Starlight

-6-

Asher ___

Emily.
She was so young.
Emily Storm.
My baby sister, the one I loved so much. Wherever she was, she had a bright smile on her face.
She was quite bubbly and energetic. Always teasing me about Rose.
Emily helped me plan out the engagement date. She was the mastermind behind it. She died the very next day I found out she was pregnant.

If only she hadn't hopped into that vehicle.

She would have still been alive.
Maybe, I won't be this depressed.

I wiped the lone tears escaping my eyes. Looking at this portrait, I miss her so much.
Emily had her arms around my torso smiling widely at the camera. I wrapped my hands around her waist and the other around Charlotte smiling brightly too.

Charlotte wrapped her arms around us both barely keeping her eyes open due to laughter.
Everything was okay then.
We were all happy, so very happy.

That night at the hospital, I prayed. I prayed like my life depended on it, my prayers weren't answered. Emily died in my arms.

   "Em, please keep your eyes open for me. Em, please." I pleaded with her. I was a crying mess, she was crying too.
"I can't, I'm sorry. It's hurts so much." The words struggled out of her mouth, she was in severe pain.

She had broken ribs and legs. There were bruises all round her body. She was practically dressed in bandage. All that was left to the open was her face.

"I'll get you ice-cream, even cake once you leave here. Please, promise me you'll be fine." Tears streamed down her beautiful face. She shook her head.

She couldn't promise.
"I'll pray for you. You'll be alright." She flashed a small smile at me. How is she still smiling?

"Promise me, you'll get through all these." I looked up at her, why is she making me promise this?
She can't be dying, can she?
I held her, and promised.
She smiled again.

"I love you, big bro. Allow me rest with Jesus."
I couldn't believe my ears. She can't be dying, I won't let that happen.
I'll pray for her.

"Father Lord, I thank you for life, for your grace, for all what you do. Be glorified. Lord, you said I should ask and He shall give me what I ask from thee. I ask for your healing upon Em. Grant her divine healing and make her whole again. Father, I..."

I heard the beeping sound of the machine.
It was flat lined. Impossible! It must be some kind of sick joke.
No!
No!!
No!!!

"Emily!" I screamed out, my voice raw with emotions. The tears flowed so easily. She had a smile on her face as she laid peacefully.
Emily!

"Emily! No!!! Somebody tell me this can't be happening! Mum! Emily! I promise to get you ice-cream once you leave here. Please wake up! Wake up, Em! Don't do this to your big brother."

She was just 16. Too young to die.
"God why? You said if I asked, you'll grant my wishes. Why couldn't you save Emily? Why?? Why me?? Why does it have to happen to me?!" I felt myself being dragged out by people.

I tried reaching for her. I struggled to be let loose.
"Emily! Emily!! Please," I screamed out.
No, she can't be dead.
She's too young.

"Emily, please. Tell me this is a prank. Wake up, please. I don't know what I'll do without you. Wake up, please." I pleaded with her. I was pulled out of the room. I watched the doctor cover her with a white sheet.

She was gone.
Emily was gone.
Rose was gone too.
And God let all this happen to me within two days.
He let me suffer.
He didn't save Em.

"Emily," my voice came out as a whisper. I felt myself being pulled back into a strong embrace. I recognized that to be my dad. I felt weak, my feet gave away. I cried so much that night.
I wasn't only crying because of Em but because of Rose too. Everything I bottled up, overflowed that night. I couldn't watch her being rolled out of the room.

It all dawned on me, I lost two people I loved so much in two days.
They were gone.
Ever since then, I stopped praying.
My prayer couldn't save Em, why should I continue?

I clutch the frame tight to my chest. My knees gave away, I slid down to the floor. Crying so hard, I haven't thought about that night in a while until now.
Emily....
I hope you are where you always talked about___heaven.
                  

                              ***
"Asher, I didn't see you down for dinner, are you okay?" Mum slightly opened my door, pops her head inside and asked softly.
"I'm fine, mum." I reassured her taking out my PJs for the night.

"Baby, do you wanna talk?" I recalled what happened earlier on. I don't want to relive the memory.
"No, I'm good. Don't worry, mum. I'm alright. Goodnight ma." I uttered those words without once meeting her eyes.
I kept trying to get free from my shirt.
She stood there for as long as I felt her gaze at my back.

I put on my pj shirt I spun around to meet her there. In the same position since she came in.

"Mum?" I raised my brows at her. I couldn't understand the look on her face. Her brows knitted together like she was trying hard to unpuzzle me. I gestured to my pj pant in my hand not then did she leave.

"Goodnight, Ash."
I sighed, one more minute under her intense gaze, I'll be out spouting everything to her.
It's that bad.

I grabbed the zip of my pant, just then my phone dinged with a message. I peeped down to see___from Dean.
I hurriedly stepped out of my pant before putting on my pj.
I grabbed my phone quickly, taking a sit on my bed before flipping the phone open.

I'm sorry, Asher. Can we talk? You could drop a text or call once you get this.
I'm so sorry.

A smile crept up to my face. I'm sorry too buddy. I clicked on the message, typing in my reply.

We'll talk once I get back to NY. I'm with my fam.
I'm sorry. Say a quick apology to Deb for me.

I missed that little kid. Did I say this?
I love children. They are all beautiful souls.

Will do. Send my greetings to mum and dad. To Charlotte too.

Deb sent kisses.

Two message notification from him, I clicked on it and smiled.
I guess I have to get chocolates for Deb once I'm back at NY.
She sent kisses not hugs.
I know what that means.
It's our thing.

She still needs a proper apology from me. Not until then, would she forgive me.

###
Oh, Asher. The poor boy.
Emily was a sweetheart.
I almost cried while writing this.

Thank you all for your kind words and votes.
Have a blessed day.
God bless you 🤍.