Whilst we Breathe

Chapter One

We have each other,
Our family and friends
Just as we have God
Just pray and you won't be
Disappointed.
Amen

The service was over soon, and I head home to help mum prepare lunch for the whole family at grandma's house which is the family house .
It is a tradition in the Hilton family, that we all gather at the family house to eat every Sunday.

My grandfather had passed away years ago_ way before I was born.
But grandma refused to believe he was truly gone, to her when the whole family is gathered so is her husband and that is how the tradition of dinning at the family house every Sunday was founded.
" I love my husband and I know he never truly left. You see every time we are together in this dry room, in this house I can feel his presence ", I heard her say a few years back, when a few of my uncles were given excuse for not wanting to come every Sunday cause it was a waste of time.

There was no doubt that grandma loves her husband so so much even after decades. And this undying love she has for him had me ensconced_my days living was numbered but I wasn't bothered cause I was sure no one would forget me.

"Chelsea...... ", I heard voices call out my name as dad parked the car into the garage. I got down the car and walked into the yard waving at my aunt Becky when a hand suddenly grabbed my arm.
" Let me go Damien ", I say to my cousin who was a few months older than I was.
" Is that how to greet your elder ", He asked with a scowl.
" Elder ", I emphasize before chuckling." Elder indeed ".
" How dare you laugh at your...... ".
" Let go of her ", The terrifying deep voice of my uncle Pete came like a bomb and had Damien running without a glance back.
" Hi uncle ", I beamed at him.
" Hi ", was his short response as he walked past me.

What could I say Uncle Pete isn't your Mr friendly and sociable guy. He's bipolar and is weird most times but he's nice and cares about his family_ this family a lot. He's been married thrice but each woman finds many reasons to divorce him once he brings out the bipolar in him which is usually after marriage. But it's still so confusing how he manages to act normal until after marriage.
Carol once told me that he owns three houses two were normal and big,but the third was small and very bipolarish.
Bipolarish is that even a word.

" Can you help me with this ", Aunt Liv said and before I could react, she thrust a basket of maize into my hand.
Damn was it heavy. And without a word of thanks she walked away.
Whilst I struggled to get the basket to the kitchen.
" Chels look ", I hear Tim my seven year old cousin say as I got to the corridor and I look up to see him kick his ball high in the sky.
" That's one hell of a kick kid ", I praise. But as I watched the ball I noticed it coming down, coming down my way.
" Chels dock ", Tim yells,but before I could I was hit in the face by the ball and I fell over with a shriek escaping my mouth.
" Oh my ", I heard someone say.
" Are you okay? ", I look up to see Aunt
Sandra. Before I could say yes she interrupts me with a shriek louder than mine. " Her nose is bleeding ".
When I saw blood drops on my shirt immediately my head began to hurt and my vision became blurry the last I heard was.
" Call the doctor ",and I passed out.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Hours later.

I felt my head pound and then I heard whispers, slowly I opened my eyes and behold the whole Hilton family standing round the room, looking gloomy.
" Hello everyone ", I say and tried to sit up.
" She's okay ", Uncle Tom announced and everyone came closer whispering to each other.
"  Chelsea ", Mum calls out my name as she held my hands, her eyes filled with tears.
" I'm sorry Chels, I didn't mean to ", Tim voice came next,his voice was full of sincerity.
" And I shouldn't have given you that heavy basket to take to the kitchen_ I'm so sorry ", Aunt Liv said as tears rolled down her cheeks.
" It's okay, I'm fine ", I said with a smile on my face.
" How do you feel child ", Grandma asked as she placed her hand on my cheek.
" I feel great ", I lied and everyone heaved a sigh of relief.
I couldn't tell they were all worried and I didn't want to worry them more, besides I'm sure once I take my drugs I'll be perfectly fine.

" Get her drugs and something to eat ", My dad ordered and immediately they all rushed out of the room making me giggle.
"What dear?", mum asked.
" They all left ", I say." And if they all come back with food and drugs, I'm not sure if I'll be able to take them all".
" Well we do have other hungry stomachs here ", Grandma said as her stomach rumble and we all laughed.
" You should know your family care a lot about you ", Dad state and I nod in approval." I don't need a soothsayer to know that  ".

I am so grateful for the kind of family I have and it hurts to know that I can't be with them for ever. But it doesn't matter for I'll treasure every moment with them 'Whilst I Breathe'.