Heaven On Earth

Chapter Nine: What Will Happen, If I Vanished?

As I reached the hospital entrance, I felt nervous to ask them, if Mom can go home. It's been a while since I last saw Mom, I wonder if she's feeling any better. I slightly tighten my grip on the bouquet of white lilies and daisies. "Here, I go." I walked through the sliding doors and went to the elevator. I press the 3rd floor button and felt the elevator shaft move up.

I stood there waiting silently for the elevator to stop. I don't know why, but I felt nervous. I know it's been a while since I visited Mom, but, I don't know what to do? Or, what to say to her? I got this bad feeling stirring inside of me. And, before I knew, the elevator stopped at the 3rd floor. I walked out the elevator as the doors slid open. I turned right at the first corner and the third room to the left is my mom's room. I stood there is anxiousness, with my left hand ready to knock at the door. "Come, Rose. It's just Mom. Don't let this bad feeling take over." I muttered. I shook my head, place a smile on my face and knock. *Knock*Knock* A few seconds later, Mom's voice replayed. "Come in." Then with a twist of a knob, I opened the door

Mom sits there on her hospital bed, looking at me. "Hi, Mom. Any news about you release?" I walked at the bed-side table and placed the flowers in a vase then put it on top. "I asked, but, the nurses say, that I need to be observed a little while longer for farther examination." I sat beside her while she looks out the window. Then, I thought that I heard Mom muttered something, and that worries me. "Did you said something, Mom?" I asked. "Nothing." She gives an unsecured smile at me. What's going on? Mom never did that before. I wonder what's bothering Mom?

"Rose? What if, I were...To disappear right now, how would you feel?" The sudden question puzzled me a bit. Many thoughts came rushing in and I started making ridiculous conclusion in my mind; there's only one solution to solve this. "Why did you say that, Mom?" I anxiously waited for the answers. "I was... I was just curious." I felt a bit of worry in those words but I simply ignore it and answered. "Of course, I'll be sad. Without you, then I would be happy." I said. "I see, then, I'm happy that you cared. Just like how I raised you to be." She puts her hand on my head and gently rubs it. This feeling just won't go away. I want to know, why do I have this awful feeling? Why Mom asked that question? With a worried expression plastered on Mom's face as I glanced back at her; she asked. "Rose, could you promised me something? Something important?" She placed a hand over mine; I looked at it for a while and glanced back at her. "Sure, I'll make a promise with Mom. Whatever it is, I promise." I laid my other hand over hers and slightly shook it.

She inhaled deeply and I could see she's holding back the tears. "Rose, promised me that. Whatever happens or how bad somethings tend to get, please, don't cry. For me." I don't quite get what's going on, but, I simply smile and said. "I promised, that I will never cry no matter what happens." She happily smiled. "That's my girl." After that, we made a pinky promise. I know I'm too old for this but it's sweet.

I spent at least an hour and a half, just talking; telling everything that happen since my last visit. After visiting hours are over, I said goodbye and headed out the door. "Rose?" I turned around to face Mom. "I'll miss you, my Rose." She sweetly smiled and I returned it with a smile. "I'll miss you, too." I walked out the door and close it. I stood there for a while, just to hear anything but it was silent. So, I just stop being bothered by it and leave the hospital.

I came home around 1pm, it's still early. So, I decided to go to my room and just read a book. But, before that, Dad asked. "How's Mom? Can she go home now?" Then, I remember what Mom said about, that 'To suddenly disappear' thing. I try to hide my concern with a smile. "Well, not yet... I hope she'll be better soon..." I faked a smile and I went up to my room.

I shut the door behind me and slid my back against it, slightly. That fake smile slowly faded away; my worried face started to show. What does she mean by that? I know she wouldn't go away, right? I shouldn't be thinking about stuff like that. I should knock on wood. so, I knocked on the wooden floor three times. After that, I stood up walked towards my desk and worked on my homework. Then there was a knock at the door, it opened and I turned around and Luke went in, smiling with a picnic basket on hand. "Hey Rose, Want a picnic with me?" He slightly raised the picnic basket slightly up. I looked at him with a smile. "Sure, I could use I breather." I hopped off my chair and out the door. I said bye to Dad and went to our secret place.

As we were walking, I was slightly behind Luke. I then remembered Mom's word. I looked down at the moving pebbled road. Why did Mom said that? I don't understand. Is she leaving? Are the doctors going to move her to a much bigger hospital because of her condition? Will she be ok? Are we going to move away from this town? If that happens, will I ever see Luke again? I was confused and in deep thought. Then, I suddenly bumped Luke. "Why did you stop?" I asked. "I stopped because we're already here." I looked around and I realize that we're here. "Sorry, I didn't realize. Let's go." I pretended a smile. I went ahead first and Luke went in after me.

I had my head down and once again, in deep thought. I guess Luke realize something was troubling me and asked. "Is something wrong?" "Oh... Nothing much... Don't worry too much, Luke. I'm fine." After saying that, I ran ahead without saying another word. "Rose! Wait for me." I heard Luke's voice from the distance. I arrived at the end of the tunnel and ran behind the tree and sat down. I was hugging my legs with my face covered by my arms. I took slightly deep breaths to regain some of my lost oxygen. "Rose! Where are you?" I heard Luke's voice approaching the tree; so hugged my legs tighter and bury my face deeper into my arms. "Ah! There you are! You shouldn't had run away like that." He sat beside me; also leaning against the tree. "So... What IS the matter?" He said it in a kind yet serious tone.

I felt hesitant on answering him. Like if I give him the wrong answer, he'll scold me. I couldn't tell him what Mom told me. But, I really wanted to hear his advice. So I hesitantly said. "Um.. Luke.. What will happen if I didn't meet you?" I lifted my head up to better hear Luke's respond. "Well... You wouldn't be sitting here underneath this tree and sob like that." he goofily smiled like he always do. "No! I'm serious, Luke! What if I suddenly disappear, the moment I set foot in this town? What will happen to our friendship?" I almost shouted at him in frustration. "Calm down, Rose. I'll answer your question." I took deep breaths and Luke continued. "I really don't know how to answer this right, but..." He stood up and pointed at the blue sky. "Even if, you never came to this town and I never bumped you with my bike. Fate, will always find a way to make us met; in more ways than one." "Fate?" I looked at him; he turned to me. "Yes, Fate. It's fate that my Mom made this wonderful place. It's also fate, that brought us together and made us the closest of friends in this town. Fate." He then gestures his hand to me. "Now, let's have our nice picnic. Shall we?" I smiled at him and take his hand.

We had our picnic in our secret place. We laugh, we eat,we'd tell jokes and tease each other, but we laughed even more. At that time,the words that my mom told me earlier, were completely forgotten from my mindand we were happy.