Vista

mvp

"E?"

No response. Where had all of them gone? Everywhere was dim.

"Ethan?"

I let out a long breath when I thought that it could've been a prank.

"You're silly, you know."

I removed my boots and tossed them on the carpet.

After waiting for about ten minutes, I decided to call.

"I'm going to smack you if you don't pick up, Ethan."

He didn't pick up the phone. I called Tony but instead of getting what I wanted, there was so much noise.

"Em."

"El. Jeez. I can't get to Ethan."

It was his graduation and the time his mom had set for the surprise was going so fast.

"Wait. Let's see."

Minutes later, he was on the caller ID.

"Em? Is everything okay?"

"No. Nothing is."

"I'm sorry. I just had something important to attend to."

"Where are you?"

"I just rushed to get some drinks. Did I make you wait for too long?"

"Oh. Jesus,"

"Are you okay?"

"Yes. But can you just come already?"

"Hold on. I'll be home in a few."

Ethan graduated with a first-class degree, being the MVP and school's valedictorian, and the best graduating student. He got an offer to attend MIT. I mean, his name was all over the ceremony and he wasn't paying attention because he was busy signing people's diaries. From time to time, he would glance over the spot I was sitting and smile at me. We took a lot of pictures that afternoon with his family and friends, and decided to 'Netflix and Chill' at the end of it all.

It had been about 4months since Ethan gave his life to CHRIST and things were amazingly beautiful. He got a remote job that paid him well and he rented a flat. He asked if I could move in with him but I refused. The flat had two bedrooms and he told me that the free one would always be free whenever I needed it.

For some time, I thought the idea of renting a flat would separate him from his sister and mum who were already struggling with living without his dad. Instead, he always showed up and spent time with them because he was always worried. It became a routine for him and he made sure he went home even on heavy days. He also frequently helped me with schoolwork. He always offered to help me apply for online jobs but I refused because I already had a lot to do.

"Hey. You look cute."

Even when I was worried, he came up with random statements that would drive me crazy. Of course, I'd smile.

"Are you okay?"

"Yeah. Everywhere was dark, so I was worried about you pulling another prank on me."

I was worried about hearing something like another robbery or accident. I heard of people who died on their wedding rides and it was very possible for that to happen to a graduate.

He laughed and leaned in to kiss my forehead. "You're cute even when you're worried."

After the guys had set up the sitting room of his flat, and we girls had set up a little food and drinks, the bell played. Ethan was busy renewing his subscription and didn't seem to care who it was.

"Ethan? Aren't you going to answer the intercom?"

I looked at the clock, and I knew it was time. I glanced back at him.

"I don't need any trouble now, Em. I really need to chill."

"Answering it won't take away your life, will it?" Yasmine chuckled as he rolled his eyes and left the couch.

"K! Mum?"

"Congratulations again, E." I left the kitchen.

Kelsey was holding a big cake in her hands and his mum had a parcel in hers. "Mum", he hugged her, "it's late. You shouldn't have come this far for a cake and a parcel."

"I had to."

"You already gave me a parcel this afternoon. Whose is this?"

"Yours," she pointed at everyone in the room. "You and your family."

I couldn't stop myself from chuckling when I recorded the scene. His facial expression got me laughing, breaking the emotional moment and earning everyone's glance.

"Sorry." I covered my mouth. "He's cute." I pointed at him.

"Would you mind joining us, Mum? We're about having a good time."

"I don't think. You remember when the doctor said this was my last week of taking my dose?"

"Yeah. And he warned against gatherings that would distort the healing process. Things, people and situations that would always make you jumpy."

"That's the exact reason why I'm here. Apologizing for the inability to throw you a party like other mothers would do for their sons. Sometimes I just look at me and I wonder what would've happened if I got you a good father --" She was already crying and I stopped recording.

"-- it's okay Mum," he hugged her and patted her back.

"No, let me finish what I have to say. Sometimes I wonder where you would've been if you had a good father. And all I can do is feel sorry for you because I know that you worked so hard to be where you are today. And besides all that, you didn't even get a big party to congratulate you for the late nights and errands you did to keep us standing. Just a cake and a parcel for being the best-graduating student with an offer from MIT and valedictorian."

She was really sobbing now, and Ethan kept patting her back, his eyes failing him in the process. "You're only in this state because you worked too hard to bring Kelsey and me this far. And I'm proud of you for that. It's going to be okay, mother. GOD has kept us till this moment, and He won't let us down now. To be honest, I didn't want a party. The team and I wanted to rest from this year's troubles. You know, it's been really hectic that each person agreed to it. So don't you worry. We're going to be okay." He wiped her tears and kissed her forehead.

"If anything, I think you're the one who did a lot for us through Ethan," Tony added. "You've been with us through thick and thin and we're grateful for that, ma'am.

She nodded. "I thought you were going to open the parcel?"

"Not now." He turned to his teammates with a look of understanding, and turned back to her. "I think I know what's inside. We'll need to sit and appreciate it together."

"I should get going then," she sniffled. "Kelsey's taking off for Denmark tomorrow morning, and I need to resume work as soon as possible."

"Already? No. You can't do that."

"I'll discuss with Cecilia and let you know."

"Okay."