Kismet [ENGLOT]

Chapter 28

Engfa's POV:

Summer had officially begun, and the air was alive with the anticipation of freedom and new beginnings. Everyone was abuzz with excitement after our high school graduation. The reality of stepping into a new chapter of life had stirred mixed emotions among my friends—joy for what was to come and bittersweet nostalgia for what we were leaving behind. Nessa, always the planner and the heartbeat of our group, had taken it upon herself to organize an extravagant getaway to the Bahamas.

"P'fa, you have to come!" Nessa had begged, practically bouncing with excitement as she recounted her plans. "Private beach, luxury villa, unlimited cocktails—it'll be the perfect send-off to celebrate everything we've been through. And," she added with a wink, "it'll be the perfect romantic escape for you and Charlotte."

She'd even gone the extra mile, convincing Marima and her boyfriend Patrick to tag along, knowing their presence would make Charlotte feel more at ease. But despite Nessa's enthusiasm and the allure of a tropical paradise, my heart weighed heavy with worry.

It wasn't that the idea of a getaway with friends didn't appeal to me. I could already imagine Charlotte basking under the sun, her laughter blending with the sound of the waves. But her condition—our reality—was something I couldn't overlook. The thought of her exerting herself, of her pushing her limits just to keep up, filled me with anxiety. I couldn't risk her health, not for the world.

When Nessa brought it up again during a group call, her excitement was palpable, but so was my hesitation.

"Guys, I've talked to everyone," Nessa said, her voice brimming with eagerness. "We can book the villa for the last week of this month! It's going to be epic. Charlotte, you'll finally get that tan I've been telling you about!"

I glanced at Charlotte, who was sitting beside me, her smile faint but genuine. She wasn't saying much, her hand resting lightly on mine as if sensing my unease.

"Nudee," I started, my tone careful but firm, "I don't think that's going to work for us."

The line went silent for a beat, and I could almost see Nessa's face falling on the other side of the screen. "Wait, what? Why not? It's going to be amazing, Fa! Don't you want to celebrate?"

"It's not about celebrating," I replied, glancing at Charlotte, who gave my hand a reassuring squeeze. "It's just... I don't think the Bahamas is the right fit for us right now. It's a lot of travel, and I don't want to push Charlotte."

"Engfa, I'm fine," Charlotte interjected softly, her voice soothing. But I could see the gratitude in her eyes, her silent understanding of my concerns.

Nessa sighed, clearly trying to hide her disappointment. "I get it, Fa. I really do. But come on, we have to do something."

And that's when the idea struck me. "We can," I said, my voice lifting with a spark of inspiration. "Why don't we go to my family's lakehouse instead? It's quiet, private, and we won't have to worry about long flights or overcrowded beaches."

"Lake house?" Nessa repeated, intrigued. "Where is it?"

"Just a few hours' drive from here," I explained. "It's beautiful—surrounded by trees, right by the water. There's a dock, boats, and plenty of space for everyone. It'll be perfect."

"Wait," Marima chimed in, her voice lighting up. "Are you serious? That sounds amazing!"

Patrick agreed, and even Nessa, despite her initial reluctance, started warming up to the idea. "Okay, fine," she said after a pause. "But only if we get to make s'mores and do karaoke by the lake!"