Chapter 32: Chapter 32

Lucy

I still can't believe that Linda could betray on this handsome specie standing before me . I love this guy standing before me with all my heart. I wouldn't exchange him with anything in this world, I know he is it for me.

" I love you" I blurt out all of a sudden, I don't even know what made me say it out loud.

Ivan look surprised at first but drew me closer and said " I love you more"

" we really are a match made in heaven. Those dream about us were sighs that we belong to each other. I love love you, soul mate " said ivan

" I love love you more " I reply

We were both in a trance looking at each other. He was looking at me like he know the whole of me . I moved closer to him and pull him for a kiss in other to show him how much he mean to me. I don't care if we were being watched by people, I don't care if Linda was in the same room, I don't care if Thomas was glaring at Ivan, I don't care if I was too touchy. All I care is that the only guy I want is right here with me and I'm satisfied with that.

We pull away from the kiss with our nose still touching. " am I dreaming or is my girl too touchy right now" Ivan teased.

" hey" I hit his chest playfully

" ouch and I thought you loved me but it turn out that you're too aggressive "

" fine, I'm leaving if that's the case " I walk towards some group of people who were playing truth or dare. I didn't hear the three voices shouting out my name to move from the way all I felt was a body wrapped around mine and next a sound of bottle breaking . The person groan as we both fell on the floor.

The person's body stilled around me, I pushed the body away to get up and it turn out to be Linda my cousin.

She just saved me from getting hit on the head.

Bloody hell

I was shocked at first but came out of it to tend to the awaiting matter

" Linda please open your eyes, please don't dye on me. Please linda" I worriedly cried out while shaking her body

" she is dead"

" No, she can't be dead,She can't . Don't say that ever again " I snapped at the guy that said that. I turn to Linda's lifeless body.

" someone please call an ambulance " I shouted.

" I already gave them a call" Thomas said from behind.

" thank you" I muttered

" please Linda open your eyes. I promise, I have forgiven you for all that you had done to me. Please don't go, let's start over again ." I cried out

I felt someone's hugging me from behind, from the wood scent I knew that it was Ivan.

" she saved me ivan"

" I know love, I know"

" I should have be the one been hit by the bottle, even if she was wicked I wouldn't have wish for something like this to happen. She is still my cousin sister "

" shhh, she'll be alright don't worry. Let the paramedics do their jobs" Ivan said as he helped me up. The paramedics carried Linda's body into an ambulance. They asked for a relative to follow them and I did. Ivan wasn't let into the car, he decided to follow us behind in his own car.

***

AT THE HOSPITAL

I already called mom to tell her what happened. She said she was on her way already.

What a night.This is gonna be a night I'm never ever going to forget. Who would have thought my first time of partying will end up like this.

" please don't cry" Ivan consoled

" I won't forgive myself if she dies. I can't live with the idea that she died saving me, I can't ivan" I said while looking at him

" shhh, don't say that. She will live, after all she is your cousin " he tried making the mood lively and he succeeded coz a smile escaped my lips.

" that's the Lucy I know. You look beautiful when you smile"

I gave him a look" what you mean is that I'm always ugly but when I smile I look beautiful right? "

He look at me in horror " no no, babe that's not what I meant. You are beautiful with or without smiling ,I was only trying to--"

I shushed him up with a finger " I was only joking don't fret yourself" I said with a teasing smile

" are you kidding me? I was about to freak outta my mind "

I grinned up at him.

" Do you know what? "

" what is that, babe?"

" I keep wondering why she saved me from getting hit. I mean, I have known her for this hatred she had for me. She had never liked me and I don't even know what I did wrong to her"

Ivan sighed and said " we are human after all, we make mistake and I think Linda has an heart after all. She still cares behind that feeling of hatred she has for you. But in due time all will be answered when she wakes up"

He is right though . I will wait till she wakes up.

" Lucy, " I quickly rose in a standing position at the sound of my mom's call. She rush to me still in her pyjamas. She pull me for a hug.

I didn't know when I broke down again.

" she is going to be alright, don't cry dear"

" I won't forgive myself if she doesn't survive this mom"

" don't say that, be strong for her" I pull away

" have you called her mom? " mom shakes her head as no

" I don't want to worry her. I wanted to know how bad it was first before giving her a call" I nodded in understanding

" the doctors are still working on her" I told mom to which she just nodded and squeeze my hand

" Good morning ma'am " Ivan greets mom. I have forgotten about him

" oh dear, I didn't noticed you . Thanks for being dear for my daughter, I'm grateful "

" it nothing ma'am. I know she will do more than that for me, she is a gem I'm never gonna let go"

Mom look surprised and turn to give me this look that says ' this is the right man for you'. I shyly look down

Mom and Ivan continued their conversation about God knows what.

