Elona’s POV
I was sitting up in bed not sure what my father was doing over there with Tristan. I just hope that he didn’t do something that he will regret. Maybe he won’t even regret it. The pit in my stomach won’t go away. That hollow feeling. I cried again, and I didn’t know what would make it stop. I sucked in a deep breath with my stuffy nose. My abdomen was still aching because I hadn’t taken my pills. This lets me know that my condition has spread and surgery is only temporary, it cannot cure me. So, what do I do? Suffer emotionally or physically?
There was a knock on my bedroom door and then it opened. My dad appeared, concerned. “How are you feeling now?” he asked as he walked further inside my bedroom. He took a seat beside me on the bed, facing me. He placed his hand on my leg as a means of comfort.
“Did you hurt him?” I asked, which was barely above a whisper.
“No, I should have, but I had more respect for Cris than to beat the shit out of him for breaking your heart.” I looked down at the sheet that was covering my legs. I hugged myself. “Are you in pain?” he asked with concern.
I nodded, “Yes. Thank you for not hurting him.” I looked up at him.
He sucked in a breath, “I will do anything to protect you and be here for you. I want you to stay away from him, don’t even text him, okay?” he held my gaze.
“Okay,” I whispered.
“You need to eat something so that you can take your pills,” he said.
“I don’t think I can eat. I’m too heartbroken and my heart has been ripped out of my chest by the man that I love,” tears welled up in my eyes again. “I don’t think I can do anything, Dad. I can’t even face anyone because I would break down and cry. They will see me as weak and if he sees me, he will know how he ruined me, and then he might just be satisfied with that.” I sucked in a deep breath.
“Elona, you have to eat because I can’t allow you to be in physical pain. If you don’t eat, you will wither away and also your pain will become too unbearable to do anything. As for people thinking the worst when they see you break down. I would give you this advice… you get up and go to school next week. I am giving you this time to recover from your pain and for you to pull yourself together because this week is almost over. Go to school next week and act confident as the model that you are. If you see Tristan at a distance, fine, but he will know what he lost. I can’t even believe I am saying that. But he lost a good young woman. Part of it is because of me. I pushed Maggie towards him and this is what he got because of me and I knew he never wanted kids. I am part of the blame. I’m sorry for my part in it. But get up and be my confident model and show the world that no one can get you down,” he said.
I really thought about what he said, it didn’t sound too bad, at least he was giving me until next week to pull myself together. “Thanks, Dad.” I gave him a weak smile.
“There’s that smile.” he returned my smile. “Now, freshen up and come down for a meal,” he stood up and then walked out of my bedroom, closing the door behind him.
I let out a sigh. I guess I have to get up and start being that young woman that my father wants me to show people. Tristan won’t see me crumble anymore. I don’t even know if he still cares about me. I reached for my phone and went to our text thread, but his profile picture was gone… it was blank, and my heart raced as I scrolled all the way to his profile and his status was blank, which used to say, ‘CEO of Crane Industries’ and I typed a text, my hands trembling, going against my father’s orders.
Me: I hope you’re happy with your new life. I wish you all the best in the world.
I pressed send as I was still trembling, my text was barely sent when there was a pop-up.
The message you have sent cannot be delivered. The recipient has either blocked you or deactivated their number.
That crushed my heart because this is Tristan’s contact number that he will never change. It has always been his number. It’s also his work number if people need him. So, why would he change it or deactivate it? It can only mean that he blocked me, and it was like he was holding my heart in his hand, crushing it further until there was nothing left to crush anymore.
With a heavy heart, I placed my phone on my bed and dragged myself out of bed. I winced with the pain of my condition, hunching over, and moved slowly to the bathroom to freshen up. Everything was just slow motion for me. Everything hurt.
After I got done in the bathroom, I went to my vanity cabinet in my bedroom. Opening the drawer, I rummaged through it for a new T-shirt to wear. I found a black one right at the back, and I took it out, there was a little black box wrapped in a red bow with a tag. I furrowed my brows as I took it out, I inspected the tag, and it had my name on it. I untied the bow and opened the box. There was a folded note which I took out and placed on the top of the vanity, and then I took the seven bracelets out. They were yellow beads, and the white beads had black letters on them.
