Loving You

Chapter 5

Weeks have past since the military ball and Sofia became very busy with work. It has been a stressful couple of weeks in the hospital. There had been so many casualties this week that all the nurses and doctors were on call. No one had a break or had much time to sleep. But when they did get a break for a few minutes Sofia and Bea would fall down on their beds and sleep due to their exhaustion. She had seen Adam around, but they never really talked just smile or wave here and there.

The last few days however the hospital went back to the way it was before. Today was Friday  and every Friday at the end of the month everyone got to make a phone call home and people would also get letters from their loved ones.

Sofia always hated the days like these. She never got to make a phone call. Once in awhile though she would get a letter from her cousin who would inform her of her grandma's well being and how things were back home. She wished that her grandma would write to her, but she knew how much her grandma would be risking if her grandpa ever found out. So for the sake of her grandma Sofia never called or wrote to anyone.

After a long day at work the girls were heading back to their rooms. As the girls were walking Bea noticed how quiet Sofia was. She knew how much Sofia dreaded this day and her heart ached for her friend. Bea locked her hand with Sofia's and gave her a loving smile. The rest of the way the girls were silent.

When Bea unlocked their room door Sofia slumped into bed. She was tired and felt her head pounding. All she wanted to do was sleep so she went to the bathroom and took a warm shower and was about to go to bed when Faith came in with a few letters and started reading off names. All the girls squealed and was delighted to read their letters from back home. "Stacy, Alice, Nikki, Jess,Bea and Sofia."

Sofia quickly sat up on her bed and looked at Bea. The girls exchanged looks before Bea point to her to get the letter. Sofia took the letter from Faith and sat back down on her bed next to Bea.

Could this be a mistake Sofia thought. But she looked at the envelope and saw her cousin's neat handwriting. She never got any letters from her cousin unless it was about her grandma. With shaky hands Sofia opened the letter a million worries clouded her head.

As Sofia read the letter she felt her eyes began to tear. At that point her world came crushing down again. The only other family she loved was taken from her. Her beloved grandma had passed away. Tears blurred her vision and Sofia let out a sob. Bea quickly hugged her friend and tears flowed down her eyes as well. Bea didn't know what to do. She didn't want her friend to go through all that pain again.

Sofia wiped her tears and looked inside the envelope there was another piece of paper. She opened it and saw it was a letter from her grandma. Tears blurred threatened to fall out again, but this time Sofia fought back her tears.

Her emotions were everywhere and she felt like this room was swallowing her, she needed some space to breath. Sofia wiped the tears that were on her cheeks and ran out the door with her grandma's letter.

"Sofia" Bea called, but she was already out the door.

Sofia ran into the phone room and picked up the phone. She dialed the first three digits of her grandma's house phone number, but then angrily put the phone down. She was afraid her grandpa would pick up and even if he didn't she couldn't risk her aunt or cousin to get into trouble because of her.

Frustrated Sofia leaned her head on the table. Her broken heart shattered once again.

Sofia looked at her grandma's letter and decided to read it by the beach. They had a small beach near the military base which was usually peaceful. She needed some peace.

In the chilly night Sofia walked over and sat on the beach and stared at the water. She looked up at the sky and prayed to God for her grandma. She was being tested again by the almighty.

Sofia opened up the letter with shaky hands and read her grandma's last words to her:

My dear Sofia,
Oh how much I have missed you throughout these years. There never has been a day where I haven't thought about you. Fought for you. Prayed for you. Cried for you. You were the only thing that I had left of my daughter, but you were also was taken away from me.

I have saved some money throughout the years that your grandfather doesn't know about and I had my lawyer secretly transfer the money into your account. I want you to keep that money and spend it as you wish. It's the least I could do for you.

Sofia I hope you never thought that I didn't miss you. I missed you everyday. I would look up to at the stars and think about what you have been up to or how much you have grown. I should've fought more for you Sofia and I'm so sorry. I hope you can forgive me.

I don't have much time left on this earth, but my dear there's something I wanted to tell you. Sofia your love is what makes you strong. But Sofia you out of all people know that life isn't fair and we are tested by God everyday. No matter what comes in your way don't ever lose your faith. God is always with you. After your parents died you didn't have much love in your life and even though I wasn't able to shower you with my love just remember that I loved you so much.

I pray to God that one day you will find someone who will love you no matter what, who will be able to amend your broken heart and make you smile again.

It's goodbye for now, but one day we shall meet again and when we do I will never let you go from my arms. I will always love you Sofia. Always remember that my dear.

Love,
Grandma

Sofia put the letter down to wipe the tears away again. Her eyes hurt so she closed them and focused on the swaying sound of the water. Sofia was so focused in calming down her emotions the she didn't hear the sound of the footsteps that were approaching.