" the family of miss jacob?" the doctor came to the waiting room to asked

" we're here" mom answered and rushed to the doctor. Ivan and I followed behind

" how is she doctor" I asked

" she is still recovering. You can go in and see her" he said and left.

We quickly rushed to her room.Her head was wrapped with a bandage, she really got hit pretty badly.

" hey" she said in a weak voice. Mom went forward to hug her

" my poor baby. How are you feeling? " mom asked

" I'm OK, aunt. You don't need to worry, I will get better "

" hey, I need to worry. I don't know what to do if something had happened to you. I might not be the one that give birth you but I want you to know that I love you like my own. "

" I know, aunt. I love you too" Linda said with tears flowing down her cheeks

" I have wish to hear that word for a very long time. Thank you aunt for loving me even when I'm not in my best behavior. Thank you" Linda cried on my moms shoulder

It really was an emotional sight. I wiped the threatening tears that fell. I feel so light and relieved right now, the anger I once had for Linda had vanished. From what I saw right now, I saw a girl who had always wished for a motherly love, I saw a girl who tried hard to lock her feelings behind that wicked act, I saw a girl who is venerable but act to be strong. Linda was all that I had mentioned.

Ivan held my hand and gave a reassuring smile, I mouthed thank you to him for being there for me. Mom pull away from Linda and move side way for me to have my turn. I pick on my nail not knowing how to start up a conversation. Mom and Ivan left to give us space to talk.

" I'm sor--

" you shou--

We said at the same time. The former was Linda and the latter was me.

" I think you should go first" I suggested while she nodded

She lightly cleared her throat " I'm sorry Lucy for all I have done to you,I was jealous of all that you have. I have always wanted the love you shared with your mom, I have wished that my mom would be something half what your mom is. You of all people know how my mom was,since her divorce with my father when I was just four. She put all her attention in her work, she doesn't have time for me and whenever I complain to her, she end up throwing insult at me that I'm ungrateful " she close her eye like remembering the event

" was it bad to want a parents love. I wish she could show me half the love your mom showed you. If you're wondering why I hated you so much, I swear I have never hated you. I just hate the way my mom love you more than me, her own daughter. Anytime we go back home after visiting you guys, my mom always brag how she wished you were her daughter instead of me "

" I hate it when she say such thing. I felt like hurting myself to stop the pain and the anguish feeling I had. I always question myself that what wrong have I done to my mother to make her hate me so much" she look at me with eyes full of tears.

" you don't have to continue " I said. She shake her head

" I want to. I have always wanted to share this side of me with somebody. Please let me"

I nodded for her to continue

" one faithfully night, I was 10 at that time. Mom went on a meeting to a town far from where we leave. She was sent by the company she work with and she promised to come back that day. "

" I didn't want to argue with her, I just nodded at her. But deep in my mind, I was scared of staying at home alone, I was always scared of being alone. Well, she went on that faithfully day without even giving me a goodbye kiss or any I love you or some sort. " she sadly smile

" I watched her enter into her car and zoom off. I lock all the doors for protection. "

" wasn't it a school day? " I asked

" yes, there was school but I didn't go" I nodded

" , the time clocked 2pm from that it turn 4pm and when it was 6pm,mom wasn't still back yet. That is when I began to fear outta my mind. I used the house phone to call her but her number wasn't going through "

" did you eat that day? " I asked

She nodded " well, I prepared the food"

myself.

My God, how can my aunt be so cruel to the extent of not cooking for her not to talk of leaving her alone at-home.

" she just told me to prepare food when I'm hungry. Already I learnt how to make noodles, I learnt it from a friend's house. Anytime her mom cook noodles for us I always make sure to pay attention to how she was doing it and since that time I cook it myself whenever my mom forgets to leave food for me"

I look at her in horror " so you mean, aunt sometimes forget to give you food at a young age . At 10 yrs? "

" yes she does. Don't be surprised coz I'm already used to it "

" I'm sorry for that"

She look at me with a raised brow, she was surprise I was apologizing for something I didn't do, she shrugged and continued her story.

" I called her phone the last time and thank goodness it went through. I told her that I was scared and she should please come home soon. Do you know what my mom said? " I shake my head

" she said she has forgotten that I was even at home and that she wasn't going to come home that night till the next day. I felt like drowning myself that day, from that day henceforth, I now know that my mom totally hates me. I kept thinking in my little mind, that why does mommy hate me or have I done something bad to her which I had zero idea of. I just couldn't hold my tears ,I let them flow freely. " she hiccup

I move closer to pull her in for a hug" what happened next? Did you sleep alone at the house?"