Endo Warrior
Fuck Endo
End Endo
One In Ten
Endo Strong
Endo Badass
Cure Endo
I placed them on the vanity and when I looked in the box, there was a necklace. On the back was written on the boxEndometriosis Warrior, and at the bottom was a little message. You are brave, you are strong, you can do this, you are not alone.
I looked at the folded note, and then I put the box beside it, taking the note, and unfolding it.
My Elona.
As I sit down to write this letter, my heart overflows with emotions that words can scarcely capture. There are so many things I want to say to you, so many feelings I want to express, but above all, I want you to know that you are not alone on this journey.
Seeing you battle with endometriosis in such a short space of time since I found out about it, witnessing the strength and courage you display every day, has opened my eyes to a depth of admiration and love I never knew possible. You face challenges that many may not understand, yet you do so with grace and resilience, never allowing it to dim your radiant spirit.
I want you to know that I am here for you, not just as a boyfriend, but as someone who deeply cares for your well-being and happiness. Your struggles are my struggles, your pain is my pain, and your victories are my greatest joy.
It hurts me to see you in discomfort, to witness the toll that endometriosis can take on your body and mind. But amidst it all, I am constantly amazed by your unwavering determination and positivity. You are a beacon of light in my life, illuminating even the darkest of days with your presence.
I want to be your rock. I want to hold you close during those difficult moments, to wipe away your tears, and to remind you of the incredible strength you possess. You are not defined by your condition, you are defined by the incredible person you are, who is kind, compassionate, and endlessly beautiful inside and out.
In every moment we share together, whether it’s a simple embrace or a laughter-filled day, I am reminded of how lucky I am to have you in my life. Your love has touched me in ways I never thought possible, filling my days with joy and warmth.
As we go through life’s ups and downs, I promise to stand by your side, to support you, and to love you unconditionally. Your endometriosis does not diminish my love for you, if anything, it strengthens it, for it shows me the depth of your courage and resilience.
You are my everything, and I am endlessly grateful for the love we share. No matter what challenges come our way, remember that we face them together, hand in hand.
I love you.
Forever and always,
Tristan.
I folded the note as I closed my eyes, trying to be strong again. I sucked in a deep breath so that fresh tears does not spill. I wish that I had never found this. I took them all and threw them in the back of the drawer as tears eventually spilled. “All of them were lies, Tristan,” I said to myself. “You never meant those words.” I hissed. But then I found one thing that I hid in the back. I took it out and inspected the handkerchief that he gave me on the night that Cris and I went clubbing. I threw it back in the drawer and slammed it shut. Composing myself and wiping my tears away with the back of my hands.
I changed into the black t-shirt with the pain that I am still enduring emotionally and physically. I kept my black leggings on, and I went down the stairs to the kitchen to have a meal with my dad. When I got to the kitchen, he was placing two plates on the dining table. I took a seat and stared at what was on my plate. It was brown toasted bread which is fiber for my diet with avocado. My father took a seat across from me. He looked at me expectantly yet concerned.
“Please, eat. You have to take pills and to get more strength,” he tried to encourage me. I took the butter knife and started poking at the avocado on the slice of toasted bread. I was not hungry, my mind drifted to that gift from Tristan. I don’t even know when he did that.
The more I think about it, the more hollow I feel and the need to cry. It felt as if nothing would make me feel better. Tristan was everything to me, and how do I get back from this? Fresh tears spilled.
“Please, Elona. He is not worth it.”
I sucked in a deep breath. I felt bad that my dad was trying his best with me, but it’s not helping with how I feel.
“I would rather suffer in pain than endure this heartache that feels as if… I can’t eat, I’m sorry, Dad,” I said as I held back my sobs, I let the knife clatter against the plate as I let go of it, the chair screeching as I pushed out of the chair and hurried in pain back up the stairs.
I just want to be left alone in my bedroom a little longer. I want to forget about Tristan, but it’s difficult when there are still things that remind me of him and the memories that we shared together.