Once Upon a Star

Chapter 20

“Oh,” uttered Ian when he entered the room. “Stanley, Christine, Ronald,” he mentioned them all. Ian looked at Hanna and went to her, “I wasn’t able to take care of him, I’m sorry to disappoint you,” Hanna apologized to Ian and cried. Ian hugged Hanna and comforted her. “Why don’t we all go out for awhile, Lyndon, Hanna? I’ll treat you two, let’s eat,” Stanley offered as he gently pushed them to the door.

Christine sat on the extra bed, Ronald sat beside Sean, and Ian stood in front of them. “Ronald, Sean’s… He stopped his medications; at least that’s what I know. It was okay, so long as he doesn’t weary himself with extreme physical activities but… He joined his school’s soccer team. Apparently, he hasn’t been taking his medicines at all, that’s why the condition triggered,” Ian explained to Ronald. “Is it also because of the trauma, sadness, and depression I’m causing him to feel?” Ronald asked Ian. “Hanna told me everything,” he added and looked at Sean.

“Really, she did? That Hanna…” Ian whispered. “Who is she anyway? How come you know her too?” Ronald asked out of curiosity. Ian took a deep breath and a sit. “She lives with your son, Ronald,” Ian told Ronald. Ronald was confused, “She originally lived next door, but something happened to Hanna’s family, and Sean has to adopt her. She stays with him now. He could’ve ignored but I don’t know why he let her stay,” Ian explained and scratched his head. “Please do it for me, will you?” Christine remembered Sean asking for her help. “It is owned by ACE Lending Company now,” Christine recalled as she looked at Sean.

“I’m sorry Hanna, I didn’t know he’s ill, please believe me,” Lyndon pleaded as they ate. Hanna looked at Lyndon, “I didn’t know too, not until that time when he…” Hanna recalled. “I didn’t know Sean has a heart condition as well,” Stanley told them. Hanna and Lyndon looked at Stanley, “Who are you, anyway?” Lyndon asked him. Stanley smiled at them, “My father is Sean’s godfather, I think that makes him my brother?” he answered them.

“But, how did you know he has a heart condition? You two weren’t even talking at all,” Lyndon asked with suspicion. “It’s… a long story,” Hanna said and went on eating. “So, you know everything now,” Ian said. “I have the right to know,” Ronald said and looked at his son. “You should thank Hanna. If it wasn’t for her, your son might’ve died already. Hanna called me when Sean’s heart condition triggered, she was crying and panicking,” Ian explained. “Who is she anyway? Why is she so worried with my son, and my family?” Ronald asked with curiosity. “Maybe she’s trying to repay Sean’s kindness, or maybe…” Ian uttered and looked at Sean, and smiled.

Sean slowly opened his eyes and saw Hanna sleeping beside him. He smiled and touched her head. Hanna moved and saw Sean who was looking at her. “You’re awake; are you feeling better now? Do you feel hurt? Does something…” Hanna asked when Sean placed his pointer finger over Hanna’s lips. “Do you know how much relief it is to wake up seeing you by my side?” Sean asked Hanna and weakly smiled.

“Why do you always have to make me worry?” Hanna asked with a sad face. “I’m sorry,” Sean apologized. “I told you to drink your medicines,” she told him. “I did. Maybe the medicines aren’t working anymore,” Sean explained. Sean held Hanna’s hand, “You won’t leave me, right?” he asked her. Hanna held his hand and shook her head. “I won’t leave you, I won’t forget you, I won’t… Just please, get well,” Hanna asked. Sean slowly nodded and closed his eyes again. “I want you to be by my side, every time I wake up,” he said. Hanna nodded, rested her head in Sean’s embrace and slept.

*condominium unit*

Ronald was sitting in the living room with Sean. “I’m sorry if I didn’t tell you mom’s real condition, that I’m living with a girl inside my unit, and my illness triggered again, please forgive me,” Sean apologized to his father. Ronald stood up and sat next to Sean, and hugged him. “I’m just glad to see you alive, to hear you breathing. I know I have a lot of shortcomings, but I will make it up to you, this I promise,” Ronald assured Sean.

Hanna was waiting for the elevator; the doors opened and Ronald came out. Hanna bowed and saw Ronald, “I was going to visit…” Hanna uttered. Ronald held Hanna’s hands, “Please take care of my son,” Ronald asked her with a smile. Hanna nodded. “He did?” Sean asked as Hanna nodded. Sean looked at Hanna’s closed hands; Hanna then opened them and smiled at him. “Do you really have to act cute to make me take these?” Sean asked as he took the medicines from her and drank them. Sean hit the couch, asking Hanna to sit beside him. Hanna sat beside him and hugged him.

“Please forgive me,” Christine said as she cried in front of Grace. Grace smiled at her; “I’m not blaming you. Actually, I’m thanking you, and am asking you for a favor,” Grace told Christine. “Please look after my husband and my son for me, I won’t be staying very long, I can feel it; so please, take good care of them, please?” she asked Christine as she held her hands. Christine hugged Grace and cried on her shoulder.

Jenny went out of Lily Lending Corporation with a confused face. “Why, what’s wrong?” Stanley asked her. “My fathers debts… have been paid off,” Jenny answered with a blank emotion. “Aren’t you happy?” Stanley asked as he smiled. Jenny seriously looked at Stanley. “I have nothing to do with it, swear,” he explained himself. “I know I still lack a big amount, but they said it’s all paid off,” Jenny said as she looked at Stanley.

[Journey by Angela Zhang] “It’s a long, long journey, ‘til I know where I’m supposed to be. It’s a long, long journey, and I don’t know if I can believe. I know I will falter, I know I will cry; I know you’ll be standing by my side. It’s a long, long journey, and I need to be close to you. Sometimes it feels no one understands, I don’t even know why I do the things I do. When pride fills me up and I can’t see my soul, will you break down these walls and pull me through?” Hanna sang in their school’s event. Sean watched her perform as he smiled at her, as he held his chest.