She shakes her head " but I wished I slept alone"

" why? "

She became quiet and more tears pool down her face. She was full blown on crying that I don't even know what to do.

" please tell me what actually happened "

" I was molested that night" she painfully cried out

What?

" you were moles...what!" I pace round the run in anger, I feel like talking shit to my aunt, her mother right now.

" how did it happen? "

Her cry subsided a little " when I told mom, I can't sleep alone. She then told me that she would call Mr Charles, to come stay with me. Mr Charles was our neighbor and I never liked him ,I always hate the look he gives to me then, he looks at me like he want me in bed and I was just 10 at that time. I told mom about the look but she never believed me instead she will spank me and tell me not to ever say something like that again. "

I never new she went through something as harsh as this.

" well, as mom had said she would call him over, I tried begging her not to call him. I told her that I will stay at home alone instead, but mom insisted on calling him and that was how she ended the call. He immediately came just 20 minutes after the call with mom. I ran to my room and locked it. I was shaking and scared "

" he pounded on my door that I should come out nothing bad is gonna happened to me. I didn't believe him, I never did. "

" then how did he get in? "

" he has always known that I was scared of spiders. He use that as his opportunity to scare me out, he was shouting that he just saw a big spider entering my room. I didn't even know when I shouted blood murder and ran to open my door in full speed"

" I was just 10 but I should have known that it was a trick. The smirk he gave me that night says it all that he deceived me. I wanted running back into my room but he held me captive, I begged for him to stop but he never listens. I shouted for help but no one came to my rescue and that was how he had his way with me "

I wiped away my teared face. It really was a touching story.

" did you tell your mom when she came back? "

" what do you expect, I did but she never believed me and that's how the matter was forgotten till now she still don't believe me. "

" That man need to go to jail" I shouted in rage

" He is dead already "

" what!. What do you mean dead? He can't die without paying for his sins"

" He died of heart disease "

I pull her for a bone crushing hug " I'm sorry you had to go through this alone, I'm sorry you had no one with you and I'm so sorry for every other things "

" you don't need to be sorry, I should be the one asking for forgiveness instead . I have always been cruel to you please forgive me Lucy. I never mean to be wicked, I just want to also feel among, I wanted to forget that night and the only way I could achieve that was by being a bully. I wanted to forget all of it, I'm so sorry Lucy that you had to be one of my scapegoat. I only wanted what you have, I also wanted to be loved by someone and I don't care who it had to be. But, I guess happiness wasn't meant for me after all"

" please don't say that. You are meant to be happy, you were only consumed by this hatred you had and I promise to help you achieve your happiness " I said and she hug me so tight and kept muttered" thank you, thank you"

"thanks for not judging me, thanks for listening to my story. Thank you Lucy "

" Don't mention. I'm always here for you, always remember that"

" thank you"

" Do you love ivan?" I blandly asked

Linda looked surprised at my question

" why do you ask all of a sudden? "

" I mean , if yo....."

" My baby I'm so sorry " we were interrupted by my aunt,linda's mother.

We both turn towards the door with a look of shock

When did she arrive? Did she listen to our conversation earlier ?

I look at Linda and she shrugged that she don't know about this visit of hers

Aunty came further into the room with tears on her face . She move towards the bed Linda was sitting on and pull Linda for a hug

" I'm so sorry baby. I'm sorry you went through all that alone. I'm sorry for being a bad mother, I'm so sorry. I know it hard for you to believe that I have change, please let me be there for you now. Please"

" mom yo...."

" keep quiet Linda, let me talk to her. " I shouted out, I was seriously shaking in anger. I turn to look at a surprise aunty

" you are not worthy to be called a mother, you are a devil as a mother. I can't believe you did all that to your own daughter, how can you do that to your flesh and blood. You are disgusting an....... " I was met with a slap before I could finish.

" SHUT UP LUCY" my mom roared out, I look at myself mom in shock

She slapped me?

" I never brought you up to be rude to your elders. Even if she was wrong, you have no right to talk to her like that. Get out and let mother and daughter settle their differences . It isn't your fight"

" but mom sh....

" JUST GET OUT"

I wiped the tears that drop down my face and left the room. I ran out of the hospital as more tears began to pull down my face. Ivan shouted my name but i kept running. When I reach my destination I stopped.

Was I wrong? I was only putting aunt in her place, she doesn't deserve to be call a mother.

