Aaliyah's Prelude |C.B|

sixty - seven

Aaliyah Brielle Na'Jai Harper
Twenty-Two
Los Angeles, CA
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I woke up again, feeling a bit better but still sore and exhausted.

The hospital room was quiet, and the early morning light filtered softly through the blinds. I noticed my mom had fallen asleep in the chair beside my bed.

She looked worn out but peaceful. The beeping of the machines and the distant chatter of hospital staff provided a soothing background noise.

I tried to sit up, but my body protested with every movement. The pain and sadness were still fresh, and the reality of what had happened was beginning to settle in.

My mind wandered to Chris, who was still missing. I needed him here. I needed his support, his presence to make this unbearable situation slightly more manageable.

Just then, the door to my room swung open, and my dad, John, stormed in. His face was set in a grim line, and his eyes were filled with anger. My heart sank as I saw him—his disapproval was always noticeable, but today it seemed even more intense.

"Are you okay?" His voice was harsh as he approached the bed.

"Yes..."

He sighed before looking at my mom then me. "That man is no good for you, Aaliyah... He's the reason this happened."

My heart clenched at his words. I wanted to protest, to defend Chris, but I was too exhausted and emotionally drained to argue. My mom, who had woken up at the commotion, immediately stepped in.

"John, please," She said, her voice firm but weary. "Aaliyah doesn't need this right now. She's been through a lot. This is not the time or the fucking place for this."

His expression hardened. "You don't understand, Trin. That nigga has always been trouble. And now look at where we are. Aaliyah's in the hospital because of him. This is exactly what I was afraid of."

Trini stood up from her chair, her face flushed with frustration. "John, you need to stop. This is not helping Aaliyah. Shes not in the hospital because of Chris. She's and here because of stress and You're just adding to it."

His anger shifted to confusion, his face showing a mix of guilt and frustration. "I just want what's best for her. I can't stand seeing her hurt like this."

Trini sighed deeply. "And neither can I. But right now, the focus needs to be on our babies recovery, not on blaming Chris or anyone else."

He seemed to relent slightly, his shoulders sagging as he looked at me with a pained expression. "I'm sorry, Aaliyah. I just... I want you to be okay."

I managed a weak smile, though it didn't reach my eyes. "Thanks, Dad. I just need to get through this, and I hope Chris will come back soon."

John nodded, though his expression was still troubled. "I hope so too. I'll be here for you, no matter what."

Trini gave him a small nod of appreciation before turning her attention back to me. "Are you feeling okay, honey? Is there anything you need?"

I shook my head, feeling a mix of gratitude and frustration. "I'm okay. I just wish Chris was here. I feel so lost without him."

Trini's face softened with sympathy. "I know, baby. I wish he were here too. But sometimes people need time to process things. I'm sure he'll come around."

The conversation was interrupted by the sound of the door opening again. This time, it was Joyce who entered. Her face was drawn, and her eyes were red-rimmed, as if she'd been crying.

"Hey, Joyce," Trini said softly. "How are you holding up?"

Joyce gave a weary smile, her voice trembling. "I'm managing. It's been a tough night. I haven't seen Chris since he left the hospital. I'm worried about him too."

I felt a pang of guilt. I didn't want Chris to be suffering alone, even though I was struggling myself. "Have you talked to him? Do you know where he went?"

Joyce shook her head. "No, I haven't been able to reach him. I think he just needed some space to deal with everything. I hope he comes back soon."

"I hope so too," I said, my voice barely above a whisper. "I need him. It's hard to face this without him."

Joyce walked over to my bedside and took my hand gently. "I know you do, Aaliyah. And I'm sure he'll come back when he's ready. He loves you very much."

Trini nodded in agreement. "We all want to be here for you. We'll get through this together."

I closed my eyes, trying to hold onto the hope that Chris would return. The pain and sadness were overwhelming, but I found solace in the presence of my mom and Joyce. Their support was a small beacon of light in the darkness of this ordeal.

As the morning progressed, the room filled with the soft sounds of hospital life—nurses making their rounds, distant chatter, and the occasional beeping of medical equipment. The noise was a stark reminder of the reality I was facing, but it also provided a sense of normalcy amidst the chaos.

I tried to rest, but my mind kept drifting to Chris. I hoped that wherever he was, he was finding the strength to come back and face this with me. I needed him now more than ever, and the thought of him being out there alone, struggling with his own emotions, was almost too much to bear.

For now, all I could do was wait, cling to the hope that he would return, and try to find a way to heal from the pain that had become a part of my life.