Chapter 49: Chapter 49

Chapter 49: Need my help with what?

The bright rays of sunshine cascaded into the bedroom, flooding it with radiance. The luminous glow reflected onto the soft, furry rug. Andrea was just done preparing her bags for tomorrow's flight to New York. She was feeling conflicted about whether she should have a conversation with Elena. After the incident that took place the day before, she noticed Elena's aloof demeanor toward her.

An idea ignited in her mind, and a smile crept up her lips. She picked up the diapers from the bed and made her way to the room next to hers.

Andrea knocked on the door before going in. ”Hey Lena, Are you going to stay in your room all day?’

Elena, who was playing with the twins, slowly raised her head and asked, "What are you doing here? She demanded indifferently.

”What were you telling the twins? I hope you didn't complain about me.” She smiled as she dropped the diapers on the bed.

Andrea sat beside her, ignoring the look on her face. ”I thought maybe the babies might need new diapers."

”You changed them just 20 minutes ago," Elena reminded her as she rolled her eyes.

" Right!” The room suddenly fell silent.

”Hey, do you remember the first day we met?” Elena suddenly asked, breaking the gawky silence.

Andrea nodded as she burst into laughter. ”You were such a crying baby.”

”The day you came to me, I thought you were like the other kids and you wanted to have your share of fun, and then when you asked me to be your friend, I couldn't contain my excitement," she chuckled softly.

…….

”Hey, are you crying?” Andrea asked the sad little girl, who was sitting on a bench alone,

”Go away and stop acting like you care!” Elena yelled furiously, her face still buried in her thighs.

Andrea had only approached the girl because she noticed she was wearing the exact same uniform as hers. As she made her way to the girl, she recognized her as the target of bullying in school.

”Now I see why the kids bully you all the time. You are annoying," Andrea said as she sat down beside her.

”Here, have this. I'm sure you will feel better once you do."

Elena raised her head from her thighs only to meet the little girl's hand stretched forward with a bar of chocolate on her palm. She couldn't help but accept the chocolate after seeing the warm smile on the girl's small face.

”Why are you being nice to me?”

Andrea tapped her cheeks. " Mmm. Let's say because I understand your pain," she said, giving her a radiant smile.

"Are you also an orphan?” Younger Elena asked oddly.

Andrea shook her head as a sigh escaped her lips. "I wish I was; then I wouldn't be this troubled all the time.’

”Why would you say such a thing? You should be happy that you have parents; at least if I did, no one would have mocked me like this.” she asked frantically.

”What's the use if they are as good as if they don't exist? My parents think I am inauspicious, and they both rejected me."

”You must be going through a lot more than I am,then."

Andrea smiled sweetly. ” It's okay; I'm already used to it. Friends? " She asked as she placed her hand forward.

Elena nodded. "Friends!" She said as she placed her hand on Andrea's, and both girls giggled as they ate their bars of chocolate.

******

”The truth is, back then, I was having a tough time in class, and I went there to cry, and then I found you crying.” Andrea couldn't help but laugh as they reminisced about the past together.

”What about your uncle?” Andrea suddenly asked.

All Andrea knew was that after senior year, they both parted ways, and years later, they met in Australia and caught up again. There was no doubt that their friendship was destined to fall into place.

”After senior year, my uncle's son in college came home one night when both my uncle and his wife went out. He then tried to force himself on me. Luckily, I was able to escape from him, and since then, my uncle's attitude towards me has changed. I guess his son must have said something bad about me to him. Luckily, I was able to send myself to nursing school.

Andrea widened her eyes in shock. ”Thank goodness he didn't succeed. He is such a jerk."

Elena got up and brought out a picture from the closet. ”Do you remember this day?”

Andrea glanced at the picture and chuckled. They looked very young and merry back then. During that period of their senior year, they were working part-time jobs to save for their college expenses.

”This was taken the day we got fired, all because of me. You shouldn't have supported me that day even after fully knowing I was wrong,” she said in between her laughter.

”You were one arrogant kid back then. You know I couldn't help but support you. Even after knowing my situation back in school you still chose to be my friend and you also ended up getting bullied all because of me,”Elena said as she pulled her cheeks playfully.

”Andrea, we have been through a lot together, and we have been able to overcome every obstacle that comes our way. If you feel Mr. Wilson isn't treating you nicely, know that you always have a home here. Your sister always has your back."

”Oh goodness, Lena, stop this. I'm tearing up again. If you keep doing this, I won't be able to leave," Andrea said in a hoarse voice.

.........

”Come meet me outside. I'm already waiting in the car," Sean said in a casual tone.

"I need your help. Can you come to the apartment for a bit?” Andrea asked, trying to sound as polite as possible.

”Need my help with what? Do you need me to carry you down in my arms? Look, I have a lot to do. Can you stop making these ridiculous excuses?"

" Oh! Then you can as well go without me. You don't have to bother; I will hang up now."

" Wait! I will be there," Sean quickly said before she could hang up.

”I'll be waiting; don't you dare bring that grumpy assistant of yours over here. I will be expecting Mr. Wilson himself," she said in a more cheerful tone before hanging up.

Andrea managed to carry her luggage to the living room. She smiled at Ruby and Pearl, who were lying down on the couch right where she had placed them a while ago.

”Your dad thinks he's smart, right? Just you little angels, watch how I get on his nerves," she said coquettishly, placing kisses on their chubby cheeks.

Elena came down, already dressed and ready to go to the hospital " I will have to say my goodbyes," she said, picking up the twins and cuddling them for a while.

” I will miss you so much, my sweet little Ruby and Pearl. Take care of your mom for me, okay?

Andrea smiled as she watched Elena's intimate gesture to the twins. Elena turned to her and gave her a hug. ”I guess this is goodbye for now,”

”Yes, only for now. Take good care of yourself, Lena; don't you dare skip your meals," she muttered as she held her even tighter.

”You too, Andrea.” Elena smiled faintly as they disengaged from the hug.

Just minutes later, Sean came right in with a sullen look on his face.

”You are finally here,”

”What do you need help with?”

Andrea glanced at her luggage and then at the babies on the couch.” I need you to carry the twins."

A deep frown crept on his face right after she mouthed those words.