" Lucy? " Ivan called unsure

He came forward to hug me " shhhh, don't cry. It ok"

" but i did nothing bad. I was only defending a sister "

" I know babe, I know. Your mom wasn't happy that you insulted an elder. It isn't something to be proud of"

I sighed " I guess you're right. I had no right to insult an elder even if that person was wrong. It just, I was surprised that my mom slapped me, something she has never done before"

" there is always a first time for everything " he joke

" hey! "

" I'm sorry, I was only joking babe"

I rolled my eyes at him.

" something got me wondering "

" what's that? " he asked

" I don't get why the new endearment you now call me. I mean ' babe'. "

" hmmmm, don't you like it?"

" I don't know" I answered shyly

" Don't be shy. I know you like it, you just don't wanna admit it"

" no I dont"

" yes you do"

" no"

" yes"

" no" I said again. He move closer slower and all of a sudden he starts tinkle me. I shouted for him to stop

" stoppp pliiiiishhh" I said inbetween laugh

" no I won't, until you admit that you like it"

" OK fine. Yes I like it"

" I already know that"

" you trick me into saying 'yes'"

" I did nothing of sort"

" whatever "

" yeah, whatever "

We both folded our arms with a pout. Both facing different directions

" You two are too cute for your own good. Ivan, please can I have a word with my daughter? " mom asked with a smile.

When did she get here

" sure, she is all yours" I shot him a glare and here I thought he was on my side. He peck my cheek and left me with my mother

" I'm sorry honey. It was wrong of me to slap you, please forgive me" Mom apologize while holding her ears. I hate it when she does that, she always look cute and innocent.

" ahhhhh, stop doing that mom"

" what? " she was acting oblivious

" you know what mom"

" OK fine. Am I forgiven now "

I blow out a breath " yes sure, whatever "

" oh baby, thank you. "

" it nothing mom. So how did aunty know about Linda in the hospital, did you call her? "

" no, I didn't. I was also surprised when I received a call from her that she was in New York. She said she didn't tell me coz she wanted it to be a surprise visit. She misses Linda so much"

" and you believe that? "

" yes dear. I saw it in her eyes that she has changed. My sister has this bipolar disorder sickness that she is facing since her divorce with her husband . She knew her sickness was also affecting Linda which was why she made a decision to go abroad . Well, she didn't go just to work there, she went to receive treatment too. "

" I never knew about that"

" yes dear, it was between the two of us. No one else knew about it"

" I pray she gets treated soon coz her daughter really needs her right now"

" I know dear,i know"

**

THREE MONTHS LATER

" pass the ball"

" no I'm not gonna pass it"

" Linda attack" Linda and I jumped on Ivan. We tickle him till he let go of the ball.

" loser, loser, loser" we sang out

" hey man, you let a girl beat you to a pulp. I can't believe you" James tutted and help Ivan up.

" that's because, he is a loser" Abby shouted from where she was sat

We were spending the weekend at James beach house. We finished our last senior year exams yesterday which was why we came here to celebrate . Ivan and his friends and me and my friends which now include Linda. We all have become close over the past three months and I'm happy to say we pull it off..

Well, before I forget, Thomas was also among, he asked for forgiveness from Ivan and I the day Linda was discharged to which we forgave him. We all notice how Linda and Thomas are becoming close. It started during those time when Linda use to have serious headache coz of the injury she suffered from, Thomas will always be the one to escort her to the hospital or even back her if she was finding it hard to walk. I'm happy for them, it will be fun seeing them dating coz they look cute together.

Let's not forget the question I was asking Linda at the hospital before we got interrupted by her mother about her still having feelings for Ivan. I still got to ask her again and she answered with no, she said she doesn't think she had ever loved him but she might have cared for him. She also said Ivan only got eyes for me and I shouldn't doubt his love for me and that was how the matter was long forgotten.

Ivan and I's love might seem crazy coz it all started with a dream. But who cares we still each other so much. Even our friend's already gave us a title which is 'CRAZY BEAUTIFUL US '. I think it kind of fit though.

Abby, as we all know about this hidden feeling James and Abby had for each other. The day Laila and I caught her kissing james at the water fall during that excursion was the day they confessed their feelings for each other. Abby told me all that. She broke up with Manuel even though I had always liked Manuel for her, they just weren't meant together coz the sparks wasn't their. But with James we can all see the tension between them. James haven't yet man up to ask her out but I suspect that he will do that today. I suspect.

Laila, my beautiful friend. She is still her bubbly self and also is dating one of Ivan's friend, the same guy she was always spending time with at the excursion. I'm happy for her.

The list stills goes on. We all might have being together for a short time but I still love each one and everyone here like a family . We might have gone through so many things but we still conquered it all. I'm full with the joy of spending this weekend with this beautiful and wonderful people over here.

What matters is that we all are together at last.we are " CRAZY BEAUTIFUL US"

***