Hearts of Grief (CaitVi)

XI

I was at the gate of the Kiramman's estate. My heart was racing fast as I hovered my finger over the call button. This just doesn't feel real.

"Caitlyn. It's me." Her voice, stern as ever, said when I answered the call and didn't say a word. "What do you want? I hope it's not to pester me after 6 years of no contact. If it is, just hang up now because I'm in no mood to-"

"Caitlyn, I'm sick." I went quiet again after she spoke, a few small coughs following behind.

"Sick? What do you mean sick?" I asked in disbelief.

She let out an even heavier cough before speaking, "I collapsed at a meeting and the doctor said I had a heart attack, can you believe that? Unfortunately, it led to heart failure, but I'm sure you're happy to hear that."

I huffed at her absurdity. "You really think that low of me that you believe I'm actually happy about you being ill? This is why you called me? I should've blocked your number years ago-"

"No, I'm sorry." She said, cutting me off. I heard her silently cough against something before sighing. "I don't even know how to talk to my own daughter, I'm the one that's low." She admitted.

"Just talk to me. Why did you call?" I said, waiting for her to respond back.

"I called because I'm scared, Caitlyn. I drove my own daughter away with my own foolish dreams of you becoming just like me, instead of just letting you be your own person. After the heart attack and getting these terrible news, I don't know, it made me realize that if something worse were to happen to me, I'll be leaving with the biggest regret in my heart."

"And what's that?" I asked softly.

"Not having my daughter in life." She said with a small quiver in her voice. "Are you able to come over, Caitlyn?"

I don't know what to expect. Talking over the phone is one thing but in person, it's completely different. Who knows if she's lying or telling the truth about what happened.

I wanted to call my father for confirmation but part of me felt like he'll be offended by the assumption.

I appreciated Jayce for understanding my sudden decision to leave the university without finishing my midterms even though we agreed to stay together. He was just as shocked to hear it was my mother but reassured me that he'll get his done and start on mine as well, encouraging me to go.

I sighed deeply before pressing the button, finally building the courage up. I waited for a bit until I heard a man answer from the small speaker. "What's your business?"

I cleared my throat, "Uh, it's me, Caitlyn. Caitlyn Kiramman."

There was a bit of silence. "Ms. Kiramman, the code hasn't changed since it was placed a few decades ago, there was no need to wait." He said as the gate opened. I frowned and felt my cheeks get hot from the embarrassment. "Oh."

And here I was thinking that my mother changed the code after I left just to spite me. Maybe we've both gotten low.

I drove inside the property. It hasn't changed one bit. There was still a long drive to the actual house, the road lined with beautiful trees that bloomed with white Daisies. Once I made it to the roundabout in front of the house, I parked my car and got out.