Unspoken Desires

115.) Stress

Cheska sits at her desk, surrounded by a mountain of books and study materials. Her face is etched with exhaustion and stress as she diligently tries to focus on her studies. The room is quiet, except for the sound of flipping pages and the occasional sigh that escapes Cheska's lips.

As she scans through her notes, a wave of sadness washes over her. She clenches her fists, trying to hold back the tears that threaten to spill from her eyes.

Cheska blinks back tears, her grip on her pen tightening. She takes a deep breath, trying to compose herself and push through the overwhelming emotions.

Delaney's death affected her so much.

She has multiple group activities and individual assessments via online and has to finish them within the day.

Suddenly, Cheska's bedroom door bursts open, and her younger sister, Ava, rushes in, her face pale and tear-streaked.

"Cheska! Help me! I'm bleeding!"

Cheska's eyes widen in shock and concern. She jumps up from her chair, abandoning her study materials.

"Oh my God, Ava! What happened? We need to get you to the hospital!"

Cheska quickly takes Ava by the hand and hurries out of the room, her mind racing with worry. They rush out of the house and into a waiting car.

Cheska paces back and forth in the sterile waiting area of the hospital, her hands trembling. Ava sits beside her, clutching a tissue. Cheska's eyes are red and swollen from crying.

The doctor approached her, "Miss Cheska?"

Cheska's heart lurches as she turns to face the doctor.

"Yes? How is my sister?"

"I'm sorry to inform you that Ava has had a miscarriage. We did everything we could, but the pregnancy couldn't be saved."

Cheska's face contorts with grief as tears stream down her cheeks. She wraps her arms around herself, trying to find some semblance of comfort.

Cheska walks down the hospital corridor, her steps heavy with sorrow. She clutches her phone tightly in her hand, waiting for an important call. Finally, it rings, and she answers, her voice quivering.

"Hello?"

"Cheska, this is Dr. Hernandez, your grandmother's oncologist."

Cheska's heart sinks at the mention of her grandmother's doctor.

"Yes, Doctor. Is there something wrong?"

"I'm afraid there's been a significant development. Your grandmother's cancer has progressed to stage 4. We're doing everything we can, but the prognosis is not favorable."

Cheska's knees weaken, and she leans against the wall for support. The weight of her sister's loss and her grandmother's deteriorating health crushes her spirit.

---

Cheska stepped out of the store with a bottle of whiskey in her hand.

She had been feeling down lately and wanted to drown her sorrows in a bottle of liquor.

She had been through a lot lately and needed something to take her mind off of it.

The night air was cool and the stars were twinkling in the sky.

Cheska took a deep breath and started walking down the street. She had no destination in mind, just wanted to wander and clear her head.

As she walked, she started to feel the effects of the alcohol. She felt a warmth in her chest and a lightness in her head. She started to laugh, a deep, throaty laugh that echoed through the night.