryly and got into the car.
“You want to talk about it?” He looked at me, as the car started.
“No,” I said and released a deep breath.
“Did he do anything to you, ” He sounded angry, and I shook my head negatively.
“Nah I’m good, I just want to go to my room and have a good sleep at least,” I said in a sleepy tone when I rested my head on the back seat but I felt him pull me to his shoulder as I slowly drifted off…