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ᴍᴀɴʜᴀᴛᴛᴀɴ, ɴᴇᴡ ʏᴏʀᴋ 𝙾𝚖𝚗𝚒𝚜𝚌𝚒𝚎𝚗𝚝 𝙿𝙾𝚅
Ari's morning had been chaotic. A meeting with her boss that ran late, phone calls, emails, the usual. By the time she stepped into the car, she was exhausted, but she still had the energy to call her mom. They spoke every day, sometimes multiple times a day, about everything from the kids to her latest fashion collections. Their bond was strong, unbreakable. Ari often was thankful of her mom due to the fact that she didn't shun her out when she was pregnant at such a young age.
But when Ari's phone buzzed mid-ride with an incoming call from her mom, something about the number made her pause.
"Maman?" Ari said, a smile tugging at the corners of her lips, her voice light and warm as always.
"Ariana, baby," her mother said, but there was something in her tone that Ari couldn't quite place, a kind of heaviness, a quietness.
"Hey, Ma. Everything okay?" Ari asked, a knot forming in her stomach.
"I'm fine, sweetie. I just need to see you. Can we meet at the cafe today? The one across the street from your job" Her mom's voice cracked at the end, and Ari caught it.
"Of course, Ma. Is everything alright?" Ari asked, her pulse quickening.
"I just need to see you, baby. There's something I have to tell you. It's important. Please, come now."
Ari's heart sank, but she didn't push. "I'll be there in 5 minutes, Ma. Don't go anywhere. I'll meet you there."
Her mom's voice softened. "I love you."
"I love you too, Ma. I'll be right there." She repeated.
By the time Ari arrived, her mind was racing, thoughts swirling. What could it be? She parked the car and walked briskly toward the cafe, the usual warmth of the familiar streets replaced by a sense of dread. The small cafe was cozy, its warm lights glowing through the windows. The moment she stepped inside, the familiar scent of coffee and fresh pastries greeted her, but it did little to calm her nerves. She scanned the room quickly, and there, sitting at their usual booth in the back, was her mom.
Her heart dropped. Her mother looked different today paler than usual, her face tighter, her eyes darker. She was always the picture of a healthy woman, but today she seemed smaller, as if a weight had been placed on her shoulders that Ari couldn't see.
"Ma," Ari said softly, sliding into the booth across from her. "You okay?"
Her mother reached out, placing her hand gently over Ari's. "I'm fine, baby," she said, but Ari could hear the shakiness in her voice. Her mom wasn't fine at all.
Ari took a deep breath. "Ma, talk to me. What's going on?"
Her mom sighed, glancing around the cafe before locking eyes with her daughter. "I've been to the doctor. I... I got some news today."
