Whispers of Hope ✓

CHAPTER 34

THIRD PERSON POV

"What the hell is wrong with Joshua Aunt Isabella? I will go talk to him—"

"No Ate Rosa, let him be. I will talk to him myself. It was my fault."

"Ish..."

Rosa could only pat Ishita as Isabella silently treated Ishita's wounds. Evryone was shocked seeing Ish's bleeding forehead when she came down from their room. Isabella could've gone and smacked her own son but she couldn't just leave the bleeding lady so she thought she'd treat her first before confronting Joshua. Whatever Joshua's reason may be, Isabella thought that it isn't just right to hurt his wife especially that they just got married and he's already showing violence towards their relationship. She couldn't just stand there and watch. But Isabella herself wasn't very sure and is very much worried about Joshua's sudden change of emotion towards Ishita. Isabella wasn't near dumb so she had her hunches of whatever may be the reason of this sudden change of her son especially that he already found out about her rape incident.

"Ish dear, maybe you should not talk to Joshua for now. Let's just keep distance and observe him. I cannot let him hurt you again whatever his reason is."

"But Mom—"

"I understand you worries anak (my child) but know your stand as a woman; you can't just let your husband lay a hand on you and do nothing no matter how much you love him. I will talk to him myself so keep distance for now, we'll never know what he might do to you especially that he has given you a hard warning."

Ishita was left contemplating whether to follow Isabella's advice or to follow her own thoughts. And as soon as they were finished treating the lady, Joshua came downstairs and without a word and without a single glance at the women, he strode for the door.

"Joshua! Where are you going? Are you really gonna keep doing this to your wife without proper explanation?"

"I don't have anything to explain ma, I'm off to work for now."

Joshua was about to kiss Isabella on the cheek when the older woman tilted her head away dodging the gesture of her son. Joshua was a bit hurt with the sudden stern front of her mother but he couldn't just refute his mom knowing that he might've hurt his mother as much as how he hurt Ish by last night.

"Don't wait for me this evening coz I'll be working late."

With a cold front, Joshua turned again to the door.

"What kind of manner is this Joshua!? Explain things this instance— Joshua! Joshua!"

Without any more words, Joshua with mixed emotions strode to his car not glancing at least once back to his mother's call. Ishita on the other was just silently crying and desperately wishing for Joshua to at least glance at her for once but hope crashed, Ish cried even more and went dashing to their room.

"Ishita—Ish anak!—Oh dear Lord, what is happening—"

"Aunt Isabella!"

Rosa abruptly went to Isabella's side for assist when all of a sudden she wobbled from where she was stood. Isabella held her chest and breathed heavily feeling her heart seemingly tightening for unknown reason. Rosa on the other hand carefully dragged the older woman to the sofa and ran for a glass of water.

"Aunt, are you okay? What's happening? Here."

Rosa caressed Isabella as she assisted her from drinking water as fear crept to her insides watching the older woman's sudden reactions.

"I'll call for an ambulance—"

"No, no. I'm all good now."

"But Aunt—"

"I'm just tired and maybe stressed with these sudden turn of events. Rest will do the work, don't worry."

Rosa didn't say anything further as she stayed beside Isabella for assistance.

ISHITA'S POV

The familiar feeling of loneliness crept on me as I hugged myself in the middle of the bed. I didn't know with just one word from Joshua could hurt more that living in the dark for all my life. I didn't know that anything could be more painful than being locked in darkness and I can't just possibly hold out for long if this goes on.

By the time the night has already come, Joshua is still not home when usually he is already here with us at 6 even. It's already 9 and yet no sign of Joshua still. Mom and Ate Rosa came from time-to-time checking on me and I just smiled on them bitterly letting them know still that am quite fine in here. I wasn't able to go out the room again after I ran up here coz I felt like I could only find peace in our room for the very least.

Maybe he's indeed working late so he's not home yet, he'll be back later this evening; that's what I convinced myself into and waited for who knows how long. I kept my wits up and stared at the door desperately hoping for it to open and reveal Joshua from there. I was imagining all things while waiting; that I'd be throwing myself to him for a big hug when he enters our room and I'd go prepare him for late dinner and we'd be gossiping and laughing about what happened this day like the usual we do. And when the door indeed opened, I stood abrupt and was ready to ran but I stopped mid-way when I saw mom standing there with a tray of what seems to be a porridge.

"Oh My God, Ish dear haven't you slept yet?"

I bitterly smiled at mom as she puts down the tray at the side table and dragged me to sit back on the bed. She held my cheek and it never felt warmer. I couldn't help my tears from falling.

"Ish, I told you to rest. Look at you face, it's looking so stressed. You can't be sicker than me now. You must rest and eat for you to have strength dear."

I realized just now that morning has already come to light the world but I was still stuck in the darkness, yet again.

And that was my routine for the next two more days and night; just waiting in desperation and nothing more but painful loneliness. I waited for Joshua and still am. It's been three days and three nights without a glimpse of Joshua leaving me even more desperate. Mom and Ate Rosa, even Layad would come in turns checking on me and Layad even started to come sleep in my room trying to get me to sleep but I just can't. I would just watch Layad sleep and go back in daze, waiting for nothing. I tried calling him, his company number even his P.A to his secretary and to the least employees I could call but they'd just tell me one thing, their boss is busy. I couldn't get myself to go out and confront him personally especially that Mom also is getting worried sick as much as I am. I couldn't even go and take care of mom after hearing from Ate Rosa that mom also has fallen sick from all the stress.

And the fifth night was my last call. I can't just wait anymore only to end up with nothing. I could bear this treatment and just desperately wait but I can't watch mom getting all sickly stressed even more so I urged myself to go and look for Joshua myself. I was weak and sick myself but I can't let this pain—I can't let darkness eat me again especially now that I am starting to enjoy the bright world around and together with him. No—I just can't.

'Joshua, I'm sorry but I can't just not stay away from you. I can't just follow your words to not get close to you when you're what my mind goes to and where my heart follows. I will come to you no matter what, no matter where.'