Love is a pain, but past that it's a blessing

#11-GUILT AND FORGIVENESS

Hi readers. Hope you are enjoying the story. Here is the next chapter.

Author's pov :-

It's been almost one month since Alice and Cea started dating. One weekend, they decide to visit Laila's parents.
Alice introduces Cea as her girlfriend to them. They are really happy to see Alice move on from Laila. They like Cea for her liveliness.

Laila's mom: you are so cute Cea, Alice bring her with you every time you come home.
Cea: if she doesn't I'll come by myself mom.
Alice: fine!
Laila's dad: you both look good together. Cea take care of Alice from now on.
Cea: of course. Don't worry about anything. I'll make sure she gets all lively like me.
Laila's mom: please! I really miss that lively Alice.
Alice: mom! I'm lively enough.
Laila's mom and dad: yeah sure. Come on let's get something to eat.

They all have a happy family time together.

It's been a week since their visit to Laila's parents.
One morning:
Laila's mom called Alice:
Alice: hi mom.
Laila's mom: hi, uhh... it's....... It's an emergency but you don't need to worry. Just hurry up and come home, bring Cea too.
Alice: uh, okay.

Alice and Cea go back confused.
Alice: mom, dad, what's the emergency. What happened?
Laila's mom: I called you here because I got a call from your father and I know if I told you before, you wouldn't come. Alice, your mom is sick and she might not have many days left and she wants to talk to you.
Alice: I.....uh.....I honestly don't think I can face her.
Cea: I know you are angry because they never called you in the past 3 years. I know they didn't even try to contact you but they did now. Your father didn't do anything right? He just picked the side of love of his life. He called you now, atleast go for him. Your mom might be sorry for the things that happened, she have only days left. Don't have regrets when she is gone.
Alice: mmm, I...I'll go but please come with me.

Alice and Cea say their goodbyes and leave for the hospital.

In the hospital :-

Alice's dad is standing outside the room, waiting for Alice to come.

Dad: how are you?
Alice: go..good.
Dad: I'm sorry, we didn't try to contact you and I couldn't do anything to help you and Laila. I didn't dare to do it because of your mom and I'm doing the same thing, I called you because your mom wants to talk to you. I'm sorry! This is all I can do.
Alice: I know you love her. It's okay.
Dad: uh who is this?
Alice: uhhh... Laila died 2 years ago and this is my girlfriend, Cea. We got together 1 month back.
Dad:*smiles at Cea* take care of her instead of us.
Cea: I'll do my best uncle.
Dad: you can call me dad.
Cea: thank you dad.
Alice: what happened to mom.
Dad: after you and Laila left, your mom started to feel guilty. She couldn't face you or gather her courage to call you. This made her go into depression. She has been in depression since then and 2 days back she got a massive heart attack. Doctors barely managed to save her and she won't survive another attack. She might get an attack anytime soon, they said her heart is not strong enough to go on living. She became weak because of the depression.

Alice didn't know what to say. She just sat there in silence. Cea gave her a hug and told her to go see her mom. They both head inside. As soon as her mom sees Alice, she starts to cry. Seeing her like that, Alice rushes to her.

Mom: I'm sorry, I'm really really sorry. Where is Laila I need to apologise to her. I can go in peace if she forgives me.
Alice: she..she died with pancreatic cancer 2 years ago.
Mom: I'm sorry I wasn't there for you. Maybe that's why god is taking me this soon, to go and apologise to Laila.
Alice: mom, it's not your fault. I was at fault too.
Mom: no! I failed as a mother. I became someone with no heart, who didn't understand her own daughter, who didn't support and encourage her own daughter. Please forgive me.
Alice: I forgive you mom and I know you did what you did was for my life to go on without any hate from others. But you didn't see if I was ready to fight for my own life.
Mom: I'm sorry.
Alice: it's okay, I'm fine now and this is my girlfriend Cea, she made me open up again, after Laila's death.
Mom:*smiles* take care of each other. Cea, become her mother instead of me.
Cea: you don't have to worry mom, I'll nag her in your place.
Mom:*laughs* I'm glad she found you, I hope you will fill the loneliness in her heart because of Laila's death.

Cea and Alice try to look for a solution for her mom with the doctors but they say that it's risky to try anything and all they can do is be with her till she gets another attack.
Alice and Cea spend a week taking care of Alice's mom. After that week, she gets another heart attack and passes away.
They hold a funeral for her. Leo, Kao, Pang, Jennie gives their support to Alice.
Alice thanks Cea for making her visit her mom in the last days.
Alice's dad tells Laila's parents to take care of Alice.

Alice's dad to Laila's parents: I'll leave her in your care.
Alice: what about you dad?
Alice's dad: don't worry about me, I can live alone till my death comes.
Cea: dad, you can live with us.
Dad: no Cea. It's the punishment I give myself for not doing anything. If I had done something, maybe Alice's mom would be alive and Alice might have been with us.
Alice: no dad..
Dad: please, I've decided.
Alice: fine but we'll visit you sometimes.

Author: sometimes doing some things even though they hurt us, might be the best option. So that you won't have regrets later. I hope you will have the courage to take a step forward in those moments.

I hope you guys don't have any regrets but if you have, hope you clear them and
don't forget to vote for this chapter by hitting the star button.

Signing off -Alice👋🏻