Home Sweet Home (short story)

On my eighteenth birthday, my mom and dad talked to me, they say I can already accept suitors BUT I can't have a boyfriend.

At that time, I never planned to have boyfriend. All I wanted to do was to study, become a lawyer and make my parents proud.

Finals week is coming and my friends and I are having a group study one afternoon. Stacey arrived so late with her brother Joseph.

Joseph said; "Sorry, I am late. I was trying to find the perfect gift for you."

I was not sure if he was talking to me, so I didn't even try to take my eyes away from my book.

Then he called my name. "Jessica?"'

I put down my book, surprised that he knows me. "What? Do I know you?" I asked.

"Oh! I'm sorry. I'm Joseph, Stacey's brother. She asked me to ask you out on a date because she said she will not be able to pass her exams. Which I found confusing (looking at her sister, Stacey smiled). And by the way I bought you these books. I read them myself to make sure I will give you a perfect gift. This one is my personal favorite, Eleven Minutes by Paulo Coehlo. You must read it" he said.

He was talking too fast as if he was nervous. Not knowing that I am the one who felt so nervous because no one ever asked me out on a date. So, I just smiled.

"So, will you go out on a date with me?" he asked.

We went out several times and finally after six months of dating he asked me if I love him too, and I said yes.

We are so happy together, we never had a fight. He is my first boyfriend and yet I already feel that he is the one.

One day, we are out on a date when my phone rang unexpectedly. It was my Kuya Kulas calling. I was surprised because ever since he got married, he seldom calls me. He doesn't even text me that much any more. So when I answered the phone I sounded really happy to finally talk to him. And yet I felt uneasy when I heard his voice.

"Hey Kuya, how are you? I missed you" I said.

My Kuya sounded really sad. "Hey Jess, I'm good but I have a really sad news. Please listen carefully baby" he said. And he started to weep. He was crying like a baby, and I never heard him cry before. He always act strong in front of me because always say that as the older brother he needs to be strong for me.

So I asked with a sudden change in my voice, "What is it? What happened Kuya? Why are you crying?" Then I started to cry as I listen to my Kuya Kulas.

Joseph had been my only family ever since I lost my mom and dad on a car accident while they are on their way to a friend's party. Since my Kuya has his own family to take care of, Joseph had been my father, mother, brother, best friend and boyfriend. He takes good care of me as if I'm a little girl. And I've been telling myself that I will no longer be here today without this man with me.

February 14, 2005, Joseph and I went on a trip in Boracay to spend our 3rd valentines together. We went on scuba diving and while under the water he brought me to the place wherein he left the banner with the words "Jessica, will you marry me?" and handed me the ring. I was so happy, I can't explain the feeling but I really felt that he is the one I wanted to be with for the rest of my life so I said YES.

After several months of preparation we got married on June 3, 2005. That day was really happy. I can't explain the happiness I felt the day we are already husband and wife and the moment we promised to love each other for eternity.

A day after our wedding, we decided to go back to Boracay for our honeymoon. On our way to the airport we had an accident, our car crashed under the truck in front of us, our car was smashed but luckily we both survived.

And I got out of the hospital. It was his mom who fixed everything for me. I was looking for Joseph; questions are running on my mind. I just saw him minutes ago. Where is he? I went home to our condo unit, I told his mom that he waiting for me inside and has a big surprise, but she didn't answer me, yet I can see that she was about to cry and she was trying not to. I just thought she was so happy that Joseph and I survived the accident. Before I went in, I said "I love you mom, thanks for everything".

After the accident, Joseph and I had been going out a lot. We always have fun and share stories everyday.

One day her mom visited us. I was laughing and talking to Joseph. But mom asked, "Who are you talking to Jessica?" I was so confused because she could have seen that I've been talking to her son. Still, I answered her, "I am talking to Joseph mom. He's here..." I was surprised but I just thought that he left before his mom came in, without even saying hi. But why?

I was starting to get annoyed with Joseph, he constantly leaves without telling me, especially when our friends or his mom visits us. So one day, I asked him "Honey, why do you always leave when mom or our friends are here? They actually think that I am just talking to myself." He didn't answer. "Honey, what's wrong?" I said.

He stared at me for a while and said "I am sorry Hon, this is all my fault. I am sorry."

I stared at him, waiting for him to talk again. I don't understand what he is saying, what did he do? What happened? And he finally broke the silence, "Listen Honey, you now have to let go of me, so you will get well and so you can go home."

I was so confused, I don't understand. I am home, I am okay. What is he trying to say? I was about to cry. I thought he was already leaving me. I asked myself if I did something wrong that made him mad and said these things. So I said "I don't understand Joseph, what did I do? Do you no longer love me? I don't understand, I am okay and we are here in our house."

"You didn't do anything Honey and I love you so much" he paused. "You need to let go of me Jess. You need to accept that I am already gone so you can go home and leave this horrible place. You need to learn to let me go, you need to leave this mental hospital Jess. I am sorry I left you, but I will forever love you. I am sorry Hon because I died. But I want you to be happy."

That's when I realized that Joseph is gone, that everything is just in my mind. He died on the day our car crashed and I never believed it. All along I thought that we are living a happy married life, but everything is a lie. I only imagined everything because I don't know how to live my life without him. And I can't let him go.

THE END