I Trusted You

Chapter 25.

Jasleena

It was Thanksgiving morning and I didn't want to get up from bed. I didn't even know what time it was to say it was morning. I looked at my phone and noticed it was 11:30 am. Which yes was still morning but late morning. I did not expect to sleep so much. Don't get me wrong I needed that, but I was struggling for a while with sleep. I looked through my phone and had my usual morning text from Luka and another with a funny Thanksgiving meme. I texted him back and then got my things to do my morning routine. Once done, I threw some leggings on and a hoodie since we wouldn't have dinner and pictures until later in the evening. Put some boots on, grabbed my phone and I left the room. I went into the kitchen and poured myself a cup of coffee. I heard conversations coming from the living room. I wondered who it was. The closer I got the clearer the voices got. Tia. Ugh just great, I had already known she'd be there but not so early. There was laughter as I walked into the living room. "Leena! Come say hi to your Tia!" My mother was so extra sometimes. "Hey Tia! You look good." Tia grabbed me and hugged me really tight. "Oh my goodness Leena, how have you been! It's been so long!!!" I never understood why her and my mom had to be so exaggerating when they spoke. I smiled not to start laughing at my thoughts. "I've been good." She let go of me and that's when I saw her... I froze. "Paola, come say hi to your God sister!" Her mother insisted. Before Paola can move or say a word I did. "I need to be excused." I walked out of the living room, out the front door, and just started walking. At least this time I wouldn't need a gps.

I knew I'd see her again one day, but I was not ready to see her with a small bump. I wasn't ready to find out if they were still together. I wasn't ready to find out if they knew the gender. I thought the day Paola came to me to tell me she was pregnant would have been so different. I pulled my phone out of the pocket of the hoodie and called Luka. A few rings later, "Hello pretty lady, everything ok?" I had let go of my breath, not realizing when I held it in. "Luka... I saw her... she has a baby bump. I don't think anyone really knows what happened and who she is pregnant by. Because my Tia wanted her to greet me. And I just couldn't, I excused myself and left. So now here I am walking around town. I want to go back home Luka..." I heard him sigh, "I'm sorry Lily... I wish I could comfort you better than just being on the phone. Did you take your airpods with you?" I thought about it, "I think so but they might be either in my car or in the bag I bought." I hoped it was a quick find when I get back. "Ok, so if you want, keep one in while you're there. You can either stay on the phone with me the entire time or just call me the second you need to. No one would really even know you'll be on the phone." What a smart idea. "You'd do that for me?" He chuckled, "Definitely." I smiled, "But what about your family diner?" Wouldn't his family be annoyed if he was on the phone the entire time? "Lily, I can do the same. They wouldn't care anyway." I sighed, "Are you sure Luka?" He laughed, "Yes pretty lady, I'm sure. Are you ready to head back yet?" I sighed, a deep sigh, "Not really but I'll have to do this eventually huh?" He laughed, "Yes, did you want me to stay on the phone til you get back or will you be calling me back?" I thought about it, if we'll be on the phone later, maybe I can try handling walking back and seeing everyone again. As I was about to respond I heard some beeping. My mother was calling on the other line. "Looks like I'll call you later, moms calling me." He chuckled, "Ok pretty lady, call me then. Good luck. And hey... You'll be good, ok?" I responded and switched the call.

"Hello." I already knew how upset she was with me. "Jasleena, where the hell are you? What the hell got into you that made you act like that? That is your tia and cousin. You haven't seen them in so long and that's how you behave? Where are your damn manners?" She was so angry, "MOM" She would have probably knocked me silly if I were in front of her at the time, for raising my voice at her. "Did you just raise your voice at me?" I sighed, "Mom can you let me speak? I'm sorry ok, but I had to get your attention somehow." I didn't know where to start but I knew the only way she'd understand would be if I told her... "Mami, do you know who the father of Paola's baby is?" It was quiet for a few seconds before she spoke up. "No actually I don't, your tia never mentioned who it was." I didn't know how to start telling her so I had said the one thing on my mind. "It's Jacob Ma."